Keep An Eye On Her

James’s POV

I sighed as I leaned against the cold metal railing of the fire escape, watching her through my binoculars.

She wasn’t doing anything exciting—just eating breakfast by her small apartment window. She sat there, sipping coffee, scrolling through her phone, completely unaware that someone—me, was keeping an eye on her.

"This is boring as hell," I muttered to myself mid yawn.

Victor had given me orders to keep tabs on her, but honestly, I hadn't seen anything suspicious. She was just… normal.

A little too normal.

After finishing her breakfast, the lady left her apartment, locking the door behind her. I followed her from a distance as she walked to a fast-food restaurant a few blocks away.

I groaned. She works in a burger joint?

For the next few hours, I sat in my car across the street, watching her through the restaurant’s big glass windows. She took orders, smiled at customers, and even laughed with her coworkers.

Victor thinks this girl is dangerous?

I leaned back in my seat, stretching. She’s probably just some runaway who got lucky.

“I mean why else would Victor want me to follow her around town and know her whereabouts” I thought to myself.

My eyelids started to grow heavy.

Just a little nap.

I closed my eyes and drifted off.

**************

“Shit!” I exclaimed as I jolted up.

Everywhere had already gotten dark.

My head snapped toward the restaurant window—empty. Chairs stacked on tables. Lights off.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!"

I fumbled for my phone, opening the tracker app linked to the tiny device I'd planted on her earlier during the day. The blinking dot was moving.

Fast. I hit the gears and was off.

I followed the signal through the city streets, my heart pounding. It finally stopped at a club.

Loud music spilled into the street as I approached the entrance. Neon lights flashed overhead, and a line of people stretched down the block.

What the hell is she doing here?

I shoved my way inside.

The bass thumped so hard it rattled my chest. Strobe lights cut through the smoky air, illuminating the dance floor packed with bodies grinding to the beat.

I scanned the room, pushing past drunk partygoers.

Then, in the lights, I spotted her.

The lady was slipping through a side door, heading to the back.

I immediately went after her, but—

"Hey there, handsome," a sultry voice purred.

A group of girls surrounded me, giggling and tugging at my shirt.

"Come dance with us!" one of them said, pressing her barely covered breasts against me.

Everything in me wanted to have a go at them but fear of what Victor would do to me if I lost track of the lady quickly brought me back to my senses

"Not interested," I muttered, trying to move past them.

But they weren’t letting me go that easily.

Hands roamed over my shoulders, fingers playing with my jacket. "Come on, just one song," another girl pouted.

I clenched my jaw, glancing toward the back door. She was gone.

"Damn it!"

I shoved the girls away and rushed outside.

The alley was empty.

I turned in a circle, searching—

Then I saw her.

She was standing on the sidewalk, waiting for someone.

I quickly ducked behind a parked car, watching as she pulled out her phone and made a call.

A minute later, a motorcycle roared down the street.

The rider pulled up beside the lady, and she smiled.

Then, to my shock, she removed the guy’s helmet—and kissed him.

I pulled out my phone and started snapping pictures. This is the kind of stuff Victor would want to see.

She wrapped her arms around the guy, pressing close. They exchanged a few words, then she hopped onto the bike.

I cursed under my breath as they drove off and dialed Victor.

"Yeah?" Victor’s cold voice came through.

"Sir the lady you instructed me to follow just left with some guy on a motorcycle," I reported.

A beat of silence. Then—

"Follow them. No matter what."

I gritted my teeth. I wouldn't get to my car fast enough.

I dashed to the curb, looking for a cab—nothing.

"Damn it!"

My eyes darted back to the club.

Without thinking twice, I ran inside, scanning the crowd until I spotted a drunk guy slouched over a table—keys dangling from his fingers.

I grabbed them. "I’m borrowing this."

"Wha—?" The guy blinked up at me, confused.

But I was already gone.

With keys in hand, I headed out to the back and tapped on the button.

“Please be a sick ride, please be a sick ride" I prayed as I walked around.

And then… I saw it.

A sick bike!

*************

The motorcycle’s tracker led me across the city until it stopped at a different apartment.

Not the one she had left earlier in the morning.

I parked the stolen bike a block away and watched from the shadows.

The lady and the mystery guy got off the motorcycle, laughing softly. She leaned in close, whispering something in his ear before they disappeared inside.

I exhaled through my nose.

"Alright, let’s see what you’re hiding, princess."

I crept to the back fence and climbed over, landing silently in the yard. A bush near the bedroom window provided me the perfect hiding spot.

Then I heard something.

Muffled voices.

Soft laughter.

Then—a moan.

I stiffened. Oh, hell no.

I forced myself to stay put, even as my brain screamed at me to get the hell out of there. But Victor wanted information, so I had to stay.

An hour passed. Then another.

The noises had stopped, they must have gone to bed already.

Another hour passed and I was starting to freeze.

My eyelids grew heavy again.

Just a few minutes of rest.

Just a—

*************

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Startled, I woke up, my phone vibrating violently in my pocket.

Victor?

“Shit it's already morning" I said to myself as I put the phone on speaker.

"Where the hell are you?" Victor demanded.

I groaned, stretching my stiff limbs. "Long story sir. I’m on my way."

I put my phone back into my pocket and stood, rubbing my arms for warmth.

Then—

SNAP!

I looked down. My foot had triggered the sprinklers.

Cold water shot up, drenching me instantly.

"Are you freaking kidding me?!"

Then—BARK!

A huge dog tore around the corner, eyes locked on me.

"Oh, you gotta be shitting me."

The dog lunged.

I barely dodged, scrambling toward the fence as the beast chased me in circles.

I leaped up, gripping the top of the fence, but the dog bit my boot.

"LET GO, YOU DEMON!"

I shook my leg violently until the dog released me, then I threw myself over the fence—landing in a heap on the other side.

I just laid there for a second, panting.

"Stupid dog"

***********

Carrie’s POV

I peeked through the curtains, watching James limp away, soaking wet and covered in dirt.

A laugh bubbled up in my chest.

My friend, Silver, grinned beside me. "Worked like a charm."

I smirked. "Told you he’d fall for it."

Silver stretched. "So, why’d you need to go through all this to fool him anyway? I mean, you rented two different apartments, went to work at that fast food restaurant for a day, paid all those girls at the club to distract him and even got this dog from Mr Grayson"

My smile faded slightly. "Victor doesn’t need to know more than he already does about me. It could compromise my mission."

Silver nodded. "Got it."

"But you deserve all the credit, that kiss and moaning sounds were so real. Thanks for your help gurl”

She stood and stretched. “You know I always gat you. I’ll go make breakfast, I've got to catch up with my girlfriend later."

She left the room.

I sat down on the bed, pulling out my phone.

I typed out a text to Victor.

Carla. That’s my name.

Telling him my real name would be too risky. At least this one still starts with the letter ‘C’

Then I stood and opened the window.

The dog wagged his tail, waiting below. I tossed him a treat for a job well-done.

"Good boy."

As the dog happily munched, I leaned against the window frame, smirking to myself.

Let the games begin.