Chapter 23

-James-

**2007**

"Target in sight." I adjusted my scope. She's moving to the southwest corner. "Be advised. Target is on the move." I zoomed out my lens and tried to see the location she moved in. It looks like a store. Shit. Civilians. I was told to do this quietly.

"Be advised. The target is around civilians. Collateral high. Holding for further instructions." I talked into my earpiece. My earpiece crackled to life.

"Barnes. Objective is a go. I repeat. Objective is a go."

Are they serious? There are way too many people.

"Negative. Civilians present. Maximum casualties if engaged." I responded. But my earpiece remained silent. I knew what that meant. They don't care about collateral damage. All they care about is results. I sighed and adjusted my grip on my rifle. I have to do this fast and clean.

I took a deep breath and looked through my scope again. The target was still there, talking to someone inside the store. I couldn't hear what they were saying but I didn't need to. My orders were clear. I had been tracking her for weeks and I wasn't about to let her slip through my fingers. But I couldn't risk innocent lives for the sake of completing my mission.

I took a deep breath and tried to come up with a plan. Maybe I could wait until the target left the store and follow her to a more isolated location. But then again, I didn't know how long she would be inside or if she had any backup waiting for her.

I aimed my rifle at the target's head and held my breath. I waited for the perfect moment. But then, something caught my eye. A little girl, probably no more than five years old, walked out of the store and ran towards the target. My heart stopped. I can't risk it. I can't take the shot.

Suddenly, my earpiece cracked to life again.

"Barnes. We have a green light. Take the shot."

No. I can't. Not this time.

"Barnes. Take the fucking shot or we're going to lose her again."

I hesitated for a second. I knew that if I didn't follow orders, I would be putting my own life in danger.

I lifted my rifle and looked into the scope. She was still talking to the little girl. She knows she's being targeted. She knows I'm here. But I can see that there's something more between her and the little girl. Something deeper. The girl is just not some random civilian she's using as a shield. She knows her. In the weeks that I have been tracking her, there has not once been an instance that she indicated she had a family. I've read her file front to back a hundred times. She has no one.

"Sir, I respectfully request for you to reconsider." I pleaded in my earpiece. To me, they are nothing more than a voice in my head. I would get an envelope every time I would be assigned a target with a picture, an earpiece, and a location of where I was supposed to hide out while I tracked the target. It normally lasts no more than a couple of days but this was different.

I've been tracking *Rosso* for weeks. That's what she was called in the chatter I managed to hear. I'm sure that's not her name. I followed her to kill two businessmen in 30 seconds. I followed her take-down thugs in an alleyway 5-1, got out of there, and had dinner afterward. She is as cold-blooded as me.

"Respectfully, we don't give a fuck. Now take the shot Barnes." the voice commanded. Fuck.

I watched as she crouched down to the little girl's level and whispered something in her ear. The girl giggled and hugged her tightly. It was a tender moment, one that I shouldn't interrupt.

**FUCK IT!**

I took the earpiece off and stepped on it. I started to pack my rifle when I heard footsteps behind me. They're fast. I give them that. I picked up my bag and began to leave the rooftop when three men came out of the door I needed to get out.

"Barnes what are you doing?" the biggest one said. "Finish the job or they'll kill you."

"Can't do that Caralos. I'm done. I'm letting her go." I said trying to walk closer so I could get through.

"What? Are you out of your mind? You were given your orders, Barnes. You know what will happen if you don't follow through."

"I'll take that risk. Now, please, let me through." I said calmly.

One of the guys who looked like he hadn't even learned how to shave, stepped forward. "Can't let you go Agent Barnes. Sorry."

"Calm down kid. You don't know what you're doing." Carlos looked at the rookie and shook his head.

"He has orders and so does he. We're just following orders." he stepped forward and lunged at me.

I quickly sidestepped and grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back. He let out a grunt of pain as I used his momentum to throw him to the ground. He got up and rushed at me, but I dodged his punch and landed a solid hit to his gut. He doubled over in pain, gasping for air.

"Stand down, kid," I said, keeping my eyes on him, who was slowly getting back on his feet. "I don't want to hurt you."

I saw Carlos just standing there watching us fight.

"You gonna do something about this man?" I asked him.

"All you Barnes. All you." he chuckled.

Rookie lunged at me again, but this time I was ready. I kicked his feet out from under him and slammed him to the ground. He tried to get up, but I pinned him down, my arm at his throat.

"Stay down, kid. You're way in over your head." I got up and looked at Carlos.

"Where do they get these G.I. Joe wannabes?" I chuckled.

"They make them customizable now don't you know?" Carlos said. His face suddenly became serious. "I can give you an hour tops James. No more."

"Appreciate it," I said as I ran from the rooftop.

I need to know who she is more than what they've told me. I can't get her off my mind.

I quickly found her when I got to the street. I know her usual haunts like the back of my hand. I followed her cautiously as she made her way to a deserted alleyway. I watched as she looked around, making sure she wasn't being followed. But I was too good at my job, and there was no way she could have known that I was there.

I turned into the alleyway she walked in I looked around until I saw her standing there, looking at me with suspicion in her eyes. She was beautiful, with red hair and sharp features that made her look dangerous and alluring at the same time.

"Figured you'd follow me here," she said looking at her nails. "I mean you can turn around and pretend we didn't see each other, or I can kill you. Right now. You've been following me for weeks. You know what I can do."

I looked at her stone-faced and didn't say anything.

"Not a talker. I get it." she pushed herself off the wall. "I guess I'm going to have to choose the both of us."

She took the hand out from behind her and took out a gun. A large gun. And pointed it at me. But I already have mine pointed at her.

"Oh. That's no way to treat a lady." she giggled. "Looks like we got ourselves a standoff soldier."

My eyes widened. How did she know?

"Ah. Hit a nerve there have I?" she chuckled.

We were circling each other like animals in the wild, neither one willing to lower their weapon. Our eyes were locked, both of us waiting for the other to make a move. I could see the tension in her body and the way her fingers twitched around the gun. She was scared, but she wasn't going to show it.

"I know you've been following me for weeks, James," she said, cocking her gun. "I've known since the second day."

I stared at her. How? I wondered. But I made sure my face didn't show it.

"I have my ways," she replied, a sly smile on her lips. It's like she's reading my mind. "But that's not why you're here, is it?"

I tensed up and squeezed my gun tighter.

"You're not going to shoot me, are you?" she said, her voice low and menacing.

I cocked my gun. "I'm not sure yet."

"Ah! He speaks!" she exclaimed. She cocked the gun, her finger hovering over the trigger.

We continued circling each other, the tension mounting with each passing moment. I could feel my heart beating in my chest, my breaths coming in short gasps. She was getting closer, her gun steady in her hand. I knew I had to do something, and fast.

"Look, there can only be one person to come out of this alleyway alive. So, the way I see it, you can just lower your weapon and let me kill you. It's not my usual tango but I'll make an exception." she said as she got a little closer.

"Ooor..." she gets closer and puts two fingers on the side of my gun. I felt some tension from her fingers and she pushed the gun so it would fall to the side. She gets closer.

"What are you doing?" she got closer and I took a step back.

"I know what you did on that rooftop. What you did for me," she whispered.

She stepped closer. "Why?"

"Why what?" I asked, stepping back another step.

"Why didn't you take the shot? I made sure you did. Why didn't you take it?" she whispered.

"What do you mean?" I looked at her puzzled. What does she mean she made sure I have the shot? There was a little girl?

"I was already saying my goodbyes. I want to die, James. I'm done with this life. I have so much blood on my hands. I'm done." she tried to keep her face ambivalent.

I looked at her. She wanted me to kill her?

She stood there and looked at me.

"Please. James. End it here." she pleaded.