THE CHARADE

AVA'S POV 

The warehouse exuded the smell of stale cigarettes and alcohol— typically familiar. A stag wavering bulb above the entrance of the gates unchained! It was like an almost perfect invite,’’proud asses, typical Volkov arrogance’’. 

They’ve always thought their reputation kept them untouchable. Well, I was here to correct that assumption.

I lowered my body behind some tall grasses just at the entrance of the gates, my eyes sharpened carefully analyzing the building 

   On the left hand side of the building thee was a fire escape—rusty but stable. The second floor had a casement window left slightly open, there was a faint curl of smoke rising from a cigarette resting in an ashtray still left burning on the ledge. ‘’Sloppy’’ Some guard must have gotten distracted mid-smoke break. Their carelessness was my invitation.’’JACKPOT!’’ 

The climb was a breeze. Too easy. When my gloved fingers found the window ledge, it creaked open another inch without resistance.Not even locked.These so-called wolves were practically begging to get slaughtered.  

I slipped inside, landing silently on the catwalk. Below me, the warehouse stretched out—shipping containers stacked like crooked teeth, a single guard dozing near what looked like a makeshift server station. 

The flash drive in my pocket suddenly felt heavier. This little piece of tech was going to burn the Volkov empire to the ground. I just had to get it into their system without getting caught. I inserted it swiftly,While waiting for the d******d to be completed, I decided to give myself a little tour. I mean the guards were all probably in a dream state, what difference could it possibly make. A part of me wished I hadn't said that though, mom always told me saying ‘What difference would it make or what harm could it possibly bring’ is basically inviting evil in yourself.

I was halfway down the stairs when I heard the click of a gun safety being released “fuck!”.  I muttered lowly my hands slightly trembling ‘get a grip of yourself Ava's I thought to myself my hands clenching to my leather pants all sweaty “what the fuck are you going to do now Ava” Ellie's voice crackled through the earpiece I was wearing. I drew a sharp breath, my eyes locked on the flash drive I had inserted in their system. From the way he is sounding he probably doesn't know what my real intentions are or even what I have done yet.

"You know pretty girls like you shouldn't be playing dangerous games like this” A voice echoed causing my stomach to drop again,‘Shit!’  

I turned slowly still trying to tame the fear I had. Why on earth am I feeling like this, it's not the first time I've been on the job. Why does doing it today feel so weird?I thought, raising my eyes to meet his gaze. The guard was big, pure muscled and  tattooed—he had a dirty stare that made my skin crawl, even worse he was armed. His gaze traveled over my body, his tongue trailed slowly over his lips, like he was savoring a feast, I rolled my eyes in utter disgust "And dumb boys shouldn't leave windows open." I chuckled lightly, my eyes still glued on him “Now I just have to teach a lesson, I like pretty girls but I hate girls with a bratty attitude” He said clearly underestimating me, “Well are you going to use that gun to teach a lesson, really I expected more from a man like you” I let out a seductive smirk. It was the only way at this point I didn't take my gun with me, only my dagger and it obviously can't stand a gun. I should have listened to Ellie when she said to take it with me,this was supposed to be a clean mission. I continued to flirt, trying to push his buttons as much as possible just to get him to drop that damn gun “It really doesn't reflect the gentleman in you, you know you are pointing a gun to a lady knowing fully well I am not armed that's bad, I am just a girl after all, if you want to fight let's do it hand to hand, don't you think?” 

His eyes darkened. 

He dropped his gun “perfecto!” I let out a faint smirk as he lunged towards me  

Wrong move.  

I let him come, sidestepping at the last second so he stumbled past me. 84% loaded on the screen behind him. I sent a roundhouse kick to his kidneys and sent him crashing into the server rack,” fuck!’’ he groaned loudly, his hands clutching to his abdomen trying to suppress the pain

.92%. 

He swung wildly—I ducked, driving my elbow straight into his guts. “You bitch” he growled, a part of me worried his loud groans might alert some other guard, I had to leave this place quickly.

My eyes traveled back to the screen behind him. It was 100%.  

"Bedtime, sweetheart," I murmured  . He looked up, his eyes wide with pain, just in time to see my hand strike a nerve cluster right below his ears, a jolt of pure decapitating shock flowed through him, his eyes rolled back into his head, showing only white as slowly collapsed to the floor.  

I yanked the flash drive free just as shouts started echoing through the warehouse. It was mission complete.

I was out the window before the first reinforcements arrived. I launched myself down hitting the fire escape with practiced ease, my boots barely making a sound as I descended two levels at a time before dropping the final few feet into the alley below.

Ellie's voice spiked again in my earpiece; "Damn, Ava. Remind me never to get on your bad side." 

 I sprinted to where my bike was hidden, the grin on my face loud and proud. The engine roared between my legs as I kick-started my bike swiftly and disappeared into the night. 

“Volkov's gonna wake up to one hell of a morning."