Sorry to ask sum stupid questions, but...

Watched this for the first time last week, and enjoyed it.
Was a different film to what I expected, dunno why I never watched it before to be honest, but deleted by accident so couldn't watch again to clear up cpl of things, so any help would be much appreciated..

1. I know the movie is called Assassins, but are Rath and Bain actually government assassins, or just hired professional hitmen.

2. When Rath realises the jobs are being handed to both of them, and then is almost killed by the bomb and double-crossed, why does he continue to stay in talks with who is hiring him, if he knows he is being set up.

3. When it plays back Rath's memory of killing Nicolai, did Nicolai actually look up at Rath, as if he knows he is gonna be shot.
He wore the body armour cos he knew Rath always goes for a body shot, but if he looked up at Rath, making it clear he knew Rath was there, wouldnt that look too obvious to Rath.

I prob look stupid asking, but, IMDB usually clears up any confusions I have.

Thanx.