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As I step out into the darkness, I can't help but think about how quickly things can change. Yesterday, I was taking out a corrupt politician in Argentina. Today, I'm hunting one of our own in London.

But this is the life I chose. The path of the Silencer. And right now, there's a traitor that needs silencing.

* * *

The safe house is quiet as I enter, my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. I make my way to the main room, where I know Jer will have set up our temporary base of operations.

As expected, there's already a map of London spread out on the table, the three potential locations marked in red. I study it carefully, trying to get into Lawrence's head. Where would he go? What's his endgame here?

The door opens behind me and I turn to see Maverick walk in. He looks tired but alert, his eyes scanning the room before settling on me.

"Emman," he greets me with a nod. "Jer filled me in on the way over. This is fucked, isn't it?"

I let out a humorless chuckle. "That's putting it mildly."

Maverick comes to stand beside me, looking down at the map. "So, where do we start?"

I tap the location of the abandoned warehouse. "Here, I think. It's isolated, with plenty of escape routes. Seems like the kind of place Lawrence would hole up."

Maverick nods in agreement. "Alright. When do we move?"

I check my watch. It's just past midnight. "Give me an hour to prep my gear. We'll head out at 0100."

As Maverick goes to sort out our transport, I start assembling my rifle. The familiar routine helps calm my nerves, focusing my mind on the task ahead.

This isn't just another job. This is Lawrence—a man I've worked with, trained with. A man I thought I could trust. The betrayal stings, but I push those feelings aside. Right now, he's just another target. And I have a job to do.

An hour later, we're in a plain white van, a vehicle a thousand other people have in the city, heading toward the warehouse. The streets of London are quiet at this hour, only the occasional late-night reveler or early morning worker crossing our path.

"You okay?" Maverick asks from the driver's seat, his eyes flicking between me and the road.

I nod, my hand unconsciously checking my weapon. "Yeah. Just... this feels different, you know?"

Maverick's grip tightens on the steering wheel. "I know. But remember, he made his choice. Whatever happens now, that's on him."

As we approach the warehouse, I scan the area. There are no signs of activity, but that doesn't mean much. Lawrence knows how to stay hidden.

We park a block away and approach on foot, sticking to the shadows. The warehouse looms before us, dark and silent.

"I'll take the high ground," I whisper to Maverick. "You cover the exits."

He nods, disappearing around the side of the building as I make my way to a nearby rooftop. From here, I have a clear view of the warehouse and its surroundings.

I watch through my scope as Maverick carefully enters the warehouse, his movements silent and precise. My finger rests lightly on the trigger, ready to provide cover fire if needed.

Minutes tick by with agonizing slowness. The warehouse remains still and silent. Too silent.

"Anything?" I murmur into my comm.

"Negative," Maverick's voice crackles back. "Place looks abandoned. No sign of recent activity."

I frown, scanning the area once more. Something doesn't feel right. Lawrence is too smart to leave no trace at all.

"Wait," Maverick says suddenly. "I've got something. Second floor, northwest corner."

My scope swings to the indicated area. Through a grimy window, I catch a flicker of movement.

"I see it," I confirm. "Moving to get a better angle."

I quickly reposition, finding a vantage point with a clearer view into the room. My heart races as a figure comes into focus.

It's Lawrence.

He's hunched over a laptop, his face illuminated by the screen's glow. He looks haggard, nervous—a far cry from the funny, loyal man I once knew.

"I have visual," I report to Maverick. "He's alone, working on a computer. Likely transferring the data."

"Shit," Maverick hisses. "We need to move now. Can you take the shot?"

I line up my crosshairs, centering on Lawrence's head. It would be an easy shot. Clean. Final.

"Emmanuel," Maverick's voice is urgent in my ear. "We're running out of time. Do you have the shot?"

I take a deep breath, steadying my aim. I have the shot.

Just as my finger tightens on the trigger, Lawrence's head snaps up. His eyes seem to lock directly on my position.

In that split second, I see recognition in his face. Then fear. Then resignation.

The shot rings out, shattering the silence of the night. Through my scope, I watch as Lawrence crumples to the ground, a clean hole in his forehead. The laptop tumbles from the table, clattering to the floor.

"Target neutralized," I report coldly into my comm, my voice steadier than I feel.

"Copy that," Maverick replies. "I'm securing the area and retrieving the laptop. Meet me at the van in five."

I quickly break down my rifle, but my mind is reeling. The look in Lawrence's eyes in that final moment... He knew. He knew it was me.

As I make my way back to the van, I can't shake the image of Lawrence's face. The fear, the resignation. With this job, I’m an unknown, until now. But Lawrence could have betrayed us all.

Maverick is already waiting when I arrive, the laptop tucked securely under his arm. "You good?" he asks, studying my face.

I nod. “I’m good,” I assure him as we climb into the van. Maverick starts the engine, pulling away from the scene as sirens begin to wail in the distance.

"Jer," Maverick says into his phone as he drives, "it's done. We've got the laptop too. We’re heading to the safe house now."

As we wind through the empty streets of London, the adrenaline begins to fade, replaced by a hollow feeling in my chest. I've killed before, many times. But never someone I knew. Never one of our own.

"You did what you had to do," Maverick says quietly, as if reading my thoughts. "He was a threat to all of us."

I nod again, staring out the window at the passing city lights. "I know," I finally manage to say. "Doesn't make it any easier though."

Maverick glances at me, concern evident in his eyes. "This job, it takes a toll, Emmanuel. Maybe after this, you should take some time off. Clear your head."

The suggestion catches me off guard. Time off isn't something we usually get in this line of work.

"Yeah," I say slowly. "Maybe you're right.” But even as I say the words, I know it’s not something I’ll do. This job is who I am. It’s what I need. Having time off isn’t going to do anything but make me antsy.

We arrive at the safe house to find Jer waiting for us. His face is grim as we brief him on what happened.

"You did well," he tells us, taking the laptop. "Both of you. I know this wasn't easy, but it was necessary. Go get some rest and tomorrow we’ll work out who Lawrence was working with.”

As Maverick and I head to our separate rooms to get some rest, I know that sleep will evade me. I want to know why Lawrence did this, why he betrayed the Houlihan Gang, and who he betrayed us for.

Tomorrow is a new day, and hopefully it’ll bring the answers we seek.