Flames. The bodies went up in flames after the driver tossed a match onto them. They weren’t even good enough for a lighter. Just a wooden match. With them up in flames, so went our opportunity to figure out who they were.

I slumped in my hiding spot. “I am literally never going to get this shit right.”

Reaper clapped a hand to my shoulder. “Probably not, but I bet there’s a good burger out there with our names on them.”

––––––––

Go do the job. Come back and report. That was the majority of my time spent working under the Dictator. We had a regular group of specialized cleaners who trained me after I got in one too many situations that would have landed me in jail—if I were anyone else.

Maybe he had a plan for me by training me under these guys. Maybe he didn’t. Maybe I was just a nuisance and doing the dirty work wasn’t a complete waste of time to my grandfather.

The Dictator. The man was one.

“Thanks, Martha,” I nodded as she set our plates down.

She gave me a sideways look with a raised eyebrow before turning away and walking to the back of the kitchen.

“Damn, what did you do to Miss Martha?” Reaper rolled up his mask to expose his mouth.

“You really never take that shit off, do you?”

“Nope.”

There were only three times I’d seen him eat; this was one of them. What I saw was five o’clock shadow and tanned skin. Some tattoos peeking out on his neck, too.

He changed topics. “How’s that little new—not aunt—fuck buddy of yours Mr. Vaughn said not to touch?”

How was she? I’d give anything to know what my little Blondie was like in bed. Soft skin against mine, those sweet lips screaming my name, and every part of her melting in my hands? Soon, I’d get there and memorize every inch of her with my eyes, hands, and mouth. She just needed to let me in long enough to realize I’m not what she thinks I am.

“Bratty.” I shoved a fry in my mouth.

“Aren’t they all? Anyway, I got confirmation on the Haines team running surveillance on her. She’s the one that they’ve been looking out for in their rise to power. Don’t ask me how I know, just trust me on the intel.”

I waited silently for him to continue.

“This is where you say, ‘Great job, Reaper!’ and give me brownie points.”

I kicked him instead.