I feel the letter, slipped into my back pocket by the small man who passes behind me, but wait to take it out and read it.

Can’t get caught.

Can’t be spotted.

Can’t be suspected.

Those are the rules I have to play by. It’s why I’m so careful. So cautious.

I’ve been doing this for years. Sometimes, I’m no longer sure which identify I’m playing by. But in only two hours, I’ll be out of here. This game of make believe will be over.

Then I can rest.

“Dix?” I turn around, now so accustomed to hearing my allies that I’ve nearly forgotten my own name.

Nearly.

I repeat it to myself in my head.

Then I turn around.

“Oh, Joanna. You’re here. Good. I was hoping you wouldn’t be a disappointment today, as you usually are. News?”

The party moves around us to the music, my party of course. My estate. Or Dix’s. Shes quite the rich gal, being a weapons dealer and all.

The person Dix really has to fool is the Duke, Jasper, weapons master and naturally, Dix’s supposed love interest. I’m relieved he didn’t come to the party, because the last thing I need on my last day is to have to smooch him while I’m tangled in a curtain, pretending I love it. Pretending we’re in love.

He may be my lover, but he’s not stupid. If he got a whiff of what I was, he’d shoot me before I could beg.

Joanna. Hands me a phone, and I take it.

“Hello?”

“Dix. Thought I’d forget your party?”

I curse under my breath.

Jasper.

Just what I needed.

“Of course not. I’m guessing you’re spying on me from my own security camera’s?”

“No, no. I’m watching you myself. Third floor balcony.”

I look up.

Sure enough, he’s there.

He smiles at me, that arrogant, smirk I’m supposed to swoon over.

Then he hangs up and turns away from the ledge, no doubt coming down.

Just two hours left. I remind myself of that as I plaster on my ‘Jasper is the one thing that I can’t go et enough of.’ Face, knowing that tonight, I’ll have to be extra convincing.

He walks up to me, suit and tie, no less than perfection for someone so rich.

But on that note, I’m also wearing a very expensive dress, not to mention more revealing than I’d like, but again, I’m playing a part. I have to be convincing.

“I’ve got a surprise on the roof.” He says, taking my hand.

“Why didn’t you tell me over the phone?”

“I figured this was more romantic.”

I laugh, following him up the stairs.

Impulsively, my hand slides to the gun on my thigh. Just in case.

When we reach the roof though, I don’t see anything.

It’s just the two of us.

Unease grips me.

Jasper turns to me, his smile making his next words seem as though they are coming from someone else with all the malice they carry.

“Give me one reason not to shoot you right now.”

I try to stay calm.

Two hours.

I had two hours to go. Less than one now.

“Because you’ll have a bullet through the head at the same time I have a bullet in mine.

I say, pulling out my own pistol.

Jasper shakes his head.

“It was so obvious. I don’t know why it took me until that letter to see it.”

“What letter?”

“It fell out of your pocket about a week ago. I think you were supposed to get it, but the deliverer was clumsy slipping it to you.”

It only took the first sentence for all the prices to fit together.”

“So shoot me.” I say, gripping the gun tighter in my hand.

“You want me too?” He asks, almost teasingly.

I shake my head.

“I just want to see if you have the balls to do it.”

BANG!

A blooming pain builds in my stomach.

“Of course I do.” He says, putting his gun back in his holster.

I pull my own trigger.

BANG!

“Said if you shot so would I.” I grunt out through gritted teeth.

He stumbles back, then looks at me.

“Didn’t think… I’d do it?” I ask as I hear the helicopter approaching.

Time to go.

“I had fun while it lasted, Jasper, but this game is over.”

Then I’m climbing into my helicopter, and flying away.

When I look back, he’s gone.