Weaving around tables, I glided across the floor. Just as I exited the grand ballroom, Russ and Tamara left their seats.

“This way to the elevator.” I clutched my purse sandwiched between my arm and the side of my chest.

“I know. There’s an elevator sign.” He pointed to the sign, as if I should’ve seen it.

I smirked. “I’m glad you can read.”

Mitch parted his lips to offer a comeback when the elevator door opened. A young couple with wide eyes paused for a moment. Their casual attire informed me they weren’t from the party. Returning a smile, I inserted a special cardkey to allow us access to the top floors.

My stomach lurched as we shot upward, and I gasped when the elevator walls opened up to reveal a glass window. The colorful lights twinkled against the dark below. I recalled telling Brooke and Tamara how I wanted to see the city lights. Mesmerized with the view, I hadn’t realized I’d reached the designated floor until Mitch gently tugged me.

“Focus.”

I sneered at his sharp tone and snapped back to the task at hand.

The young couple stepped out with me, making me more uncomfortable. Then they followed us. Their soft steps on the beige carpet intensified my anxiety and threw my imagination into overdrive. I imagined them being Mr. San’s spies or maybe they worked for a competing secret organization. Who knew how many secret organizations existed?

When the hallway split, the couple veered left and I steered right. I released a breath and focused again when Justine and Brooke appeared at the end of the hallway.

I didn’t recognize my team at first. They wore wigs and housekeeping uniforms—black pants, black vests, and white long-sleeved, button-down shirts. After I rubbed the back of my ear, I connected the transmitter, so flat against my skin I had no idea if it worked.

Kendrick had created a way to communicate without being detected. Since any form of metal device would have been picked up by the scanner, he’d designed a polymer one to blend with the skin. Brilliant.

I slowed my pace to match Mitch.

He spoke to them through the transmitter, dipping his chin low to shroud his lips from the cameras mounted on the ceiling. “We’ll enter our room first. Then you knock, announcing housekeeping service. Were you able to detect how many bodyguards he had?”

“About twenty,” Brooke said.

“Sorry ladies, but we’re going to need your assistance. He has more bodyguards than I had anticipated.”

“Understood,” Brooke replied.

“Did you prep the room?” Mitch asked.

“As instructed. Justine and I did an awesome job for our first time. Everything we’ll need is in the cart.”

“Perfect.”

Mitch took out the keycard and inserted it to be scanned. The door clicked open and I went in. A few seconds later, the door chimed.

“Who is it?” I asked.

“Housekeeping. Did you request some towels?” Justine asked.

I pushed a button, allowing the door to swing open on its own. As soon as the door closed behind them, Brooke reached inside the cart full of towels. She pulled out Tasers and guns and placed them on the dining table. The cart was big enough to hide Mr. San’s body.

“I assume you had no problems with security?” Mitch took off his coat and placed the Taser in the back waistband of his pants.

“It was the only cart in the basement.” Brooke adjusted the weapons around her. “Just like the itinerary said, it was waiting for us. I didn’t see anyone around. I’m assuming his identity is confidential?”

“Yup.” Mitch adjusted his shirt and took off his bow tie.

Justine pointed her Taser at the tall vase. “I’m ready.”

“I’m almost ready.” I took off my fake jewelry and slipped off my dress to unveil black leggings and a curve-hugging corset.

Lydia had provided the outfit—the only thing thin enough to fit under my tight fabric. I certainly couldn’t be a proper assassin in that dress.

Mitch hitched a brow. His eyes lingered on my body a bit too long for my comfort. “Lydia told you to wear that?”

I picked up a Taser and a gun from the table. “Yes. Don’t stare at me. Whatever it takes, right?”

Everything paused. The room spun, and I felt sick to my stomach. Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes. The words flooded me with déjà vu. What the hell? I snuck a glance at Mitch and was glad he hadn’t seen my expression. He busied himself by setting aside the towels that had been dumped.

“Hey, Ava. Are you okay?” Brooke’s hand on my shoulder took me out of my daze, but I wasn’t sure what she had said exactly.

I rubbed at my temples, hoping to focus better. I blamed it on nerves, but I couldn’t shake it. “Yeah. Let’s do this. Is the room ready, Brooke?”

“Yes,” she said with conviction.

I froze when Tamara’s voice projected through the transmitter.

“Mr. San and roughly twenty bodyguards are about to enter his hotel suite to change his outfit as stated in our itinerary. His speech is over. Russ and I have changed in our room and we are set to go. Let me know when you’re in. When the doorbell rings, you’ll know it’s us.”

While Tamara spoke, the pitter-patter of my heart turned into a roar. I felt the danger, tasted fear, and saw death. Inhaling deep breaths, I counted down from ten to ease my pulverizing heart to control my trembling body. A dose of Helix would have been welcome. I’d have one less thing to fight—fear.

As if reading my mind, Mitch withdrew Helix from his pocket and administered some to all of us.

“You have thirty minutes for Helix and one hour before I jump start your capsule.” Mitch rubbed the transmitter. “Russ, Tamara, the eagles are in flight.”

“Let’s do this.” Justine’s tone laced with confidence.

“Let’s go.” Brooke took off.

Passing the sofas, 3D screen, the kitchen, and then another bedroom, I reached the empty walk-in closet. Justine pushed a section of the wall she had cut through, the empty space just enough for a body to enter. She then took out the second wall, opening a door to the closet in Mr. San’s suite where a musky scent enveloped me. The sound of many footsteps indicated Mr. San was inside.

Tiptoeing, I passed his bedroom and got into my position as far out as I could without being seen. Right on cue, the door chimed. Then the sound of Tasers and bullets rang out.

Crouching low, I stunned the first guard through the door, shifted my aim, and shot again. Then I bolted across the marble floor to dodge bullets, and shot one guard in front of me. Brooke, watching my back, kicked a guard who was pointing a gun at me and tased him.

With a Taser in each hand, Mitch took out two guards at once. Sidestepping to the right, he shoved one Taser behind his waist and punched the guard coming for him on the chest. Justine finished him off with a swipe across his neck with the plastic dagger she had pulled from her boot. The guard reached for his neck, blood spilling down his shirt.

Tamara jumped on the sofa to evade the bullets aiming for her. Just as she leaped off, the fabric tore and white padding shot out like dust around her. Bullets sprayed across the wall, destroying the television screen, punching holes through the plasters, and shattering the mirrors. Tamara throttled a guard’s neck from behind him. As he struggled from her grip, she held him as a shield. The man took the hit instead of her and fell to the ground.

More came at me. I slammed a man against the wall when he yanked a fistful of my hair. His whole face smashed into the plaster, making an imprint before he collapsed. Whirling, I stunned the one to my right. As I held on to him, I threw my legs in the air and kicked another guard on his chest. He flew on top of the glass coffee table, shattering it into pieces. I flinched away from the flying shards. My chest heaving, I assessed the damage.

I didn’t know what made me freak out the most: seeing all the bloody bodies on the floor, or Mr. San scared out of his mind and urinating. Mr. San stood in the corner with two bodyguards pointing guns at us. He had told his guards not to shoot.

Why?

“What do you want?” San’s beseeching eyes bounced to all of us. “I have money. I can give you lots of it.”

Russ held a Taser on them as I cautiously closed the gap.

“Stay where you are or I’ll shoot,” one brave guard said.

“Not if I shoot first.” Russ took out both guards with his Taser in rapid succession, his aim impeccable, leaving Mr. San standing there with his hands in the air, surrendering.

“I’ll give you whatever you want ... Please.”

Mr. San’s plea softened my heart only for a tiny fraction when Lydia’s voice entered my mine. Don’t listen to the sound of their voices. It will only confuse you. Don’t look at their faces. Don’t make eye contact. You are there to do your job. You are an assassin.

A gunshot exploded through the quiet. My heart leaped to my throat as my eyes darted from each member of my team. I even patted my chest. But it was Mr. San who dropped to the floor. One bullet to his head.

Russ gripped the front of Mitch’s dress shirt, his eyes fuming with rage. “Why did you do that? We were supposed to bring him in.”

Mitch shoved Russ off like he was a nuisance and straightened his collar. “I’ve been out in the field a lot longer than you. You don’t question me.”

I stiffened and watched my two superiors as though I had never seen them before. What if they start punching each other? Though I would have loved to see Russ kick Mitch’s ass.

Mitch pointed to San. “He’s not Jonathan San. He’s still down there. This one is an imposter. We’ve been found out. We need to get the hell out of here.”

“You better not be playing me.” Russ shook San’s body and examined him. Mitch did too.

I gasped when Mitch tugged off the imposter’s hair and the fake glasses.

Mitch placed the glasses inside his pocket and stood. “We need to go, now.”

“How did you know?” Russ inspected the wig Mitch had handed him.

“I didn’t until I saw his face up close. Then it was obvious. Mr. San’s nose is bigger.”

“We could’ve brought him in and questioned him.”

“No, he wouldn’t have made it. I just saved him from blowing up or having a heart attack. They would use a failsafe like the cyanide capsule on him. These people we’re dealing with, they’re professionals, too.”

Satisfied with his answer, Russ tossed the wig onto the imposter’s body. “Good observation. I’ll call the sweeper team. They’re already in the building.”

Blood rushed down to my toes, and acid rose in my throat. Not only was Helix out of my system, I was on the run.

Mitch stretched his neck and rolled his shoulders. “Ladies, don’t go out front. Go back through the closet we came from and dress back to your gown. Don’t get caught. Stay close to me. I’ll lead you to our sub-glider.”