Lexi leaned over the pool table, considering her next shot. She could feel Rick staring at her, although she didn’t think he was studying her technique. She paused a moment more, then took her shot.
“Yes!” she crowed, as the 8-ball bounced off two sides of the pool table and into the corner pocket. She scooped the money off the edge of the table. “I told you not to bet against me.”
Rick looked miffed, but quickly recovered, sending her a smirk.
“I think it was beginner’s luck. Plus,” he said, leaning close to her, “I was a little distracted.”
She grinned up at him. “Now, now, don’t be a sore loser,” she said, patting his chest. “Or I might not play with you again.”
He tried to reach out and pull her closer, but she danced out of his way. “Oh, I think I’ll need a few more drinks before we get to that.” She flipped her hair, and started back to the bar. Rick followed her, as she knew he would.
“Vodka on the rocks, please!” she chirped.
“A vodka girl, huh?” he asked, ordering another beer.
“I like that I can see through it,” Lexi giggled, and leaned against him. “Although, I might have already had one too many,” she murmured.
“I don’t think you’ve had enough,” Rick replied, holding up two fingers to the bartender.
“Naughty boy,” she giggled again, and she let him steer her to one of the shadowy tables at the back of the bar, drinks in hand.
She collapsed into one of the booths, and let out a long sigh.
“What’s up?” Rick asked, eyes not quite staying on her face.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Just thinking about work. What a bummer, right?”
Rick grunted in agreement. Lexi gave him another bright smile, before downing one of her drinks. “Can I try your beer?”
Rick looked surprised, but slide the bottle across the table toward her. She took a sip, and wrinkled her nose. “I’ll never understand how people drink that.”
He shrugged. “Most girls don’t like beer, so I’m not surprised.”
Lexi licked her lips. “Maybe you’re right.”
Rick leaned forward across the table suddenly, and grabbed Lexi’s forearm.
“Come on,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “You’ve been teasing me all night. What’s it gonna take for us to get outta here and have some real fun?”
Lexi looked at him for a moment, then a small smile slid across her face.
“How about,” she said, tracing her fingers over the hand still on her arm. “If you can still stand after finishing your drinks, we can go have some fun.”
“Deal,” Rick said triumphantly, releasing her arm to take a deep pull on his beer. He finished both in quick succession, and grinned at her, though it wasn’t as friendly as before. “Let’s go, then.”
Lexi watched, head tilted to the side, as a range of emotions cross his face. First it was smugness, then slight surprise, that quickly changed to panic.
“Well, I guess that settles that,” she said, and her voice was suddenly clear and cold. “You see, I know what kind of fun you like, Rick. And I don’t think I would have enjoyed it very much.”
She watched dispassionately as Rick slowly slid in his seat, and she guided his head gently down to the table. “Don’t worry. The paralysis won’t last long. Soon enough you’ll have drifted off to sleep, although you won’t be waking up again.”
She saw the horror in his eyes as he realized what she said, but just as quickly she saw it fade. She leaned over, speaking directly into his ear. “By the way, Jennifer says hello. Actually, her direct words were ‘go to hell,’ but…” she shrugged. “You did rape and kill her sister, so I guess it’s warranted.” She sat with him for a few minutes, watched the light dwindle from his eyes. She discreetly checked his pulse, and when she was satisfied that there wasn’t one, she rose from the table and walked back to the bar.
“I think my friend over there had a lee-tool too much to drink,” she said to the bartender with a wink. “Can you let him sleep it off for a bit, then call a cab? I gotta get to my Uber.” She slid a bill across the bar, and when she had received a nod of agreement from the bartender, she turned and left the bar, swaying slightly.
Once she was out of the bar, her stride turned quick and purposeful, and she made her way down the dark street. She glanced around, and not seeing anyone who would notice her, she slipped the long wig off her head, and scratched her scalp. She stuffed the wig in her purse, and pulled out a cell phone. Still staying aware of the street around her, she typed a quick message.
“It’s done.”
The reply was almost instantaneous.
“Second half of payment has been wired.” There was a short pause, and then another message came through. “Thank you.”
Lexi smiled, then checked her email, and saw the long list of requests for her services. An assassin’s work is never done, she thought, and her soft chuckle was swallowed by the street noise around her.
Inspired by a writing prompt from Writing Prompt Generator.
© The Lightning Tower, 2020