Fate

by Wylder, Tia

  It was a lot to take in, too much really.

  “So, what’s the big plan?”

  “Economic collapse. The U.S. doesn’t want to pay their loans to China, and China is tired of waiting. They both want to pull the rug out from the other. What they don’t realize is how it will destabilize the economy. Worse, there’s something going on in the shadows, something they either don’t know about or, something they’ve chosen to ignore. The information both sides want is enough to destroy the financial future of everyone in the middle class. However, this other party, this shadow government, is poised to take it one step further if America or China have their way. They will step in and do something, I don’t know what, but I know they want to collapse the entire world economy. They want it all to burn. I can’t let that happen, so I’ve stolen the documents myself,” Zhang said.

  So that’s the illegal part.

  “You stole them? Where are they?” I asked.

  “I can’t tell you, it’s too dangerous. If you decide to help me, though, I can steal the last piece and prevent all of this from happening. After this is done, I’m cashing out. If you come with me, you’ll spend the rest of your days living in paradise. One last job, what do you say?”

  He was either absolutely right or entirely delusional. Either way, he was offering me something that would take me away from all of this. How could I say no to that?

  It’s dangerous, but you feel something for him.

  It’s true, Zhang had an allure that I couldn’t deny. Even so, I wasn’t cut out for corporate espionage.

  “I don’t know Zhang, I want to help, but I just don’t think I’m cut out for all of this,” I said.

  I could see his heart sink, and I felt terrible. I didn’t know what else to say.

  “Well, it seems we are here. I’ll call you in the morning before I leave for the airport. If you don’t answer, then I’ll know. If you do, then I’ll pick you up on the way.”

  I nodded. “Thank you for dinner.”

  He leaned forward and brushed my cheek with his hand. His touch was serene and warming. His lips touched mine tenderly and I felt a chill slide down my spine. It was a short and poignant kiss, but it left me wanting more. It took everything I had in me to get out of the car and make that long walk up to my apartment.

  I walked inside and closed the door behind me. All the lights were off, which was strange because I usually left at least one on to avoid fumbling in the dark. I reached through the darkness to feel for a switch.

  “Move and you die,” a man said.

  My heart froze as my blood ran cold through my veins.

  “Who are you?”

  “Zhang Wu, how do you know him?” he asked.

  “We only just met, I don’t know him.”

  “You know what he did. Where are the files?”

  “I don’t know! I swear I don't know what you’re talking about!”

  “Not good enough!”

  A loud gunshot rang through the darkness, temporarily illuminating the apartment. The bullet hit just to the left of me, but something told me he could have killed me if he wanted.

  “I told you, I don’t know anything!”

  The door behind me exploded open and light flooded in. I felt a pair of hands grab me by the shoulders as two more gunshots rang out. I hit the ground hard and had the wind knocked out of me.

  “Stay down!” Zhang shouted.

  I heard pounding footsteps, followed by another gunshot. I heard Zhang cry out in pain as glass shattered. Once the shards hit the floor, everything went silent. I looked up as Zhang turned on the light. The apartment had been ransacked. All of my things were either broken or throw across the room. The back window was shattered and Zhang stood with his hand clutching a bullet wound on his left shoulder.

  “You’re hurt!” I shouted, running over to him.

  “It’s nothing, but we need to leave, it’s not safe here.”

  The reality of the situation hit me.

  “You saved my life,” I said.

  “I heard the gunshot as we were driving away. I didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t let them hurt you.”

  I walked up to him and pressed my lips against his. I ran my hand through his thick hair and clutched the back of his head as our mouths embraced. It was even better than the first kiss; it sent fire through my body.

  “I’ll do it. I’ll come with you, Zhang,” I said.

  He smiled through the pain.

  “Good, come with me.”

  Chapter Six

  We rode back to Zhang’s hotel where we were met by a bodyguard that hurried us through the lobby and up the elevator to Zhang’s suite. I walked into the room and saw a luxurious layout with a kitchen, dining room, a living room with a massive flat screen and a long red leather couch.

  A pair of sliding glass doors lead out to a balcony that overlooked the city’s skyline. The luxurious finishes were befitting of a five-star hotel, but I was more concerned with Zhang’s well-being. The bodyguard took him into the bathroom and I followed. Inside was a tub large enough to fit at least three people. Zhang climbed onto the countertop as the bodyguard produced a med kit the size of a briefcase.

  “I’m guessing this isn’t the first time you’ve been shot?” I asked.

  Zhang shook his head as the bodyguard went to work cleaning the wound. He pulled off Zhang’s shirt and I had to resist gasping at the sight of him. His perfectly chiseled body was littered with scars, bullet wounds and gaping slashes. His back was the worst; it looked as if someone had whipped him relentlessly.

  “It’s alright; there are a lot of scars. The price of my position I suppose. I’ll only be a minute, feel free to grab a drink while you wait.”

  “I’d rather stay here,” I said.

  Zhang smiled. The bodyguard shot me a look.

  “I work better without distractions,” he said.

  I turned and walked out of the bathroom. On the left side of the living room, against the far wall, was a fully stocked liquor cabinet. After everything that happened, I could admittedly use a drink. I mixed together a simple vodka with cranberry juice, using some of the finest vodka I had ever laid eyes upon.

  The drink was heavily unbalanced in the liquor’s favor. The bite of the liquor scorched my throat as it slid down into my stomach. Zhang emerged from the bathroom with the bodyguard. He had a bandage on his shoulder, but otherwise he seemed alright.

  “You can go now,” he told the bodyguard.

  The bodyguard hesitated, but ultimately left. Zhang walked over to me and looked at the glass in my hand.

  “Vodka cranberry?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I was little overwhelmed with the options,” I said.

  His eyes traced a path from my head to my legs and back up again.

  “I know the feeling,” he said with a wry smile.

  I took a long swig from the drink.

  “We’ve both had a long night. I noticed the tub in there. Maybe we could draw a hot bath?”

  Zhang grinned. “I’d like that.”

  I walked into the bathroom and turned the knobs over the tub. Steaming water poured out and began to fill the basin. Zhang appeared behind me and I felt his hands gently press against my waist as his lips softly kissed the base of my neck. Desire flooded my body as he gently pulled one of the straps down my shoulder. He kissed softly, tracing a line down my shoulder as he pushed the other strap off.

  I let out a long sigh of satisfaction as he delicately unzipped the back of my dress. The garment fell to the ground, leaving me with nothing but my bra and panties. He took hold of my shoulders and turned me around slowly. His index finger started at my neck and ran down to the curvature of my breasts. He ran his hands across them as he reached around and took hold of the clasp in the back.

  He leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. He deftly unclasped the bra and let it fall to where the dress sat. I turned around and pulled off my panties as Zhang finished undressing. His body wa
s beaten and scarred, but despite his painful past, he still kept himself in impeccable shape.

  He gestured to the tub. “Ladies first.”

  I climbed into the tub and lowered myself into the soothing water. Zhang climbed in behind me and pulled me back toward him. He pressed himself against me as I heard him pick up a bottle from the side of the tub.

  “Lavender and jasmine oil. Would you like a massage?” he asked.

  I nodded and pulled my shoulder length hair to the side as he rubbed the scented oil across my back. The scents blended perfectly together as he pressed his hands into my back and released the tension in every muscle.

  “You have no scars, not a single one,” he said.

  I lowered my head as he massaged the base of my neck.

  “I have plenty, but all of my scars are on the inside,” I whispered.

  He finished and pulled me back onto him. His hands climbed up to my breasts and gently began massaging them. His hands moved with confidence equal to his personality. I closed my eyes and felt his touch as he cupped water into his hands and gently poured it down my chest.

  He held me close and whispered into my ear.

  “I’ll protect you, I promise.”

  We sat in the warm water until it began to cool. Zhang climbed out of the tub and I felt my heart racing as lust filled my mind. I climbed on to my knees and turned toward him as he stood on beside the tub.

  “Don’t go anywhere just yet. I don’t believe I ever properly thanked you for saving my life. Come here.”

  I curled my finger and watched as he stepped over to me. I reached up and wrapped my fingers around his thighs I opened my mouth and gently kissed the tip of his wet shaft. I brought my hand up and curled it around him as I lowered my mouth onto him.

  He sighed as he took all him into my mouth. I held him close as I pulled him out and took him in again. His fingers ran through my soaking wet hair as I found a steady rhythm. The scent of the oil filled the air. I looked up at him as he reached down and took my hand. He pulled me out of the tub and wrapped a towel around me.

  “Come with me,” he said.

  He led me through the suite and into the bedroom. He gestured to the bed and climbed onto it.

  “I have specific tastes when it comes to my sexual preferences. I only ask that you let me do what I must, and I assure you, you won’t regret it.”

  I laid down on the bed and watched as Zhang produced two pairs of handcuffs. He reached up and shackled my wrists to the headboard on the bed. It was certainly different, but I felt safe with him.

  “Now, I believe it’s time I repaid you for your assistance in the servers earlier today,” he said.

  He climbed onto the bed and pulled my legs apart with his hands. He dove toward the center and I felt his tongue slide into me. He gently licked at the edges before venturing upward and finding the perfect spot with ease. His tongue followed a circular motion that sent my vision spinning as ecstasy rocked my body. He didn’t stop, nor did he slow down, until an explosive climax caused me to shriek with pleasure.

  Zhang didn’t waste a moment, he climbed onto me and wrapped his hands around the headboard of the bed as he thrusted deep into me. The wave that had crashed over me was given new life as he shook the bed with each powerful thrust. My entire body quaked with every motion of him against me.

  He paused for a moment as sweat dripped from his body.

  “We have this entire suite, let’s use it,” I said.

  Zhang nodded and unlocked the handcuffs. He picked me up from the bed and brought me out to the living room. I pointed to the bar top counters in the kitchen. They seemed to be the perfect height.

  He sat me down on the edge of the counter and spread my legs. I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested them on his shoulders. He grasped my waist and resumed his furious rhythm. I fought to catch my breath as he passionately took my body for our mutual pleasure. He pulled me off the counter, spun me around, and pressed me down onto the cold marble surface. I spread my legs and felt him slide into me once again from behind.

  He gripped my waist and found his rhythm once more. I could feel the rage, the passion, and the desire pouring out of him and into me. It was intoxicating, but I was ready to take control. I pushed myself up from the counter.

  “Let’s go to the couch,” I said.

  Zhang stepped back. “As you wish.”

  He followed me over to the couch and I pushed him down onto it. I climbed onto him and slid down onto his lap. He leaned down and pressed his face into my breasts. His tongue flicked across the nipples as I grinded myself against him. I felt his body coming to a climax. I leaned down and kissed him passionately as we both reached a final climax together.

  Zhang roared like a beast as I threw my head back and screamed out loud. I fell onto him and he wrapped his arms around me.

  After a few silent minutes, which seemed to last an eternity, he kissed me softly.

  “You need rest, tomorrow is going to be a big day.”

  He led me to the bedroom and I fell asleep in his arms.

  Chapter Seven

  Everything had been going according to plan when we reached Hong Kong. Tanya provided a distraction so I could steal an I.D. badge from one of the employees gushing into the entrance of the corporation last on my list. She stood in the lobby of the building, screaming that someone had mugged her and taken her purse. It was just enough time for me to lift a badge from one of the concerned onlookers.

  Before the police could arrive, she ran out of the building sobbing. She had instructions; she was to meet me at a private airport outside the city. Phiet would drive her and once I had the last file uploaded to my cloud server, we would leave and never look back. They would search for us, search for the files. I had to find a way to throw them off the scent and give us enough time to escape far beyond their reach.

  Getting the files was easy, getting out was always the hard part. I left the server room late, after many of the people had gone home for the night. I wanted to escape with Tanya under the cover of darkness, which is why our infiltration happened in the late afternoon. I made my way to lobby, through the security checkpoint and towards the entrance.

  “Zhang Wu! Stop right there!” a voice shouted.

  I didn’t have time to see who it was; I took off and hit the glass doors with a loud thud. My fingers fumbled with the deadbolt and I heard my attacker gaining ground. I turned around and ran for the elevators.

  “Zhang, stop!”

  The voice sounded familiar, but I knew that whoever it was, they had orders to kill. I slammed the elevator button and the doors slid open. I hit the button for the top floor and eagerly mashed the “close door” button as the silhouette of my attacker charged toward me. The doors slid shut just as I heard him beating his fists against them.

  I caught my breath as the elevator ascended to the top of the building. When I reached the top floor, I took the stairs to the roof. I emerged into pouring rain and roaring thunder.

  The smartphone in my hand started vibrating. I swiped to the right and placed it to my ear.

  “I’m here, are you on your way?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I’ll be there soon. Just stay out of sight.”

  I hung up and placed the phone in my coat pocket.

  “Zhang Wu! Stay where you are!”

  I knew the voice, just not the face. It didn’t matter; he was death coming to finish me off. It was time I paid for my sins.

  I heard his footsteps approaching, and I felt myself deeply conflicted. There was a part of me that thought I deserved this, all of it. I told myself I wouldn’t run anymore, that I would face the consequences with honor. Then I saw her face. Perhaps the last angel left in a world filled with demons.

  You made her a promise.

  Death was knocking at my door, howling my name.

  Sorry, I can’t answer today, I won’t leave her alone in this world.

  I turned and ran as gunshots roared through the night. The
bullets passed by my ears, screeching like banshees. I approached the edge of the rooftop and looked down on the building adjacent to it.

  Remember your training. Jump!

  I leapt off the side of the building and passed over the city below. I tucked my legs into my chest and rolled as I hit the coarse surface of the neighboring building. The assassin behind me wasted no time in doing the same. He hit the ground as I climbed to my feet and ran to the edge of the rooftop.

  The next building was too far. I couldn’t make it. I stood on the edge and looked down. There was nothing but darkness until the bottom.

  “Nowhere else to run Zhang! Stand there and accept your fate!” the voice said.

  I slowly turned around and looked my assassin in the eye. His face was all too familiar. It was my head of security, Guan Shu, someone I thought I could trust.

  “You? I had my suspicions, but we’ve been together for years. Were you with them, the whole time?

  He nodded. “They’re not stupid Zhang, they knew from the beginning.”

  “I should have known. You’ve made a living out of stabbing people in the back,” I said.

  He chuckled. “Don’t put this on me Zhang; you’re the one who dug your own grave.”

  “Better me than the rest of the world, don’t you think?”

  He checked his gun and cocked it. His finger curled around the trigger.

  “One last question for you, old friend: where’s the drive?”

  I smiled and closed my eyes. “If you have to ask, you’ll never find it.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. Either way, you’ll never know. Goodbye Zhang.”

  He pulled the trigger.

  I should have died there. Perhaps I did, but the bullet didn’t leave the chamber. The gun didn’t fire because it was designed with an additional security measure. I knew I couldn’t trust anyone, especially those closest, so after being attacked in Tanya’s apartment, I switched Guan’s gun out with a different one while he was patching me up. After the encounter in Tanya’s apartment, I had to take measures to ensure he couldn’t betray me, if it was indeed him. No one else knew I was with Tanya; it was a simple matter of deduction.