✨Andi✨
After boarding the four-hour flight to New York, I received another bag from an asset after I passed through customs. In the middle of the busy JFK, no one would take notice of our exchange. I've met many assets in these jobs but I made it a habit not to get associated with them.
As I got my late dinner at The Sunken Lounge, the bag given to me was heavy and full so I had to kill my curiosity. I rummaged inside the Aer Travel Pack and I automatically felt disappointed.
Included in the bag was a change of clothing good for three days, a tablet, a few dollars and euros, Nikon D850– sweet – and another ticket this time to Seville.
Huh? I thought to myself. I've never been to Seville. Guess this was another opportunity for me to explore Spain.
I boarded the commercial plane again. This is going to be a long flight, thankfully Sin booked a first-class flight. This is not what I had in mind when I saw the ticket to JFK. I thought I was going down to business with my list but a detour wouldn't be bad, especially if it was Spain. That country is very dear to me, in some ways it feels like I'm seeing the place Mom wanted to see.
Placing my earphones, I took the good sleep that I needed. Sleep was never good to me, bits and pieces of the past sometimes peek on my dreams but this time, I was seeing a pair of emerald eyes of a certain Russian mafia royalty.
As soon as I set foot in Seville, the warmth of this country embraced me. I love the sun and the sweaty feel of the heat in the air.
I hopped in the taxi and gave the old driver the name of my hotel. As we rode, I took a few pictures of the scenery and the beautiful structures that screams history and elegance of this place. The drive wasn't that long but the place was as busy as it could get. Sin booked me a hotel in the city and I can't help but get excited as I check my suit.
It has a good view of the city but high enough to get some privacy. It wasn't cheap lodging but not too luxurious. The king-size bed was too big for one person, the bathroom had its own Jacuzzi and the spacious receiving area and kitchen was fully furnished.
We must be getting paid well enough for this job they have for me right now.
As if on cue, my prepaid phone rang. I knew who it was so I answered hurriedly.
''Hey'' Sin greeted me warmly.
''This is amazing, Sin'' I squealed excitedly.
She giggled ''I knew you'd love Spain, Andi.'' Sin is one of my best friends and probably the only girl who I befriend in this kind of life. We met while training to be both assassins and luckily we both made it out alive.
''How much are we getting for this job anyway'' I connected the call to my Bluetooth headset and emptied the content of the bag.
I couldn't check everything in a public place and now I get a glimpse of the certain yellow envelope between the clothes in my bag. The file has a picture of a Spanish guy with tanned ink-covered skin from his black shirt, scar on his left eyebrows. Ricardo Montes, 47 years old, 6' 1", 200lbs, gun for hire, rapist at night, full-time druggie. It also includes his favorite hangout spots, hobbies, blah, blah, blah. Just another job.
''Seventy'' my friend on the other line replied dryly. ''Just another job-''
''....to clean the earth with these fucker's faces'' we both finished her sentence and laughed heartily.
That's what I like about my family – the group of assassins I was in – we only eliminated the dirty to protect the clean ones. Although in reality, no one is really clean except for babies and innocent children – in my experience at least.
''How much time do I have?'' I asked as I tore the papers into small pieces and flushed it in the toilet.
''A week at most'' I heard ruffling and clicking of tech stuff on the other line – probably a keyboard and mouse. ''We still have time before the ball.''
''I know'' I laid on the soft mattress in my room.
''One more thing about this job, Andi''
''Hmm?''
''This info just got in'' I heard her typing again ''he's after a certain target there in Seville. Someone from the underworld so be careful.''
''No info on his target?'' I sat up cross-legged on the bed facing the beautiful view of the city.
''None at the moment, you'll see soon enough, I guess'' she sighed. ''Sorry, I wasn't a big help.''
''It's fine. Thanks for the info. Maybe that's why they paid such large amount for a druggie-killer wannabe.'' This just made my job harder than it already was.
''Just be more careful, don't let your guard down.''
''Always am, Sin. Thank you.''
''See you soon.''
Deciding on whether to cook dinner or dine outside, I decided on the latter. After changing into black jeans and a white shirt from the travel bag, I took my wallet, phone, and camera, strapping it safely around my body.
The city was beautiful, especially the sights that I captured on my camera. Isiah taught me a thing or two about photography and I loved it since. Whenever I travel for work, I make sure that I see the exquisiteness of the place, particularly the people.
Isiah once told me that I'm an assassin but it doesn't have to take the joy and beauty of life. I should live my life the way I want now and then. Funny how that came from that man.
After grabbing dinner I found myself inside one of the famous bars in Seville, one of Ricardo's hangout spots. The place was crowded with locals and tourists and the live Spanish music was playing while a lady in a fiery red dress with neatly tied hair dances on the stage. She has a red flower headdress in her right ear as she smiles sweetly and dances gracefully.
"What can I get, Hermosa?" the charming bartender addressed me as he finally finished serving the customers besides me.
''solo Cerveza por favor'' I ordered from the charming bartender. (just beer please)
''Finally, a girl with the right accent'' he placed a bottle of beer in front of me. ''It's on the house, Hermosa.''
''Oh, gracias'' I took a sip of the beer.
''I'm Luis by the way'' he offered his hand.
''Rian'' I took his offered hand.
''Are you here on vacation?'' he asked as he mixed the orders handed by one of the waitresses.
''Yeah, this place is amazing'' I murmured in a dreamy tone that made Luis smile.
''My shift ends at eleven Rian, I hope we can chat a little after'' the charming bartender murmured as he finished mixing the drinks in a swift movement.
''That would be nice, but I have to decline'' I made a regretful pout that made him chuckle again.
''It's worth a try, you know where to find me if you change your mind, Hermosa'' I didn't get what he said because I spotted my target entering the bar.
''Yeah, sorry Luis'' Ricardo was not alone. He was with another man and two ladies both in their arms.
Sin's info never fails to amaze me. I wonder how that girl's mind works, she can hack into any government system without leaving any trace. I hope I was as smart as her sometimes.
The dance performance on the stage was replaced with a sultry singer's voice. She was singing in Spanish with the band behind her. Fortunately, Ricardo took a booth close to the stage which made my hawk-eyeing easier. He was making a move on the girl in his arms, it makes me want to put a dagger between his eyes because the girl clearly wasn't enjoying his company anymore.
I ordered another bottle of beer, Luis insisted on giving it to me for free but I paid for it anyway. Good guys like him are just not for me. I'll only spoil his normal life if he gets involved with me.
When Ricardo went out, I carefully followed them. He and his buddy went different ways on the alley not far from the bar. I continued shadowing my target but unlucky for me, they checked in into some motel.
Tired and hungry, that's what I felt when I entered my suit. After taking a cold shower and change of clothes, I made a quick meal before watching the busy streets down my bedroom balcony.
It's funny how these people enjoy life not knowing about the dirty world beneath them. No matter where I go, there is always a group of men, families who want to rule in their own wicked way. I'm just a part of the cleaning team and I hope that what I do is enough to help as many innocent lives as I can.
After having breakfast at my suit, I decided to see more of the city and buy some cheap clothes for a few more days at the local shops. In the afternoon, I headed out in the hope to spot Ricardo again. There are many street performers scattered on the boulevards and I took my time in watching them, keeping a sharp sense of my surroundings.
This was also one of my targets' hangout spots and I guess it was my second lucky day because I saw him walking casually on the streets. He was wearing a leather jacket in this humid weather, I got alerted by that. I was more or less eighty yards away from him so I used my camera to get a closer look. He was definitely onto something. His body was rigid, unlike last night which means he was on guard. I scanned the direction where he was headed, and I felt chills on my body.
Yuri was having coffee on the outdoor table of the café with another mafia legacy, Diego Cruz. Diego is the son of the mafia family governing some parts of Spain and a close ally of the Laskins. Our clients must be one of their families and I have to act fast.
Grabbing a baseball cap for sale on the stand, I briskly walk in their direction, mentally calculating all the moves I can make and the alibi if I get caught. Ricardo was closing in on them slowly, was he planning on shooting them in broad daylight? Whatever. This man is stupid. Both of Yuri and Diego's guards were still oblivious of the threat headed their direction.
Just a few more yards, I was almost running, evading these crowds to reach Ricardo before he strikes. Just twenty feet more and those two idiots are in his range but I was surprised when Ricardo didn't pull out a gun.
''Shit'' I hissed when I saw him holding a grenade in his right hand. He will not only hurt his target but a lot of civilians too. The pin was still on so I still have time but it was very slim. I quickened my pace even more and faked tripping when I was behind Ricardo, making him fall on the ground face flat.
His hold on the grenade loosen and I saw Yuri and Diego's guard alarmed when they saw it roll off the pavement. Ricardo groaned and I felt the gun on his waistband. He quickly stood up and he gave a death glare with his paled face.
''Lo siento Señor'' I murmured as I tried to dust off his jacket but he moved away from me, slapping my hands. (sorry)
''Estúpida!'' he raised his hand to slap me - I was ready to accept his anger - but it didn't land.
''Angel?'' I heard Yuri's voice boom in surprise while he held Ricardo's hand. ''What are you doing here?''
Ricardo gave me a questioning look. He fought his way out of Yuri's bodyguard's grip as they secured him. I recognize Turnip from the abandoned building when he landed his fist on Ricardo's jaw.
''Gregory'' Yuri's commanding voice stopped him. ''ne zdes''' (not here)
We were attracting a few curious glances from the crowd and I tried to hide my face with my cap and my hair. Yuri took my hand in his and dragged me with them.
This just turned messier than it already was.
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