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JUST ANOTHER JOB

E MILY

I hear Will’s whispered declaration as I’m drifting off to sleep. Panic wells in my chest, but I can’t dwell on the issues that will cause, because I have a decision to make, and I desperately need to rest. I won’t let myself react to his words, or the feelings they trigger. I love you, too. I can’t say it; I can’t even think it.

I let sleep take me, briefly considering that my nightmares may come back. At least I’ve warned the guys about them. So, if I have one, Will should understand.

My first dream seems normal enough. The faceless guild members chase after me, attempting to kill me. Just a day in my life, right? I run from them as fast as I can, wondering why I’m not shifting. I can’t find anything electronic to slip into anyway, so it’s pointless. I dodge attacks and just when I think I’m safe, the arrows start flying past my head.

I cry out as an arrow pierces my chest and hear Will’s voice. “It’s okay, sugarplum. I’ve got you.” And fuck if that doesn’t chase the nightmare away. My body relaxes and I sleep dreamlessly for a while. Then everything changes.

Suddenly I’m transported in time. Once again, I’m standing in the run-down warehouse my father took me to that day. How many times do I have to relive that day? My childhood wasn’t an easy one. My mother was killed when I was small, and my father used me as slave labor until I hit puberty. That’s where I am right now. Thirteen years old and standing in front of a man I’ve never met. Even though I remember what happened, it feels as if I’m there, going through it all over again. I’m that little girl I was and can’t escape.

“You belong to me now, girl. Put this on,” he growls, tossing a thin scrap of fabric at me.

“Where did my dad go?” I ask. Even though I lived it before, I’m not prepared for the hand to shoot out. The sting of his palm against my cheek brings tears to my eyes.

“Your dad sold you to me. You’re mine now, and you will do what you’re told. Put this on before I decide to really punish you,” the man growls again. I pick up the cloth and stare at it. There is no way I’m doing what he demands. I’ve read about these transactions. I know he’ll kill me if I don’t cooperate, but I don’t care. Death will be better than what this man has planned for me.

“No. If you want me to do as you ask, you’ll let me talk to my dad first.” I’m not in a place to make demands, and I know it. But I’m also not going to put on the thin strips of cloth this stranger just handed me. I won’t do it; no matter what it costs me.

It doesn’t take long to learn what he’ll do about my refusal. First, he slaps me again. When I shake my head, he punches me. The moment his fist connects with my face, I know that he’s lost control. I’m too small to stop him; I can’t defend myself against this giant and his blows.

The man’s fists pound into me, hitting my face, my chest, my legs. Blocking his hits doesn’t help. He punches and kicks me until I’m curled into a ball in the floor. I’m broken. He might kill me after all. Pain lances through me, and I don’t know if I can survive this. I have a plan, but might have pushed too far already. I close my eyes tightly and wait for him to stop beating me.

When more pain doesn’t come, I look around the room and find that I’m alone. My only chance at survival right now is if I can shift. I didn’t tell my dad when my powers revealed themselves, because I knew that he’d find a way to exploit me with them. Here I am, in a strange place, with powers that no one knows about. I might be able to survive this after all. It’s my only chance.

I flex my fingers, wincing at the agony that accompanies the movement. My shift is difficult and takes longer than I want. After a few long, painful minutes, I’m pixelated and can move again. I’m still injured, but in this form I’m more able to push it away. Something about turning into pixels makes my soul feel better; stronger, even. The door stands open; my captor is obviously convinced that he’s incapacitated or killed me. I follow the hallway to another room where I hear voices.

“You sold her to me! You told me she was trained! But she wouldn’t get dressed like I told her to. So, I had to beat the shit out of her because she won’t do what she’s told. You lied, and I want my money back!” the man who beat me yells at my father.

The man who should have protected me stares at the much larger man standing in front of him. It’s strange to me, but there’s no fear. He doesn’t hesitate, stabbing the knife I hadn’t seen into my attacker’s chest. “You son of a bitch. Now I have to waste money getting her healed so I can sell her again. I suppose you won’t mind if I keep what you paid me, though, since you won’t be needing it.”

I should be shocked at the fact that my father just killed a man. Instead, I’m focused on the words he said as he did it. I freeze at my father’s words. He’s going to sell me again. No. I can’t let that happen; I won’t. I have to stop him from doing this to me or anyone else. I dart forward in my shifted form, determined to figure out a way to stop him.

He turns toward the door as I move and I slide right through him. My hands tighten into fists in front of me at the sensation, and the moment he’s behind me, I feel something warm and wet in my hands. Looking down, I see his still beating heart resting on my pixelated palm. I just killed my father. A myriad of emotions overwhelms me, and I stare at the heart in my hand as it slowly stops beating.

“What the fuck?” he gasps, falling to the floor. A crimson puddle forms under him, and my father doesn’t move. I look at the heart in my hand again before crushing it between my fingers. He’ll never hurt anyone again.

Once I figure out how to get home, I take time to heal. Then I go through his belongings and discover that he’d been running a trafficking ring for years. He was responsible for kidnapping and selling young girls into the sex trade since before I was born. Not only was my mother one of his victims, but Mama’s mysterious death was at his hand. I’m glad I was the one to finish him off.

Soon after, I discover that I can travel in my pixelated form along internet lines, which makes it easier to take out everyone who worked with my father. And since I have his list of suppliers and buyers, I work my way through it, learning how to kill as I go.

With this ring of evil destroyed, I discover that I have a talent for taking out sickos. Thus Umbr4g3_R0gu3 was born. I spend time learning how to control my powers, using my father’s blood money to fund my endeavors. I should feel guilty, but I don’t. I’m proud of myself for protecting those women and children.

I wake from the strange dream with Will still wrapped around me. I’m surprised the nightmare didn’t wake him. It’s always violent and usually leaves me shaking. This time I’m calm, and I think it has to do with Will’s presence.

It’s both comforting and disturbing to have him here. I can’t be upset with him; I asked him to stay. If I’m honest with myself, I want him here. I want all three of them here. But it’s not fair to them for me to be that selfish. I should let them go so they don’t get tangled up in my drama. My life is no place for love, or anything resembling it.

Looking at the alarm clock, I realize that I slept later than I’d expected. I have only twelve hours left to make my decision. With the knowledge that this guild is a life-long commitment, and they’ll kill me if I get accepted and try to leave, I know I need to consider my options carefully. This isn’t an offer I’ll get again if I refuse. But am I ready to join a group like this? I’m not sure. What I do know is that this decision will be life changing. There’s no turning back, no matter what I decide.

I reach out with my powers and check my phone while setting an alarm for eleven-thirty tonight. If I haven’t made my final decision by then, I’ll at least have time to get to the docks if I want to go through with it. I have texts from Luke and Jeremy. Neither knows where Will is, and they’re concerned because he doesn’t ever leave without a note or message.

Will is with me. We’re fine. Nap time ran longer than expected.

I’ll send him home as soon as he wakes up.

When I get their responses, I realize the mistake I’ve made.

W ait, Will is in your apartment right now?

Jeremy asks.

I didn’t think we were allowed in your apartment! What the hell?

Luke is clearly upset, and I know I’m going to have to make it up to both of them later.

I couldn’t sleep, and he was the only one up.

We can have a slumber party here later. Okay?

I don’t want them to think I care about Will more than I do them. I hope they all understand that I need different things from time to time, and they’ll each get time alone with me. I don’t want to text all that, though, so I figure we can talk about it tonight at dinner.

We’re still on for dinner, right?

Of course.

Have you decided which option you’d like?

Shit. I forgot I was supposed to pick where we go tonight.

Surprise me? You know I’d rather stay home than go out anyway.

I hope Jeremy doesn’t get upset at my lack of desire to choose. I just don’t have a preference between pizza, bar food, and the fancy restaurant. I’d be happy just hanging out at home with them. Did I just refer to their apartment as home? Fuck, I’m more screwed than I realized. I’ve let myself get more attached than I planned. Is this what I want? Why do they seem to get to me no matter how much I hold back?

With dinner mostly taken care of, I snuggle back in against Will. The warmth of his body eases my anxiety about the nightmares I had this morning while we slept. I can’t think about what he said to me as I was falling asleep. I have bigger things to consider right now.

Should I accept the guild invite? Best case, I have a job for life. And I spend that life killing men who deserve it. Maybe women too, I don’t really know. It’s not like gender plays a part in someone being a monster. They clearly know about me, and claim that they won’t send marks I would be against killing. But how can I trust a faceless organization that I don’t know much about?

Worst case, I let this opportunity pass me by. It’s not like I actually need the money. I’ve amassed a small fortune since my first kill at thirteen. In some ways it was easier when I was young. I could infiltrate the rings from the inside and take them all out. Now I have to play the part that I no longer completely fit into. I’m capable and stealthy, though, so it hasn’t stopped me yet.

After Will wakes up, I try not to rush him to leave. I have another job to start and would prefer to do my cam work when he’s not around. I know they’ve all seen my general subscription stream, but the one-on-ones are a little different. I don’t need an audience for that.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come upstairs with me?” he asks. It’s hard to resist his sweet smile, but I have to work. Okay, I don’t have to work, but I want to. My mission in life is bigger than our relationship.

“I’ve gotta get ready for work. And I can’t have you down here distracting me. I’ll see you guys for dinner.” I kiss him, then give him a little shove toward the door. Reluctantly, he leaves. I lock the door and head to the bathroom to get dressed and put on my makeup.

When I have everything just the way I want, I pull my wig on and comb the hot pink curls into place. I stroll out of the bedroom in the lace babydoll with a matching satin robe over it. My aesthetic today is candy colored, because this mark prefers younger girls. I’m sure that’s why I relived how I got here in my dreams this morning; I was anticipating this moment. I have to pretend to be what my father had hoped I’d become when he sold me for a profit.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and remind myself that I am in control here. I can back out of this job at any time. I decide where the video call goes, and I have the power to shut it down if things get uncomfortable. I am not the helpless underage girl I’m portraying. I cannot let myself forget that.

I settle myself on the bed and switch on my cameras. A few settings tweaks, and the screen shows everything around me a sweet candy pink, contrasting with the hot pink wig and nightie I’m wearing. Big_Dick_73 (what kind of username is that anyway?) should join the video call any minute. I don’t know his real name, nor do I need to. My dark web contacts mysteriously referred him to me because of his eclectic tastes in cam videos.

My mark is on time, and research begins slowly. This time he’s calling from his office, which is one of the places I need to access. I establish a link easily, and distract him as I play the part of an innocent girl who doesn’t understand exactly what’s on this creep’s mind. He tells me how to touch myself as he watches, and I do it, feigning a purity I’ve never had.

When I’ve reached my breaking point, we schedule another call for next week. He’s anxious to see me again, wanting more time today. Why do they always want more? I can’t indulge him, though, insisting that I have other clients who are expecting me. When I promise to wear his favorite shade of blue next time, he finally agrees. I hold back a sigh, knowing that the next call will be the last time I see him. Well, it’ll be the last time he sees me. I’ll see him when I rip his tongue out for the filthy things he’s said to me when he was pretending I was underage.

As soon as the call ends, I sneak into his computer and find the files I’m looking for. I quickly copy them onto a thumb drive and return to my apartment. With that finished, I can focus on my decision at hand, and figuring out what to wear for my dinner date.

I’m not asking where we’re going tonight (I meant it when I said ‘surprise me’) But I do need to know what to wear…jeans, a dress, what?

While I’m waiting for a response, I shower, cleaning all the body glitter and makeup off, then dressing in lounge clothes. I flop on my bed and pull out the invitation. The glowing white letters stare up at me as I remove the hot pink paper from the matching envelope once more.

It’s mesmerizing to look at, and I wonder again how the guild managed to deliver this invitation. Someone was inside my apartment but didn’t get caught by my security system. I dash from my bed to the small hidden room inside my cam space. Once inside, I pull up the video feeds from last night. Sure enough, there was a brief period of time when my system was taken offline while I was delivering the proof of the Davis job being finished. But it wasn’t long enough for someone to get from the door to my bedroom and back. This still doesn’t make sense.

Interesting. This guild must be pretty powerful if they can infiltrate my apartment with all of its security and not get caught. Seventeen hidden cameras, and nothing. That reminds me; I should probably delete the footage of Will and me from earlier. He wasn’t aware of the cameras, and I didn’t think to ask him if it was okay to record. Probably because that would have led to a myriad of questions that I don’t really want to answer.

I watch the video before I delete it. Of course, watching it brings up all the feelings from during, and I end up taking matters into my own hands. I rub my clit and finger myself until I come, then delete the footage. I make a mental note to ask the guys later how they feel about being recorded, though. I know it will lead to more questions and I’ll have to explain that I have an intricate security system. I don’t know how I’ll convince them that it’s a perfectly normal thing to have that many cameras hidden in this small of an apartment, but that’s a later me problem. Maybe they’ll be okay with it, since I am a helpless woman living on my own. I nearly fall out of my chair laughing at that thought.

With that problem solved, I lock the hidden room back up and stroll back to the bedroom. I have a few hours until our date, so I flop back on the bed and stare at the invitation again. I wish there was a clear answer here. Sometimes having free will is frustrating. It’s my decision, and I have to make it. I don’t have anyone to discuss the pros and cons with, so it’s all on me.

I make a mental list, again. Pros: lifelong work, taking out people who deserve it, unlimited funds and equipment, recruiting my own team. Cons: FOMO if I refuse, no retirement, being hunted down if I fuck up. That’s about as simple as I can make it. If only I knew who sent the invite, I’d have someone I could ask all the questions that are bouncing around in my brain. Can I really assume that I’ll be selected? After all, it’s just an audition. There’s no guarantee they’ll even want me after they see what I can do.

I shake my head, pushing that thought away. Of course, they’ll want me. I can do things most other people can’t. And recruiting my own team sounds promising. It’s too bad the guys can’t be part of that team. It wouldn’t be fair to drag them into this, though, if that’s what I decide.

None of that really matters. Being worried about my guys won’t change things. Wait, my guys? Fuck, I’m in deeper than I thought. If I’m already thinking of them as mine, it may be too late to walk away. Can I break my own heart just to protect them? I don’t know. As strong as the desire to protect them is, my desire to be near them is stronger.

I don’t really know what love feels like. No one has been kind to me since my mother died—until I met Jeremy, Will, and Luke. It was instant attraction, and a seamless bond. We’ve been hanging out for months, but we talked about it and agreed that it needed to stay casual. Their fathers are important businessmen and wouldn’t appreciate a scandal of their sons all being involved with the same woman. And I’m terrified of commitment.

I’ll never admit that to anyone else, but there’s no reason to hide it from myself. If I give myself over to this emotion, will I lose the parts that make me who I am? I know there’s a chance that loving the three of them and letting them love me will make me stronger, but what if that’s not what happens?

As much as I don’t want to let them go, I don’t want to put them at risk, either. My job is dangerous. That’s a great excuse, but is it really that dangerous? No one, besides the guild, has ever figured out who I am and what I do. Why am I so worried about that now?

And if I’m really being honest with myself, wouldn’t it be better to have the power of the guild behind me, if something did happen? Sure, I don’t have a way to contact them, but if they really do see everything, they’ll just know when I need backup.

I look at the clock. Almost eight hours left before I have to make this decision. I don’t have to figure this out right now. But really, the decision is made, isn’t it? There’s only one logical choice. All that’s left is to seal it.

I still have some time before our date, so I figure I’ll make a quick trip to the docks and see if I can get this audition over with early. Hopefully it won’t be anything too complicated.

When I arrive at the docks, I have no idea where exactly I’m supposed to go. I walk around the concrete lot, looking down the rows of shipping containers that are stacked in neat rows. This is ridiculous. If this is the audition, I’d probably be better off leaving now.

With that thought, I turn to leave and run directly into a slim, pink-haired figure with pale white skin. They seem to almost glow. The contrast of the hot pink waves that fall to their shoulders and the pale skin is interesting. I can’t tell if this person is a man or woman.

“That’s the idea, Emily. You don’t need to know.” They lock eyes with me, but their mouth doesn’t move. I hear the words in my head.

“What? How?” I ask, unable to form complete thoughts.

A smirk crosses their face, and I’m mesmerized. They’re beautiful in an ethereal way. I find myself moving closer until we’re almost touching. “I’m Brynn. I was hoping you’d join us.” They turn and walk away, and I’m certain that I’m meant to follow. So, I do.

We step inside one of shipping containers, and it’s like I’ve been transported to another realm. Hell, I probably have. “Where are we?” I ask as Brynn stops walking in front of me.

“Your audition, love, where else?” they answer. I should be upset that they’ve answered my question with a question, but I’m entranced.

“What’s my audition?” I mutter, turning to look around the room.

Brynn’s eyes lock with mine, and they smirk again. A single word echoes in my brain. “Survive.”

And just like that, I’m thrust into my nightmare. Half a dozen masked people come at me. A few have daggers, a couple brandish swords. I glance around the room, looking for something I can use to give myself an advantage.

I don’t see anything right away that I can use. Instead of standing still and letting myself be targeted, I decide to find somewhere to hide while I make a plan of attack. I’ll have to defeat them one-on-one if I want to get out of here. And I need to do it quickly, because I have a date tonight.

Part of me is pissed that Brynn didn’t give me any warning about this, and part of me likes the challenge. I don’t normally take out six people at once, or even in the same night. I decide to use my attackers’ lack of knowledge against them. They don’t know me, and won’t be expecting what I can do.

One of them stumbles upon my hiding spot, thrusting a dagger at me. I don’t hesitate, shifting my arm and thrusting my hand into the man’s chest. I have no reason to kill him, so instead of ripping his heart out, I collapse his lungs. It’s painful, I’m certain, but will incapacitate him without being fatal.

With the success of that move, I decide that’s how I’ll take them all out. I shift the rest of my body into pixels and slowly move across the room, hunting my prey. It’s slower than I want, but without electronics or internet lines, I don’t have much choice. I feel safer in my shifted form, and have less chance of being caught.

Once I’ve dispatched three more of my would-be attackers, I move toward where Brynn is watching the action. Hovering behind them, I whisper, “Is there a reason you want me to kill these people? Or do you just like playing God?”

They spin around, shocked that I’m able to get so close without them noticing written on their face. “Oh, you are a slick one,” Brynn says, actually speaking the words aloud this time. “I think you’ll fit in quite nicely. I’m also pleased that you didn’t just kill my soldiers without cause. I can’t tell you how many I’ve had to replace over the years with these auditions.”

“Does that mean this is over? Or do I need to take out the other two?” I feel like all I’m doing here is asking questions, and it’s starting to annoy me.

My host nods, then turns back toward the room and claps their hands once. “Okay, people, I have what I need. We’re finished here. Please clean up before you leave.” With that settled, they turn back to me. “I would like to extend an invitation to join us, if you are so inclined.”

I return to my human form quickly. Even though I was certain this is how the audition would end, I’m still surprised by it. At this point, I can’t say no. I knew that when I came to the docks. “I’m in.” Suddenly a name pops into my head. “Who is Donovan?”

“Your first target, love. We don’t need you to collect evidence; we’ve taken care of that already. Just do what you do.” Brynn’s voice sounds in my head again.

I nod, turning to leave. The moment I step out of the shipping container, a chill works its way up my spine. I just joined an assassin’s guild, and I have my first target. I realize that I didn’t get answers to most of my questions, but there will be time for that later.

I don’t want to dwell on the guild right now. I need to return to my apartment and get ready for my date with the guys. Instead of walking back, I jog, arriving quickly and barely breaking a sweat.

Once I’m home, I have a little time to research before I need to leave. I return to my hidden room and investigate Donovan. He’s a well-respected vampire who owns Donovan Industries. It’s obvious to me that his business is a front for his illegal activities. I don’t bother to check out articles that mention his family; they aren’t part of this. Most of the time, it’s easier to kill someone if you don’t know about their loving wife and kids. Seeing a monster as anything else makes my job more difficult. Instead of focusing on the man, I dig into his kinks. Apparently subservient women are what get him off. As usual, I can pretend. I’m turning out to be a pretty good actress when I need to be.

I need to figure out how to get him on my books. As soon as the thought pops into my head, a new appointment request dings in my dark web calendar. Could it be that easy? I open my calendar and see that Donovan himself has requested a cam call. I guess it can be that easy. Looks like I’ll be meeting him tonight. With any luck, I’ll get everything I need and be able to end this quickly. Considering all I really need is a connection and a few minutes, I’m feeling pretty confident about this one. I’ve already verified his involvement in illegal activities—the same type as the men I regularly go after. So Donovan will fit right in with my other victims.

This job will be a little different from my others, because there was no request for documents or information. Donovan has to die, and I am the one chosen to handle it. Pride fills me, and I wonder for a moment if I’m actually a little sick and twisted. I love being the one who doles out the punishment to the men who are so similar to my father. It’s thrilling to end their lives after I confirm that they are guilty of the illegal endeavors that created my fortune. Since I don’t need to collect evidence, I may be able to kill this fucker tonight. I wonder if Brynn will be impressed with how quickly I plan to handle this target.

Yeah, I’m more than a little sick and twisted. But the world is a better place for what I do, and who says a person should do work they don’t enjoy?

I realize that I’m running late now, but I can’t be upset about it. I have a new mission, and I’m excited to see what’s next with the guild. I check my texts to see if I got a response about what to wear while I shower, put on makeup, and fix my hair.

Jeans are fine. We’re going casual tonight.

That tells me that Jeremy won the decision, and we’re having pizza. Good. I prefer that to the fancy place Luke would have taken us anyway.