chapter 12

ABIGEAL

EARLY THE next morning Abel, Matteo and I left the compound in a Sedan that was probably way more expensive than it looked. We hadn’t been given any more insight as to what was next on the itinerary and, while both men were getting restless, I remained calm. Whatever it turned out to be, I was going to dominate it. I had to.

The vehicle stopped in front of a sprawling bungalow with a perfectly tended front garden and interlocked tiles leading the way to the front door, where a man who I assumed was security waited. As we approached he gave us a curt nod and opened the door, ushering us in with a wave of his hand. I hoisted my duffel higher on my shoulder as I stepped in, taking in the tall windows that let in a lot of sunlight and the tasteful furniture in muted colours.

Waiting for us, bathed in a particularly strong shaft of sunlight, were Blaine Daniels and Jordan Alonso.

Jordan’s cold gaze swept over me before he addressed us, wasting no time with pleasantries. “Morning. Congratulations on making it this far. For the next and final phase, each of you will spend a day in the company of Mr. Daniels to enable him decide which two among you will be a perfect fit for him. Mr. Manuel will accompany him today, then Mr. Abel and lastly Miss Starr. While you await your turn, you may make use of these quarters. The house has been stocked with everything you need but if there’s anything else, feel free to inform any one you see around.” As soon as he finished, he walked out the door.

My target grinned. “I promise I’m way more fun.”

I almost scoffed. What was his deal? Why was he always trying to present this bubbly, nice persona? All it did was make me even more suspicious of him.

As if he could tell that I was thinking about him he glanced at me on his way out and gave me a wink. I looked away towards Matteo and Abel who were shaking hands.

“We’ll see about that rematch tonight, brother.” Matteo said, a smirk on his face.

Abel had a matching smirk. “Sure, if you’re ready to get your ass beat.”

“Don’t bet on it.”

The door closed behind them and Abel and I looked at each other. “What are we supposed to do with ourselves now?” he asked, voicing out my thoughts.

I shrugged. “I’m going to go pick a room.” I wandered off to the area where I could see a few closed doors. Two on the right side were bedrooms, the first two on the left were bathrooms with another bedroom at the end of the hallway. I walked back to the last one on the right side and set my duffel on the floor.

It was clear that the house was either new or rarely used. The furniture was down to only the necessities and there were no carpets to conceal the hardwood floors. I decided against arranging my clothes in the wardrobe and instead fit them into the drawers by the bed, setting my hairbrush on top.

I went back outside, following the sounds I was hearing and found Abel moving around in the open plan kitchen. I folded my hands and arched a brow at him.

“What?” He said defensively. “They got the place stocked. I plan on using it.”

“I want pancakes.” I couldn’t remember the last time I had good pancakes. By good I mean not raw in the middle or varying degrees of burnt, courtesy of Anna.

He made finger guns at me. “Pancakes coming right up.”

After we ate, we did some warm up exercises since there was no equipment. We took showers and Abel decided he was going to go out while I settled in front of the TV, watching shows and plotting.

Night had fallen and I was in my room when I heard a car screech to a stop out front. I frowned and checked to see my knives were in place as I stepped out. Abel had returned earlier and we exchanged glances, unsure whether to go outside or wait for whatever it was to come inside.

We didn’t have to wait long, as seconds later the door flung open and Blaine Daniels came in, half dragging a bloodied Matteo with him.

Abel helped put Matteo on the floor and raised his shirt looking for the source of the blood. “What the fuck happened?”

My target was on the phone, presumably calling Jordan. “We were shot at. He returned fire but took a bullet. I already called for medics; they’ll be here shortly.”

“Two.” I corrected, pulling the waist of Matteo’s pants down to reveal the second wound. Abel cursed and ripped his shirt in two, handing me one and pressing the other half to Matteo’s stomach. I bunched it up and applied pressure, keeping my eyes on Matteo’s glazed ones and listening to his staggered breathing.

“Why are you taking so long?” My target barked into the phone. I’d never seen him like this. But then I’d never seen him in any stressful situation.

“He’s still losing a lot of blood.” I warned, my tone measured though my heart had picked up its pace a little.

“Matteo? Stay with me brother.” Abel persuaded. “We were going to have a rematch, remember? I’m going to beat you up.”

A weak smile lifted Matteo’s lips but it was gone as soon as it came. With a sudden strength he gripped both our wrists so we looked at him, at the fear on his face. He looked like he was struggling to say something and we leaned closer to catch the words.

“….don’t take it… dangerous…. run.” He choked out, coughing up blood. I moved away so it didn’t splatter on my face.

“What’s dangerous?” I whispered back, mindful of my target pacing and still talking in the background.

Matteo wheezed, his eyes glazed and focused again, focused on something behind us “Him.” He rasped.

I turned and saw he was looking directly at my target, who was standing at the open door watching the street and completely oblivious to the conversation.

He was dangerous? How? Had Matteo seen something he shouldn’t have?

I was about to ask more questions when Abel started calling out his name. I whipped around to see Matteo’s chest had stopped rising and falling. The first tendrils of panic started to make their way into my chest. I directed Abel to take over holding the bloodied rag down and started chest compressions, counting under my breath.

“We’re losing him.” Abel yelled. I heard footsteps rush in but kept my focus on pushing down on Matteo’s chest and blowing air into his mouth until nothing existed apart from the next push, the next breath, the next number.

Someone tried to pull me away and I shrugged them off. Couldn’t they see I was trying to keep him alive?

“Let me take over.” A voice said. I became aware of my surroundings again and noted the house was full of more people. I leaned back and watched the medic shout, “Clear” and press the defibrillator to Matteo’s chest. I watched his body jerk but no other response. I watched him repeat it three more times before glancing at someone else and shaking his hand.

Matteo was gone.

I got up and pushed through the people to the open door and stepped outside. I put my shaking hands in my pockets as I took deep breaths and reminded myself where I was.

Reminded myself I was far from active service.

Reminded myself he wasn’t a soldier in my platoon.

I stood there until my breaths steadied and was about to head back when a team of medics came out carrying a black body bag, followed by Abel and my target. Abel’s face was tear streaked, but there was fury in his eyes.

“How could you let this happen?” He yelled at Blaine Daniels, looking like he was going to start swinging any minute.

“How was I to know this was going to happen?” My target responded. He looked tired. I had a feeling that this wasn’t his first dead body.

Abel went at him and I moved fast, inserting myself in the middle before he could hit him.

“No. Let him.” My target protested. “I deserve it.”

“Yeah, Abigeal, let me.” Abel sneered.

I shook my head, keeping myself solidly planted in the middle. “Don’t take it out on him. It wasn’t his fault. Remember Matt was supposed to be protecting him, not the other way round, and he did this job.”

“Not his fault? For all we know he could’ve shot him himself and lied about it!” Abel yelled. The thought had crossed my mind as well since Matteo’s last words, but we were supposed to keep that information to ourselves. The way Abel was raving, he was going to reveal it and then we’d all be fucked.

I was going to regret what I said next. “Why are you so affected? You didn’t even know the guy.”

Abel recoiled like I’d slapped him and looked at me, hurt taking over his expression. I kept mine neutral as always and he shook his head. “Christa was right. You are a cold bitch.” He walked away into the night.