Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men or any marvel related characters places or any other famous characters I may use in my writings. I will not post this every chapter so if you forget this as you get further in you must revert to chapter 1 and start all over.
I sat in a tall penthouse suite in Las Vegas, waiting for my target to make his usual trip to the roof of his casino with one of his hookers that work the place. Every time one of them comes up short with his money he brings them up here and threatens to toss them over the side 40 floors to the pavement. He hasn't done it yet but its an effective tactic, but he has become too predictable and that will be his downfall tonight. I was unsure of what time he would be making his trip to the roof but a visit to his casino earlier and quick hands made sure that one of his girls came up short. The scope of my rifle has been sitting in front of my eye for nearly two hours now and is beginning to burn the lines of the crosshairs into my retina. Even when I take a split second to blink I can see the cross and the mil dots lining it. No time to rest my eyes now though, the door to the roof opened and the man I have been waiting for shoved the girl I robbed, out onto the flat tar roof.
"You lost 500$? How the fuck did you lose 500$ you dirty whore. Have you been using again?" I heard him screaming at the poor scared girl. In fact she had not been using. She did have faint track marks laced on the inside of her arms showing she was a one time heroin addict but when I ran into her she was clean. I turned off the bug I planted on the roof because I couldn't take his voice any longer. I sighted in my scope for distance, the wind was unnecessary as the flags on top of the casino he was standing on showed the wind was not blowing. We are in a desert after all, not a particularly windy place. My finger tightened on the trigger waiting for him to give me the perfect opportunity to take him out. He shoved the girl to the edge of the roof creating enough clearance for me to take a safe shot. My finger reached the 3 pound trigger pull requirement and a quiet whistle was all that could be heard as I saw blood splatter all over the poor girl and the man collapsed to the ground. Not even a twitch of a muscle. Mission accomplished. No matter how many times I do it, it is amazing. I follow people around for weeks spying on every disgusting habit. I pick up on their likes and dislikes, I get an Idea of what their home life is like, their work life and all of that studying, all of that time spent it only takes a second to end it.
16 days earlier
I hung upside down with my knees bent over a pull up bar doing inverted ab crunches while simultaneously cleaning my Sig Sauer p229 equinox when my phone rings. Very few people have my phone number so I know its not just a bullshit call. I flip down and walk over to the phone. It is a number I do not recognize so I know it is a job.
"No details. I know you know my rate and that I do not negotiate. I will meet you at a time and place of my choosing." I say quickly before giving them a chance to say anything.
"You don't know me, how will you know where to meet me?" A deep voice asked from the other end of the line.
"I know all I need to know. No more questions. Do not call this number back, in fact delete it from your records. If anyone asks, you never spoke to me. If I find out you said otherwise I will kill you." I said before hanging the phone up and sitting down on my worn out sofa. I live in a small one bedroom apartment in Detroit. It is an easy place to blend into. Cheap to live in and police tend to not ask a lot of questions. Which is good for me seeing as how I am living a life of a man that technically doesn't exist. His name is Jason Woodbury. I don't know my real name, never have, those that know me just call me Bullet. I picked the phone back up and it rings twice before the only person I have ever trusted answers.
"I just received a call." I said quickly.
"Marcus Kohos. Las vegas, Nevada. Is there any other information you need?" He answered just as quick.
"Is he 100 percent sure? And can he afford it?" I asked in return.
"I wouldn't have directed him to you if he wasn't." He answered before hanging up.
"That's why your the best." I said to myself as I sat the phone back down on my coffee table.
I went back to cleaning my Sig before placing it back in my holster. I then reached into a secret compartment in the foot of my sofa and pulled out the same M39 marksman rifle I was trained to shoot with. I began stripping and cleaning it. After all was said and done I loaded it into its case loaded up some rounds before placing them in a safe I put in under the floor board. It is time to call it a night I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.
The next day
I landed my single engine plane on a small runway and parked it in a hangar that the owner didn't seem to mind me using for a few weeks. He preferred the 5 grand to asking too many questions. He even called a car service and picked me up a rental car for an extra grand. I drove into Las Vegas un-amused by all of the lights and the glamour. It has been a long drive and the flight before it was even longer. Sadly my day is not over yet. I drove down the Vegas strip staring on in disgust at the people that didn't mind making their lives a public spectacle. I reached the hotel I decided to stay in a little further away from the strip, away from the noise and the lights. I walked into the hotel and approached the front desk.
"I called ahead about a room, the name is Woodbury." I said staring around the lobby of the hotel I quickly spotted 6 cameras 3 security guards and a bellboy that was quickly approaching me.
"Yes sir Mr. Woodbury we have your room ready I just need a credit card on file incase anything should become damaged." The blonde woman behind the counter said smiling the whole time.
"I think this will cover it." I said handing her a stack of hundred dollar bills.
"Ah yes, this is Brian. He will be showing you to your room." She then said gesturing to the bellboy who couldn't have been more than 18 years old.
"Hello sir may I take your bags?" He asked politely.
"No thanks, lead the way." I said and he began leading the way to the room.
We reached the room, I pulled another hundred dollar bill from my pocket and handed it to him. He accepted it and left without another word. I quickly pulled out a scanner from one of my bags and began scanning the room for any cameras or other listening devices. Once the room was all clear I headed back to my car. I headed back to Vegas to the address I found researching my caller. He would have normally been hard to find but with my training and my abilities It wasn't very difficult. I soon found my client leaving a strip club and I followed him until he reached a warehouse on the other side of the city.
"Alex still hasn't even made a payment and you assholes haven't done anything. Why do I still pay you?" Marcus asked a group of four men in an office section of the warehouse which was filled with slot machines and gambling tables.
"You really should treat the people that work for you better." I said leaning against the doorway with my hand on my pistol. Suddenly the henchmen all jumped up and reached for their weapons. I was already prepared and I pulled my gun and drew it directly toward my client. "Ah ah ah, I get a little jumpy when people move too quick around me, I suggest you fellas relax down before this nice office gets a little messy." I then said and Marcus gestured for them to leave their weapons holstered. "Mr. Kohos, I understand you have some business you wish to discuss with me. I do not talk business in front of others tell your men to leave." I then said.
"You heard him guys." He said as I still had the pistol drawn.
The men left and shut the door behind them. The walked a few feet down the hall and came to a stop.
"Out of hearing distance!" I yelled and listened for a second until I heard them walking farther away. "Ok now down to business, my name is Bullet and you contacted me because you heard I am the best. You want a job done and you want no ties back to you. That kind of work does not come cheap. My handler already gave you a price and that is Non negotiable. Thankfully for you I will not be charging you travel expenses. It was not easy to get here so quick without raising red flags. I don't know how you heard about me and I don't care. Information dealing is not my business and it will catch up with whoever is doing it. I need as many details as you can give me."
"How do I know you wont kill me after this is all over to keep your name clear?" He asked a little nervously.
"To keep the name bullet clear?" I asked in return. "What else do you know about me?" I then asked. "You listened to my demands and deleted my number from your phone ."
"How do you know that?" He asked.
"Oh sorry here is your phone." I said sliding his phone across his desk to him. "Your chair looks much more comfortable than mine." I then said and he started to get up. "Sit back down. That was a test of your strength. You failed miserably. Don't be so nervous, if I killed you then I would have to dispatch of your men outside as well then I would have to erase the security camera in this office and make a quick escape before any police get here. It has been a long day and I don't feel like doing that so you are safe." I said but his nerves didn't seem to ease.
"I have many more cameras than this office." He said and began feeling a little braver.
"Yes but this is the only one that operates on a frequency that my scanner is not disrupting. Thanks for that, now I know I need to upgrade my tech." I said and he gulped at the thought of all of his security being wiped out.
"His name is Alex Ray, he used to work for me. He was the best employee I had. He wanted to open his own casino further down the strip. At first I was against it until he offered to make me a partner. I gave him a 10 million dollar loan and he cut me out of the business after he got it up and running. I gave him the option to pay me back with 30 percent interest and I would forget about the partnership, I was planning on getting my money back with a little extra and then cut him loose. He agreed but that was nearly a year ago and has not paid me back one cent. Instead he surrounds himself with armed security and I have not been able to get close to him. I have however been able to talk to his wife and she is willing to sell me the business after she inherits it. She is asking half of what I loaned to Alex. So your rate as high as it is will be well worth the cost and if you are as good as I have heard there may even be a bonus in it for you." He explained after I holstered my gun and sat back in my chair.
"I am making no promises, I will tail Alex and pass judgment. If he is as bad of a person as you say he is you have a deal. I will contact you in a week with my answer. take this and do absolutely nothing with it until I call. After I call light it on fire and don't put it out until it is completely melted." I said sliding him a burner phone.
"You are everything I expected." He said after pocketing the phone and extending his hand towards me.
"We haven't made a deal yet." I said refusing his hand and walking out of the office. I passed his men outside and made my exit into the night.
Three days later
Alex exited an Italian restaurant with his wife and 3 armed security guards. They were all wearing body armor and judging by the way they carried themselves the way they moved two of them were ex Navy Seals and the other an Army Ranger. All extremely well trained and aware of their surroundings. If I am going to do this it will be best to get him away from his security. They walked to a black ford Explorer and entered the vehicle.
"I just don't understand why we have to constantly be followed around by these brutes. Why cant we just ever have a night to ourselves?" Alex's wife asked.
"Do you like the life we live?" Alex asked her in return.
"Of course but-" She began to say before he cut her off.
"But nothing just shut the fuck up and look pretty. I am doing this for us, for you, you ungrateful bitch." Alex said cutting her off.
I turned off the remote bug I planted in the SUV when they were in the restaurant. I then headed to Alex's home where they were heading at the moment. Once there I pulled my rifle from my trunk and began watching the group at their house. They all walked inside of the house and split up from there. I peered in through each of the windows until I spotted Alex and his wife in their bedroom. I don't have a bug planted in the house but from what I can see they are having one hell of a heated argument. Alex raised his hand and smacked the young blonde. She hit the floor and disappeared from sight. Alex stood in front of the window yelling down at her and I contemplate putting a bullet in him right now but that would set off too many alarms. For now unless he really pushes it all I can do is watch. After Alex seemed to calm down I decided to call it a night.
The next day
I woke up early and went back to Alex's house. An hour later He and his security guards walked out to their SUV and pulled away. I thought about following them but decided to take a different tactic today. I watched for another hour and Alex's wife walked out to her Mercedes and took off. I packed my rifle into the trunk and followed her away from the house. She drove for nearly twenty minutes before she pulled into a shopping center. She walked into a clothing store and I pulled in a few parking spots away from her.
I walked into the store and walked to the Men's section but stayed within eye sight. She picked out a few articles of clothing and walked into a dressing room. She exited after trying them on and put a two of the items back before continuing her shopping. I am getting no information like this. Time to meet her.
"Excuse me mam." I said getting her attention.
"Hello." She said turning to face me and smiling. The left side of her face still slightly red from the night before.
"I normally wouldn't ask but I have a business dinner tonight with some very important clients and you look like you normally dress to impress. I was hoping you could help me out, I have no idea what to wear." I lied but her smile only grew.
"I was thinking about this one." I said holding out a black pinstriped suit I grabbed quickly on my way over.
"Oh god no. What are you a 1930s gangster. You really do need help don't you?" She asked me but didn't seem to mind helping.
"Yea I guess I do. I am new to the business and I need to make a great impression with the prospective investors." I lied again.
"Lets see you look like a 38 long and 36 inch inseam. Here take this one." She said handing me an all black suit.
I took it and walked into a dressing room. I tried the suit on, I walked out a minute later where she stood waiting. "Yes or no?" I asked.
"No not at all sorry for suggesting that. You look like you are going to a funeral. Here I picked this one up while you were changing." She said handing over a charcoal grey suit.
I walked in and put it on. She has great taste, if I wore suits I would definitely buy this one. Hell I think I will buy it anyway and charge Marcus. "What do you think?" I asked emerging from the room again.
"Yes that one looks amazing on you." She said and her eyes lit up seeing me.
"Thank you, I would have been completely lost without you." I said giving her my warmest smile.
"No problem, good luck with your investors." She said before walking to pay for her own clothes.
"Let me repay your kindness. There is a Mediterranean restaurant around the corner." I offered and she turned back again.
"I am not hungry but thank you anyway." She said and I knew I couldn't just let her go.
"They have a bar what about a drink or two?" I then asked her.
"That sounds great. I don't get into vehicles with strangers though I will meet you there." She said and I smiled at her. I sensed no lying and I knew se would be there. She paid for her clothes and I paid for my suit. I paid more for that suit than I did for most of my guns. Then again I will be reimbursed for it.
I drove to the restaurant and walked in. I saw her sitting at the bar and I took the seat next to her. "I just realized I never got your name." I said extending my hand to her.
"Jessica Ray." She said taking my hand.
"Well Jessica I would like to thank you for being my saving grace. My name is Jason Woodbury. Now what are you drinking?" I then asked her.
"Apple Martini." She said and I gestured for the bartender.
"Hello, what can I get the two of you?" The bartender asked.
"Apple martini, and a grey goose martini." I said and he nodded before grabbing the vodka and making our drinks.
We made small talk and had a few drinks. I normally avoid alcohol while on the job as it affects my gifts but the job calls for it. She asked what my business meeting is about, I gave her a bullshit line about opening a hotel and she told me she is a trophy wife. My words not hers.
"If you don't mind me asking what happened to your face? I couldn't help but notice that it is a little red." I asked and she turned her face away from me slightly.
"I fell last night. I am clumsy and heels make it worse." She lied but I decided to let it go.
"What does your husband do for a living?" I then asked and she seemed a little nervous to talk about it but she continued anyway.
"Casino owner." She said softly.
"That sounds like an entertaining life." I said and she just shrugged. "You don't like it?" I asked after seeing her expression.
"Financially its great but it makes Alex paranoid. He has live in security guards that follow him wherever he goes. We have no privacy. On top of the guards he has changed since he started the casino. He barely looks at me anymore. I am just a piece of arm candy to him. He has become mean lately." She explained and now she is beginning to open up.
"Heels huh?" I asked her and she looked down at her drink.
"Is it that obvious?" She asked.
"It sure is. I am sorry I shouldn't have asked, its none of my business. Im gonna leave, enjoy the rest of your day." I then said getting up from my seat.
"Jason wait." She said and began to follow me out of the restaurant. "As I said Alex barely looks at me anymore, what do you say we go back to your place and continue this there?" She asked but I am not one for mixing business with pleasure.
"I cant I am sorry. I do not sleep with married women but I have a feeling things will start to look up for you soon. Goodbye Jessica." I then said before getting into my car and pulling out of the restaurant.
Three days later
"Hello?" Marcus answered the phone I gave him.
"Hello Marcus." I said and noticed the grogginess in his voice.
"Bullet, its 3 A.M. Was it really necessary to call me this late?" He asked.
"Probably not." I said from the doorway to his bedroom. He tried to jump up and fell out of the bed. "Wow you are way too nervous around me."
"How did you sneak past my security?" He asked as he got up from the ground.
"I didn't sneak past them." I said coolly.
"You killed them, they are good men with families?" He asked fearfully.
"No they are tied up downstairs." I answered him before turning on his light.
"So why give me the phone if you were planning on just showing up here?" He asked and I sighed.
"Marcus, Marcus, Marcus, you ask too many questions. But you still have not asked the one you care the most about." I said and he looked confused. "Yes Marcus I will take on your contract but you owe me an extra 5 grand for a suit." I said and he just nodded.
"Is there anything else?" He asked and I walked out.
"Get some sleep." I said from down the hall.
Eight days later
"Marcus Its good to see you." I said as Marcus walked into his office and jumped at the sight of me sitting in his chair behind his desk.
"What the hell are you doing in my office?" He asked nervously. "And how did you get in?"
"Getting in was easy your security is atrocious." I answered nonchalantly. "Speaking of which you have members of your security staff zip tied in the storage room there." I then said pointing to a door in his office.
"Bullet you can not keep hurting my security." He said as he opened the door and saw the unconscious men.
"They attacked me first. All I did was make my way to your office. If you would have given me clearance we could have avoided this situation and this conversation. It really is a waste of time. What's not a waste of time is you giving me the money you owe me." I said pulling a knife out of my pocket and cutting an apple I had taken from the kitchen on my way here.
"The job is done?" He asked in disbelief so I turned on the television against the wall and changed it from the security camera feed to the local news.
"A well respected casino owner was murdered tonight. A single bullet fired from an unknown location brought down a respected member of our city. One eye witness saw the events unfold but has refused to comment on the situation." The news reporter said before I turned the television off again.
"You are every bit as good as I heard. Its money well spent thank you." Marcus said before gesturing for me to get up from his seat. He then removed a painting from the wall revealing a built in safe. "Would you mind turning around?" He asked as he did not want me to see the combination.
"No need its unlocked." I said casually.
"What... you?" He asked angrily.
"Relax I didn't take anything but you would be surprised how many people try to stiff me after I complete my contract. I was just making sure you had the money." I then said and he opened the safe and began pulling out stacks of wrapped hundred dollar bills.
"There half a million." He said handing me a bag full of the money.
"What about my five grand for the suit?" I asked angrily.
"Here there is a little extra for any other expenses as well." He said handing me another ten thousand.
"Appreciate it. Now you tell no one about me. This transaction never happened." I am not in this for the fame after all. To be honest I am not in it for the money either, I live in a town full of drug addicts and criminals. I do this to rid the world of evil one asshole at a time, but guns ammo and the latest tech are not cheap. Now back to Michigan.
Three months later
I have not had a job in quite a while which is fine by me, I don't like the job but it is all I know and it pays well. I left the city to train and keep my skills sharp. I traveled to northern Michigan into a forest to hunt. Animals are sharp, they have excellent hearing and can smell humans from far off so who better to help me keep myself in top condition than a deer or two.
I drove home and suddenly my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and use the retinal scanner I had installed onto it to unlock the device. Suddenly sounds of someone creeping through my apartment begin to fill my ears. Someone has made a bad mistake. If there is one thing I hate it is for my personal space to be invaded. It puts me on edge especially when there is someone good enough to bypass my security measures and get into my apartment. Now not only is someone in my place but they may have access to my weapons and other secrets of mine. I have my files located on my laptop with security that would put the pentagon to shame but I have no idea who I am dealing with at the moment.
I get back to the city a few blocks from my apartment. I spot another apartment complex that gives me a clear line of sight into my window. I always keep my shades drawn but luckily I brought my infrared scope with me. I climb the fire escape to the complex I am at and retrieve my rifle from my back. I aim down the sight and see a body sitting on my sofa. Not moving, not looking for anything just sitting. I put my rifle away and decide to deal with this potential threat face to face. I creep through alleyways making my way back to complex and climb the fire escape to my floor. I use my phone to electronically unlock the bulletproof window and I pull a flashbang grenade from my pocket. I Pull the pin and quickly toss it inside before fully opening the window and jumping through tackling my visitor.
"Damn it bullet, a flashbang seriously? I cant see, you asshole." A familiar face said while trying to rub her eyes and I placed my pistol back in its holster.
"What the hell were you thinking Natasha? Do you know I almost killed you from a few blocks away. What makes you think its ok to break into my apartment?" I asked angrily as I pulled her to her feet.
"I knocked but you weren't home." She raid still rubbing her eyes and trying to get her bearings.
"So instead of leaving like a normal person you decide to break into a booby trapped apartment. You could have gotten yourself killed just coming in here." I said as I sat her back on the sofa.
"Oh the claymore. Don't worry I disarmed it." Natasha said as she opened her eyes again.
"Obviously. Why are you here?" I asked her as I went and got her a wet washcloth to place over her eyes.
"Fury sent me." She said as she laid back and placed the cloth over her face.
"Bullshit. He knows better after he kidnapped me last time." I told her after sensing her lie.
"You mean the time you broke out of the helicarrier holding cell, incapacitated iron man, stole a parachute, threatened to take fury's other eye for your trophy case, and leapt off of the carrier to do a 30,000 foot freefall without any oxygen?" She asked and I smiled at the memory.
"Yea well he sent the hulk to capture me all because he wanted to recruit me. Everything I did was justified. He is lucky I only threatened his eye." I said thankful that it was Bruce and not The Hulk I came across when I made my escape.
"Ok well you are right fury didn't send me." She then said as she removed the washcloth. Her eyes were still red but she was getting her vision back.
"So why are you here?" I asked confused now.
"I came here to let you know there is a price on your head." She said and I just smirked.
"Let me guess you were offered the contract?" I asked and she just nodded.
"So why not fulfill it?" I then asked.
"And sign my own death certificate. No thanks. Wade was also offered the contract." She said and I smiled.
"How is the merc with a mouth?" I asked amused after our last encounter.
"Pissed that you cut his arm off and beat him with it. But he is not taking the contract either." She replied.
"Its not like wade to refuse a job." I then said a little shocked.
"As angry as he was, he has a lot of respect for you. You are one of the only ones if not the only one to ever get the better of him." She then said.
"Well I appreciate you letting me know. Do you know who put the hit out?" I then asked.
"No I have tried using S.H.I.E.L.D. resources to find out but whoever it is, is good at covering their tracks." She explained and I have an idea who it is.
"Well thanks Natasha but you should leave." I then said getting up and walking to the door to open it for her.
"This late in a city like this. All of the drug addicts and criminals, a girl like me just isn't safe." She said walking toward me.
"Something tells me you can handle it. You and me had our run Natasha. How is Clint by the way?" I then asked her.
"Recovering from a bullet wound." She stated and I smirked.
"Good, it took me a week to dig the shards of his frag arrow out of me." I replied.
"You nearly blew me up, you blinded me, you tackled me, and you put a gun in my face. The least you can do is fuck me for old times sake." She said as she pressed her tight black leather clad body against mine and ran her hand over the quickly appearing bulge in my pants.
"Well since you put it that way, I guess I do owe you an apology." I said as I placed each of my hands just below her ass and picked her up off of the ground.
"You better make it a good one. I don't know if I can forgive you otherwise." She whispered in my ear as I walked with her to my bedroom.
"Thanks Bullet, your always a good time." She said after we finished before she rolled out of my bed and grabbed her clothes.
"Shit Natasha, We didn't use a condom." I said after realizing I got lost in the moment.
"I will pick up a pill don't worry about it. See ya later Bullet." She then said before walking out of my bedroom.
I rolled onto my back until I heard my apartment door shut. I grabbed my phone and locked the door remotely. I got out of bed rewired the claymore trap Natasha disarmed and went back to my bed to call it a night. A very relaxing night.