DeclanMy thoughts are a mess by the time I get home. Looking around the first floor of my lavish house with its spacious living room and open concept kitchen, I feel my gut churn with guilt. My house is a bi-level brownstone. The walls are brick with metal buttresses on each corner. Several years ago, Hunter installed a state-of-the-art security system. The doors are reinforced steel, and the windows are bulletproof. There’s a fireplace dominating the living room's main wall and two plush navy blue couches with various colored pillows resting comfortably against the soft material, courtesy of my mother.There’s a gray area rug in navy blue patterns and a sturdy rustic pine coffee table along with the couches. The floors are dark mahogany, and the walls are painted a light sleet color. My offices and my bedroom are located on the second floor, next to my gym.Taking a deep breath, I unwrap my tie and toss it angrily across the floor. As I make my way

DeclanI rush out the door feeling like a fool. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I reprimand myself mentally. Why did I kiss her? The kiss was amazing, but now I feel like an ass.  One moment I’m kissing her, and the next, I’m telling her that it’s a mistake. I don’t blame her for being pissed and kicking me out. She didn’t deserve for me to treat her that way.Distracted by my thoughts, I walk up to my car and find three men leaning on the hood. My body stiffens with anger at the sight of the asshole leaning against my million-dollar car. These men don’t understand that I’m not in the best mood, which is not the right time to cross me. The one that I assume is the leader straightens up as soon as he spots me. Unintimidated, I narrow my eyes and move closer. The leader gives me a threatening glare and swells his chest out in an intimidating fashion. It amuses me to see that they think I’m an everyday Joe who would

DeclanI look at my phone’s screen, reading my new assignment’s information. All of the information is processed through a secure line. Looking through the file, I commit my target’s image to memory. My assignments are Elano and Dazid Liaza. Two brothers who are really into role-playing. However, their idea of roleplay is to act like crazy serial killers, and the women they choose are their victims. The brothers came under the Confradia’s radar when they cut up a few girls and tossed them into the Hudson. Unfortunately, like many of our targets, the brothers have diplomatic immunity. Their file is riddled with the remains of “unsolved” deaths around the world. Too bad they fucked with the US. We don’t like it when foreign dignitaries try to get one over on us.According to the file, the brothers own a yacht near the Hudson, which happens to be the same general area where Willem Kazik was last seen by two of my fellow Assassins,

DeclanSweat pours down my forehead and face as I lift the weights over my shoulders. My back settles on the bench, and my biceps flex up and down with every movement. Taking a breath, I lift the bar and inhale.  My chest rises and falls erratically with my exertions. After a few more sets, I lay the bar on the rack and sit upon the bench.When you’re in the business that I’m in, being in great shape could mean a matter of life or death. I try to work out at least four days a week at my home gym. I always feel good after a workout, but this time my thoughts are far away. Every time I close my eyes, I see them. I can’t stop thinking about Santana and Connor. My thoughts are tortured with thoughts of them. I wonder if they’re okay or if they need me. My attraction to Santana hasn’t dimmed either. Every morning I wake up in a sweat after dreaming about her all night. I can’t even look at other women without comparing them to her.

 DeclanI’m on my way home when my cell phone rings. My feelings are in turmoil. I can’t shake the feeling that something is really wrong, and it’s driving me nuts. Looking at the screen, I hit the answer button and snicker.        “Yes, Priest?” I answer curtly. His reply is just as curt. “We have a lead on Christoph. I spoke to Cameron earlier. He told me something interesting. Apparently, when he and Reaper began investigating Willem’s activities, they discovered that Willem had procurers in his prostitution ring. Christoph was one of the main procurers of girls. They each divided a territory where they scouted “talent.” I want you to look into it. He might still be doing business in those places, or there might be someone there who might know what’s going on.”I nod my head in agreement. “It might be possible, but didn’t Cameron and