The lively atmosphere of the party was filled with Gale's deep voice serenading me with a love song. His gaze never wavered, locking onto mine like I was the only person in the room.
As the song ended, a knock sounded at the door, breaking the moment.
Gale, being the closest, stood up to answer.
So when he asked for permission, I let him go without giving it too much thought. As a good friend, his team members helped, trying to cover for him. They turned up the music and whispered to each other.
“Captain really likes her, doesn’t he? From the way things are going, it seems like they’re going to go all night.”
“Flossie is wild. I’m kind of worried if the captain can keep up with her.”
I had no interest in indulging in their chatter and wasting time there. After grabbing my wallet, I quietly left the room.
As I passed by the bathroom, I overheard people teasing each other.
“Did you bring that ring made from your pinky bone?”
“If you want, I can put it in.”
Gale’s voice followed, low and gravelly. “You little slut.”
The next words were unfit to hear, making my stomach churn.
What followed made my stomach churn, the noises too explicit to endure.
I stepped outside into the cold night air.
The sharp breeze cleared my head a little as I pressed my hand against my aching chest.
I wandered aimlessly for a while, finally stopping by the river.
The clock on my phone read 12:00 AM.
“Happy birthday, Alex,” I whispered to myself.
I faced the moon, clasped my hands together and silently prayed. My birthday wish this year was to leave this world soon.
[Countdown: 3 days]
At exactly midnight, Gale returned. He left the limp Flossie behind to watch me blow out the candles. But when he came back and didn’t find me, he panicked, searching everywhere.
“Baby,” a hoarse voice called from behind me.
I turned around to find Gale standing there, sweat glistening on his neck, his red-rimmed eyes filled with panic.
“Why did you leave the party and go off on your own?” Then he glanced to the side and added, “Do you like the view by the river? How about we celebrate your birthday here next time? Would you like that?”
I just stared at him, not saying a word.
“Baby…” he said, his voice trailing off.
His face paled. Gale Holden, a hitman with countless lives on his conscience, was scared. It was obvious, but he wouldn’t admit it and he wasn’t willing to risk explaining and making a slip-up.
Finally, I gave him a soft smile. “Alright.”
That one word was enough to make him exhale in relief. Gale pulled me into a tight embrace.
“Don’t disappear like that again, baby. I swear, I’ll lose my mind.”
I patted his back lightly, signaling him to let me go.
“You’ve got a mission tomorrow. Let’s go home.”
This mission was set in a dense rainforest, notorious for its danger. No one else dared take it, but Gale was willing to risk it for the hefty payout. Back home, while adjusting the surveillance feeds, an unexpected figure appeared on the screen.
Flossie. Gale had taken her to the rainforest with him. The two of them stuck together like conjoined twins, inseparable the whole time.
“Gale, I’ll wait for you,” she said, her voice dripping with anticipation.
“After it’s over, we can have some fun in the water.”
I stared at the screen, stunned by the absurdity of it all.
Gale narrowed his eyes at her. “Stay hidden,” he warned, his tone sharp.
Then, just like that, he switched into combat mode.
“Daisy.”
His voice over the comm snapped me out of my thoughts.
I activated the voice changer. “I’m here. All units on standby.”
Time ticked by and soon the screen in front of me lit up with a familiar prompt.
[Countdown: 2 days]
“Commence operation,” I instructed, my voice steady.
“Repeat mission directive: Eliminate the fugitive known as ‘Snakeback.’”
