Twisted Fate

Chapter 8

My POV

As the sun finished setting, I groaned, leaning against Nightmare for support as we finally made our way back to the house. I stared at Bomb as I welcomed him home, taking care of Nightmare before I slowly made my way inside the house. Opening the front door as quietly as possible, I heard Striker in the other room.

"I failed to kill the target at the festival... Don't worry, it won't happen again." I could hear the anger in his voice, and I sent Millie the text.

Sounds like they aren't giving up on killing S. -L

We'll be ready.-M

Keep you posted.-L

I'm sorry. -M

I stood on the porch, leaning my head back as I looked at the night sky, tears falling silently. Dammit, Striker, I love you dearly. Why did you need to get wrapped up in this? Or Better yet, tell them to find someone else. I made a 'grand' entrance, opening and slamming the door with my feet. Hearing a few quiet curses, I heard the water running in the master bedroom as I scoffed. Taking off my gear, I grabbed my gun and knife as a precaution as I made my way to the bedroom. I frowned as I leaned against the bedroom, watching him take a step out of the bathroom to see me.

"Darlin'," Striker frowned with his hands up staring at the barrel of my gun. At least he seems ok.

"What the fuck Striker. Did you know?" I hissed and he shook his head.

"The pieces weren't put together until I saw you on the farm."

"What was the job?" I asked, pressing for info. Striker swiftly moved to my side and carefully grabbed my gun and dagger, carefully putting them away while I stayed leaning against the frame. Striker came back and clicked his tongue, looking at the wound on my face.

"I'm not telling you Darlin'. Trust me on this please." He begged but I shook my head. "I'm sorry Darlin'." Striker frowned as he dropped his tail, becoming the soft side I know and love.

"They know you won't stop."

"Promise me you won't get in the middle of that. I thought when the bullet flew towards you..." Striker's voice hitched as I saw the tears welding in his eyes.

"You thought what?"

"I thought I was going to lose you. Darlin'. You mean everything to me... I-" My head swiveled as he got on his knees, pulling me close. Was he going to say it? "I don't know what I would do if I lost you." Striker stared me in my eyes.

"I can't promise and you know that." I said solemnly and he nodded.

"I understand..." He frowned, turning his head sideways. I waited for him to say it was over. I waited for him to call the client back and tell them to fuck off. But Neither came.  I sighed softly and gently lifted his head up to meet me in my eyes.

"Just come back to me safe." I whimpered.

"Always Darlin'." He leaned in for a passionate kiss.

~

I rubbed my forehead with a sigh as the elevator slowly moved. Striker wasn't budging on the details to his job on Stolas so I only had so many options to choose from. But at least we were still together and understood all the possibilities.

I knew our relationship was going to be strained, but what made it harder was the fact we still loved each other. It was a few days since the Festival and between the tension and nightmares I had been having, I knew we couldn't put off the talk anymore. When Striker wasn't on a job and the tension got too much for him, I knew I could always find him taking care of our two horses Bombproof and Nightmare. I walked up to the barn door with a sigh seeing him throwing hay into both their pens.

"Striker..." His body stiffened at the unspoken words of 'We need to talk.' He remained quiet as he turned to face me, seeing the tear streaks as I cleared my throat and wiped the tears away. "Do you still want to be together? Or should we..."

"No." Striker's voice was soft, barely a whisper as he looked in my eyes. "I can't lose you Darlin'. You mean so much more to me than you know."

"But..." I looked at Striker, knowing there was a but in that sentence. He sighed, running his fingers through his hair looking away.

"Its not a question if I'm going after him again." I opened my mouth but he raised his finger in a 'wait'. I nodded letting him continue, "If our positions were switched...I understand the predicament I put you in. If you decide its too much, I will understand."

"I don't want to lose you either Striker." I frowned, the tears threatening to spill again.

"Please think about this. I don't want you to get between..." Striker walked over and knelt in front of me.

"And if I'm there?" I asked, startling Striker for a minute.

"I need you to promise that if that day comes...and we're still together..." Striker sat there silent for a moment, collecting his thoughts as a few tears ran down his cheek. I understood what he was asking, even without the words.

That if that day comes, and I don't back down...don't except him to have his kind eyes.

"I promise."

When the elevator bell rang and the doors opened I hurried to I.M.P's office and closed the door behind me, waving to Loona who gave me a quick smile as I walked to one of the storage rooms that I made my own little corner.

For the first few weeks after the Festival it was so awkward at work with everyone I offered to quit I.M.P.

"No." Blitz shook his head as I stood in his office.

"But-"

"No."

"Care to-"

"Nope."

"Alright." I sighed in relief and stopped at the door frame looking back at Blitz when he said my name.

"Yea?"

"Just know-"

"Striker and I already had this convo. Either I warn you guys and I don't show up. Or I warn you guys and I do show up."

I sat on a chair looking at the white board that I somehow got to fit in here. On the top of the board was 'Operation: Asshole', with Asshole crossed out with an X and underneath was all my notes.

I sipped on my coffee eyeing all the information, knowing it was barely anything. Whoever paid Striker was good on keeping their identity hidden. Everyone knew Stolas was going to be at the Festival. Stolas is a Prince of Hell so I'm sure a lot of people would want him dead.

I groaned frustrated and looked down at my mug before a knock at the door startled me and it opened slowly showing Blitz standing at the door. Sure everything was slightly less awkward, but I wouldn't let anyone know the guilt that was eating me up inside.

"How goes it?" Blitz asked, looking at the board.

"Nothing new." I scowled.

"Alright, well we got a job if you want to come." He shrugged and I nodded asking about it.

"Some girl wants-" I stopped with a gasp looking at Blitz.

"What?"

"Don't worry Ma'am, it won't happen again."

"It was a female. Whoever put the hit out... was a Female." I stared at Blitz, finally having a piece of information that would help.