Her three hitmen, p.1
Her Three Hitmen, page 1
HER THREE HIT MEN
ELLIE ROWE
ELLIE ROWE WRITES
Copyright © 2024 by Ellie Rowe
All rights reserved.
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CONTENTS
Also by Ellie Rowe
1. Mia
2. Antonio
3. Mia
4. Antonio
5. Mia
6. Xavier
7. Mia
8. Xavier
9. Mia
10. Lucas
11. Antonio
12. Mia
13. Xavier
14. Mia
15. Mia
16. Mia
17. Lucas
18. Antonio
19. Mia
20. Xavier
21. Mia
22. Lucas
23. Lucas
24. Mia
25. Xavier
26. Mia
27. Antonio
28. Lucas
29. Antonio
30. Lucas
31. Antonio
32. Mia
33. Lucas
34. Antonio
35. Xavier
36. Mia
37. Mia
38. Xavier
39. Mia
40. Mia
41. Antonio
42. Mia
43. Lucas
44. Mia
45. Mia
46. Mia
47. Mia
48. Antonio
49. Xavier
50. Mia
51. Xavier
52. Lucas
53. Lucas
54. Xavier
55. Antonio
56. Lucas
57. Mia
58. Mia
59. Lucas
60. Mia
Also by Ellie Rowe
ALSO BY ELLIE ROWE
MMF:
Two Billionaires For Her
Two Doctors for Her
Two Lawyers For Her
Mom RomCom:
Route 69
After School Special
Hell’s Bells
Standalones:
The Jerk Who Saved Me
The Billionaire and the Babe
Skyscrapers and Stilettos Shared World:
The Billionaire’s Bun In Her Oven
Guide to Bossing A Billionaire
Manhattan Cowboy
1
MIA
"What do you mean you can't make it?" I whine over the phone, putting my flat iron back on the bathroom sink.
Rylee sighs apologetically. "Chris planned a surprise dinner for our anniversary, Mia, and I can't leave him hanging."
"But your anniversary isn't until next week!"
She sighs again. "I know, but we'll both be at work that day. Come on, cut me some slack here."
Cut her some slack? Rylee and I have been friends since I moved to Las Vegas after my acceptance to UNLV for fashion design and we ended up as roommates, and this has been the pattern from that very moment. We schedule a time for a girls night and she either cancels or invites complete strangers that end up hating me by the end of the night. And now that she has a boyfriend, he's become her favorite excuse.
"Uh, Mia? Hello?" she calls impatiently.
"You know something?" I ask.
"What?"
"My designs have always been better than yours." I end the call and stare myself down in the mirror. "You need real friends."
And you can find them tonight.
Finishing my hair, I head to the closet and browse for the perfect outfit: something that will look good and be comfortable enough to dance all night. The perfect piece — it should also have a Vegas vibe, being at one of the hottest clubs in town.
After trying on several pieces, I settle on an ensemble of dark ripped skinny jeans and a shimmery gold crop top with delicate spaghetti straps – just tight enough to show off all my curves without looking vulgar. To complete the look I slip into some ankle-strap black stiletto heels - they'll make me tower above everyone -and accessorize with simple yet elegant golden hoops earrings and two matching bracelets.
Lastly, for an added touch of glamor I grab my blush pink clutch which matches perfectly with my lip color: light pink matte. The outfit is perfect; subtle yet sexy– just what every girl needs during her nights out in Sin City.
I head out into the night, greeted by Las Vegas' bright and vibrant streets. The city buzzes with energy as cars honk in the distance and music echoes through alleyways. I take it all in — from dazzling neon signs to lavish high-rise buildings—and savor every moment of this bustling metropolis before me.
As I make my way towards the club, people huddle together outside– groups of friends dressed up for a good time that's sure to come while others linger away from prying eyes or chat amongst themselves quietly on street corners - everyone eager for an enjoyable evening full of fun entertainment drinks and dancing.
But then there are those lost souls who wander aimlessly about – anonymous shoppers looking for deals or adventure; escapists attempting to flee their mundane lives back home; listless drifters going nowhere fast plaguing vacant sidewalks with seemingly nonstop random mumbling’s belying islands amidst streaming multitudes sporting flashy LED lights and suits (both literal & figurative).
The intensity increases every time I reach another block until most streets seem completely crowded or filled with unknown forms waiting for exciting nights ahead -they are all looking forward towards being engulfed by the city's energy. As I wade through the crowd, a group of men spot me and start hitting on me.
"Hey, sweetheart," one of the men greets with a greasy leer. "You look lost. Need some help?"
I smile stiffly and shake my head. "I'm not. Thanks anyway."
Another man steps forward, reaching toward me. "Well, aren't you a cute little thing?"
"Yeah," a third man chimes in. "Why don't you stick around and keep us company.
I back up enough to avoid being touched and say, “I appreciate your offer, however I'm here with friends tonight."
The men look around, clearly searching for said friends. "Looks like you're alone to me."
Starting to inch away, I tell them that I'm meeting them downtown, and they jump to offer to escort me, which I politely refuse as I'm walking away. Once I'm a few feet down the sidewalk, I begin to consider that this might not have been the best idea.
The men don't seem to be backing off and their lecherous gazes make me feel uneasy. I decide to quicken my pace, but as soon as I look over my shoulder, I realize they're following me. My heart races and my hands start to sweat. I can feel the fear creeping in and before I know it, I'm running.
As I turn the first corner I see, my heart is racing and my mind races faster. What if those men follow me? Are they still watching me? I quicken my pace and look over my shoulder. Nothing but empty streets. I let out a sigh of relief, but it's short-lived as I crash into someone. It takes me a moment to regain my balance and when I do, I look up into the eyes of a tall, dark-haired man who has a rugged look about him.
"I'm sorry," I say quickly, "I didn't see you."
He smiles and takes a step back so we're no longer pressed up against each other. "No problem."
It's then that I hear the men who were following me getting closer. Panic rises up within me again as I glance behind me.
"Is everything okay?" the stranger asks.
I shake my head frantically. "No, those men-" but before I can finish my sentence, the men in question skid around the corner and nearly crash into me. And they certainly would have if the stranger hadn't pulled me out of the way just in time. Oddly enough, by pulling me out of the way, he puts himself between me and my four pudgy friends.
"Hey, watch it!" one of the men yells as he tries to steady himself.
The stranger stands firmly, his arms crossed over his chest. "You should learn to watch where you're going," he tells them.
The men bristle at his tone and take a step forward, aggression radiating off them in waves. "Who the fuck do you think you are?" one of them snarls.
"Who am I?" he repeats with what nearly sounds like amusement lacing his deep voice.
2
ANTONIO
"OOF!"
A small squeak of surprise echoes down the now silent alley, replacing the sounds of my previous argument, as a small woman crashes into my chest. I catch her by her upper arm, trying to stop her from tripping over the sharpest pair of stilettos I've ever seen someone wear. I mean, someone could be seriously injured if found at the wrong end of those things.
"I'm sorry!" the woman squeaks apologetically. "I didn't see you."
Obviously not.
"No problem," I grunt. Not the first time a woman has thrown herself at me.
Her eyes meet mine but even in the dimly lit alley I can see the golden-hazel tint as they stare widely up at me, clearly in a panic. She glances over her shoulder.
I follow her line of sight and wonder, "Is everything okay?"
Her attention snaps back to me and she shakes her head so fiercely that her brain probably rattles in her skull. "No, those men-"
Her words are cut off by the scuffling of shoes as four men round the corner into the alleyway. The pack of them trip over each other clum sily, like children who haven't quite found their footing. I drag the woman out of the way, positioning her behind me just in time for one of them to catch his balance.
"Hey," he yells at me, "watch it!"
The way their eyes glow with the thrill of the hunt is all I need to know.
I fold my arms over my chest and widen my stance. "You should watch where you're going."
They respond to my aggression with their own.
One of them barks, "Who the fuck do you think you are?"
A grin spreads across my face. "Who am I?"
I take a step forward, feeling the rush of adrenaline pulsing through my veins as I relish in the thrill of the fight. My eyes scan over the group as I size them up, taking note of their weaknesses and strengths. From the looks of it, they're just a bunch of amateurs out to prove themselves.
"Let's just say you don't want to find out," I growl, my voice low and menacing.
"What do you want with her?" I demand, trying to draw their attention away from her. "Why are you following her?"
They exchange a look, and one of them steps forward, a sneer on his face. "That's none of your business," he says. "We were just having some fun, that's all. Isn't that right, sweetheart?"
The woman behind me recoils visibly at the man's words and I can feel her trembling, her hand gripping the back of my jacket tightly. I can sense the fear radiating off her, and it only fuels the fire in my gut.
"Fun, huh?" I say with a smirk, looking each of them in the eye one by one. "Well, I'm all for a good time myself. So why don't we make a deal?"
Their sneers turn into curious looks as they listen to me. I continue, "You boys leave the lady alone, and we all just walk away. No harm, no foul."
They look at each other again, considering my proposal. It's clear that they realize now that I'm not someone they should be messing with, but their pride won't let them back down without a fight.
"You expect us to just walk away?" One of them snorts incredulously. "We'll take our chances against you."
I nod my head understandingly and shrug nonchalantly. "Suit yourselves." And with that, the fight is on.
The men charge at me all at once, and I brace myself for impact. The sounds of fists connecting with flesh and the scuffle of shoes against the damp asphalt echoes down the alley.
My body is a lethal weapon, trained in various forms of martial arts that allow me to take down multiple opponents at once. The adrenaline pumping through my veins only enhances my abilities, making my movements quicker and more precise. I dodge the first punch thrown at me, spinning around to deliver a solid kick to the attacker's gut. He doubles over in pain, and I seize the opportunity to deliver a swift uppercut to his chin.
The woman behind me screams in fear as one of the attackers grabs her by the arm, trying to drag her away. I turn on my heel and lash out with a roundhouse kick that connects with his jaw, sending him sprawling across the pavement.
I'm aware of the other three men closing in on me, but I remain calm and focused. I dodge their attacks with ease, delivering powerful blows that send them reeling backwards. One of them tries to grab me from behind, but I twist out of his grip and send him flying with a well-placed elbow strike.
The remaining two attackers look at each other, realizing they're outmatched. But instead of retreating, they charge at me with renewed vigor. I duck under one of their punches, pivoting to kick the other in the stomach. As he doubles over in pain, I grab his collar and deliver a fierce knee to his face. He crumples to the ground, blood streaming from his nose.
The final attacker backs away slowly, fear etched on his face. I step forward, relishing in his terror as I raise my shirt to reveal the pistol tucked into my waistband, then a bit higher to flash an insignia tattooed on my abdomen. The man's eyes widen in recognition and he mutters "Oh, shit" before turning tail and running off.
Without another word, they all scramble up and run, leaving us alone in the quiet alleyway once again. I turn back to the woman, who is still staring at me with wonder in her eyes. For the first time, I'm able to observe her entirely.
She wears a pair of tight-fitted, ripped skinny jeans and a shimmery cropped top that reveals her toned midriff. Her features are symmetrical with full lips and almond-shaped eyes that sparkle in the dim light. I struggle to look away as she stares back at me with awe written all over her face.
"That was... insane."
3
MIA
"Insane?" the dark-haired man repeats with amusement.
With my clutch still pressed against my chest, I take a few steps away from the darker end of the alley, which just happens to bring me closer to him.
"I mean, thank you," I murmur, relieved to have those pigs out of my life. "For helping me. For all I know, you could have handed me over."
His strong gaze stops me in my tracks, the intensity of it enough to send shivers down the length of my spine. "You should really be more careful. It can be dangerous to just wander around alone at this time of night."
My cheeks flush with embarrassment. "Well, I was supposed to be with a friend of mine, but..."
"But?" he prompts curiously.
I shrug one shoulder and fiddle with the clasp of my clutch. "I don't think we're really friends anymore."
My gaze locks with his again. Something in his eyes... or maybe it's what he did for me, but there's something that makes me feel safe. Like he'll protect me again if I need him to.
"I wouldn't have 'handed you over,' you know," he confesses with a slight smirk.
My blush deepens as I thank him again.
His smirk broadens into a full-blown smile, and it's then that I notice how truly handsome he is. The shadows of the alley had previously hidden his features from me, but now that we're standing under the soft glow of a nearby streetlight, I can see that he's got chiseled cheekbones and a strong jawline. The way his hair falls messily over his forehead only adds to his appeal.
"You're welcome," he says, pulling me out of my thoughts. "But like I said before, you shouldn't be out here by yourself."
I nod, glancing down at my shoes. "Yeah, I know."
He steps closer and I can feel the warmth radiating from his body. "Tell you what," he suggests. "I can be your bodyguard for the rest of the night."
My head snaps up. "What? You don't have to do that." But in truth, the idea of being escorted by him sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
"Are you sure?" he insists, his dark eyes studying me intently.
I bite my lip, considering his offer. It's not like I have anywhere else to be, and the thought of spending more time with this handsome stranger is tempting. "Okay," I give in with a small smile.
"Good," he grins, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'm Antonio, by the way."
"Mia," I reply, returning the greeting.
"Nice to meet you, Mia," he says before offering me his arm. "Now, where to?"
My heart races as I wrap my hand around his arm, feeling the muscles beneath his shirt. The sensation sends a thrill through my body that I can't ignore.
"I'm, um, not sure?" I say.
Suddenly, he reaches out and twirls a strand of my hair around his finger. The touch is fleeting yet electric, sending sparks of desire shooting through me.
"Do you trust me?" he asks softly.
I nod again, unable to form words as my body responds to his every move.
"Then come with me," he murmurs, tugging gently at my hand. "There's a club not too far from here that I know. We'll be safe there."
Antonio leads me through the streets, his hand tight around mine as we move through the late-night crowds. I can feel my heart beating in my chest, the anticipation growing with every step we take.
As we approach the club, I can hear the pounding of music and the dull roar of voices coming from inside. Antonio flashes a smile in my direction, and I can't help but feel drawn to him.
The club is packed with people. The music is loud, and the bass vibrates through my entire body. Antonio leads me through the crowd to the bar, where he orders us both drinks. He hands me my cocktail and raises his glass.
"Cheers," he says with a smile.
I clink my glass against his and take a sip, watching him over the rim of my glass.
