"I'm going to ask you one last time," I snarled, "did you eat my packet of Oreos?"

James shook his head frantically and pointed at Cole, "it was him!"

Cole sighed and hung his head, "thanks for selling me out, dingus."

"I'm sorry!" James pointed at me, "she's scary."

"Why, thank you," I mock bowed and glared at Cole, "we'll talk about the Oreo thing later. I'm going to get dressed for the party- you both should as well."

"What, we need four hours?" The boys asked incredulously.

"Yes. Now, off you pop and I'll see you in a few," I smirked, walking back to my room.

I emerged from my room wearing a black dress. It was long sleeved and the back went down to my ankles while the front part stopped just below my knees (). I wore silver platform heels, a diamond bracelet with a tracking device and a small white purse containing my gun, knife, paralyser, pepper spray and bobby pins. I'd also dyed my hair brown.

I went downstairs. Cole and James were wearing matching black suits. Their dyed hair was combed back neatly and they each wore a watch- also with a tracking device.

I would forever be grateful to them. After I recovered one year ago, they both said that they'd help me track down Elise- even after I tried to dissuade them. We travelled around the world, following each lead that brought us to a dead end. At first, it was tense and awkward- considering the two of them used to be bitter rivals. Now, we joke and laugh as if we'd known each other for years.

Currently, we were in Paris, dressed for a party where someone with information was waiting for us.

When I came into their line of view, they both narrowed their eyes at me.

"Isn't that dress a bit too short?" James asked.

"It's easier to fight in," I replied.

"Excuses, excuses. But let's just go already," Cole grumbled, "the sooner we get this over with, the better."

"Yes," James nodded seriously, "we don't want a repeat of last time."

Cole turned red, "we do not speak of last time."

On our last mission two weeks ago, me and the boys split up to look for our target. I tracked them down, asked for the information and then killed them before they killed me. When me and the boys met up, James was rolling on the floor, laughing with tears streaming down his cheeks while Cole resembled an embarrassed tomato.

"What happened last time?" I questioned again.

James grinned wickedly at Cole, "I'm sorry, Iris, but that's a secret that can't be told... yet," he added with a pointed look at Cole.

Cole huffed in annoyance and stormed off.

"So...?"

"I'll tell you tonight," James promised and I smiled.

"If we get out of this alive."

X

We entered the room filled with bustling people speaking in French.

"Now, as part of the plan, you both have to pretend that I can't speak a word of French," I murmured to Cole and James. They both nodded.

"Bonjour, comment allez-vous tous?" A French man approached us. I quickly scanned him and knew immediately he wasn't the person we were waiting for. ()

"Je vais bien et vous?" Cole replied. I pretended to keep a blank face as they continued to converse about trivial matters. ().

"And who is your lovely friend?" Mr Alarie asked in a thick French accent while looking at me.

"This is Rose Harley," James introduced me, "I'm afraid she's not the sharpest crayon in the box. Touch of brain fever, you know?"

"She's quite beautiful," Alarie commented and said slowly, "I am complimenting you."

I blinked and tried hard not to laugh, "oh! Thank you very much kind sir."

Alarie looked pleased. He spotted and old associate across the room and excused himself.

I raised an eyebrow at James, "'not the sharpest crayon in the box'? 'Touch of brain fever'?"

James shrugged, "first thing I could think of."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "uh-huh... anyway, let's split up and find our target."

"What do we do when we find them?" Cole asked.

"Click the little knob on the side of your watch and it will alert the other two were you are," I instructed and they nodded, "all good? Then let's go."

X

Half an hour later and I still haven't found the guy. Sighing, I went to the drinks bar and asked for some water.

"I-Iris?" A voice behind me asked and I almost choked on my water.

"Excuse me?" I asked, turning around and seeing my old boss- Harry.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone I knew," he apologised and I swallowed. I wanted nothing more than to reveal my true identity, but I refrained from doing so.

"No worries," I said instead, extending my arm, "I'm Rose."

"Harry," he introduced and sat next to me, "so what're you doing at this party?"

"Came here with some friends," I said. My bracelet began vibrating slightly and I stood up abruptly, "sorry, I have to go."

"Oh okay, no worries," Harry smiled.

I walked a few steps and hesitantly turned around, "I'm sure you'll find your friend."

Harry gave a wry smile, "she died last year."

I smiled slightly at him, "people have an odd way of turning up again. I'll see you around, Styles," and I quickly walked away.

I frowned slightly at Rose's retreating back. 'People have an odd way of turning up again'? What did that mean?

And she called me Styles. Why would she call me that? I don't look anything like him and the only people who know my code name are-

Oh. My. God.

I stood up quickly and scanned the room, my hopes and heartbeat rising.

I saw 'Rose' standing by the door with two other boys. She paused and locked eyes with me. She smiled sadly and waved before disappearing.

I ran past the people in the party, shoving those who got in my way. I sprinted outside, just in time to see a black car speeding away.

I swore loudly, startling some nearby parents who pulled their kids away from me.

That was Iris. I'm almost 100% sure of it. I need to tell the others.

"Was that Harry?" Cole asked as we were leaving.

"Yes," I replied shortly, hoping they would get the hint that I didn't want to talk about it. They didn't.

"Did he recognise you?" James questioned.

"Yep," I sighed, "and I don't want to talk about it. Anyway, what did the source tell you?"Fortunately, they got the hint this time.

"He gave us this address," Cole said, handing me a slip of paper.

My eyes widened, "oh..."

"Yep. We have to go home, Iris," James said softly.

I crumpled the piece of paper and stuffed it in my purse. I gazed out of the tinted windows, "well... I'll book the plane. It's time to go back."