That Was Then (The Re-Do Series Book 1) Read Free Page A

ceiling and try not to catch the material of my blouse on any of the sharp tools that are lying around.
    Finally, I move past the disturbing storage room and slip through a small corridor that connects the servant entrance to the front.
    The air conditioning is incredibly refreshing. After the heat of my journey through the storage room, I stand still and simply enjoy the moment.
    Sadly, there’s no time for lollygagging. I stealthily creep toward the concierge desk where a pretty girl in a black skirt and a navy blue blazer taps away on her computer.
    “Hey,” I hiss, crawling to the chair that rests behind the counter.
    Courtney, my best friend and resident health junkie, smiles at me. She glances around and then stoops down until we’re face to face.
    “What’s up? Serachi’s on your case again?”
    “No,” I shake my head. “I need information.”
    She quirks a delicately plucked eyebrow and leans closer.
    “What kind of information?”
    “There’s this guy staying on the fourth floor. He’s British and insanely hot. I need a name.”
    “Kendal, you know I can’t just give out information like that.” Courtney frowns. “Besides, how am I supposed to find some random hot guy for you? There are a bunch of men staying on the fourth floor.”
    Stuffing my hands in the pockets of my jeans, I offer a deal.
    “I’ll bring you Vegan dishes every day for a week.”
    Courtney is swaying. I can feel it. It’s hard enough to be a vegan in Belize when there are so many enticing local dishes that include slaughtered animals.
    “What’s the deal with this guy anyway?”
    I shrug my shoulders. I want to internet stalk him, but Courtney doesn’t need to know that.
    “I just … ran into him today. I’m curious.”
    Courtney rubs her chin. “Hm, the hot, British guy on the fourth floor.” Finally she offers her hand. “Make it two weeks, throw in dessert, and you’ve got a deal.”
    We shake on it and then, like a retired ninja with a hip replacement, I awkwardly roll away.

Chapter 4
    A listair
    Assassins are often mistaken for ninjas and snipers. Though we are silent on our feet and quite capable with guns, we stand apart. Our missions demand total immersion. We become entrenched in the target’s life with the sole intention of killing them.
    It’s a heavy order and one that cannot be accomplished by simply staking out a building or flipping against walls. Basic terminations can be successfully executed by hit men and even mobsters.
    Assassins are called upon in situations that require close proximity. We merge with high stakes businessmen and government officials worlds over. Our clients themselves are rich moguls, corporations, and political leaders alike.
    Discretion and silence is our code of honor. We take out our target cleanly and either slip away or die trying. There is no middle ground.
    Becoming intrigued with anyone involved in our mission is a death sentence. Letting our guard down, both physically and emotionally, can result in spilled secrets or incomplete assignments.
    I prided myself on my ability to turn off my emotions. I’ve become so adept that my walls are firmly prepared in-between jobs as well. I’m a professional and, given Damien’s news, I’m also marked.
    So, tracing the girl’s image on a rough sketch when I should be running for my life makes no sense.
    And it is complete and utter foolishness to upload the draft into Interpol software so that I can learn her name.
    Kendall Villanueva .
    I stare at the letters, trace their curves and lines, for a long time.
    Don’t get involved .
    It’s a personal rule as well as a hazard of the trade. I have no home, no future, and no intentions of settling down.
    Even though I have broken ties with the league and no longer accept missions, I’m far from safe. I am always looking over my shoulder, waiting for an old client to connect the dots, for a family member of a fallen to come for revenge.
    I live by the sword and I will die by