"Have a good night, Mrs. Ida!" I wave sweetly and exit the shop for the day.
As I walk home, my thoughts drift to what tonight holds. Thorn has a hit on a man named Thomas Granger. David and I were assigned this mission a few weeks back. Since then, I've been scouting after hours, learning Granger's habits. When he's alone. When he's guarded. When he's weakest. He's always flanked by men, and his brothel is crawling with muscle.
Granger's a fat bastard who buys and sells women like livestock. He's a high-powered underground business man running a ring of brothels. And sure, anything goes in the underground, but that doesn't mean it's right. He lures young girls into his brothels and breaks them down. He's the kind of person who deserves to disappear, and as a servant of Thorn, I'm more than happy to make that happen.
I spent a significant part of my life down there after... certain events. So I've made it my mission to clean up the scum of this world, starting where I came from.
Sure, I've done a few hits topside, but the rats up here take more time to flush out. More eyes, more rules. Down there? It's still messy... but easier to disappear.
Back home, I change into my assassin gear—black from head to toe, but the gold trim and detail of my cloak ads a personal flare, a signature Scarlet look. Then I move the bed, it screeches across the old wood. I pry up the floorboards, and pull out my modified ODM gear. It's compact, with no blade cartridges, with smaller gas canisters, designed to blend in while still being deadly. A personal gift from the reaper himself. Two daggers with golden hilts, wired to the gas lines, sit on my thighs. They've got brass-knuckle-style grips with trigger buttons. Light. Lethal. Silent.
I check the mirror. Double checking that my cloak covers the gear, I look like anyone else walking the streets. Perfect.
Hood up, I step out into the evening and make my way to the underground.
Once I confirm I'm not being followed, I descend toward Thorn's base. A rundown house that barely looks livable. But it works. The underground is alive tonight. Lights glowing through the streets, and people bustling in and out only God knows where.
I open the door and there he is: David, sprawled on the old couch like a smug little bastard in his black gear with red accents. He looks like trouble. Because he is. But also a complete dork.
David looks up from what he's doing. "Oh hey!" He then realizes the time. "You're late! I even reminded you and you're still late!"
He's already throwing his hands up, being all dramatic like usual.
I role my eyes and wave a hand at him."Gahh, I'm not that late—it takes time to look like a badass!" I roll my eyes, heading to the kitchen for some water.
I run the tap and go to take a drink from it, but before I can David was already up and strolling over, casually swiping my glass and taking a drink.
"Mmm... more like a dumbass!" He starts laughing like a damn schoolgirl, clearly thinking he's hilarious.
I glare, snatch the glass back, while my forehead vain pulses and I down the rest quickly. I wipe my mouth and declare.
"I swear, I'm gonna kill you!"
I launch myself at him, chasing him around the kitchen island like a damn lunatic.
"I swear I'm going to rip off your head, then I'm gonna shove it up your ass!"
He's dodging like a damn agile cat. "You know you love me! AAhhh, okay! Okay!"
I pounce, we roll to the ground I manage to get him in a rear naked choke. He taps out, yelling like a little bitch.
I shove him off with a victory smirk. "When will you learn that I am just better than you?"
I head to the table, gathering our intel on Granger.
"Okay, let's get down to business I'm ready to get this over with. Based on what we've gathered, Thomas Granger spends most nights at this brothel, it's his biggest moneymaker." I point to a spot on the map. "It's called Mr.G's, he stays in one of the private lounges at the back. VIP only shit. He keeps men all around him. We'll need to get in without setting off alarms, or his guards."
I glance at David. He's nodding.
"So how do you wanna play this?" I ask. "Walk in all charming and ask nicely? Or kick ass and take names?"
He smirks. "Well, the place'll be packed. If we start swinging, innocent people are gonna get caught in the mess. We'll go in quiet, but if things go south…"
"We clean house," I finish.
He gives me a thumbs up with a stupid smile. "Sounds like a plan. Let's go kick some scum ass!"
We high five and head out into the night.
We crouch in the shadows across the street from the brothel—Mr. G's. Two guards at the main entrance, one in the back.
I press my back to the wall and whisper, "You want the two in front or the one in the back?"
He peaks around me to get a look at the guards. The two at the front are built like golems, jacked muscles straining under their white shirts, tattoos curling up their arms like they were born inked. His eyes flick to the third man lingering at the back entrance. He's Smaller, average build. A worn-out look in his eyes, like the only thing on his mind is the comforts of his bed.
"Back." He puts a palm on my shoulder acting like he is reassuring me and grins. "You got this."
Then he takes off, giggling like a damn gremlin.
"You asshole," I hiss at him under my breath.
He throws a wink back at me. "You snooze, you lose! You're a big girl, I believe in you."
Ugh. I quickly start planning.
I decide to play the role they expect, something pretty and dumb.
I pull the hood of my cloak down and release my red hair over my shoulders, soften my expression, and strut over.
"Hey boys," I purr, laying a hand on one guy's arm. "My friend and I were lookin' for a good time... think you could help us out?"
I bite my lip, give them the ol' eye flutter.
"Get lost," one grunts, shaking me off. "If we wanted a whore, we'd go inside."
Ouch. Okay, rude. You could've just said no, thanks. But at the same time how can you say no to this!
"Well…" I play it up. "I heard you work for Granger. That makes you second in command, right? Protecting the club, that's a big deal. He must really depend on you guys."
Their egos puff up instantly. I almost gag.
"Yeah, you could say that," one smirks. "Boss depends on us to make the smart calls, who gets in who stays on the street.."
The other pipes in."Yeah, if it wasn't for us, who knows what kind of trouble could get in. The boss doesn't need any distractions."
Idiots. Men are so easy.
I lean in, brushing my chest against his arm. "Strong and smart. Mmm. My friend's close, we could all have some fun together. Unless, of course… we have to go find someone else."
I turn to leave. Throwing my hair over my shoulder with a little added flare.
"Wait!" one calls. "We'll come."
"Yeah, but we can't take long."
It's so easy I can't help but roll my eyes.
I turn around quickly with a bright smile.
"Perfect." I grab their hands, leading them down a dark alley nearby. "Won't take long, we're very proficient."
Once we're far enough in, one of them asks, "We're doin' this here? Where's your friend?"
I turn and smile sweetly. "Oh, she's right here."
I pull out one of the golden daggers, moonlight catching the edge.
"The hell—"
"Russ! Watch out!"
I lunge at the first guy, aiming for his chest, but he steps to the side and pushes my blade to the side.
"Tck, you're faster than you look, big guy. C'mon, we just wanna play."
I twirl the dagger in my hand.
The second guy swings. I duck, sweeping his legs, and take him down hard. Before he can react, I jump on his chest and drive the dagger into his heart.
The first one comes at me fast. I bob, narrowly dodging a punch that grazes my hair. I plant my hands on the dead guys chest and kick up, and spin, slamming my heel into his face. He hits the wall hard.
I sprint, shoving the dagger into his chest. Game over.
I drag their bodies deeper into the shadows, out of sight not to cause attention.
Then I head back to the brothel, fix my cloak, and take a deep breath.
Let the real fun begin.