The air in the opulent hotel suite was thick with tension, a silent promise of violence. Karla's voice, clipped and efficient, cut through the quiet: "The guest has arrived, fix yourself." I nodded, pulling my compact from my bag, applying a bold red lipstick that matched the shadows on my eyes. My silver tube dress shimmered under the soft lights.

I stared at my reflection, a faint smirk playing on my lips. Closing my eyes, I took a deep, steadying breath. My hand went to the barrel of my weapon, then the small, sharp knife, both tucked securely beneath the folds of my long bathrobe. Invisible. Perfectly hidden.

Ready. I walked out, my sweet smirk in place, past the smiling faces of the hotel's diverse guests. Most were Indian, their gazes lingering, filled with unspoken intentions. “Join us, Miss. You are so beautiful,” a tall man purred, blocking my path. My smile didn't waver. “No. I am sorry, I have some important thing to do, maybe next time?” I replied, my tone deliberately flirty, the lie tasting like ash.

I quickened my pace, leaving him behind. I had a mission, and no one, especially not a leering stranger, would derail it. My phone vibrated. Charli. "Where are you?" he asked. "On the way to my target's room," I responded, a smirk touching my lips. "Alright. You should be careful. There are tons of bodyguards here. You should not be caught."

“Don’t you trust me?” I challenged. He sighed. “Of course I trusted you, I am just worried.” His concern was a familiar, unwelcome burden. “Alright, I will call you later. I have 1 hour and 50 minutes left.” I hung up, the time limit a cold, constant reminder. Charli had planted the bomb. Two hours. If I failed, I would be nothing but pieces.

My face hardened as the last of the flirtatious smiles faded. I stood before the door of Mr. Chen, the Chinese businessman. My target. The man I was here to kill.