Las Almas, Mexico
ARZALEA 'SILK' BLACKWOOD

I STARED AT MY reflection in my bathroom mirror, eyes trailing over my form slowly, making sure my little disguise was nice and in order before I left for my mission.

So apparently, Grave's thought I needed to play dress up to get in undetected and get to El Nombre unharmed. He claimed I had to look the part. Which, by his standers meant, I had to wear a fucking dress and heels. Like what the fuck? I didn't understand why had to dress up like I was going out to a club. From what I gathered, I would be going in and escorted to one of El Nombre's men to give him Intel on everything I know.

I hated dresses.

The dress was black and short, stopping just above mid-thigh with a tiny slit in the side, showing off the tattoo's on my legs that wrapped around my calf's like vines. My arms were exposed, also showing off the many tattoo's I had there as well. Now that I look at myself in the mirror, I started to question Graves outfit choice. How could I walk in, covered head to toe in goddamn tattoo's, looking like some badass biker chick?

The guards would surely be suspicious of me. I mean literally. I look like I just stepped out of a biker joint, and my name is Tony. I mean, I'm not ugly by any means. But wasn't I supposed to play the part of some sweet innocent woman who has intel on what went down in Las Almas when Hassan got captured?

We were definitely way in over our heads here.

I ran a hand over my blonde curls which I allowed out of it ponytail for once, the long strands stopping just below my shoulders. I check over my light makeup one more time, before letting out a deep sigh and moving out of the bathroom. I was going on this mission with no weapons, which didn't really bother me because I knew could handle things without one.

I make my way out of my private quarters, ignoring the stares from the other soldiers as I made my way back to the conference room where everyone was waiting. We had a few more things to go over before we set off, and to say I wasn't a little nervous would be a lie.

I felt exposed and out of place wearing this damn dress, and don't even get me started on the heels. I wasn't the type to dress up. This is the first time in years I had dressed up this way and it felt fucking odd. And it wasn't helping I was getting strange looks from other people, probably wondering why the hell some gothic chick, covered in tattoos, was wondering around on a military base.

Finally, I made it back to the conference room and slammed my way through the door, my face pinched in annoyance. "I swear to god, if I get one more catcall, I'm going to flip my goddamn shit!"

It was silent as I stomped my way to the front of the room, I could feel everyone eyes follow me, though no one was speaking. "I feel fucking stupid. This dress is tight, and my ass is hanging out. Plus, I look like some biker chick. This better fucking work Graves or I swear to god—" I stopped talking when I finally look around the room to find everyone staring at me wide-eyed.

Hell, even Ghost was staring at me with his eyes blown wide.

"What?" I squeaked, looking myself over before looking back at up at them.

"Steamin' Jesus," Soap swallowed, eyes trailing my form. "You look great Lass,"

I shifted on my feet, tugging at the bottom of my dress as I looked at myself over again. "I don't know, I feel really stupid right now. I mean, how am I going to pull this off? Look at me!"

"Mi amor, we are looking at you," Alejandro cleared his throat, picking his jaw up off the floor, "You look breathtaking,"

"Even with the tats? Because I think it throws off this look. I thought we were going for damsel or something. Not 'hey, my name is Tony. I can kick your ass' Type of look."

"Especially with the tats, Lass."

Graves, who had also been gawking at me, cleared his throat and walked closer, pulling something off his vest and holding it out for me to take. "Show 'em this," It was his Shadow insignia. "You'll call me when you need me,"

I nodded my head before looking at the men in the room. "Let's do this shit,"

Given the fact it was November first, the air in Mexico was slightly warm and I was suddenly glad for that fact since I was practically half naked as I trailed behind an unknown guard of El Nombre. I lifted my hand, acting like I was scratching my head as I adjusted the comms in my right ear, before moving my hair to fall over my ear to hide it.

"Shadows on station." Graves voice came through.

"Copy. All set here." Ghost answered back. 

"Seein' room to set down on the roof."

"Check." Ghost confirmed, "Eyes on two, armed at the front door."

"Alejandro, how you doin'?"

"Un Vaquero. Inside..." Alejandro answered Graves.

"Goddamn, how'd you do that?"

"Violently."

I wouldn't have expected any less. I raised my chin as I came closer to the front of the mansion, the unknown guard leading me only a few feet ahead. I make sure to make my strides confident as I sway my hips, my eyes locking with two other guards that we armed at the front door like Ghost had said.

Upon seeing us, they straighten their stance and lifted their weapons. Though they didn't aim at me, I knew they were ready to make a move if they had to.

"Who in the hell is this?" One of the masked guards asked the one that was leading me in Spanish.

He glanced at me over his shoulder before looking back at his buddies. "Found this one wandering the streets. She claims to have some information regarding the attack in Las Almas."

The other two men glared at the one In front of me before glancing at me, I stared back innocently, acting as if I had no idea what they were saying.

"Are you fucking stupid? We don't know who this bitch is."

Okay, ouch? That was kinda rude. The masked guard in front of me spared me a glance before scoffing.

"She looks harmless enough, plus, if she has information about the attack don't you think it'd be wise to bring her to the boss?"

They all share a look as they think this over. The guard on the left sighed before glaring at me again. "Fine, but if this goes to shit, I'm not taking the fall for anyone."

"What's happening?" I question softly, blinking my eyes at them in a way that I hoped look naive.

All three men turned to me before Big guy on my right grabbed my arm and forced me forward.

"Okay, ouch! Careful, I bruise easily." I whined before noticing how soft his hands were, "Wow, that type of lotion do you use?"

The guard shot me a strange look but didn't answer. Heh, tough crowd.

"Visual on Tink. She's on the move." Ghost's voice tickled my brain.

"Moment o' truth,"

"Be safe, Lass." I heard Soap say, his voice low and serious. I knew him and Ghost were watching my back. And though I couldn't answer, I made sure to nod my head discretely and I knew the guys saw it.

I hear my comms click off and I'm suddenly in the dark. 

The Big guy that had grabbed me, pulled me in front of the other two men and held me still as the one on the right pulled out a black bag and shoved it over my head, making me momentarily blind to my surroundings. I keep my mouth shut, well, I did until they started frisking me for weapons.

"Aye, watch your hands buddy!" I kicked my leg out at him when his hands went over my ass. The guard gave me a warning grunt and I instantly clamped my mouth shut.

Soon, I was being moved again and I couldn't see shit as they guided me to only god knows were. I picked up different smells and sounds as we walked, and soon I felt the flooring below my feet shift from the hard asphalt to something smoother. I could only guess we were inside the mansion now. I then heard a ding, that sounded oddly close to an elevator before I was pushed inside.

There was a few words shared and I could feel the presence of someone else as the elevator doors slide shut. I tensed when a large hand landed on my shoulder and the bag was pulled off my head. I came face to face with another guard wearing a mask.

"Silk,"

"Alejandro?" I blinked up at the man, slightly shocked, slightly impressed. "How'd you get in here?"

"No time—listen, give them good intel in there. Don't lie, tell them everything they want to know or you die here."

I furrowed my brow, "Tell them everything?"

Alejandro squeezed my shoulder, "Everything," He looked back to see what floor we were on before continuing, "Mexican Special Forces. American PMCs, Shadow Company. Phillip Graves. All truth..."

I quickly nodded, placing my hand over his that was resting on my shoulder. "I got this Ale, you can count on me."

"I have no doubts, Hermosa."

The elevator dinged and Alejandro quickly stepped back and dropped his hand from my shoulder as the door slid open. We were met with another man, one I recognized as Diego Salgado. His eyes were instantly on me, the dark shades of his irises sparking as they trailed over me from head to toe.

Diego let out a low whistle, "This is her, my god." He spoke in Spanish to Alejandro, unaware of the threat we both held.

I blinked at Diego in mock confusion while Alejandro answered him "Si, Senor,"

The man let his eyes trail over my body once more with a smile that made my skin crawl. Once satisfied with what he was seeing, his eyes snapped to mine and he stepped closer, making me tense slightly. I watched him closely as he lifted a hand and touched my forearm with the tips of his disgusting fingers. "You got a name, carino?"

"Silk,"

He let out a hmm of approval, "Fitting name. With skin like yours, I can see why they call you that."

Okay, fucking weird. In the corner of my eye, I could see Alejandro shift, most likely not liking how this man was practically eye fucking me right now. Not wanting to prolonge this any more than I had to, I cut right to the chase.

"I want to see El Sin Nombre,"

Diego paused, looking me right in the eye before laughing. "You want to see the boss, eh?"

I flutter my lashes and nod. God I felt stupid. But apparently my looks worked because his smirk grew and he stepped closer, slipping a hand around my waist that made me want to gag before he lowered his face a smidge. "Mi amor, don't forget, you're only alive because you might have some information. And it better be good, Carino, or I'm gonna have my fun with you later."

His promise was more like a threat and I fought the urge to head butt this ass hole. Sick fuck. He laughed at my silence and let me go, casting a glance at Alejandro before stepping out the elevator.

"Get the fuck out of my elevator,"

Alejandro pushed me out and I stumble a bit, my heels catching on the concrete floor for a moment. I casted Alejandro a glare as If to say really before turning my back on him and begin walking behind Diego.

"This is my house. That means you don't meet the boss until I say so. You don't speak unless spoken to. And mas importante—tell the fucking truth." Diego paused in his walking to lock me down with a harsh stare, "Cause if you lie...well, you carino, don't want to know what I'll do with you."

Fat chance, asshole. I thought to myself as we started walking again. I made sure to stay a few feet back, not wanting to be close to this man. He smelled odd and It made me uncomfortable.

"Las Almas is at war. You want to win? Don't disobey," Diego said over his shoulder as we came up to a door at the end of the aged hallway. "That is how the organization survives, and that is why the boss is here tonight."

That caught my attention, "El Sin Nombre's down here?" I question, adjusting my tight dress as I passed a guard hidden in a corner. I stared at the back of Diego's head, waiting for his answer.

He sighed, stopping at the door and turning to look at me. "Heh, no." His hand rested on the knob, "Sin Nombre's personal Sicaria is." He then pushed the door open and walked inside.

I quickly followed, shooting Alejandro one last look before the door closed and blocked him from my view.