The Liberal Assassin

Sable immediately went over to help Cass up. Her tears ruined the immaculately done make-up and for the very first time, I was beginning to see the real Sable. She was nothing like the airheaded cheerful and innocent idol that everyone loved. I don't know what she's been through but she knew what pain and loneliness were, clinging onto Cass with her frail arms.

The moment felt too private for me to interrupt and I knew Nash shuffled awkwardly, feeling the same. The ex-hitman picked Rush up and gestured to me with his free hand that he would see me in the base when I'm ready. I nodded and watched him leave while the idol and her manager were still caught up in the moment.

After Cass successfully cajoled a small laugh from Sable, he shifted his focus back to me. It was obvious he wasn't going to fight with the good arm he had wrapped around the girl in a protective manner.

"Why did you not finish me off?"

Smiling always diffused tense situations so I tried it. Unfortunately, Cass was too much of a sour person to sweeten up.

"I didn't do it for you," I told him frankly. "I did it for her."

The frown on his face deepened and I took note how he had black instead of dull grey eyes.

"You wanted to kidnap her, what changed your mind?"

Sable's expectant eyes made me feel slightly guilty. "That was the plan. However, as you can see," I gestured to the wreckage of my mansion. "That was a failure."

The idol cringed as she took in the extent of what was still left undamaged.

"However, I don't intend to change my objective."

The muscles in the hulking man's jaw tightened. "I won't allow her to become a sacrificial lamb."

Chuckling, I explained. "I don't need a sacrificial lamb if I can get a double-headed snake."

Cass didn't move as he pondered over his options. Sable looked at us like she didn't follow and I don't blame her. She probably thought Cass was protecting her out of his own volition.

"On one condition," he said. "No harm to come to Sable."

I nodded. "Deal. I never intended to hurt her, I only needed information."

Cass looked suspicious and I sighed. Much like how I needed to earn Ignacio's trust the first time I had to earn this man's trust too. However, unlike Ignacio, I didn't trust this man fully. I could give him a little information in exchange for his cooperation but nothing more.

"Follow me, we can't talk here."

Cass didn't budge and I g.r.o.a.n.e.d. This man was more stubborn than Ignacio. "We're going to my base of operations. You need that arm treated and I can't exactly check in the medical centre again. The reason for this mansion was to avoid being found in life-threatening situations by the media."

"If you try anything funny, I'll kill you."

I was about to lead them to the underground facility when something hit me. I didn't know where that secret entrance was.

"Um, can I make a call? I forgot to ask where the secret entrance was."

Sable giggled at my confession and Cass looked as if I was an idiot. What a great first impression.

"Khronos? I need to know where the entrance is."

Cass was glaring at me as if he wanted to drill holes into my head while I listened to the directions given.

"Got it thanks," I disconnected the communicator and led the way.

Sable was humming in an excited manner as if she had forgotten about the fight. Two turns later, the three of us crammed into a bathtub that seemed a little too small with the hulking manager.

I looked for the third tile on the wall from the right and placed my right pinkie on it, I waited. For a moment nothing happened and I knew Cass was contemplating my method of death. A jolt saved me from the gruesome fate as the bathtub moved. We found ourselves moving through a shaft downwards. Another bathtub similar to the one we stood in replaced the bathtub lift and I decided to stay clear of this particular bathroom during showers.

The bathtub lift travelled about fifteen metres before it came to a stop.

"Welcome to bath express, I hope you enjoyed the journey?"

I cringed. Bath express would give me nightmares for years! "Who in the right mind would make a bathtub lift?" I yelled at the scientist after hopping out.

Khronos shook his head and tutted. "You forget that I'm not in the right mind. I have every right to make what I want. Besides, nobody would be suspicious of it. You can take a bath however long you want and no one would question why you need five showers in a day."

As if all the strength was sapped from me, I found it difficult to stand. Talking to the scientist sometimes had that effect on me. Sable found it amusing and I envied her. Cass didn't share her enthusiasm which was completely understandable.

"I could argue with you about your design senses all day but I have guests. Could you let Nash know there is a little change in plans? Also, tell Rush not to bother Ignacio with this. The poor man has enough from dealing with shareholders."

The scientist let his polite mask drop. "Do it yourself. I'm busy." He walked away and I smirked. Now that he was out of the picture, I could actually get to business.

"That was Khronos. I'll introduce you properly to the team later. How about we get to know each other better while I fix that arm of yours?"

The manager resigned to fate when Sable answered his behalf.

"Great!" I smiled. "The infirmary is just over that way," I told the grumpy man and led the way.

Despite the failed plan, things could still work out if I played my cards correctly. Cass may be difficult to convince but with Sable, it wasn't impossible.