Her cry echoed through the park when the champagne cork flew over the hill that cradled their favorite nook. Her cry immediately transformed into laughter at her own bewilderment. Her husband shook his head in mock disdain, but couldn’t help but join, her laughter was contagious. With the cork taken care of, he proceeded to pour the beverage into two glasses, sitting atop a flat stone. The copper liquid, made golden by the waning sunlight, fizzed and bubbled as they raised their glasses. “To my beautiful wife, who—” He cut himself off as he registered her expression. He followed her gaze over the picnic blanket dressed with chocolate covered strawberries and sushi, and the fluffy lawn clipped low enough to be comfortable, to the walkway below them where couples were strolling through the towering maple and orchid trees, rosy expressions dawning each of their faces. He crept forward to focus on a specific couple standing in the grass under the shelter of an ancient oak, as his wife began to lug over a briefcase. The woman was young, near his wife’s age with an explosion of red curls, made even redder by her partner’s black hair where their heads touched as they huddled over something. He glanced over at his wife, as she set up the bipod. “I assume that’s them.” She nodded. “Alexander Chai, and Dottie Ryan.” She passed him a folder. “Wow.” “Yeah.” “Are they models or anything?” She shook her head. “No, they’re TikTokers.” He shrugged. “Close enough.” He flipped through a few more pages. “It says he’s studying to be a doctor.” “I know that, Griffin, I actually study the—where did you put the magazine?” She hunted through the bag. “It's on the outside, as usual.” She unzipped another part of the bag. “Oh.” He chuckled and moved beside her to plant a kiss on her temple. “Would you like another strawberry, darling?” She grinned. “Well, since you asked…” He reached over to the tupperware and grabbed one, holding it out for her to bite. She clicked the barrel into place, leaned in towards him, and bit off the tip of the strawberry. Sweetness coated her tongue, and she licked her lips. “Delicious.” He laughed. “Sophia, don’t do that.” “Do what?” She asked innocently. “Let’s finish the job first,” He reasoned. “Then…” His eyes traveled to her mouth. She smirked and returned to her task. “I never said we should do otherwise.” He rolled his eyes, with mock exasperation and lowered himself onto his stomach next to her. “There’s a nice breeze today.” “It’s coming from behind us, southeast, so nothing to worry about.” He nodded. “Beautiful weather today.” “It's perfect.” It was unusually warm for February even with the sun setting in a couple of hours, some people had even decided to wear t-shirts, it was gorgeous too, there were hardly any clouds obstructing their view of the sapphire sky or the warming rays of the sun. Sophia rolled to the side and onto her back to make room for her husband, and soaked up the sun. He moved to position himself where she had been, and positioned the rifle. It was assembled flawlessly, he knew not to expect anything less. She watched as his body stilled and that steely focus took over and he stared through the crosshairs. She turned over to glance back at the couple. They were no longer staring at the object, but instead at the lady’s abdomen. The man placed a hand on her stomach and a grin slowly spread across his face. The woman was beaming as well. Sophia sat up. “Aww.” Griffin sighed. “Shame.” He glanced over at his wife. “At least she’s not our target.” “Yeah, that would be tough.” He paused, and turned to her. “Do you want to shoot this time?” Her eyebrows shot up. “Really?” He shrugged. “Happy valentines day, babe.” She laughed in amazement before shoving him aside. She repositioned the mount and adjusted the bipod before looking through the sights. She slowly turned the gun until she could see Chai passionately making out with his girlfriend. “Oh my god.” Beside her, she felt and heard Griffin rumble out a laugh. “When you’re ready.” She slowed her breathing, as Chai and his girlfriend broke apart. She found his chest in her crosshairs. He moved away for a moment, and she inhaled. He stepped right back into the same spot. She exhaled, and pulled the trigger. There was no resounding bang, due to the silencer. With a quiet whistle of air, the bullet cut across the park, finding it’s way right through Alex Chai’s heart. He glanced down, stunned and collapsed against the tree trunk. Sophia turned to her husband with a satisfied smile. “Wow.” He said. “I’m a little scared of you now, and I don’t mind it.” Her smile broadened and they both glanced back at the couple. Chai’s blood was soaking the grass, glistening like rubies in the sunset. Dottie was holding his body, shaking with a phone held to her ear, seeming to shield both of them from the crowds that were gathering with her red mane. Sophie turned back to her husband, who had just finished packing up the rifle. “Now,” She breathed, “The job is done so…” She leaned in but stopped short when Griffin held out a hand. “Hold on.” He gave a lopsided grin. “I never got to finish my toast.” Ignoring her deadpan expression he grabbed their glasses and handed one to her, and raised his into the air. “To my beautiful wife who can kill everyone in this park in a variety of ways, while still managing to beat me in chess. You are the smartest, most beautiful, and deadliest person I know. I and I thank god everyday, that you haven’t decided to kill me yet.” With a laugh she clinked her glass with his, and before they could sip their drinks she interrupted, “And to my husband, who is smarter than I give him credit for.” This time they were both laughing as their glasses collided and they sipped the golden liquid. The second they set the glasses down, she was beside him. “Now?” She asked sarcastically. “Fine,” He said with a fake sigh. He turned to kiss her, but her mouth was already on his, and they kissed in their secret nook with the sound of sirens wailing in the background.