1 YEAR AGO
"THIS IS HIM?" Picking up the file in front of me, I looked skeptically at the blurry mugshot of a man who had the appearance of a model. "His name is Ghost? Seriously?"
The director nodded. "He doesn't come up on any of our records. No family. No history. Nothing. Everyone calls him that so it's a fitting name."
The other agents in my team stared at each other warily as we went through the meeting. "I don't understand why we're worried about him since he's been released from prison last week," I said.
"Of course the newbie doesn't get it," Harry muttered. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"He's an assassin. A good one at that. There's only been one murder officially link to him but they say he's killed hundreds," the director explained. "They think he's going to kill for revenge."
"So why are we getting involved again? Can't the police keep an eye on him?" I had things to do and my plans were forced to change because of the last minute job.
"He's an assassin," Harry repeated. "What the f*ck is the police going to do?"
I could feel everyone rolling their eyes at me. It was late and I wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep. The thin file stared at me almost mockingly. We had to track him then bring him in for questioning. Simple, right?
Running my hands across my face, exhausted, I pointed to the d*ck beside me. "Does he need to come? Do I actually need to come?"
"He doesn't kill women," the director informed me but I caught the slight doubt in his voice.
"So you're praying that this assassin won't kill the newest member because of her f*cking gender? Did I get that right?"
"That definitely plays a part."
"Then what about Fiona?" I wanted to scream. I had no desire to die at twenty-three - I was still young.
"She doesn't fit the..." the director coughed before continuing, "plan."
"What plan?"
Ten minutes later and I was standing up yelling. "I am not dressing up as a stripper so you can place a target on my back!"
"Calm down," the director said. "You wanted to work here? This is part of the job description so unless you want to take your training and work in the army, I suggest you sit down."
My mouth dropped from the reality slap he had given me. Shaking, I complied and sat in my chair. He sighed.
"I get that it's not ideal but we need to take him in. Harry is going with you for backup. You two are partners and will need to ensure the other doesn't die so start getting along."
Harry and I both shifted uncomfortably. The meeting was over after an hour and we all left the conference room to get ready for the midnight mission. I hurried out, making my way angrily to the elevator where Harry stood silently.
"You-" he started but I cut him off.
"Don't say anything unless you want me to kick you in the balls."
He got the message and shut up. We separated at the changing rooms. I pushed open the door then walked to my locker without the agents already there noticing. Agents for some reason were the biggest gossips around so I changed silently, listening in.
"She's been given the case with Ghost," one whispered loudly.
"Ghost?" Another asked, confused.
"The guy who the whole organization is worried about."
"I bet he's not that bad," one scoffed.
"He killed the last squad they sent and there were nine of them. That was before he got caught for the gang murder though."
"And they're sending her? She just left the Academy."
"But she's good."
"Not that good."
"Maybe she'll spread her legs and they'll hope Ghost comes running."
And that was enough. I didn't appreciate being the topic of the conversation. I picked out the knife from my locker, walked to where they were and threw it. It embedded itself into the wall beside the brunette in the group, millimetres away from her head. They turned, eyes wide.
"You have something to f*cking say?" I folded my arms, p*ssed. "No? Then shut the f*ck up and don't talk sh*t."
As I turned, I heard the footsteps seconds before hands gripped my neck. I dropped to the ground and rolled, slamming them to the floor. The hands around my neck got tighter and my air supply was being cut off. I wasn't going to get beaten up by these b*tches. Another time, maybe but not today. I lifted my foot and smashed it into the girl's knee hard enough for her to release her grip. Getting up, I gasped for breath while getting up.
"Are we done?" I muttered, voice raspy.
They glared. "She's not worth it," the leader said as they left, supporting her as she limped away.
I gingerly touched my throat, wincing. "B*tches."
Putting on the clothes, I didn't understand how I was supposed to hide any weapons when I was literally naked. The lacy thong was string with a triangle at the front and the bra was the same black material barely covering my breasts but they were 'kind' enough to add a mesh body-con dress. I draped on the trench coat, trying to conceal as much as possible and sighed at my reflection disgusted. I pushed back the dark waves of hair from my face then picked up Ghost's file.
He had managed to kill a criminal in New York, saving a millionaire and burn down an entire building a few months back. But what was worrying about the case was that he was supposed to be in a high security prison. No one knew how he had managed to escape and there was no footage of him even leaving but the graffiti of his name on the sidewalk told us who the culprit was. I bit my lip worried. I knew all the training for becoming an FBI agent would never work for this case and I was on probation.
"F*ck," I swore. This guy was going to mess everything up for me. My record was perfect and I was so close to being promoted.
"Malia, are you done?" Harry called, knocking on the door.
I zipped the knee high boots and swung open the door. "Let's go," I growled, ignoring his mouth drop open at the sight of me. Everyone turned to stare at me as I approached the Jeep. "No one say a f*cking thing," I called, entering one of the cars.
For once, they did as I asked, leaving me alone as we drove to the club where Ghost was apparently at. The closer we got, the tension rose. Drunk people roamed the streets, leaning on girls who were barely clothed. I pulled my coat tighter but I had to get into role. My name was Milan. I was new at the club. I repeated the facts about myself over and over until the car came to a standstill.
Harry turned in his seat. He was dressed as if he had money to blow which helped to it in with the men. "If you need me, just touch the heel of your shoe," he reminded me which I responded by rolling my eyes.
"I'd be dead before that could happen," I replied snarkily.
The director tutted. "Malia, behave. Do your job. Find out who he's with."
"Fine. I'll go and be the bait."
I left the car and put on a perky smile, giggling at no one. The word 'Sinner' in neon lights shone from the front of the club. Striding up to the bouncer, I whispered in his ear. "I'm working today. Candy called me."
He looked down at the sight of my cleavage. "Sure, sugar. Go in."
Candy was a overweight woman with too much lipstick on who seemed to respect her dancers. I walked into the dressing room where more than a dozen women were getting dressed and she came over, shaking her head. "Darling, remove the mesh and coat. It's hiding your hourglass figure."
My cheeks flushed red and I did as she asked. "What am I doing tonight?"
Winking, she clapped her hands t get everyone's attention. "Girls, this is Milan. Look after her. Also, Ghost is here tonight so let's make it special for him."
I waved at the girls, trying not to react to the name of my target. Everyone began walking out of the room and I turned to Candy. "Who's Ghost?"
"You don't know?" She fanned herself dramatically. "Only the finest man I've ever seen and a gun big enough to get a girl like me to blush. Now, go out there and shake that ass."
She pushed me out of the door and I was thrown into the playground of drugs, money and sex. I walked onto one of the empty platform in the corner and grabbed onto the pole. Music pumped out of the speakers, acting like a drug that got people dancing to its rhythm. I climbed the pole like the videos I had watched in the van, sliding down it, trying to spot the criminal amongst the several people but I was looking for something I didn't know.
Instead he found me first.