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under the makeup wasn’t average, she was un-fucking-forgettable. Mind-numbingly beautiful, flawless and young .
    Yeah, the name Camo made sense.
    Because, without makeup, no one would ever forget seeing this face, myself included.
    And I had thought her ugly … Yep, still shallow.
     

“You miss me, admit it.” Because I missed him terribly and hated having to give up my watch for another job.
    “Now’s not a good time,” he says distracted.
    “Are you on a job?” I always knew when he was working. If he pulled a job without my knowledge, I’d be pissed. He’s my purpose, so that means when he works, I work. That’s when I hear a woman calling his name. His silence confirmed it. “Just another day in the field for you, I guess.”
    “Camo…”
    “Double bag it---” Hanging up, I throw my phone having no other outlet for the hurt. One day, one fucking day, he’ll push me too far.
     
    Everything hurts.
    Lying here making sure to stay still, I hear voices. One female, two males. Then I hear footsteps, heavy steps, and if I was in danger, I was fucked, weaponless, and helpless. When a moan escapes, I decide I can’t even care because I’m in pain, and I need relief. It could come by injection or bullet, I wasn’t picky as long as it stopped.
    “Pepper,” I hear through the haze of pain. “Can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can.” Then I feel soft fingers slipping between my own and thought it strange my captor had baby soft skin. Squeezing to the best of my ability which meant barely, I fought to wake up. “That’s good,” she says calming me. “Open your eyes when you’re ready, you’re safe.”
    Slowly I open them and focus on the woman leaning over me. Kandace, Gage’s sister, the doctor. Then it all comes back online, the hitter, the shots, and the pain. “How long?” I ask wondering if it’s been days or hours.
    “About seven hours,” she confirms.
    “Where’s Gage?” I ask impressed I even remembered to call him that. “Right here, Pepper,” he says coming to sit on the floor next to me. Ugh, Pepper… this first name thing was already played out. I liked his name but, mine didn’t suit me anymore. I haven’t been Pepper since I was thirteen. Before we can speak to each other, Kandace sends him to the other room to help her man with something. He didn’t want to go, which was sweet, but Kandace had ideas of her own. Being a woman I knew exactly what they were. “Ask,” I offer quietly.
    “First things first,” she starts. “Are you allergic to any medication?” closing my eyes and shaking my head no, she smiles and nods back. “He has something he wants to tell me but refused to do it until you woke up. Should I wait for him or do you want to put me out of my misery, so I don’t flip out?” she asks, and I knew right then I liked her.
    “He’s going to sugarcoat that I’m a hitter,” I drop the first bomb then went for the second. “And that he’s a hitter, too.”
    “Hitter,” she mumbles working it out. “As in…”
    “Guns, glory, and lotsa money,” I finish for her.
    “Oh,” she whispers biting her lip. Instantly I found I didn’t like that she worried. Gage wouldn’t ever want his sister to worry so I had to make it so she wasn’t.
    “Never an innocent,” I tell her honestly. “The marks are scum, evil, and better off dead, please remember that.”
    “Is Gage good at it?” she asks checking my stomach. Ugh, that’s right, I took a splice to the side and it is fucking burning right now.
    “No,” I say sucking in the pain. “He’s great at it.”
    “Okay then,” she says moving up to my shoulder which also hurt like a bitch. “Thank you, Pepper.”
    “Once he spills the beans, I am begging you to please call me, Camo.”
    “Ah the makeup,” she smiles getting it. “I gotcha, no problem, Camo.” Then she blinks and asks, “What do you call him?”
    “Gadget,” I smile. “But I like Gage better. Hey doc, can you give me