The Archer (18+)

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The cab soon slowed at a very large building.

The place had violent shivers running down my spine. There was a huge skull embellished at the front. There was no sign, no name of the establishment. Only a huge silver skull atop the building.

The building was called The Teschi's Playground. The large silver skull embellished was surrounded by what looked to be red wood shaved down to favor bloody bones.

The target owns this place, I realized sourly. The Teschi was the name of the gang after all. And as per the mission folder, the silver skull and bloodied bones were their trademark.

"Should I wait for you?" The cab driver asked Raine seductively.

"No need, darling." She replied in the same tone of voice.

He clutched her hand before landing a saucy kiss below her knuckles. "There is a mall, the biggest one in the city two blocks away. The police station is right next door." His eyes darted around as if he was aware that just being parked outside this building was hazardous.

"Be safe in there." He murmured.

She pulled her hand away forcefully, "You too." She threw him a wink.

We got out of the vehicle and made the short walk to the building. The parking lot was pretty much empty but the minuscule amount of people that were present, stared profusely at us.

I had only one thought when we finally entered the enemy's building.

How much money was this man making?

The pristine decor was expansive. To think of it any less than refined was a blatant insult to the sophisticated interior. The smooth, spotless marble beneath my unworthy loafers was polished to reflect and detect the tiniest specks. I feared of stomping too hard to smear the surface.

There were rows of display cases. They were sorted alphabetically. Above each case, was one-worded signs suspended from the ceiling of its contents.

"Holy shit." Raine muttered. "Is this heaven?"

I pinched her softly, laughing at her words. She bumped her shoulder into mine, giggling.

"Did you tell him you were coming? Where is he?" I spoke lowly not looking at Raine.

"He says he's in the building. Not sure where yet though. He's hard to miss."

I hummed in agreement.

"What does he have to give you? I don't think I asked before."

Raine shrugged quickly. I assumed she didn't want to say anything that could be used against us later. We were in the lion's den so we needed to be careful of what we said and did.

Cutthroat gasped, charging towards something I wasn't quick enough to notice. We followed her like lost puppies while she circled the display cases of knives and blades.

Her baby blues lit up every two seconds. She was happy. Truly.

"How cute is she?" Raine cooed. I was relieved that I was not the only one who thought so.

Cutthroat playing ring-around-the-rosie with the displays had a few eyes unwittingly pulling in our direction. We didn't belong, I was sure of it. So sure that the onlookers regarding us with unwavering hostility only reinforced my concerns.

Cutthroat was an attention magnet. With the bows in her hair and bright floral dress, I wasn't surprised that we drew so many interests. Also, Raine was absolutely stunning.

I looked around ensuring that I had not encountered any of these faces before. So far so good. I didn't want to be recognized but even that too seemed to be a difficult feat. Too much attention was being pulled our way. I was on edge and my patience was growing brittle. I knew the unsettling feeling wouldn't flee until I was isolated from this wretched place. Hopefully, that would be soon.