Targeted

Chapter 14

*Todd Stedson POV*

Todd Stedson nervously watched his employer's heels click against the shiny floor she paced against.

"So let me get this straight." She stopped and faced him. Todd shifted his weight under her gaze. "I ask you to kill him, and not only does he survive, but he gets taken by the people that we were trying to keep from getting him. And now that blasted Senator is after him again, saying something about finding him at all costs." She resumed her pacing. Todd relaxed slightly.

"I didn't think he would survive." He stammered. The woman rounded on him sharply and took a menacing step toward him.

"Then you should have shot him twice, and maybe a third time, just to be sure!" She yelled, her blonde hair frizzing out of her tight bun with her anger.

"I'm sorry-"

"Oh, you're sorry?" She yelled. "Sorry doesn't kill anybody!" She turned away from him, facing her professionally carved oak desk. "I should've never come to you." She muttered just so he could hear. "I should have found someone with better skills."

"But Ma'am, the authorities were getting too close to the scene, any other normal assassin would have fled as well." He reasoned.

"This is why I didn't want any normal assassin." She looked at him with that sharp gaze again. She made him feel minuscule. "You know this has to come with a punishment." She grinned slightly when his face paled.

"T-there's no need for that Ma'am!" He took a staggering step back. "I can track him down and find him, and I can finish the job!"

"I think it's a little late for that." The woman spoke, turned around and pulling open a drawer in her desk. She pulled out two gun. A revolver, and a small silver pistol. Todd's hand strayed to his thigh, where his bayonet was kept when it wasn't on one one of his guns. The guard must have forgotten to take it from him.

"Don't make me do this, Ma'am." His voice quivered.

"You won't have to." She said, strolling toward him, offering him the revolver. He took it hesitantly, his hand still near his bayonet. The woman ignored him and pushed past him, shoving open the heavy doors to her office. She moved down the hall slowly, glancing back to make sure he was following. She smiled to herself as she walked down the halls, her heels clicks echoing off the spacious halls. She turned several corners before she emerged into a large room completely devoid of any color except black. Todd glanced around the glittering walls, his reflection looking back at him with every turn of his head. The woman led him to the center of the room, where she turned to face him. 

"Back to back." She instructed. Todd guessed what was happening as he pressed his back to hers. She felt small and petite against his large and muscular frame. "Ten paces, then turn and fire a single shot. If you kill me, claim one hundred million dollars, and the rights to the company. All of this is in my will should I die here. If you fail to kill me, you will most likely die."

"A duel." Todd murmured, cocking back the hammer on the revolver, and holding it at ready, so he could turn and fire in an instant.

"Yes. I wish you luck. Let us begin."

"It will be you who will need luck." He professed bravely.