The Assassination: Book Two

Avery (Bash)

Oh my God, is this a dream?

I move to pinch myself— Nope. Not a dream. Very real. And... ouch.

I rub my arm, wincing.

God, I hoped it was a dream.

“Bash! What are you just standing there for?” Flynn calls from the car.

Right.

I jog over, fling open the door, and slide into the backseat—slamming it behind me a little too hard.

“Be careful, please. You know how much I love my baby,” Rob says, glancing at the rearview with that soft warning tone.

“Sorry.”

“The disrespect!” Flynn shouts, offended.

“Hey, no need for that. It’s just a car,” Rob counters calmly.

“But didn’t you just say—”

I tune them out.

My mind keeps circling back, stuck on her. After all these years… she suddenly shows up. Of all the places, why there?

It isn’t until Flynn hops out of the car that I realize I’ve been staring at the window the whole time.

“Okay, what’s up?” Rob asks once the door clicks shut. I was hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“No, nothing.”

“Avery—”

“Please don’t call me that.”

I instantly regret ever telling him my real name. Now he uses it like a weapon.

He raises his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Just saying... if something’s bothering you, I’m here.”

Rob’s the only one I actually trust. He’s at least five years older, but never talks down to me like the others do.

“I know.”

And that’s it. He doesn’t push. He doesn’t pry.

Which would be comforting... if it weren’t for the fact that Flynn suddenly bursts back in.

“I really knocked that guy out. He’s probably dead,” he says, like he just won a medal.

I’ve seen too much. Heard worse.

“You weren’t supposed to kill him, Flynn,” Rob scolds, keeping his eyes on the road.

“I said probably,” Flynn smirks.

Back when I was a kid, I used to think my biggest problem was making my mom like me as much as she liked Henry. But now? Now I’m surrounded by people who kill like it’s just another Tuesday.

After several twists and turns, we pull into our “secret location”. A rundown house in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by overgrown trees and forgotten silence. Perfect for the kind of things no one should ever see.

The car stops.

Rob and Flynn head straight for the trunk. Curiosity gets the better of me, so I follow.

Mistake.

The second Rob lifts the trunk lid, I wish I hadn’t come.

Tied up, duct tape over his mouth, eyes wide and pleading— The man from earlier.

Rob slings him over his shoulder like deadweight.

“I’m gonna have so much fun with him,” Flynn grins, bouncing on his heels like a child with a new toy.

They head toward the house. I trail behind, ignoring the victim’s pleading gaze. They always look at me. Like I’m supposed to be the merciful one.

I’m not. Because mercy gets you killed.

Inside, Rob and Flynn veer toward the far end of the house—their little workshop of horrors. I turn the other way... or at least I try to.

“Bash.”

I freeze.

The boss.

Tall. Hair slicked back. Always scowling. His presence alone is enough to make my stomach churn.

“Boss,” I squeak, cursing myself immediately for sounding so weak. “I-I was just going to—”

“Follow me.”

He doesn’t wait for a reply. Just turns and walks.

My feet move before I can even think of disobeying.

The further we go, the darker it gets. The sunlight fades and I hear a shrill scream.

My skin crawls.

He stops at a door. The loudest screams are coming from behind it.

He opens it. Looks at me.

No words. Just expectation.

So I walk in.

The man from earlier is tied to a chair. Sweating. Bleeding. Bruised beyond recognition.

Rob’s fist crashes into his jaw. Flynn drags a knife along his arm, carving slow trails of red.

I turn away, bile rising in my throat—but a strong hand clamps down on my shoulders.

The boss.

“Look.”

He forces me to face it.

Just when I think I’ve seen enough, Rob pulls a gun.

He raises it—finger tightening on the trigger—until the boss stops him.

“No.”

His grip tightens on me.

“Let Bash do it.”

Rob spins, startled. “Boss, I don’t think—”

“You don’t think what?” The boss sneers. “We’ve underestimated her long enough.”

He snakes an arm around my shoulders, pulling me forward.

“Give her the gun.”

“Boss—”

Frustrated, he snatches it from Rob himself.

“What’s wrong with you? She wants to prove herself—let her.” He shoves the gun into my hands.

“Here. Show us what you’re made of.”

My right hand trembles. I slap my left over it, trying to steady it.

Flynn laughs under his breath.

“You’re taking a bit too long, Bash,” the boss says, tone dripping with mockery.

I draw in a sharp breath. Just pull the trigger. That’s all.

I grip the gun tighter. Step forward.

“Good. Now shoot.” He taps his forehead. “Right here.”

“Be careful, boss. The pea brain might aim at you instead,” Flynn jokes.

Before I even process it, I aim the gun at him.

Flynn jumps back. “Hey, what are you doing?”

“Wrong target,” the boss says calmly, nudging my arm toward the man in the chair. “Do it quickly. We don’t have all day.”

I stare at the man. His eyes are closed now, accepting.

My hand begins to shake again.

I close my eyes.

Maybe it’s easier that way.

It’s not.

The gun is yanked from my hands and a shot rings out.

I open my eyes just in time to see blood pour from the man’s head.

I slap a hand over my mouth. I’m going to be sick.

But that’s the least of my problems.

The boss’s face twists in fury.

“You’re so useless! What good are you if you can’t even kill?” he roars.

Rob steps forward, but the boss silences him with a raised hand.

“I don’t care that you’re young. I had my first kill at your age.”

He says it like he’s proud. Like it’s a badge of honor.

“Guess I’ll just have to get rid of you.”

He snaps his fingers.

Flynn’s grin stretches ear to ear.

“With pleasure.”

My body locks up, too afraid to move.

Then Rob steps in front of me.

“Boss, wait. Don’t do this.”

“Why not? She’s a liability.”

Rob glances back at me—just for a second.

“I know a way she can be useful.”

Later.

I barely close the door behind me before Gen’s voice slices through the air.

“You fucked up again, didn’t you?”

I lean against the door, trying to hold it all in.

“I didn’t train you to be this way. After everything I’ve done for you, you keep disappointing me.”

I try not to cry. Not in front of her.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

She scoffs and walks right past me without so much as a pat on the shoulder.

“Move.”

I do. She slams the door on her way out.

The second she’s gone, the tears spill out.

Knock knock.

“Bash? Are you in there?”

I quickly wipe my face and open the door just as Rob raises his hand to knock again.

He lowers it slowly, his eyes softening.

“Bash—”

“Please come in.”

He steps inside, closing the door gently behind him.

“Avery—”

“I saw Harley.” I cut him off before he can say more.

His brows shoot up. “Your best friend? She was at the restaurant?”

“She’s not my best friend,” I snap automatically. Then, softer: “But yeah.”

“As a customer?”

I hesitate. That dread rises again.

“Does she know?” he asks.

“No. I don’t think so. She can’t.” No sane person would stay if they did.

Rob watches me for a moment.

“Then you’ll have to tell her.”

I sigh.

“Yeah. I know. And Rob?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”