“They don’t own a vagina so they understand very little about the opposite gender’s sexual needs. Most men I know slap their tongue around like a dog eating from its bowl, but one man I know, and who you might get to know soon, is an exception.”
These people seemed like batshit crazy sociopaths, but they sure knew how to have sex. I waited another minute to calm down from my euphoria before climbing under the covers to get some much-needed rest.
******
The alarm on my phone tore me from a dreamless night’s sleep. Pressing the buttons on my phone in a half dazed stupor, the effects of a few glasses of wine the night before made my head spin. After my fumbling fingers finally shut the noise off, I looked at the sleeping figure of Emily and sighed when thinking about our girl on girl action before we slept. I wasn’t upset about having been with another woman, but the fact I got so heavily involved with another of the Praying Mantassassins in a sexual way filled my head with conflicted thoughts of regaining a normal life after the mission was over.
Maybe it was already time to wind things up. If the mission were to go ahead, there could be another three innocent lives lost. I crawled out of bed, careful not to disturb Emily, and immediately searched in my wardrobe to put some clothes on for the day.
I knew what I had to do while the opportunity presented itself. I promptly dressed and grabbed my pistol and a pair of handcuffs. I aimed the gun at Emily and stepped towards her one foot at a time.
Her eyes flickered and looked at me and then to the weapon in my hand as I made my way to her side of the bed.
“What the fuck?” she asked. As she sat up and stared at me, I kept watching for any sudden movements which could potentially result in danger to myself.
“You’re under arrest, Emily. I have enough information on your organisation to put you and your friends away for life.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I could swear you’ve already forgotten how good I was to you last night. I don’t like feeling unappreciated.”
“Hands behind your back, Emily. You can get out of this pretty lightly if you flip on the people you work for.”
“You can arrest me and take me in, but I won’t flip on any of my friends. And when they find you—”
“Yeah, come on, Emily. Say it out loud what you’ll do. I dare you.”
“I’ll get you for this, bitch,” she said.
I restrained her wrists as she sat up straight, smiling at my advantage. “I can’t let you people go on killing the way you do. The party stops now.”
“I know we were drinking last night, but remember what I said about recording what you did with that man you fucked and killed? I don’t hold the video, but I know if something happens to me or if you even think about calling this in the video goes viral.”
“I don’t care, Emily. I’m quitting the force once I take you all down. I’m not cut out for this double life.”
“Well, in that case, we need to take it up to the next level. Why don’t you call your father, see how he is?”
I took a few steps and put the barrel of my pistol against her forehead. “You better not have hurt him.”
“How could I? I’ve been here with you since last night. Just call your father, let him know you’re okay.”
Keeping my gun trained on her, I picked my phone up off the bedside table and made a call to his phone.
“Hannah, don’t do what they say—” My dad started.
“He wants to be brave, but I know you won’t let him die,” a female voice said on the other end of the line. “Please select Facetime on your phone. There’s something you need to see.”
I glared at Emily and selected the Facetime option. When I looked at the screen of my phone, I didn’t want to believe my eyes.
“Bet you didn’t see that coming,” Emily said.
The blonde female could be Emily’s twin, and looking from the woman on my phone to the one handcuffed on my bed, I assumed they must be twins.
“This is what happens now. You go ahead with the upcoming mission, play your part, and turn a blind eye to who gets killed. The woman who has hired us for the job will get the blame for it all. What becomes of her is none of your concern. If you cooperate, I don’t tell the others, and you get to go back to your life,” the woman on the other end of the line said.
“You have a twin?” I asked Emily.
“It’s still news to me, but it’s a fact which serves us well. I don’t trust many people, so hearing there was another one of me out there was the best news ever.”
“And how do I know—” I had said before Emily intervened.
“That you can trust us? Well, you can’t. But for as long as we have your father hostage, you have no choice. And there’s something else you need to do for me. Once the mission’s over, I need you to take out the target’s wife, and if there’s any doubt as to why just look up the name Shauna Logan next time you’re at the precinct you work at.”
“And before I go, here’s your father, for what I hope isn’t the last time ever,” Emily’s twin said.
I looked at my father, his face badly bashed and his clothes all ruffled. “I can’t let them kill you, Dad,” I said and ended the call before he could mount a protest.
“I’ll need that burner phone of yours, too. We can’t risk you making a trace on it,” Emily said.
I was defeated. I had revealed my hand to Emily, and she already had a much better one. I released Emily from the cuffs and allowed her to dress and leave, and as she shut the door, I cried into my pillows.
I couldn’t accept defeat, it was not who I was. Maybe Emily would notify Ed, and maybe she wouldn’t, but I had no choice but to go along and wait until I could guarantee my father’s safety. I showered, dressed, and then had a look at my Praying Mantassassin mission directives.
They had everything planned to the last detail. This man named Terry Cooper had a wife and two children, and I was to be one of four blonde women who would have sex with him. I had a look at his photo. A handsome looking guy, albeit quite a few years older than me, and a successful real estate agent. I read about what they wanted me to do to him, things to humiliate him, turn his wife and kids against him, and then they would kill him in the end anyway.
I would figure this out. Play along with their games, fuck who I had to fuck, lie to everyone and potentially, bring my name to the lowest level ever. I would do whatever I had to do to get my father back, the only man who had ever truly loved me.
Yes, I would play their game until Dad was safe, and then I would make these Praying Mantassassin fuckers pay.
Coming Soon
7PM — Part 4 — Talissa
Shauna Logan possesses looks that kill, a valuable trait which that agrees with her life as an assassin. Having joined the Praying Mantassassins at a young age, she dreams of finding a fulfilling relationship. When a new member of the organization arrives, bringing sweeping changes to the compound, she finds herself attracted to him almost immediately.
As a killer for hire going by the name Talissa, she knows better than to get emotionally attached. She resists his tacky advances, but her secret desire to be swept off her feet the old-fashioned way threatens her professional position.
Will she use the upcoming mission with him and a young female recruit to get to know him better? Or are they walking into a trap that will change their lives forever?
Acknowledgments
First, my writing journey wouldn’t be where it is without the love and support of my family. Special thanks to my wife, Glenda, for being there from near the start of my writing endeavours, and my three beautiful children, Ethan, Krystal, and Siobhan.
My parents, Noel and Barbara Heinicke, have always been supportive, encouraging me to chase my dreams and keeping me grounded to stay responsible in the process. My sister, Rachel Foster and her husband, Troy have always cheered me along, and for that, I thank them, too.
My writing wouldn’t be what it is without the hard work of my editor, Rogena Mitchell-Jon
es. Not only is she great at her work, but a great friend in helping me get over my self-doubts.
Rebecca Berto from Berto Designs has come through with yet another great cover. Thanks so much again to her for her eye-catching design.
Thanks to my beta readers, Kate Annabel, Tracey Hayer-Roberts, and Kathryn Booker. Your input and the time you took to read a yet to be published work is much appreciated. Special mention to Kate Reedwood for going above and beyond for her work on this volume and helping me to think more about the characters’ motivations.
Over my years on Facebook, I’ve met many fellow writers at different stages of their writing careers. A network of support and friendship has helped me learn not only about the craft of writing but marketing and networking as well. With each book, the list increases, but those who have been there and who have never hesitated in giving advice or helping to promote my work, and I promise to return the favour where possible. Special thanks to Laura Hunter, Lili Saint Germain, Jacinta Maree, Melissa Crowe, Stephen Ormsby, Kim Stevens, Hayley Coates, Earl Chessher, Desley Polmear, Samantha A. Cole, and Baer Charlton, just to name a few. Anyone I’ve forgotten, I’m very sorry.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank a local bookstore owner for not only stocking my books but also for allowing me to use his store to launch my book releases. Thanks to Andy Gasson from Magpie Books for his generosity and friendship.
And most of all, where would a writer be without their fans and readers? Thanks to everyone who has supported me, given me feedback, and read my books. Thanks for the words of encouragement and spreading the word about my books. With your help, I know someday I’ll be a full-time writer and able to devote time to releasing more books. Special mention to those I call my cheerleaders, Bianca Lloyd, Tracy Grover, Leesa Barrell, Cooper DMSelector as well as a huge number of my work colleagues.
About the Author
Chris was born in the town of Port Pire, South Australia in 1971. Growing up in a family who moved a lot, Chris was able to see a lot of Australia as a child and teenager, meeting a broad range of people and living in four of six of the country’s states and the Northern Territory. Although working as a baker, writing has been a passion for some time, starting in high school and reigniting again in 2006. Since then, he has worked on the first part of a science fiction series, The Man In Black, released in 2015, and a short story, which culminated in a 2014 NaNoWriMo project called 5PM.
Apart from writing, Chris enjoys travelling, reading, and watching movies, as well as all things geeky. He resides in the New South Wales beachside town of Coffs Harbour with his wife and three children and is currently working on projects connected with 5PM and The Man In Black.
7PM - Ed & Hannah (A 5PM Short Story) Page 5