The Assassin

Unexpected guests

I stared, dumbfounded. I hadn't received word that Ruby would be visiting me, and I hadn't really wanted Steve to visit me.

"Can we come in?" Ruby asked.

I blinked, "Sure," I responded, uncertain.

Both of them walked in. I sat down on the kitchen counter. 

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Well, maybe I missed my youngest step sister," Steve mocked. I sighed and glanced at Ruby.

"I needed to tell you something. Its something pretty important," Ruby said, nervously.

I raised my eyebrow, "what's up?"

"Well, on the bright side, your worth $2 grand," Steve said.

My heart beat stopped for a moment before I realized.

"Im on a dead pool?"

"Yeah. I figured I'd tell you. I didn't realize it until I had someone except the job," Ruby said.

"Who excepted it?" I asked, beginning to panic. I had never been on a dead pool before and never fought another assassin to the death before.

Ruby was about to respond but Steve butted in, "It would be against her code as a benefactor to tell you."

I glared at him, "You want me dead, don't you?" I accused.

"No, I just don't want my actual sister to-" before Steve could finish there was a knock at my door.

"Who else knows you?" Ruby asked.

I sighed,  "my luck its the cops," I said, opening the door.

"Hey," Horatio greeted. I sighed deeply.

"Who's he?" Steve asked.

"A cop," I answered simply.

Ruby stared at me, "Why is a cop here?"

"I came to check in on Alice," Horatio turned towards me, "who are they?"

"Family. This is my sister, Ruby. Her brother, Steve," I answered.

Horatio gave me a strange glance, but nodded.

"We'll come back later, after your little Romeo leaves," Steve teased, walking out.

I blushed but glared after him. I turned to Ruby, "Why would you bring him here!?" I questioned her angrily.

"He insisted on coming," she responded bluntly.

"Why would you allow him to come!? What part of I hate him do you not understand?" I asked.

She shrugged,  "look, we'll talk later, alright? And I can't promise he won't come."

Ruby left, closing the door at that.

Horatio turned towards me with an eyebrow raised, "What was that about?" He asked.

"To be completely honest, I have no idea. They just showed up," I answered.

He nodded, "They were your siblings?"

"Step siblings. Steve's a dick," I answer bluntly.

Horatio seemed amused by me.

"What?" I asked.

"Your very blunt," he said.

"Yeah, I get that a lot. One of the many things Steve used to taunt me about," I said, sighing.

"You okay? I came to check on you."

I smiled up at him. I'd haven't had someone look out for me in a long time. "Im fine," I said. His blue eyes seemed to see through my lie, but he didn't say anything, just nodded.

We stayed silent a long time. It wasn't awkward, it was actually comfortable. Just knowing the other was there.

I began to realize how late it must be Horatio. It almost 9:00pm now.

"Do you want to stay? Im about to supper and im making spaghetti," the words left my mouth before I had time to process them.

Horatio seemed surprised, but smiled nonetheless. "Id love to stay."