Aura crotched in the dimly lit corridor, her dagger glinting in the faint light streaming from the wall sconces. She had overheard enough of Carlos's paranoia to know she was on the right track.
She smirked, her lips curling in amusement. "If he knows, how close I am, he would probably pee in his pants."
With feline grace, she slipped past a trio of guards, her movements swift and silent. They barely had time to blink before she struck, the hit of her dagger slamming into their necks one by one. The guards crumpled silently on the floor.
Her earpiece crackled. "Aura, are you in position?"
"Patience," she murmured, tying up the unconscious guards and leaving them in a nearby storage closet. "Just clearing the trash before I take out the boss."
****
Logan paced the room calmly, even though he was getting frustrated, he hid his emotions perfectly. His captors had already taken his phone, his luxury watch, and even the designer jacket he'd been wearing.
The door burst open, and two guards entered, dragging a tray of food.
Logan smirked, crossing his arms. Took you long enough. What's this? Room service?"
One of the guards sneered. "Eat. You'll need your strength."
"For what? Another round of sitting in this luxurious prison?" Logan shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
The guard slammed the tray down, his temper flaring. "You had better watch that mouth, Logan."
Logan raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the wall. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hurt your feelings? My bad."
The guard growled but stormed out with his partner, leaving Logan alone.
Logan glanced at the tray and sighed. "Not even caviar. Pathetic."
****
Aura made her way to the lower levels of the mansion, following the map she had memorized from the security feed. She paused outside a door guarded by two men.
She smirked, rolling her shoulders. "Time to have a little fun."
Before the guards, who were surprised to see her, could react, she lunged. Her movements were a blur, her dagger flashing as she disarmed one guard and used his weapon against the other. Within, seconds, both men were unconscious on the floor.
She stepped over their body and broke the lock on the door, slipping inside.
Logan looked up from where he was sitting, surprised to see a woman, his eyes narrowed.
"Who the hell are you?" He demanded.
Aura tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "You are welcome."
Logan scoffed. "I didn't ask for your help."
"Good," she replied nonchalantly, moving to inspect his bindings. "Because I don't take requests."
Logan's jaw tightened as he watched her. "Let me guess. You are some crazy fan who broke in to save me? Or maybe you've got a crush on me. That's it, isn't it?"
Aura raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Cute theory. But you are wrong."
He leaned back, his arrogance undeterred. Then why are you here? Because if you think this is going to get you a date—"
"Stop talking, before I change my mind," she interrupted, cutting through his bindings with a flick of her knife. "I'm not here for you."
Logan rubbed his wrists, glaring at her. "Could have fooled me."
She ignored him, her attention already on the door. "When you need to move, can you keep up, or should I carry you?"
His eyes flashed with indignation. "I'm fine. And I don't need your help."
Aura chuckled. "Sure you don't, Mr. National's husband. Let's see how far that arrogance gets you."
They moved through the mansion, Aura taking out guards with precision and ease. Logan followed, grumbling under his breath.
"Do you always kill people like it's a hobby?" he asked, stepping over another unconscious guard.
Aura glanced back at him, her tone flat. "It's a job, not a hobby."
He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. You expect me to believe you are not enjoying this?"
She didn't answer, her focus already on the next group of guards approaching.
Aura grabbed Logan by the collar, pulling him into a dark alcove as the guards passed.
"Do you mind?" he hissed, pulling away from her.
"Do you want to get shot?" She shot back, her voice a whisper.
Logan crossed his arms, his pride wounded. "I can handle myself."
She rolled her eyes. "Sure. That's why you were tied up in a room waiting to be rescued."
Logan glared at her. "You have a thing for sarcasm, don't you?"
"It's a gift," she replied, stepping out of the alcove and taking down another guard with a swift kick to the head.
By the time they reached the outer perimeter of the estate, Logan was fuming
"You know," he said, his voice dripping with irritation, "most people would be grateful to have saved someone like me."
Aura stopped, turning to face him. "Someone like you? What's that supposed to mean?"
He gestured to himself. "I'm Logan Mason. Top model. Best actor of the year. Most handsome man in the country. You're even lucky to be in my presence."
Aura stared at him for a long moment, then burst out laughing
Logan's jaw tightened. "What's so funny?"
She shook her head, her laughter subsiding. "You believe your hype, don't you? Newsflash, Mason: I don't care who you are. You're just a job to me."
Before he could respond, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, stunned.
"Unbelievable," he muttered, following her.
As they reached the final gate, a spotlight suddenly illuminated them.
"Stop right there!" a guard shouted.
Aura's eyes narrowed as she pulled out her dagger, her stance ready.
Logan crossed his arms, smirking. "This should be good."
She shot him a glare. "Stay out of my way."
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the night, and Aura gave her signature smile that always sends shivers down Logan's spine.