Page 60 of Deadly Sights

“Quite a few.”

“For Thanksgiving?”

“Once before.”

“And did the neighborhood look this lifeless?”

I survey the streets. There’s freshly plowed snow and a lot of luxury cars parked in driveways and along the streets, but no one is outside. This is peak weather for snow decorations to commemorate the holiday, but the absence of kids playing with their fathers, uncles, and grandfathers or the men admiring the brand-new pickup trucks in the driveways feels off. There aren’t neighbors calling to each other from across the street promising to stop by for a drink or just wishing each other a Happy Thanksgiving.

“No, in this tight-knit community, people usually run between houses sharing stories and food, especially those who need to borrow an ingredient they ran out of but don’t want to do a store run to get.” I check the side mirror for signs of someone following us.

“Keep your eyes peeled.”

“Already on your wavelength, my man.”

He jerks the wheel, but easily corrects himself, a flush blooming across his cheeks.

To hide my smile, I check the hidden panels in my coat. With our line of work, we rarely leave home without a weapon, but since the escalated attacks against me, we pack mini-arsenals into our clothes and vehicles. I might not get away with hiding a shotgun under my coat, but there are other deadly objects I’m well-versed in using.

When we’re ten doors away from Danae’s house, I catch the first glint. “Off to your left.”

“Up ahead on our right as well.”

I search in the direction he pointed out and see something else that worries me. I retrieve my phone and do a quick property search. “Shit.”

“What now?”

“The couple standing on the porch across from Danae’s house? They’re white.”

“And that’s a problem because?”

“Because the real neighbors are an elderly Black couple. The house has no record of being sold in the last twenty years or being listed for rent. So we’re looking at four possible hostiles.”

“They are trying me today. Not only do I finally get to spend a holiday with you, you’re introducing me to your friends, and they want to pull this shit today? Can’t I get one relationship milestone without having to kill someone to enjoy it?” Julian breathes in and out until he calms himself, while I stare in silent amazement that something can make him this mad.

I’ve seen him triggered, but that stems from a different emotion. His usual sanguine approach to every obstacle and danger we’ve faced is admirable, but this side of him…Down girl.I should not be horny at how upset my man is because his people are ruining our first outing as an official couple.

“Okay, okay.” He breathes out slowly and straightens, returning to his usual calm. “I’ll park a few streets over. The snipers are our first concern.”

We agree on an attack plan and split up to take out the snipers. I enter the first house from the outdoor entrance to the underground cellar and silently make my way upstairs. An extended family spanning three generations lies unconscious from the kitchen to the living room. I check their pulses and sigh in relief. Whoever’s upstairs must have used a knockout gas. The method is effective, no fuss, and leaves no evidence behind.

I creep up the stairs and head to the front room where my would-be assassin is having a conversation with himself. This new crop of killers leaves a lot to be desired. They’re impatient and careless.

“I can’t believe I took this assignment when I knew deep in my gut the rumors about the bitch’s death were true. She got blown into minced meat, yet the higher-ups are on some JasonBourne shit. There’s no way she survived with Night Stalker on her ass.”

“Survived and thriving,” I say before I pull the trigger and shoot a hole into his forehead.

He drops with a thud.

I stand over him and try to place his face. Puberty did a number on him and not in a good way, but I recognize him from the files Julian and I confiscated. I squat beside him and search his belongings. The only personal item he has is a cell phone that I suspect he’s encrypted. Done with my inspection, I wrap him in the white garbage bags I retrieved from the kitchen. “Now be a good boy and don’t get blood on my clothes.” Then I haul him downstairs and dump him behind the evergreen shrubs, relieved he blends in with the snow. It’s sloppy, but I’m running late and there’s another couple on my list.

They better pray they didn’t hurt the nice couple across the street.

Julian meets me at the side of the house across from Danae’s and checks me for signs of injury.

I brush him off. “I’m fine. You?”

“He gave me a little trouble. When the occupants in the house wake, they’ll wonder why their furniture has gouges in it.” He shrugs since there’s nothing to be done about it.

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