"Sir," Will spoke from Marcus' doorway, "they are here."
Marcus smirked, it had been months now since he had seen his two top employees face to face.
"Bring them in," he replied not turning around to see that Tris already stood at the doorway, moving closer to him.
"Marcus, darling, when will you ever learn, I don't wait to be let in," Tris giggled hugging Marcus and kissing his cheek.
Four watched from the other side of the room in disgust at the affection she showed his father.
"My darling, Tris," Marcus greeted, kissing her hand, "I trust you had an enjoyable trip on such short notice."
"As always." She replied curtly before sitting in one of the cushioned chairs.
Eric came in next, he shook Marcus' hand quickly, the two men exchanged a smile before he sat down next to Tris.
"Where are the rest," Tris asked before Marcus could say anything.
"They are on their way, dear," Marcus poured a glass of whiskey for the three of them.
"Tobias," he called to his son glowering at the trio for his perch in the corner of the room, "come, say hello."
He came forward, earning a glare from Eric and a small smile from Tris.
"Hello Eric, Beatrice."
"How many times must I ask you call me Tris, Tobias?"
"This will be the last time," he said smiling. Ignoring the way his heart fluttered when he was so close to her.
"Mm, that's what you said last time, love," she replied taking a drink of her whiskey.
"Tris," she heard Christina speak from behind them as she walked through the door.
"Hello, Christina," Tris stood and greeted the shorter dark skinned girl with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Trissy," came Uriah's voice, he all but skipped into the room and crushed the smaller framed girl in a hug.
"Uriah, my brother, behaving?"
"Me? Never," he replied smiling.
A few other employees, including Zeke, Marlene, Tori and Max walked through the door and stood in front of Marcus.
"Thank you all for coming at such short notice," Marcus began, "we have a new target, it is an open contract, one hundred thousand dollars, to each of you who signs the contract, an additional five hundred thousand to whoever pulls the trigger. Or in some cases, poisons," he smirked looking to Tris.
"Who is the target," Tris spoke up.
"Jeanine Matthews," Marcus stated, picking up copies of her files from his desk and handing them to the group as if in a lecture.
"Wanted for treason against the United States government, as I have said, it is an open contract to execute the plan. I want her gone before the CIA gets their hands on her."
"Where is she located?" Eric asked, noticing she had no current location.
"She is located here, in Chicago, she is the head of the CIA."
"Which is why, we cannot have them take this matter into their own hands, no one can be trusted within the Central intellect agency at this time," Four spoke up, his gaze lingering on Tris.
Eric noticed this and glared daggers back at the other man.
"What's our time frame," Christina asked.
"Two weeks, any longer and I will pull the contract."
The room fell silent for a few minutes before Marcus spoke again.
"You are all dismissed."
As everyone filed out of the room, Tris lingered waiting for Eric.
Tobias reached out and caught her arm much to her surprise.
"Please don't touch me, Tobias," Tris said trying to remain sweet.
"My apologies," he dropped his hand quickly and fell under the hard glare of Eric, Marcus smirked at the scene playing out before him.
"I was just wondering, would you like to join me for drinks tonight," Tobias asked Tris, ignoring Erics menacing gaze. If looks could kill, he would be dead.
"As interesting as that sounds, I am exhausted from my travels today," Tris smiled to Tobias and then to Marcus before turning on her heal and walking out of the room, Eric followed close behind.
"And I'm not getting drinks with you either, Mr. Coulter," Tris spoke, before he had the chance.
"You break my heart," Eric said in a mocking voice.
"Mmhmm," Tris smiled before pressing the button on the elevator.
"What are your plans then, Tris," Eric asked, watching her face.
"I plan on getting a good nights rest. Alone. And I will be hunting down and killing a certain CIA director come morning."
"You work fast."
"My specialty. Goodnight, Eric."
Tris closed the elevator doors before he had the chance to join her in the metal box.
She would be the death of him.
...
Tris POV
I leaned my head back against he cool metal of the elevator and waited for it to stop moving.
I loved Eric, there was no doubt about it, I wanted badly to tell him out much I loved him, but I didn't want to get emotions involved in my wok.
Marcus paid me very good, and the reason was because I had no emotions for anyone, I showed no weakness, no vulnerability.
Eric would change all of that, and as much as I wanted to admit it, I always ended up putting it to the back of my mind.
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. I pulled on my leather jacket smoothly over my shoulder before dEd out the doors of the building to my bike.
I turned the key and the engine purred to life beneath me, and I took off towards my hotel. Holing silently that this contract would be quick and painless.
Somethig in my gut told me otherwise.
