An Unwelcome Reunion

(AURIANNA'S POV)

The doors to O.A.S.I.S Headquarters slide open, and I step inside, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The smell of coffee and antiseptic hits me first, but it's comforting in a weird way. The sound of ringing telephones and beeping monitors filled the hallways. As I walk by, agents and staff nod, some calling out a quick "Morning, Agent Siren," and I smile or wave back. Small courtesies, nothing more.

Then I hear a loud, familiar voice call out my name.

"Anna!"

I turn to see Chelsea striding toward me, that bright grin on her face like she just won the lottery, and her arms are wide open.

We collide and embrace each other in a tight hug.

"Missed you," I say, pulling back just enough to look at her properly.

"Missed me? You've been gone longer, girl," she teases.

I step back slightly, laughing.

Chelsea Parker, codename Mirage, is my closest friend and my ride-or-die at O.A.S.I.S. We've run dozens of missions together, from hostage extractions, operatives trying to kill us, high-risk takedowns, to near-death escapes that would make anyone else soil themselves. We're the perfect duo when we're in the field-me, the brute-force seductress and her, the ghost in the shadows.

Together? We're untouchable.

"Back from Mexico already? How was it?" I ask, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

Chelsea grinned like she'd just had the best margarita of her life. "Mexico was amazing. The mission went smoothly, and... I may have had a little fling with a hot Mexican hunk named Juan." She winks. "I'll tell you all about it later."

"I'm sure you will," I reply with a smirk.

"And you? How was your mission? The thing with the human trafficking rings?" she asks, voice tinged with curiosity.

I shrug. "Wrapped it up a couple of weeks ago. Other agents were dispatched to clean up the rest,take out the men running the rings, and rescue the girls being held hostage."

Chelsea's eyes widen a little. "Anna... I'm impressed. I swear, you never fail. You're the only agent at O.A.S.I.S with a 100% success rate. How do you do it?"

I can't help but grin, a little embarrassed. "Chels, don't make me blush."

Chelsea laughed, shaking her head. Then she leans in, "So... why are you here today? New mission?"

I nod. "Yes. Something concerning an important client. The boss lady wants me in before giving me the details."

She gives me a sly smile. "Well good luck."

I flip my hair over my shoulder, tossing her a smirk. "Thanks, but you know I don't need it."

We part ways there, Chelsea heading toward her office and me toward the elevators. I press the button to the top floor and the elevator hums quietly as I rise, my mind already scanning scenarios, exit strategies, contingencies. By the time the doors opened, I was ready.

I walk to Celeste's office and knock.

"Come in," she calls from inside, her voice calm but commanding.

I step inside and take in the office, sleek and intimidating as always. Celeste Navarro, codename Valkyrie, head of O.A.S.I.S., flashes a smile at me.

"Siren, have a seat." she gestures toward the chair in front of her desk.

I do, settling in, my fingers drumming lightly on my purse. "You said you wanted to see me about a new mission."

"Indeed," Celeste responds, leaning back in her seat. "Some time ago, an Italian Mafia Don, Dominik D'Angelo, head of L'Aureola Oscura-came to the U.S. to expand his network and territories. He started causing significant trouble. O.A.S.I.S was tasked to intercept him multiple times, but we failed."

I listen intently, absorbing every word.

"Finally," Celeste continues, "with the help of one of our clients and investors, we succeeded. Dominik was apprehended and has been imprisoned for the past eight years..." She lets the words hang for a beat. "Until recently."

"Dominik was broken out of jail a couple of months ago, and he's tried to assassinate our client twice now. Your mission is to protect this client until the threat is neutralized."

I inhale slowly, letting the weight of the assignment settle over me. "So... who's the client?"

Celeste glances at her wristwatch. "We arranged for you to meet him right about now, actually. He should be here any mome-"

Her words are cut off as the office door swings open.

A man walks in, wearing a dark blue suit with sunglasses on. He reaches the desk, removes his sunglasses, and my breath stops.

It's him.

Zayne Beaumont.

My eyes lock with his, and for a heartbeat, time freezes. We stare at each other with the same look of shock and recognition on our faces.

Then his expression shifts quickly, from surprise to something else... something darker.

Anger.

Then he says, "You have got to be fucking kidding me."