"Do you normally make-out with the people you're hired to kill? It doesn't strike me as very professional."
"Put the gun down," Gabriel panted, not answering her.
"Why on earth would I do that?"
"Because you're not going to shoot me," Gabriel rep...
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"I don't like this."
"I know Gabe," Levi replied. "I heard you the first five times."
It was the night of Huxley's house party. Gabriel and Levi were watching a TV in the living room of the apartment that Levi had linked to a tiny camera Ash was wearing. Her solid dress turned to lace at the very top, and the camera had been easy to hide so it would peek out through the lace covering her chest without being noticeable.
Less easy was buying it - Ash had protested given the fact they were getting close to maxing Penelope's credit card, especially with the car they had rented for the night in case the plan fell apart and they all had to get away quickly. But because they couldn't go with her in person, Gabriel and Levi had insisted on the camera. That way they would at least have recorded images of any documents or files she found in case she didn't make it out. Gabriel also wanted to know whether Ash was in danger, but he knew she wouldn't have found that reason persuasive.
Gabriel had dropped Ash off on Georgetown's campus in the rental car, where she was now waiting for Sterling to pick her up. The feed was a little grainy - Levi didn't have access to the equipment he normally used - but the two could make out a car in the distance approaching her. Sterling stepped out wearing a nice suit, his blond hair combed over to hide his balding head.
"That's him?" Levi asked. "He looks like an older, blonde Dudley Dursley."
Gabriel let out a slight smile. Maybe observing with Levi wouldn't be so terrible after all.
"I was right, black does look beautiful on you," Sterling said while looking her over. Gabriel didn't like the way his gaze lingered while looking straight at the camera, meaning he was checking out her breasts.
"Thank you," Ash replied in a sugary sweet voice.
"Although next time, maybe pick one with sleeves," Sterling continued. "I mean, we don't want you looking more manly than me."
"Oh, this bitch," Levi said angrily.
"Is this what you do while I'm on missions?" Gabriel asked, amused. "Provide snarky commentary?"
"It helps me deal with the stress. Believe me, I'm holding back."
"Well don't hold back on my account," Gabriel said as they watched Ash get into Sterling's car.
"Fine, but you asked for it," Levi told Gabriel.
After several minutes of painfully awkward small talk between Ash and Sterling and Levi's remark that Sterling "talks about himself more than Kanye does," Sterling thankfully pulled up to what Gabriel assumed was Huxley's house. It was large, sprawling home, with roman columns adorning the entryway.
"How the hell can Huxley afford a place like that on a government salary?" Levi asked.
"He probably was rich before he became a politician," Gabriel suggested. He had to be - Gabriel was certain this house cost more than the island he bought.
