Sana huffed and changed the topic. "Okay, so what are you planning to do now?"
"The priority is to fulfil this contract. Then he won't be able to demand anything from me. At least until then, I should keep up the pretense that I'm his loyal dog."
She gasped, putting the pieces together. "You're going to paint me as a casual fling?"
"Would you be offended?"
Sana crossed her arms against her chest. "I don't mind playing that role. But would that mean you wouldn't come see me anymore?"
Dax nodded and held her hand. "I'm sorry. I can't think of any other way."
"I will miss you," she mumbled.
His gaze softened. "Come here." Dax pulled her back onto his lap and rested his chin on her shoulder, his arms around her. "What if I call you every day instead? I'll get a new number, one that's not affiliated with the gang."
"You'll talk for five minutes and end the call. You suck at phone calls. You treat it like business," she grumbled. Even face-to-face, Dax wasn't much of a talker. He communicated a lot through gestures and body language. Without seeing him, she'd simply yap and he'd listen quietly.
"It's because I'm not used to it. But I'll try."
"Fine. You better," she grumbled. She had no other choice to compromise.
"Don't worry too much. Think of it as a breather. Afterall, once we leave this town, you're stuck with me for life."
Sana smiled. He'd started embracing the idea of sharing a future together. "Yes, you're right," she said solemnly. "I should make the best of this time."
Dax raised an eyebrow.
She chuckled. "You're such a baby."
"I'm not."
Sana stuck her tongue out at him. He shook his head and pulled her close to him. They savoured the comfortable silence that enveloped them. It was these moments of peace that she cherished. She wanted both of them to have more of these in their life.
"We are in this together, okay?" Sana said, pulling back to meet his eyes. "We close this chapter of your life and open a new one somewhere. I'll work on paying back my father and you work on finishing the contract as soon as possible."
"Killing twenty-five people isn't that easy, red," he said.
"I didn't say it was easy. The thought of it makes me sick. It's all kinds of wrong but I've decided. I'm going to be selfish this time. I need that dream of ours to come true and I'll do anything to make it happen. So, you've just got to steel yourself and get through this dark period, okay?" she asked, caressing his face with her thumb. "I promise you, after we get away, your life will only be soothing sunshine, berry-scented air and sugary laughter. Your biggest worry will be wiping sticky caramel off the counter or trying to source quality berries off-season."
Dax smiled and pressed a kiss to her open palm. "Can't wait."
"I love it when you smile," she said, tracing his lips with her thumb. "You should smile more often, Dax."
His face grew a light shade of pink and looked away. "Shut up," he grumbled.
Sana burst out laughing. "You cutie."
More grumbling.
More laughing.
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Dax was surprised when he was sent an assignment the next day. There was no other word from Raju anna or even Sura. He didn't know what to think of it. The place was two towns far so he had to take out his bike. It was a bike that Raju anna gifted him when he turned eighteen. It used to be his dream bike until he received it as a present from him, another treat for being a good hunting dog. He rarely took it for a drive but he had to this time.
He wondered what the two people whose faces were on his phone did to offend Raju anna's clients. Maybe they had dirt on them or witnessed something they shouldn't have. It was usually one of these reasons names went up on influential people's hit list. He was usually not given any details of their offense. Just a name and the details of where and when they'd be.
If it was in town, there were people to clean up the murder. But if it was out of town, he had to take care of everything and make sure there wasn't a trace left. Only the police in their town were under Raju anna's payroll. He didn't have much say in other towns. So, they need to be extra careful.
Dax was surprised he was given such a risky job, considering the waning trust on him. Maybe this was a test. It must be, he thought. There was no other explanation.
He parked his bike in a spot that wasn't covered by the hospital's cameras. Dax removed his leather jacket and pulled on a white lab coat and a surgical mask before heading for the hospital. He was given two names, two faces and one room number. It was late at night and that meant there were less nurses and doctors who'd get in his way. He'd just have to sneak in his way into the room without anyone noticing.
Once he'd reached the room, he slipped in quietly. A man with burn scars rested on the bed, supported by fluid tubes and oxygen tanks. It was a good thing Dax was prepared. He simply injected the lethal toxin into IV tube, a little relieved that this death would be easy to clean up.
A younger man slept in the sad excuse of a bed in the same room and Dax checked to confirm he was the same man he was instructed to take out. The fact that he was sound asleep became an advantage to Dax. He used a handkerchief with a mild dose of the knock-out drug and muffled the man. His eyes shot open; he tried to pull Dax's hand away but in a few seconds he was out. Then, he pulled out a small tube of a chemical that Raju anna used to teach him the easiest trick to kill a person without leaving a trace. He injected the right amount under the man's tongue. The man spasmed, the bodily reaction to the chemical overriding that of the mild knock-out drug and he clutched his chest.
Now, even the doctors would conclude he passed away because of a heart attack. Of course, it would be suspicious – the patient and the caretaker dead on the same night but the police would find it easier and hassle-free to conclude it as a grave coincidence rather than a planned murder. After all, the cameras were jammed. There was no evidence to prey on.
He sent a checkmark to Sura and confirmed the kills. That's when he saw Sana's message.
Be careful. Don't you dare give me a reason to worry.
He knew what the text was. It was her way of reminding him that he couldn't afford to be careless or reckless anymore.
Because he had someone waiting for him, worrying for him and needing him. His life meant something to someone now.
He had a warm place to go back to for the first time.
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note: the next chapters are available on scrollstack. if you're a bit curious and can't wait a whole week to know what happens next, head over there! you can access it with the link in my bio :)
