Arcanum Hominem (#1)

Chapter 74

"Where would he be? He has to be here still, right?" I asked out loud, and Killian huffed, wrinkling his nose as he moved things around with the mouth of his gun. 

"He has to be. Come on, let's check the rest of the building." He walked to the exit but paused abruptly. I looked over his shoulder and froze. A blonde-haired, blue-eyed man was standing at the entrance of the room we were in, eyes wide. He was wearing a black hoodie and black pants. He glanced at me before looking at Killian again. Then he took off running. Killian sprinted after him, and I ran right after, keeping my gun to my side. The target flew down the stairs, jumping down multiple at a time. He made it to the bottom before us and turned around, pointing an arm in the air, gun in hand. 

"Duck!" I yelled as I ducked, and Killian ducked just in time as bullets started flying. The target ran after shooting three times, and we got back up just as quickly, running after him. Killian was faster than me, so he flew down the stairs as well, and soon, they were both out of sight. I continued to run down the stairs, looking around for them. I heard grunting and slaps as I continued down the stairs and tried to hurry my slow legs. I finally made it to the bottom floor and found Killian's gun at the bottom of the stairs. I picked it up and looked around for him, eyes wide. I spotted them in the parking lot, fighting each other. I ran at them and saw as the target chopped Killian's neck with his hand and at the same time knocked the back of his knees with his foot. In one motion, he picked up his gun and aimed it at Killian's head. I gasped and raised my gun, aiming at the target's head. I pulled the trigger, and he dropped to the ground, and I inhaled deeply. My heart was pounding so loudly in my ears, I almost didn't hear Killian speak. 

"Why would you do that? We almost had him!" Killian yelled at me, jumping up from the ground, a pissed look on his face. I reared back, not expecting that reaction from him.

"I just saved your life. He was about to blow your fucking head off. What else was I supposed to do?" I tucked my gun back in my waistband and threw my arms up in the air. His nostrils flared as he stared at me, and he turned around, storming to the car. I went to the car as well, swinging the door open before getting in.

"You weren't supposed to kill the first lead we had. It would've been such an easy grab." He started the car and mashed on the gas. I jerked back into my seat from the force and rolled my eyes, buckling up. 

"Well, his head was the first thing I spotted. Next time I'll just let him shoot you. How about that?" I glared at him, and his jaw ticked at my words. 

"Would that make you happy?" he asked, jerking the wheel to the side as he turned. 

"No! Why would that make me happy? Stop saying dumb shit and just say thank you for saving your life. That would make me happy." I narrowed my eyes at him, waiting. He huffed and glanced at me. 

"Thanks," he mumbled under his breath, but I heard him clearly. 

"You're welcome. Stop moping, and let's figure out what we need to do next." I grabbed the tablet and turned it on. There was a message from Levi. He was updating us to let us know the location of the next target. We decided to stop at the warehouse to let them know what happened and also to create a better plan for the second target. Killian didn't want to be caught off guard like we were with this one, and he also didn't want me to be in a situation where I killed another target. I told him not to be in a situation where the target is about to kill him, and I should be fine. He didn't like when I said that. I wouldn't hold this situation against him, though, unless he was being a dick. Then it might come up. 

"What the hell happened?" Row asked as we walked up the front door of the warehouse. I nodded my head at Killian.

"Ask him." I raised a brow when Killian glared at me and walked inside. Cleo and Levi were hunched over their computers but looked up when we entered. Killian wasn't speaking, so I decided to just tell them.

"The target was about to shoot Killian, so I shot him first. In the head." I kept the explanation short, and Row raised a brow at me while Levi's mouth dropped open. He recovered quickly and turned back around to the computer. 

"Well, good thing we have multiple targets. I sent you guys the location of the next target, but since you're here, I can just explain it to you. This one will be a little tricky because it seems every few hours, she moves locations. So I'm currently tracking her car's movements as well so that I'm always aware when she moves. She's fairly close by, another thirty-minute drive, except it, seems she's in a meeting at an office building. I'm not sure how much longer she's going to be there, so I would say it'll be better for you guys to get on the road now." Levi explained everything to us as I nodded. 

"Sounds good. I'll try not to kill this one." I smirked before walking back outside. This time, I went straight to the driver's side. I was tired of having to ride shotgun, and my fingers were itching to be in control of something right now. I wanted to be able to direct us to the target. Killian was still in the warehouse, so I was able to get comfortable and change the chair settings to match me and adjust the mirrors. By the time he came outside, I was comfortable in the driver's seat, nodding my head to the music that was playing from the radio. His eyes widened when he walked to the driver's side and saw me sitting there. He started shaking his head. 

"Absolutely not. Get out. Get to the other side." He pointed to the passenger seat, and I grinned, shaking my head. I locked the doors when he grabbed the handle. "Scarlett, open the fucking door." he glared at me, which only made my smile grow. 

"Only when you go to the passenger side. Come on, you're wasting time." I raised a brow and wagged a finger at him like he was a child in trouble. He stared at me for a few long seconds before storming to the other side. I unlocked the doors, and he yanked the door open forcefully before dropping down into the seat. He grumbled as he slammed the door shut and adjusted his seat to fit his body. It was weird seeing his large frame in the passenger seat, and it made me smile. I started the car and began driving toward our destination. I sang to the tunes that were coming from the radio, and Killian made a face with each song that came on. As I continued to sing, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, his brow raised when I glanced at him. 

"You have a nice voice." 

I stopped singing as I heard his compliment. I glanced at him and then back at the road, surprised. "Thank you." I accepted his compliment, a soft smile on my face. I guess he wasn't that irritated. We reached the destination in record time, and as I turned into the parking lot, I saw the target hop into her car, and she quickly drove off.

"Shit!" I whipped the car around quickly without even stopping, making Killian grip the side of the car door. I mashed the gas and quickly went after her.