UNDERCOVER ⧗ BLACKHILL

Business Plans - 7

(Maria's POV)

I'm surprised Natasha agreed to come to my house. Yes, I'm undercover, but I only offered because I thought well, I haven't been with them that long, she might refuse. We want to do every mission to the best of our ability, but we also want to get the mission done, over with, and we can work on taking down the next bad person. Sometimes, though, we can't rush a mission, this one is one of those, but my house is a good step.

She must not have anything else to do, also. Not to mention the fact she agreed rather fast, knowing what I have is valuable to them. I hate giving people dangerous weapons, but that's part of the game. A lot of the time, we also get the supplier and more back than we gave. No amount will ever make up for the weapons that do make it to the street, even with our best efforts to get them back.

The house isn't horrible either, a one bed and bath, but still a decent size because I don't need a lot of space. Also helps not to look to flashy, considering I'm a criminal now that sells what can be argued the most lethal weapon out there to arguably the strongest crime family organization.

It's a home, but it's not my home, it's my house, just a place I live. Temporarily, I remind myself.

Looking at my phone, I open up Uber Eats and order in some Chinese food, since I'm still bringing in food to make here and going to the stores. I also send Natasha my address for later, almost forgetting she doesn't know where I live already.

***

Right before noon, there's a knock at my door and looking through the video doorbell we installed, I see a guy dropping of a bag on my porch from the Chinese restaurant.

Taking it back in, I take out the container and a plate, incase Natasha wants any. One of the best things about Chinese food is that the portions are always too much, so there's always leftovers for another meal or another person.

What's only about a few minutes later, there's another knock at my door, I run the plate into the kitchen and to the door, knowing it's Natasha seeing the microwave's time of noon.

"Hey Marci," Natasha tells me as I open the door.

"Hey Natasha," I step back from the door so she can walk in, closing the door behind her. "Do you want a drink, or food? I just got some takeout," I motion Chinese bag on my counter.

"Just water please," she says, being short. Maybe she has something later, or she's on edge because I'm new working with them, which I would be too honestly. Can't blame her there.

I walk off to the kitchen, "Ok, well make yourself at home," I tell Natasha. She walks off, sitting on the couch as I make my way into the kitchen to grab us waters. Grabbing two glasses, I fill them up and walk back over to the couch.

"Thanks. So, what business ideas do you have?"

"Yes, well, there are a few years this could work. I tell my supplier that demand is high, to ship more, and you pay me back what he costs to ship per Par 18 for every one you get," she nods, thinking through the option. "If you're looking for more people, I could work more with you guys. Like, do runs if that's what you need. The Par 18 deal stays the same for my customers, you getting the extra from the higher price. But if I go on a run that's not my customer, it works however you guys do that. Price goes up a little so you guys earn even more of a profit from my customers, just like the Par 18's."

Natasha perks up a little, and I think it's because she likes the sound of the deal. Hopefully. It will get me closer to her, and closer to taking the rest of the organization down. I could get information on where they do drops, where their common spots are.