All Chapters of Love in the Line of Fire: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Ilana felt around the wall for a soft edge before she pushed her knife in. She pulled herself up, hooking her left leg on the pipe clip attached to the drainage pipe that ran along the back wall.Once you built the momentum, climbing wasn’t hard. Just one foot after the other. It took a lot of strength but in the end, it was just like walking. Ilana pulled the dagger free and then hooked it into the next purchase she found. She pulled herself up, using the pipe clips to give her some sort of support.She wasn’t even out of breath by the time she reached the window but her palms were red and aching slightly. She put her body weight forward, leaning against the wall as she pulled the lockpicks from her pocket.Lockpicking needed both her hands. She pulled in a breath and tried to stay as still as possible, her chest pressed against the wall. She played with the lock, her fingers working delicately. The lock gave away and she hefted the small window in, pulling herself over the ledge an

Ilana stared at the messenger for a lot longer than was acceptable.“Miss?” She blinked, her mind drifting back to the present.“Sorry. I… I completely zoned out. What were you saying?”He looked offended but quickly shrugged it off.“Mr. Meyer has asked for you.”“Mr. Adam?” she asked even though she already knew the answer, biting on her lower lip to stop the smile from spreading.“Mr. Calix Meyer.”She wondered why she wasn;t paying attention the first time. This was the kind of thing she’d been waiting for.She nodded, getting up from her desk and following the messenger towards Calix’s office.He dropped her off at the door before disappearing into the crowd. She pulled in a breath and knocked. She had to be careful of her words in front of Calix. The sooner the job got done, the better.She wasn't here to enjoy his company.“Come in,” his gruff voice replied.She walked in and he looked up, that breathtaking smile on his face. She felt her heartbeat pick up the pace. “You call

Ilana followed the horde of people upstairs to the open air cafeteria when someone bumped into her, coming from the opposite direction.Before she could react, she felt fingers close around her hand and something small and featherlight being shoved into her closed fist.She accepted it and looked up to see Calix staring down at her.“I'm sorry. I wasn't looking,” he said, looking anything but sorry.“It's alright,” she said and the words were barely out of her mouth before he was walking away.She glanced over her shoulder, trying to hide her confusion. She could feel the paper crinkle in her fist and she held tighter, finally reaching the rooftop.It was a comfortable area with round plastic tables placed at little distances and a green awning for shade. There was a coffee station at one corner and a vending machine full of snacks right next to it but people mostly bought lunch from home.Ilana pulled out a chair at an empty table and sat down. She glanced around to make sure there w

Ilana had mentally prepared herself for all the questions she would ask Calix and the best way to phrase them so as to avoid raising suspicion.She had dressed appropriately enough for a first date. At least that's what she kept telling herself. She had worn a white turtleneck shirt that stopped a little below her knees and a black jacket over it. She had black tights and matching boots to go along.Nothing too sluttry while also catching attention.She'd thought of calling Alice to get a second opinion on what she should wear but then decided against it.Calling Alice would have meant unnecessary conversation and she was saving her social energy for the manipulative games she had to play with Calix tonight.She checked her phone and it showed five minutes till nine.She checked her purse, went through the list of questions in her head and silently repeated the information she'd received from Shadowbrook last week.If she played it well, she could extract a lot of information about J

“My life isn't nearly as interesting as yours,” she said softly, taking a sip of the wine.“I’m sure that’s not true. Every story is interesting in its own unique way.”She smiled at him and drowned her half glass of wine in one go before she began speaking. “It’s the most typical American household shit. Absent dad, addict mom.”He silently offered her the wine bottle and she nodded and extended her glass. He filled it up and she took a mouthful.“I got her arrested,” she paused and glanced up as if she was expecting to see shock or judgment on his face but his face was impassive. She licked her lower lips. All fake tells to showcase her fake nervousness and hesitance.“Life with her was hell but I was pushing through anyway. But then she got out of control. She started forcing me to taste whatever shit she bought home and I just knew if I ever did that, it would ruin my life. So I called the police. I showed them her secret stash and I got put into foster care.”He nodded empathica