It was Monday, and the day seemed to go by slowly. I had not seen Marvin and it was unlike me, but I knew how to get my head straight so I could have a perfect meeting with Sancho. I would rather not see Marvin.

Rose came by but I was not having any of her gist. She was not happy that I was not concentrating and giving her the attention she needed. I simply told her that there was a lot on my mind and she left feeling rather hurt.

The truth is, I do not know how Sancho would receive me. I saved him at one time and killed his twin brother the other time. I hoped he would consider the life I saved more.

I thought about going to the meeting without guns. If Snacho knew that I was not carrying a weapon, maybe he would consider that I came in peace. On the other hand, it would place me in a more disadvantageous position. I am going with my guns, I said to myself.

“You don’t have to be rude even if you are going through a lot,” Rose said. She had come back again and would not take my answer as a response to her hurt.

“I don’t get you, what do you mean?” I said.

“You refused to acknowledge my presence by pretending you were thinking and refused to talk to me by pretending that you have a lot of worries,” Rose said.

“I don’t know what you want me to say but truly you are distracting me,” I said. “Maybe when I am okay, I will come by the store so that we can chat.” I pleaded. I was not ready to lose Rose’s friendship. She had information about Uncle Jonah and it looked like I would be needing her soon.

“Okay, that sounds better even though I know you are trying to push me away. Have fun with your thoughts,” Rose said.

“I am sorry Rose, I promise to check up on you when I am okay, please,” I said. The look on her face almost made me laugh.

“What are you sorry for?” the voice cannot be mistaken, it was Marvin, he was coming to see me. He must have known I was avoiding him.

“Please have your seat, sir,” I said sarcastically, waving my hand to the seat before me.

“That’s new, and sounds nice coming from the street girl,” Marvin said, trying to get back at me.

“Why are you here? You could not live a day without me,” I asked, trying to sound serious.

“Right now, yes. I was thinking of taking you out. It’s been a long time since we have done that,” he said.

I smiled because I knew he must be joking. How can someone who lives in constant threats and attempts to his life want to be exposed in such a manner because he wants to please me?

“You must be joking, right?” I asked.

“Nope, I am not.” He said.

“How about I come to your room tonight and tomorrow we go and see how Uncle Jonah is doing?” I said. I wanted to get off quickly as I needed to get going as Sancho always keeps to time.

“Okay if you say so, but I would love to see you in an hour's time. Let's talk about something before we go see my Uncle tomorrow,” he said, walking out of my office. I could not wait before I put on my assassin clothes and a bulletproof vest. I wore my sweatcoat to cover all my fighting accessories. I was not going to allow Sancho to pull a surprise on me.

I hurriedly left the office, telling Rose I wanted to get lunch. I took a cab to go to the other side of town. In the cab. I wondered if I could finish the meeting with Sancho within the hour, as Marvin wanted to see me in an hour.

The cab dropped me on a street before the meeting place as I asked. I wanted to scan the area for any possible threat. I was already in the territory of the Martinez Gang and I didn’t want any surprises.

I got to the uncompleted building where we had agreed to meet. I climbed to the second floor. I didn’t see anybody. I noticed some movements and I shielded myself behind the door. It was a wooden door, so I was still exposed if they had some good guns.

“Sancho!” I shouted, but no one showed up.

“Sancho! it’s Cassie,” I shouted the second time.

I knew it was not having any effect. It dawned on me that if I were them I would be afraid of myself. So I came out of my hiding and placed my gun in the air as I said, “Sancho, please I don’t have time for this, come out and let's talk,” Still there was no movement.

After a time, three men came out in front of me and asked me to put down my gun gently on the floor. Immediately after I did that, they started hitting me. At first, I was protecting my face as I wanted to go back to the office with my face intact, but their continuous beating looked like a show of strength rather than to subdue me, so I lashed out.

I hit the first on his face and he went to cool off. I grabbed the other by his balls as I kicked the other very hard on his groin before Sancho came out clapping his hands and the two men by his side pointing their guns in my direction.

“You have grown,” Sancho said.

“So like you, my friend,” I said.

“I am no friend of yours. You killed my brother,” he said.

“It was a matter of him or me, I had no choice he was Zach’s tool.,” I said. Saying he was Zach’s tool made him seem pleased. I knew I had gotten his attention and needed to capitalize on that.

“True that, but does not give you the reason to kill him. I should kill you right now.” Sancho said.

“Well if you kill me, you will not get to hear what I have to offer,” I said.

“Your offer should be a life for a life,” He said coming toward me with a brandished knife.

“I am offering you lives and not just a single life,” I said.

“Okay, come let's talk, but if you try anything foolish you are gone, you hear me,” Sancho warned me. I could see the forgiveness in his eyes. He had not forgotten who I was and how I helped him.

“Here is my offer,” I said laying down every move and plan I had thought of to tell him.

I told Sancho he was not the next in line and how Lisandro wanted to set him up. I informed him that I was assassin number one, though not announced and that if he kills me anyone had the right to mark him as a target as he was doing to me now. He said Lisandro only wanted revenge for his father and he, Sancho, wanted revenge for his brother.

“They kidnapped my asset, and tried to kill me when I only wanted to take the target and leave,” I said.

“You should not have killed them,” Sancho said.

“It was Zach who set up a battle between me and Sanchez knowing fully well who I was,” I said.

“Is that correct,” he asked.

‘I swear on my dead parent's grave,” I said.

“Your life is in danger, as long as you live you will be a threat to Lisandro’s reign. You either take him out or he will take you out.,” I said.

“Okay I will agree to your plans if only you are the person that will take Lisandro out,” Sancho said.

“Change the name of that Contrat to kill from mine to his and place me as the hire, I will kill him for you and also get paid,” I said.

“No dear, I will not. I don’t want to be exposed to the Contractor or to Lisandro’s crew,” he said.

“In that case, if I kill him for you, I become your successor. I have seen your child. The way you are training her she can be part of this game,” I said.

“Why don’t I kill you right now and see how happy Lisandro would be,” He said.

“Because you want to be the leader and I am your great and only asset. I kill him for you and during your reign I will become your ally but you must make me your successor,” I said.

“A woman has never led the Martinez Gang,” Sancho replied.

“Sancho my man, let me worry about that,” I said.

“I have a better plan,” he said. I was listening we were getting along but we needed to agree and my time was running out. I don’t want to give Marvin any iota of doubting me.

“What’s that?’ I asked looking anxiously at him.

“I have not had any woman since my wife died. I want you to be my wife!” He said.