Stalking His Assassin

Chapter 4

four

CHRISTOS

I'm fucking pissed.

I went to the address on the card that Tomas gave me and was immediately shot with a tranquilizer dart. I had enough time to pull the damn thing from my body before the world went black. I have no clue how long I was out, but I woke up in a fucking box. A small box. So small the bastards tied me in the fetal position. I'll give them credit; they're talented at tying a person up because I haven't been able to work myself free in the last however many hours I've been in this damn box.

Screaming does no good because I'm gagged, so at best, it's muffled. Though considering I can't hear a damn thing, I'm guessing the box is soundproofed, so no one will hear me anyways. The worst part is the damn hood over my face. It makes breathing difficult, and even though I'm not claustrophobic, I'm edging towards feeling that way between the small space and the limitations the mask puts on my breathing.

I know I've been moved several times based on the rough treatment the box has been through. Whoever it is obviously isn't concerned that I'll get hurt. And with how I'm tied and the padding I'm surrounded by, there isn't much risk that I'll be physically harmed unless they push me out of a plane.

I haven't moved in a while. I was in a vehicle for an indeterminable amount of time, then shoved out of it, which, despite the padding, wasn't pleasant. The sharp impact with the ground rattled my bones, and I can feel the start of a headache forming from the whole ordeal. I get the sense that I'm moving again, but I could be wrong. It's not until I hear the locks on the crate disengage that I know I've come to the end of my journey.

At the first hint of air slipping through the box, I heave myself upwards, causing the lid to fling open. There's a feminine squeal and stumbled steps, then silence. I thrash around, but I'm truly trapped. Stuck on my back like a damn turtle with no hope of righting myself in the tight confines of the box. I start shouting behind my gag, only quieting when I hear the woman shout: "What the fuck! He sent me a fucking person?!"

Even though I'm pissed at my situation, I inwardly chuckle at her outburst. Whoever this is wasn't expecting a man in a box to be delivered to her today, which is confusing but a massive relief because that means I'm likely not here to die. She's cursing quietly as she walks towards me. Without warning, the hood is ripped from my head, and bright light assaults my eyes.

I'm stunned when I focus on the lightest blue eyes I've ever seen. It's been years since I've been close enough to admire their beauty. I hate that they are filled with some mix of suspicion, anger, and what most would consider fear. I know better. This woman isn't afraid of anything. She's capable of taking down entire armies on her own and has kept herself safe in a business full of predators for years. She's proven multiple times that she could easily take me out if she wanted.

So, if it's not fear, what is it? If I wasn't still gagged, I would ask. This woman is an enigma. I've been chasing her for so long, and now Tomas or the Syndicate have delivered me to her. I should be enraged, but I'm ecstatic about my situation. The chase is over, and I can't be mad about it. Maybe I'll send Tomas a fruit basket in thanks.

"Well fuck," she says, wiping a hand down her face.

She stares at me for another minute. I half expect her to slam the lid closed and leave me to rot. She paces away, then back again several times, mumbling to herself. I can only see her when she's close enough to look in the box at me. I devour her with my eyes every time she comes into view. She's so fucking gorgeous. The most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

Maybe I should feel bad about wanting her as much as I do. She was a mere child when I first met her, but there's nothing childlike about her now. My feelings for her were innocent while she was a young girl. I wanted to protect her in a way no one did. I hated myself for being unable to do so. She protected herself in the end and is all the more attractive because of her ability to hold her own against the world's evil.

I won't ever lose the desire to keep her safe, but knowing she can protect herself gives me a lot of relief. Our world isn't safe. Even if she were to retire and shed her title of Ghost, she would always have enemies. I think I would go insane if she was an ordinary woman. I would have to glue myself to her side and make sure no one ever got through me to harm her.

Falling for an average woman was never an option. I resolved to be alone until I went to the Agency's facility and saw her for the first time in nearly two years. The once little girl had grown into a vixen in my absence. She was still too damn young, and it was wrong to find her attractive, but it was impossible to resist her siren's call.

That day, I decided to free myself from my obligations and vowed to save her from her uncle's grasp and make her mine. When I found out she had saved herself, I was both angry that I didn't have the pleasure of ending the man who tortured my beautiful girl and proud as hell at how she took control of her life. I can't help but wonder how things would have been between us if she hadn't destroyed the Agency and her uncle before I got there.

She stops in front of me, dragging me from my thoughts. Her pale blue eyes study my face for a long moment. I don't cower from the hard look in her eyes. My cock painfully hardens behind my zipper at how intensely she's looking at me. I can almost picture her looking up at me with those same hard eyes as I bury my cock inside her. A lesser man would be pissing their pants at this exact look, not getting a painful hard-on.

"Before I cut those ropes, I want to make it clear that I did not ask for this. I have no idea why Tomas put you in this box and delivered you to my doorstep. This can go a few ways… Option one: I cut the ropes, you get out of that box, and we can figure out how to get your ass out of here without compromising my safety. I prefer this option and guarantee you will be much happier choosing it too.

"Option two: I sedate you, get you out of that box, and chain you up in a slightly more comfortable position while I decide how to proceed. This option will be a pain in the ass, and I can't guarantee you won't be harmed in the process. Option three: I keep you in that box and ship you to Antarctica butt-assed naked where you can make friends with the penguins."

If I wasn't gagged, I would laugh. I can totally see her shipping me to Antarctica. I hold up one finger, letting her know I choose option one. I want to do unspeakable things to her body, but harming her isn't one of them.

She pulls a knife from her sexy-as-sin boot and points it at my throat. "Don't make me regret this."

I nod in agreement. You won't regret it, little wolf. I'll make sure of it.

She quickly slices through the ropes, and I groan as the blood flows unrestricted into my limbs. She takes several steps away from me once I'm cut free. I straighten my legs as much as possible while still on my back in the box. Fuck, that both hurts like hell and feels good at the same time. I remove the gag before trying to get out of the box. I curse as I struggle. I've switched from a turtle on my back to a crab. I can flail my legs and arms, but it's useless in getting me out of my predicament.

I hear a deep sigh of annoyance before Lucy strides into my line of sight again. "Fucking pathetic. You act like you've never been stuck in a box before."

"I don't make it a habit of getting stuck in boxes, little wolf."

She rolls her eyes, then grabs me by the hands. Despite being a tiny little thing, she's able to pull my heavy ass out of the box. I stumble to my knees as my legs fill with a million pinpricks of pain from being in the same position for God knows how long. She quietly waits for me to regain control of my body and stand. Her eyes don't leave me for a second as she twirls her knife in her hand like an extension of her fingers.

"Now what?" I ask.

She shrugs. "Haven't decided yet."

"I'm not going to hurt you, Lucy." Using her real name is a calculated risk. I want her to know that I know who she is, even if it outs the fact that I knew her when her uncle was alive. It's best to hint at that secret before getting too deep into this situation.

"You couldn't if you wanted to. I think I've proven that over the years. And Lucy is dead. Don't ever use that name again," she says fiercely.

I smirk. "You have done a good job of evading me. What should I call you?"

"Nice try. I'm not giving you my name. You can call me Eris if you have to call me anything," she says, annoyed.

I decide to change the subject because pissing her off is not something I want to do. Not when my goal is to make her mine.

"Any idea why Tomas and the Syndicate would send me to you trussed up and locked in a box?" I ask, even though I've already put the reason together based on what Tomas told me in the bar and what I overheard him say to her.

"Nope. The Syndicate isn't responsible for this, though. This was all Tomas. I'd bet my life on it. He's a meddlesome asshole sometimes."

"Retirement must be boring," I say, smirking.

She gives me a hint of a smile. "Definitely. I can't imagine it myself. You?"

I shrug. "Maybe someday with the right incentive."

She opens her mouth to reply, but her words are cut off by a jaw-cracking yawn. "I'll go get you something to eat and some water." She looks around the sparse room and winces. "Maybe a blanket and pillow…"

"You going to lock me in your cell?"

She sucks her bottom lip between her teeth and bites on it while she thinks. "It's the only rational thing to do…"

"I won't hurt you, little wolf. You'll always be safe with me. I swear it."

She stares into my eyes like she's peering into my soul to weigh the truth of my words. I drop any pretenses and let my feelings for her reflect in my eyes. She might not believe my words, but I know she can read people's intentions better than anyone. She blows out a breath and raises her chin defiantly.

"Okay. You can come upstairs. Tomas already knows where I live. What's one more assassin knowing my secrets. I'll just have to kill you both if you betray me," she says calmly, like she's talking about the weather and not killing two highly skilled assassins.

"I would expect nothing less from the great Eris."

She walks past me without a word. I follow her down a long hallway with several closed doors. All of them have palm readers and keypads. I'm curious what's behind the doors that would need so much security. More cells? I don't bother asking because I know she wouldn't answer anyway. She leads me to an elevator that requires her palm print and a security code to open.

"This elevator provides the only access to my floors. As you can see, it requires both my palm and a security code to access. If you were to incapacitate me to use my palm, you would never figure out the security code. Torture won't work on me. I suggest you don't try."

I smirk at how self-assured she is. It's fucking hot as hell. "I'm sort of digging the Beauty and the Beast role reversal. Though, you're too damn gorgeous to be a beast on the outside. Either way, I'm happy to be trapped in your castle, little wolf."

She scoffs, but her cheeks blush a soft pink at the compliment. A slight chink in the armor. I can work with that. The elevator lets us out in front of what I assume is her living space. I can tell right away the door is reinforced, and there's another palm reader. Instead of using that, she presses on the panel and reveals a retina scanner.

This chick has some major tech securing her home. It's impressive. Once the retina scan is approved, she enters a long series of numbers into the keypad. She doesn't attempt to hide them from me, which is curious, considering she just got done telling me I wouldn't get the code from her with torture.

"That's a one-time code. Don't bother trying to remember it."

"Impressive security. Where did you get your tech?"

"I created it," she says with a smirk. "Which is why you won't be leaving or returning without my approval. You might be a decent enough hacker, but bypassing even part of my system would take years."

"There's no place I'd rather be than locked in your castle at your mercy, little wolf."

"We'll see."

She's barely a foot in the door when she turns from me and braces herself. I'm instantly on alert for danger, but there is none. I'm about to ask what's wrong when a giant cream-colored fluffball jumps into Eris's waiting arms.

"How's my sweet boy?" she coos at the cat as he rubs his head along her jaw and cheek. He lets out a low meow in response to her talking. "I'm sorry I'm so late."

He meows again. If a cat's meow can sound displeased or annoyed, that's what this is. I chuckle at the fact that the most feared assassin among us is apologizing to a cat that seems to be talking back to her. It's as cute as it is ridiculous.

Eris gives me a displeased look. "This is Potato. Hurt him, and I will strip you of every inch of skin while you're still alive, starting with your dick."

I barely resist the urge to put a protective hand in front of my dick. "I like cats."

She nods, accepting my words as compliance. "Good."

"Are you hungry?"

"I could eat. I'm not sure how long I was in that damn box."

She nods and leads me to her kitchen. Her home is warm and comfortable. There's an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that show the night sky. I can see lights from the buildings surrounding us but don't recognize the cityscape. Doesn't matter where I am because I'm right where I want to be.

The living room has a plush sofa and chairs that look like they would suck your soul out from how comfortable they are. Everything looks like it was chosen for comfort. I like that she's made her home a sanctuary, not a showroom like many people with money. She's got art on the walls that are obviously originals, but they fit the décor and don't make the space pretentious.

The kitchen is pristine. A chef's dream kitchen for sure. She opens the fridge and fills her arms with eggs, cheese, vegetables, and bacon. She sets everything on the counter and starts prepping the food.

"Where were you when Tomas took you?"

"New York City. He gave me a card for the Syndicate and told me not to be late but didn't give me a time. I showed up to the address and was hit with a tranquilizer dart and woke up in the box."

"When did you go to the address?"

"Noon…"

"What day?" she asks.

It hadn't occurred to me that I could have been out for more than a day. "Thursday. What day is it?"

"Oh… I guess that depends on how you count days. Like, is it a new day at midnight when it's technically a new day, or do you consider it a new day after you've gone to bed for the night and wake up?" she rambles.

"Tell me."

She looks at me briefly, then refocuses on chopping the vegetables in front of her. "My friend Harper would tell you it's Saturday since we're awake after midnight. I prefer to start the new day at midnight, which means it's Sunday."

"It's been three days since I was tranqed," I growl

"Technically, it's only been sixty-two hours and forty-six minutes."

"Jesus. I'm going to kill Tomas the next time I see him. I don't understand the theatrics. I would have let him bring me here willingly. Pretty sure he knows that, considering he seemed to be appraised of our little game of chase."

I step closer, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Her apple scent fills my nose, making my cock achingly hard.

"The Carver is a fan of theatrics. Though, I'm sure the delivery method was so that I didn't kill you both on sight," she says, ignoring my closeness. She could easily move me. It's another win that she's allowing me so close. Especially when her back is to me. That's a sign of trust I never anticipated from her this soon.

"Would you have killed me, little wolf?" I ask, my voice a seductive growl. Goosebumps rise on her skin, but she gives no other outward sign that my closeness affects her.

"Probably. I don't like that my home isn't a secret. It's no longer secure. Killing you and Tomas would make it safe again. It's simple risk assessment."

"Your secret is safe with me, and I don't get the impression that Tomas has any ill intentions when it comes to you either," I say honestly.

"Loyalties change. If the Syndicate told Tomas it was time for me to be eliminated, I doubt his personal loyalty to me will trump his loyalty to the organization. That would defeat the purpose of the Syndicate."

"I'm not part of the Syndicate, and I would kill Tomas myself if I thought he was a threat to you."

She doesn't respond. She's deep in thought as she finishes cooking two of the best-looking omelets I've ever seen. She plates them and sets them on the counter in front of two barstools.

"Have a seat. What would you like to drink? I have strawberry lemonade, almond milk, grape soda, and water. Or I can make you tea or coffee."

"Water is fine."

She fills two glasses with ice water and then sits beside me. We eat in companionable silence. She finishes her food and then yawns. I take our empty plates and glasses to the sink.

"You can leave them for tomorrow. It's too late for dishes. Let me show you the guest room."

"As long as you promise to let me wash them when we wake up. You cooked; I clean."

Her lips tilt up in a small smile, which I consider a huge win. So many wins in one night. Very promising start, though I'm sure it won't all be easy. "Promise."

The room she brings me to is bigger than I expected. "It's not much, but the bed is comfortable and has an ensuite, so you have your own bathroom."

"It's almost perfect."

She nods, not asking me to clarify. Probably for the best, considering my answer is that it would be perfect only if it was her bed that I'd be sleeping in. This will do for tonight.

"My room is at the end of the hall. You have free rein in the apartment except for my office. If you attempt to access my office, I will know immediately, so I wouldn't suggest you try."

With those parting words, she heads down the hall towards her bedroom. "Sweet dreams, little wolf."

She pauses at my words, and I'm almost certain I hear her say, "Sleep sweet," but it's so quiet I can't be sure. Because I'm a hopeful bastard, I decide she did say it, and I'm one step closer to breaking through her hard exterior.

I want to crawl into bed and pass out, but I need a shower first.