~

Nina usually took pride in her jobs. However, this one time she had a sneaking suspicion that the person Seven was talking about might actually be her.

Shit. Shitttt. Definitely not something she'd own up to now.

Nina generally didn't do this, but she knew that... admitting that she was probably the one quite definitely wasn't the right move. No, that would not be a good idea.

In one of her split-second decisions, she decided that, for once, she wasn't going to take credit for some of her jobs. Nope. Taking that credit would be rather detrimental to the situation here. So she conveniently pushed all the jobs she'd done in Seven's territory to someone who she knew had done some other in this place.

"You mean... Stefan? At least, I think it's him. I'm pretty sure he was the one who got the job to take out Aliya a few months ago. And he's the type of person that usually would be selected by our superiors to take a job in this place."

Nina was hyperaware of Seven's shoulder pressed against her. But hey, she hadn't thought about it too much so far! And damn, she just started thinking about it. And now she couldn't stop.

It's not like she hadn't had previous male admirers. She had, but she'd never felt this aware, and never actually cared that much for them. They were passing objects that she would likely leave behind, as they eventually all left due to her occupation that they found distasteful. Maybe I'm too aware of this because I know he's dangerous, Nina tried to convince herself. Okay, maybe that was one thing, but definitely wasn't all. Her brain remained completely un-convinced.

She kept saying things about Stefan without a beat missed. Heck, she was honestly doubtful Stefan was his real name. And she knew Stefan was so under the radar that, like her, was almost invisible. Nina honestly doubted Seven knew anything about who Stefan was past what she told him.

Nina briefly looked back up at Seven. Damn, he was big. And handsome. And damnit, she should never have looked up in the first place.

"Have you seen him around? Misty-grey wolf. Quite unremarkable, honestly. He's hard to spot."

~

Nina imploded. Or at least, she thought she did. In reality, all that Seven might have seen was a brief catch of breath.

But internally, Nina actually imploded the moment Seven laid his head on her. Had she not had assassin training to not jump when scared, and to squash her fight-or-flight response until it barely existed, she probably would have run out of the room a long time ago.

Pity he was a gang lord that, Nina tried to remind herself, had a long and bloody record for killing other wolves whtout a second thought. And she herself had seen one of said things. But all Nina's brain could think about was how Seven was practically lying on top of her, and jesus christ but this was most definitely not what she had signed up for when she took the job, and why the heck he had to be so handsome, and what the hell was she doing she should probably knock him out now and how she had no goddamn clue what to do now.

Nina found her mouth being professional, unlike the rest of her body. "There are some others, but... maybe I should tell you later." Anything to extend this contract. "And... no, I don't have anything to do with Stefan." Nina felt these words far away. She retained her professional mask. But she still couldn't think.

Damnit. Why the heck did he have to be so handsome and do such things to her? Nina honestly would never stop asking that question.

Nina really didn't know what to make of him.

And she shuffled away from Seven's warm body, and stood up.

Walked a few steps.

Turned around, and sat down.

Nina the professional once again.

"Should I tell you the rest later? Right now... I'd be grateful if I could get somewhere to rest. I haven't slept today."