by Jackie D.
Dylan moved around Carol and grabbed Emma’s hand. “Have a nice day. If you need me, you have my number.”
Carol’s face indicated that she was less than thrilled with Dylan’s rebuff. She stared after Dylan, looking confused. Emma assumed it was probably because no one ever turned her down. She had an overwhelming desire to stick her tongue out at her but thought better of it. She needed Carol to listen to her at the gala. Aggravating her wasn’t going to help make that happen.
It felt good to be the one Dylan chose, even if it was for show. Emma couldn’t remember when anyone had ever chosen her above anyone else, except for in the world of academia. Dylan held her hand with so much possessiveness, she almost let herself believe they were a couple. She let herself get lost in the idea of them being together, of them having a future together. She forced the thought from her mind when they got in the car and Dylan released her. Dylan wasn’t hers. They’d share a few nights, a few stolen glances, and that would be it. She’d go home with a heart full of memories and nothing else to show for it.
Chapter Twenty-six
Carol held her breath as she waited for Steven Walker to finish. He’d been thrusting on top of her for the last two minutes, but it felt like hours. Sweat from his face dripped onto her chest, and all she wanted was to push him off and get in the shower. He stunk like cologne and travel. He’d never been particularly attractive, and that was never clearer to her than in this moment. Soon, she’d no longer have any use for him, and she could finally end their ridiculous relationship.
He finished with a heavy sigh and rolled off her. “Bet you missed me?”
Carol moved off the bed so he wouldn’t see her roll her eyes. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Steven propped himself up on his side. “Want some company?”
“No.” Carol didn’t bother looking back at him. The thought of his skin touching hers again made her want to shiver in disgust.
Carol scrubbed herself with as much force as she could bear. She wanted his scent off her. She didn’t want any remnants of their exchange clinging to her skin. How long have you been doing this? She leaned back against the shower wall, realizing the answer was, always. She’d been using her body, her sex, to get what she wanted for as long as she could remember. She hated herself for it. But more than that, she hated men like Steven. Men who traded sexual favors to allow women a seat at the table. It had been going on long before Carol and would continue long after she was gone. She had never had any aspirations to change the system; she just wanted it to work to her advantage.
She got out of the shower after she pulled herself together, dressed, and went out to the living room. Steven was lounging on her couch in sweats, reading his tablet, and having a drink.
He pointed to the table. “I poured you one.” He put his tablet down. “Why don’t you get me up to speed.”
She picked up the glass, finished the contents in one gulp, and poured another. “Monroe, Styles, Hart, and Glass have been handled.”
His back stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“Sasha, Nikolai’s right hand, she took care of it.” Carol sat down but kept the space between them abundant.
“Well, then that solves your problem. You can take off to Tahiti or wherever it was you wanted to spend the rest of your days,” Steven said.
Carol ran her finger around the rim of the glass. “I had to give them something for the job. It wasn’t money, and you won’t like it.”
“What could you possibly give them besides money?”
She took another sip of the alcohol, enjoying the way it warmed her chest. “You. Nikolai wants to speak with you.” She almost laughed at the way his face turned red. “Well, you and Captain Calvin Hart.”
Steven looked like he was going to come unglued. The veins in his neck bulged, and he vigorously wiped his hands over his face. “What the fuck, Carol? I’m here to meet with Hart. We have several meetings with diplomats over the next few days. He couldn’t have possibly agreed to this. That man doesn’t have a dishonest bone in his body.”
She shrugged, enjoying his anger. “He thinks Nikolai has Brooke, that she’s still alive. Is there a bigger motivator than your daughter?”
“What does that have to do with me?” He was up off the couch now, pacing.
“Nikolai is going to use you to convince Hart to work with him.”
He moved quickly, grabbing her arm with such force, she knew it would leave a bruise. “And when he finds out his daughter is dead? Then what? This is the stupidest fucking plan you’ve ever hatched, and there have been some doozies.”
She pulled her arm away and refrained from slapping him. “If he doesn’t comply, his wife and sons will be next.” She stood and got in his face enough for him to know she was serious, but not so much that he’d be inclined to strike her. “I don’t understand what your problem is. You’ve done far worse to people. You’ve given orders to make people disappear. You’ve held people captive for longer than what’s allowed. Hell, you’ve had people tortured. Now, what? You’ve suddenly grown a conscience about working with the Russians? Spare me, Steven.” She took a step closer to him. “Don’t forget, you knew about my plans to take out the president and vice president. You didn’t care then. You knew I was breaking into the CIA training facility. You didn’t care then, in fact, it got you your current position. This is how the world works. Stop acting like you don’t know that. You helped create it for Christ’s sake.”
“I’m not going to work for some Russian mob boss. Hart isn’t going to work for a Russian mob boss. You’re so blinded by your need to get away that you haven’t thought any of this through.”
She pushed him backward, wanting distance between them. “You’re a child. Agree to work with him, let me get away, then take him down. You’ll be a damn hero, and I’ll be free. Don’t forget, if I go down for this, you do too. How do you think you’d fare in prison the rest of your life for treason? That is, if you aren’t sentenced to death for treason. You don’t have any other options.”
He put his hands on his hips, leaning toward her. “Do you really think I’ll let you dictate what I do?”
She allowed herself to laugh. “Now you have a small glimpse, just a passing knowledge, of what it’s like to be me. Men like you have been dictating my entire life.”
“I didn’t realize you were such a victim, Carol.” He stalked to the bedroom and came out dressed. “I hope you get everything that’s coming to you, bitch.”
“I’ll text you with the time and place to meet.”
He slammed the door without saying another word. If he weren’t such a petulant child, she’d find the whole situation amusing. Everything was working out better than she could’ve ever hoped. She was so close to being free. She’d never take her place of power like she’d wanted, but a beach sure beat prison. She had no misgivings. She didn’t think Hart would actually turn; it just wasn’t her problem. Hart could turn Walker in for all she cared. In reality, she hoped that was exactly what happened. He could wail and proclaim her misdeeds from the rooftops for all she cared. She’d be long gone. Far out of the grasp of anyone who could touch her. Walker belonged behind bars, but she sure as hell didn’t. She picked up her glass and finished the drink. A few more days and she’d finally be free.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Dylan knocked on the door to the hotel room. When Calvin Hart opened it, he popped his head out and looked up and down the hallway and pulled her inside.
“How do you know you weren’t followed?” Captain Hart whispered like his room was bugged.
“There’re a few guys following you, but they expect me to make contact. It doesn’t matter though. They’re in the lobby, and I took the service entrance. They don’t know I’m here.”
He nodded and took a deep breath. “Okay, what should I be expecting?”
Dylan pulled out the chair in front of the desk and sat down. “Nikolai is convinced I killed Tyler, Brooke, Caden, and Jennifer. H
e wants you and Walker to act as double agents of some kind. Keep him protected, look the other way, don’t interfere with his affairs, that kind of thing. Nikolai believes that I’ve left a message for you at a different safe house, indicating that I have Brooke captive. He plans on using her to get you to meet with him. That’s why I’m here. I need you to write a note saying that you agree, but it can’t be until Thursday night.” She pulled out her phone and showed it to him. “Use this address as the meeting location. Tyler, Caden, and I will be there for backup.”
He did as he was asked. “What about O’Brien?”
“We have it worked out.” She didn’t want to tell him that Brooke would be going into the gala to help extract O’Brien. He didn’t need to worry more than he already was. “I can’t stay here long. You’re going to have to trust me.”
He handed her back a piece of paper with the words she’d requested. “I can’t believe Walker has been working with O’Brien. I mean, I never liked the guy, but this is treason.”
She put the note in a hotel envelope, sealed it, and put it in her pocket. “The only thing that is never surprising to me about people is how truly horrible so many of them are.” She stood to leave. “You need to make sure you get this meeting recorded. One of the first things Nikolai is going to do is have you searched for weapons and recording devices. Tony designed this about a month ago.” She handed him a pen. “It’s a voice recorder, captures everything in a twenty-foot radius.”
He took it. “Thanks.” His voice was laced with frustration.
“It won’t be detected if Nikolai scans you for listening devices, but it only lasts for about thirty minutes, so be cognizant of when you use it. Caden and Tyler will start firing down at the meeting, and I’ll return fire so Nikolai will use me for protection. When his security has been neutralized, I’ll push him into the car and take him to the other safe house. Merrick and a few of my other associates will be there waiting. During the commotion, you need to take Walker into custody. I assume, since you’re a naval officer, you’ll be able to handle this aspect. From there, take him to the embassy in Moscow. Jennifer will meet you at the embassy approximately an hour later. You and Walker aren’t worth Nikolai losing his life, so he won’t try to fight for either of you. Tyler and Caden will escape to another location and be evacuated with Brooke, Emma, and O’Brien.”
“Do you think we’ll pull this off?”
She stopped at the door and turned to face him. “I don’t know.” She smiled at him. “But we’re going to give it a helluva try.”
“The rest of the team, they’re safe? They’re doing okay?” He was searching her eyes, and she felt his desperation.
“They’re fine. They’re smart, detail oriented, and ready. Just let Caden and Tyler do their jobs.” She rolled her shoulders, wanting to ask a favor, a feeling she wasn’t accustomed to having. “I need you to do one more thing for me. There is a shipment of girls coming into town, about thirty of them. Nikolai plans on having them shipped all over the world. Sex slaves. It’s my job to stash them until their ship date, which is next Tuesday. Before you leave Moscow, I need you to use your influence to stop this. I’m not sure if you notify the United Nations, Interpol, whoever, but they need help. I just want to make sure this is handled in case something goes wrong. I need to know these girls have a way out aside from me.” She handed him a card with the address the girls would be at. “Please, don’t leave without helping them.”
He took the card from her. “I promise.”
“Thank you.” She hoped she’d done enough. She didn’t want to leave something as crucial as this up to someone else, but she didn’t have another choice. Sure, there would be more girls. There would always be more girls. But these girls, she could help.
An hour later, she found herself in Nikolai’s office again. She needed to convince him that tomorrow was an acceptable time to meet. She needed him to believe her when she said she thought this was the best option. She needed to rely on the trust she’d built with Nikolai and the relationship they’d forged.
“I hope you have good news, Sasha.” Nikolai pushed open the door and came to sit behind his desk.
Carol’s voice came into the room next, followed by a man’s she didn’t recognize. She didn’t have to recognize it to know who it was; she knew Director Walker would be sitting next to her a moment later. Her heart thumped in her chest, and she did her best to steady her face and body language. This was it, if she failed now, the whole mission would be over before it really started.
He held out his hand to Dylan. “Steven Walker, nice to meet you.”
“Sasha.” She didn’t bother taking his hand, nor did she look at Carol. “I have news.” She slid the envelope across Nikolai’s desk.
Nikolai opened it and took a deep breath, clearly irritated. “He doesn’t give orders. I give orders.” He leaned forward and stared at Steven. “It seems Calvin Hart will not meet with me until tomorrow evening, and he even gave me an address. Tell me, Steven, am I being set up?”
Steven took the letter from Nikolai and read it. “I haven’t heard anything about you from any of my guys. I assume he wants to meet tomorrow because we have a full day of discussions today with your government. If he didn’t show up, it would raise suspicion.”
Well, Steven is more helpful than I could’ve ever hoped for. I might not have to do much convincing. Dylan kept her expression impassive, like she had nothing to lose or gain from whatever the fallout there was.
“He believes we have his daughter, but he isn’t interested in getting to her? He’s willing to put it off? Doesn’t make sense. Now I’m supposed to miss part of my party to accommodate him. Seems unusual for a desperate man.” Nikolai crossed his arms, frustrated with the information.
Steven spoke before Dylan had a chance. “If he came now, he’d have to answer to quite a few people who are much higher ranking than he is. I think he’s being careful to help his daughter.”
Dylan added on to his sentiment. “If we meet him at this time, during the gala, it’s also a good cover for you. Everyone will have seen you there for almost a full hour before. If for some reason things don’t go well and we end up having to kill him, you’ll have an alibi.”
“What do I need an alibi for?” Nikolai glared at her.
She shrugged, wanting to seem as nonchalant as possible. “Two dead Homeland Security agents, two dead CIA computer analysts, and a dead US Navy captain. You don’t want to be implicated for that, not that I think the bodies will ever be found. It could hurt business. People won’t want to work for you because you’ll have too many eyes on you.”
Nikolai rocked back and forth in his chair. “Fine. You and Ivan will come with me. Send out a crew an hour before we get there. If something seems fishy, I want to be notified. I’ll call the whole thing off.”
Dylan nodded and stood. “I’ll take care of it.” She turned to leave.
“Sasha,” Nikolai called as she was walking out. “Don’t be late tomorrow evening. I need you here.”
She drove back to her apartment, her body humming with excitement. She’d done her part to put the plan in motion. Hopefully, everything would go as smoothly as it did back there. This was going to be huge for her career. Her momentary excitement was tamped down by the thought of what the end of the mission would also mean. She wouldn’t see Emma again. The thought made her sick to her stomach. She wasn’t sure how she’d allowed herself to develop feelings for Emma, but she had. Dylan was normally good at compartmentalizing her life, but she’d failed in this instance. She thought about Emma all day long, no matter what she was doing. She lived for their quiet moments together. She couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to have her taken away so quickly. She shook her head, trying to throw the thoughts from her mind. It didn’t matter how she felt about Emma, there were more significant issues. They were making a real difference, and that’s what mattered.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Tyler watched Brooke arran
ge her hat in the mirror. Tony had brought them a van and a delivery uniform earlier in the day. Tyler and Caden had gutted the insides, needing to remove anything that O’Brien could potentially use as a weapon once she was inside. She wouldn’t stay in her paralyzed state for long, and O’Brien was terribly resourceful. Now, with only a few hours to go, everyone was making their final preparations. A night that was years in the making was finally upon them.
Tyler ran her hands up and down Brooke’s arms. “You ready?”
Brooke grabbed Tyler’s hands. “Definitely.”
Jennifer clipped communication devices to the three of them. “I’ll be tracking all of you from back here. If you get separated or need an update on Nikolai’s location, let me know. Once you’re safely on board the helo, I’ll shut everything down and head to the embassy.”
“Don’t wait for us to get there. As soon as Brooke and Emma have O’Brien loaded on, you get out of here in eight minutes as well. Nikolai has guys everywhere, so you can’t take any chances. It will only take him fifteen minutes to get back to his house, and he’ll have a forty-five-minute head start on you,” Caden said.
Jennifer’s eyes filled with tears. “I need to know you’re safe.”
Caden kissed her forehead. “Please just follow protocol. Tyler and I will be fine. You have to trust us. I need to know you’re safe.”
Jennifer hugged Caden, burying her face in her shoulder. “This never gets any easier.”
Brooke kissed Tyler. The kiss was slow and soft, and it brought all of Tyler’s feelings to the surface. She felt lucky to have found Brooke and was terrified of losing her to circumstances out of her control. She didn’t have the words to convey the swirling emotions in her chest, and she hoped the kiss would do just that. It wasn’t enough; it would never be enough.
“You come home to me,” Brooke said, her forehead pressed against Tyler’s. “We have a wedding to plan, and you aren’t getting out of it.”
