15. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Klaus

“ H ello,” I greet as I push the button. I didn’t want to answer and normally I wouldn’t. Normally I would have ignored all calls, and messages just because I like to be in the moment with her. But I can’t ignore the company. This is a call for a hit, before I get the next manilla envelope with the information I need for the kill. Dread radiates off my body, and I just hope she can’t feel the shift. I can’t keep doing this, at least not while she’s in my life. This has to be it.

“You’ll be receiving an envelope shortly; this job needs to be done by tomorrow night.” Says the robotic woman on the line.

“This will have to be the last time.” I say sternly, keeping it as vague as I can as Ximena watches me from her spot on the bed. My body stiffens as the woman on the line stays silent. “Are you requesting a termination?” she speaks, and I can’t help but scoff at the response.

“This is the last time. Do not contact me again.”

“Termination pending. Upon completion of the Assignment, you will receive your payment. Notice of the determination of the termination will come in a few days. Due to the years, you’ve been with the company. Termination may be granted.”

I growl in annoyance and hang up the line. She watches me in curiosity, worry is etched on her face like she doesn’t understand what just happened. I open my mouth to reassure her that it was nothing, that she shouldn’t worry about a thing.

But another ringtone breaks the awkward tension, I put up my finger once more and mouth the words I’m sorry as I stand and walk out the bedroom door.

“Addison. Your timing is absolutely horrible, you know that?” I say, walking towards my kitchen to at least start making some breakfast for Ximena.

“Well, I thought you would want to know. I had Serenity look into Sergio Vargas; it seems like he was the head of a human trafficking ring. The operation is still functional, which is something Serenity is taking initiative in having removed but it looks like that’s why the hit was established.”

“Well, that comes to no surprise. I figured it would have been bad to have been an ordered hit. Is there anything linking me to the scene or Ximena to his crimes?” I question, opening the fridge and grabbing the egg tray out of the refrigerator.

"Um, so no, there isn’t anything linking you to his death. Ximena isn’t tied to any of Sergio’s crimes. Ximena is the one who ordered the hit from the company. She’s the one that requested her father be killed.”

My hands fumble midway to the kitchen counter, the tray lands a little harder than I intended. She mourned her father, granted with a little distraction from me but she cried for him. I would have never suspected that she’s the one who ordered it.

“Does she know who I am?”

“No, I don’t think she knows you were the one hired to kill him. But she’s familiar with the company. It appears that she’s a silent partner, one that likes to stay anonymous from Serenity’s research."

“Partner?” leaning on the counter I watch the door of the bedroom waiting for her to come out and just tell me what the hell is going on. Is she technically my boss? Has she known about me? About who I am? Would she forgive me for having been the hand that killed her father even if she ordered it. What does that mean for my pending termination?

“Fuck.” I whisper.

“Is she the one you’re trying to leave for? I heard about the termination. Serenity kind of came across it this morning.” Her voice is laced with concern in a sisterly way. She cares for me the same way I do for her. She’s been through so much already that I just wish I could make it better for her.

“Yeah. I can’t stop thinking about having a family with her.” I admit, letting her in on one of the few secrets I have kept in. I think it’s time to be honest with Ximena. Either way, there's no escaping me now.

Our love will grow past the secrets we keep beneath the mistletoe, even if I have to tie her to the bed and fuck her into submission.