10

"Is this a joke?"

I carefully lift my eyes from the folder I'm leafing through, and breathe out slowly.

"Tell me, Tyler, am I kidding?"

My eyes are transcendent, they manifest my authority. My fingers snap against the glass table.

Tyler throws his body back, his back slamming against the back of his chair. He sighs and crosses his arms.

- I frankly preferred when you were not well, you're really boring.

I raise my eyebrows, my chin lifts and I gently tilt my head back.

"Are you suicidal, or are you?"

- No way. But from there to forcing me to play a gay man, I say no.

“Say no if you want. It will make my feet. Nothing would make me happier than to cancel your mission.

I shrug my shoulders and dare a social smile. He looks away and blows air out of his nostrils again like an ox.

- What did you expect? I ask. We are a women's organization, we use our charm before we kill. We only kill men, not women. The only way you can help us is to pass yourself off as gay. Doesn't that seem logical to you?

He crosses his hands and I can only smile at my small victory. It's true, I hadn't thought of this way of disgusting him with his job, I should have imagined it before. It made me slowly enjoy.

"Alright, I'll do it," he blurted out.

I have a start, I immediately let go of the folder. It crashes against my desk and a thud resounds.

- Pardon?

"I'll do it," he continues. After all, I have no choice.

His gaze slowly goes up to me and he taunts me. He has understood that I am only doing this to destabilize him.

- Are you sure?

“I won't give you a chance to play me again, Ella. So yes.

Fuck it. I really should have pulled the trigger the first time.

I grab a pen in my mouth and host the cap. I circle a face on one of the sheets and hand it to Tyler. The enthusiasm is not really with me, but I have no choice. It's the boss's order, I have to explain the situation to him. I just thought he was going to refuse and kick me, but no.

— Antonio Alvarez. Middle-aged man, short, stocky, a severe alcoholic. He is your target.

- What did he do? He asks seriously.

— He likes masochism very much, especially when he takes on others. He likes to force his wife into all these games. He gives her a hard time, sometimes when he comes home in a bad mood, he almost beats her to death. As if that weren't enough, the latter recently caught him having sex with men. He is a repressed gay man.

He parted his lips and moved closer to my desk.

- Hard, the shock.

- So I resume. Here is the detailed plan of what is requested by his wife. You're going to the next benefit gala he's throwing.

Tyler takes the paper I hand him and inspects it with a very serious expression. His facial features are tight and show his concentration. He learned something at least here: it is to always read everything in full.

When finished, he sighs.

"Why do I have to do all this?" You are an excellent shooter, you can kill him while he sleeps from over a hundred or even two hundred meters away.

I smile, I'm flattered that he admits my shooting skills, although it's no surprise.

"Because it wouldn't be fun otherwise." We are contract killers, not serial, and then... It must be said that his wife offers an exorbitant sum to have her husband murdered in this kind of condition. How to refuse?

I admit a genuine smile and cross my legs. Tyler seems almost scared of my good humor.

- You are completely crazy, he launches.

- I know, it's my middle name. Is it a definite yes?

Tyler rolls his eyes and quickly makes the sign of the cross. He swallows his saliva with difficulty and finally dares to face me.

“I can't believe what I'm about to say, but yes, that's a yes.

- Alright. Well, you suppose I still don't trust you. I'll snag you a microphone and a micro-camera. If you ever dare to be smart, Cheyenne will have her gun pointed at you all this time. So don't do it upside down.

He remains skeptical, I invite him to get up and walk him to the door. He seems a little disturbed and not reassured.

Before I close the door, he holds my wrist firmly.

- This time Ella, do not abandon me. I hope with all my heart that you won't do it to me the wrong way either.

This sentence has the effect of a bomb on me. He seems sincere. I know he is not reassured and to see him trusting me so much touches me. We challenge each other in the eyes for a moment, it seems like an eternity. Then he finally lets go of me and I finally breathe.

***

I stare intently at Tyler. Eva tackles the preparation, she takes care that no detail exceeds: his hair, his tie, his cuffs. She put black lenses on him, fixed a little beard and above all, he wears a blonde-chestnut wig, he is downright unrecognizable. He looks at least ten years younger with this hair color.

I feel that he is very stressed, his foot slams frantically against the ground, he blows repeatedly and releases words to the sky.

- tyler, it's not god who will help you in such a moment, I let go. it's everyone but him.

he ignores me and continues to whisper incomprehensible things.

- here is your microphone, begins eva. he is very small, the color of your skin, but be careful that the other man does not see him.

- anyway I'm not going to get naked in front of him, huh?

he looks at me panicked, I don't answer him. he doesn't have to get naked. it all depends on his approach to seduction.

- I'm going to have a heart attack, he lets go.

- You have no interest in giving up no, begins Cheyenne. you see that nice 7.62 mm sniper rifle, I'll point it at your head all night long.

Tyler watches the monstrous weapon displayed before his eyes and grows increasingly nervous. I'm happy with the situation, I have to contain myself a lot not to laugh.

"Besides, it's nothing, apart from murdering a man." There's nothing to make a fuss about, I add, swinging my brown hair back.

Tyler tightens his tie, I watch his trembling hands and his uncertain expression. He's coughing.

- Yes, it's just that recess. As if I had already had the courage to murder someone in my life.

I cross my arms and focus my attention on him.

"You never killed anyone, I ask?"

- No.

My eyes open as suddenly as a chocapic box discovered by a child. He's never killed anyone in his life and he's only telling me now?

- But you're completely stupid or what! I yelled. During your stay in Japan, did you...?

“Killing isn't the only way to get what you want,” he interrupts me. And no, never. Anyway, it's not as if you were really interested in my expatriate stay.

I stare at him for a long time lost in my various thoughts. I don't think he realizes the heavy psychic upheaval that awaits him. Honestly, this mission requires a lot of strength of mind. Committing murder for the first time is really destabilizing, I don't think he realizes that. He goes into a real suicide. I wedge my upper lip between my teeth and pretend to think of an alternative that could make it easier for him. He is certain that he is not ready for the act he is about to commit. He is completely unconscious.

Unfortunately, I don't have time to develop my thoughts. Cheyenne announces the signal and she pushes Tyler out of the valve. She is dressed in a military uniform to blend in with the mass of the night. They're heading in opposite directions, and I watch the scene on my computer screen.

Eva approaches me and puts her hands on my shoulders.

- He's going to bite this little one.

- Bring the popcorn, we'll have fun, I replied sadistically.

****

Finally hiring Tyler hadn't been such a bad idea. It allowed us to have someone else do the dirty work, but moreover, it was a treat to watch him as an actor. Seeing this stress building up was great fun.

Joyce has hacked the cameras in the room focusing the festivities, so we can observe Tyler's expressions and gestures.

He has just entered the hall, he is still nervous, he cannot help adjusting his tie several times.

- Tyler, stop with your tie, you seem suspicious on the screens, I order by ear.

I see him pull his hand away and shove them into his pockets. They hand him a glass of champagne which he puts on without hesitation. I wouldn't want to be in his place.

To create a diversion, he bumps into a woman and apologizes. The woman seems immediately seduced by her beautiful eyes. A genuine smile appears on his lips.

I hear in the headset that she flirts with him openly. She repeatedly compliments her looks and I can't help but roll my eyes. This relaxes Tyler, he seems a little more sure of himself.

I then recognize Antonio on the screen, he is quite far from Tyler and is chatting with two strong men, he has a bottle of Vodka in his hand. Nice for a charity event...

— Stop the babbling, Antonio is on your left, you can't miss him, he has a red jacket.

I see Tyler looking away and looking around the room for him.

- A problem ? asks the woman on his arm.

Tyler downs a second glass of champagne and offers his biggest flirtatious smile to the woman.

— I'm looking for a friend, on the other hand, he gets close to the woman's ear, I would have loved to spend her by your side, you seem to me... very... surprising.

The woman's eyes shine, he kisses her on the corner of the lips before leaving her panting. Seriously? Did Tyler really just do that?

- Are you here to flirt or what? I tell him.

- Oh it's okay, I just made the day of this woman you should thank me, he whispers.

I sigh and watch him. He smiles several times at some people he doesn't even know. He stares at Antonio and creeps closer. I feel like I'm watching a TV series, it's exquisite.

Tyler's gaze grows darker and darker, more and more harmful. He ends up arriving in the vicious circle of his target. The men all look at him and stare at him, surprised at this intervention.

- You are? Antonio asks sternly.

— Lucas Empire, delighted. Do you have five minutes?

He totally pisses her off.

Antonio looks at his men and ends up asking them to leave. Tyler discreetly tripps one of them. The man pretends to fall, but my colleague holds him back. He takes the opportunity to retrieve a lighter he spotted in his pocket and I can only smile. He follows the plan perfectly.

- Excuse me, I'm really clumsy, excuses Tyler.

The man stares at him and turns around.

- Pressure ? Antonio suddenly asks.

- There is something, look at you.

After all, it's not like he also has a gun pointed at his head every second... No...

"Well, who are you?" asks the bearded man.

- I am the heir of the BC company, my father sends me to this party to invest in the humanitarian field. Because it seems that it sends back a good image of the company when we do it.

The man laughs and I watch him stare at Tyler's body. Bingo.

"And what do you want from me?"

"I'm going to be direct.

Tyler steps up to his target's shoulder and puts his hand on his shoulder.

“I don't care about any of this. On the other hand, a friend told me about your benefits, and I think you and I could really have fun. But really...

- Enjoy ? asks the man very interested.

- You see what I mean.

Our target looks surprised and looks away at his wife.

"Listen, I have a wife, I...

Tyler places his hand discreetly on the man's jeans. He acts so that this hand is not seen by anyone.

"It's all just a pretext," Tyler continues softly.

It doesn't take much for Antonio to let himself be fooled. He pushes Tyler's hand away and asks him to follow him. As soon as his target turns around, he catches his breath, he looks at her hand and slaps it against his jeans, as if he wanted to erase this sensual contact. I laugh. He plays really well.

He quickly regains his seriousness and follows the man.

- Not bad, replies Eva interested. Not bad for a beginner. I must say that I would have particularly appreciated being in this Antonio's place.

I stare at Eva slowly.

- What ? I have the right to fantasize, don't I? Tyler is hot when he gets down to it.

I sigh and click on my screen. I follow the cameras to the bodies of the two men while Eva modifies the images of the cameras, so that Tyler does not appear there.

Antonio, enters the room, being careful that no one follows them. He closes it.

I thus discover a very dark room, a bloody red bed is in the middle and only worsens the dark and unhealthy character of the room.

Antonio pounces on Tyler's lips like an animal. The latter seems quite surprised, but allows himself to be. I'm surprised at this scene, Tyler doesn't express any disgust. Either he is a very good actor or he appreciates it.

An intense ardor takes them to their hearts. It is my colleague who forces this carnal moment to stop.

- A little modesty all the same, he begins. Otherwise it won't last.

Antonio smiled.

- Wait for me here a few seconds, I'll be right back.

He lets his hand run over my colleague's cheeks then walks away.

Tyler makes sure he's alone. He stuffs the collar of his shirt in his mouth and cleans his lips. He almost looks panicked.

“Fuck Ella, I hate you, I really hate you. It's terrible. Beyond being a man, he stinks, it wasn't in the plan for him to kiss me. I have never been so humiliated.

So he's... A very good actor.

- Yet you seemed to love it, I replied in a tone of humor. Your tongue was very receptive.

"Are you crazy?" I think I'm going to have it amputated, I'll stop there Ella, it's good, you were right, this thing is not for me. It's cruel and I don't like it.

"You back out now, Cheyenne smacks you.

- So do it, I do not give a fuck. I will not lower my manhood any lower.

I shrug my shoulders and indicate to Eva to start counting down to Cheyenne, their ears communicating.

“Cheyenne, you have five seconds.

Tyler hears it in my headset.

- Damn it's good! I will do it ! I'll fuck it, but as soon as I get back, Ella I promise you I'll blow your ass off.

“If that's what you want, Tyler, I'm laughing.

The bedroom door opens and I see Tyler jump. It shows, he does not want to stick to the task. Despite himself, he is forced to regain his seriousness.

----Sensible soul to withhold.

Antonio returns with two ropes, handcuffs and a razor. I think he loves to tug his victims' skin with it. A real asshole who deserves death.

Tyler seems more pissed off than ever. He approaches Antonio, grabs him by the collar and throws him back on the bed.

- Sorry, he starts, on the other hand it is I who leads the dance.

Antonio looks at him more than surprised when he retrieves the ropes from his hands. My sidekick cooed his body against hers. I hear the old man let out an animal moan.

Tyler slaps him.

- I forbid you to scream like that, he says.

The man smiled, simply thinking it was a show of dominance. If he knew...

Tyler hangs the handcuffs on the man's wrists. He ties the ropes to his feet, in order to fix him to his bed.

I watch him do it, but more particularly his body. Seeing him act so sensually does not leave me unmoved. Tyler definitely knows how to use his assets well. His developed swimmer's back, does not leave me flawless.

He places his target's arms behind his head and immobilizes him.

- You say even one sentence, I would hurt you to suffer.

- I...

Tyler raises his eyebrows and smiles flirtatiously. He retrieves the razor and runs it over the man's wrist, tearing his skin. The man screams and swears. Tyler gets even angrier. He pulls a sharp knife out of his pocket and terrifies the man with it. He enjoys going through his body using this weapon.

"You know," Tyler begins. It's not right to pick on women.

The man does not yet understand that he is close to his death, he even appreciates the scene, he appreciates the fact that Tyler makes him suffer. I feel like throwing up.

"Even less to deceive them." Do you want to be punished?

“Yeah,” the man lets out, letting out a hoarse moan.

Tyler puts on a sadistic expression and I welcome that. He takes the knife and sticks it in his victim's pelvis.

"Wha...Wha...Lucas..."

"I told you not to talk!" Shit !

He throws a knife at her again in the chest. Blood rushes and drips onto the bed.

- Next time you little shit, you will think before hurting a woman. Even if there will be no next time.

--------------------

Eager to complete his task, he grabs the man's neck with gloves and twists it in an instant. He gets up, panicked and careful not to stain himself with all that blood. He doesn't dare look at Antonio, he doesn't dare look at what he has just done. He is shaking. He went very quickly, not wanting to realize his act, I feel helpless now.

“Holy shit, he swears, Ella I…

- Tyler we'll talk later, you burn everything and you get out.

He complies, still very trembling. His hand vibrates when he grabs the lighter he stole from the other man. It ignites a small portion of its victim's cuff.

He arranges his costume as well as his hairstyle and re-opens the door. He begins a fast path in the direction of return and ends up blending into the crowd. He's trying not to look suspicious, but he's upset, he's in shock, and that's completely normal.

He finds the man whose lighter he had stolen and, despite the fact of the crowd, he has no trouble, wearing gloves, in slipping this lighter mixed with Antonio's blood into the man's pocket. He heads for the exit and his face grows increasingly dull. He's scared, he realizes little by little what he's just done, I think.

Me too it gave me a terrible shock the first time and I don't prefer to remember it. Cheyenne runs into the van as Tyler walks slowly, as if he doesn't want to go any further.

“Tyler, you fucking crawling.

"Ella, I...

I observe on the left side of my screen the fire takes a small fire, it is only a matter of time before the fire alarm goes off and thus blocks all the exits of the villa. It's a matter of minutes before a general alert is given, if so, Tyler won't be able to get off the property.

I resign myself to dropping him, after all, when one of my colleagues is in a difficult position, I'm not going to help him, it's the code, it's everyone for themselves in such moments.

And then this voice haunts me "This time don't let me down".

I swear between my teeth and grab my coat. The fire becomes more and more impressive. The alarm rings. Only a few more seconds before we discover the crime scene.

I open the truck door and quickly look for Tyler. He's not far away, but he seems dead inside. I grab him by the arm and force him to follow me. I run at full speed, his legs follow, but not his mind.

We leave the property and we quickly reach the van. I force him to enter then I do the same.

He drops to the ground. The first kill is always a shock, he vomits everything in his stomach. He vomits on my mental Prada, I can't blame him. We are humans after all, killing our fellow man is not in our nature. I look at him, and I understand that this time I will have to remove my sadistic boss behavior. We need a talk, him and me. Me Ella, and Tyler.