by Carter Blake
I sit up straight in bed, my mind all of a sudden completely focused on the task at hand. We have to break this human trafficking ring wide open.
I jump through the hoops necessary to get a secure line to Leviathan. He picks up on the first ring.
“Jackal.”
He sounds all excited, the way he usually does when he’s hacked a highly secure server, gotten his hands on government secrets, or cracked a huge database.
“What’s up, whiz kid? What news have you got?”
“So, that data package you sent me turned out to be a treasure trove of information. Remind me again how it fell into your hands.”
I remember the trafficker holding a gun to my head and how Danielle saved me just in the nick of time by knocking him out. Not one of my finest moments, although I enjoyed being undercover with Danielle as Felicity Rogers and Antony Marshall.
Thank god she was there to take him out.
“Danielle and I infiltrated a small trafficking ring and went to an auction here in Athens, all protected by corrupt police. There were people bidding on men, women, and children. Disgusting how human beings are treated like things to own and sell.”
“People can be such assholes. It’s the very reason I prefer computers, for the most part.”
“Anyway, I asked them nicely for the information, and they handed it over.”
“You’re charming, Jackal, but not that charming,” he says with a playfully mocking laugh.
“Oh, you wound me. And here I was, going to tell you the truth about how I broke into their computers using some of the tricks you taught me.”
“Bravo. Well done.”
“So, tell me, what did you find in that collection of data, hacker genius?” I ask impatiently.
“There’s a lot that implicates more people involved, and there are extensive transaction records, both of finances and people. It’s actually a lot to look into, and some things still require more work. I’m still running code on it.”
“The location, you mentioned something of interest?”
“Yes,” he continues excitedly. “What caught my attention was an encrypted part, and I immediately went to work on that. You know how I like puzzles.”
“Yes, you’re almost as good with them as you are with women,” I tease.
Some of Danielle’s afterglow and feisty demeanor have clearly rubbed off on me. Leviathan ignores my comment.
“I found a map with locations, and I used some of the accounting and routing data to establish a web of how they’re all connected. It’s still rudimentary, and I keep adding to it and improving it as more data becomes available. But I think I’ve established a hub.”
“A hub?”
“Yes, there’s a node with a lot of cash flowing in and out of it, and also a lot of what they refer to as product—which is people, I suppose.”
I whistle through my teeth. “Nice job, script kiddie. Where is that place then?”
“Istanbul.”
“Got it.”
“I’ll keep digging through the data and let you know if anything else of significance comes up.”
“Perfect. Good work, Leviathan. Thanks, mate.”
“My pleasure.”
We hang up, and I pull back the sheet, lower my feet to the floor, and get out of bed.
The kid’s excitement has infected me—this is great news.
Just at this moment, Danielle comes out of the bathroom. Steam is wafting around her from the inside, and a few drops of water are standing out on her forehead. She’s slung a towel around her head, but a few strands of her wet and dark hair have escaped it, hanging loosely into her face.
She’s wrapped herself in one of the big hotel towels, but I get a good view of her firm thighs. Just then, I realize, I’m still stark naked myself.
“Hey there,” Danielle says, her voice playing at lasciviousness. “Nice birthday suit.”
My morning wood is gone, but my regular girth is nothing to hide either. I fully embrace the situation and turn to her.
“I just received a message from Leviathan. We’ve got work to do in Istanbul.”
I wave the phone in my hand at her.
The instant change in Dani is astounding, and I’m a little sorry to see the slightly sexual look on her face immediately be replaced by her manner of a professional journalist. She tucks the stray strands of hair back into the towel on her hand and comes over.
“Istanbul?”
“Right. Leviathan analyzed the data we pulled from the computer at the auction. The city is an important hub for the trafficking ring, or possibly even their headquarters of some sorts. All the money and people flowing in and out of there seem to suggest so.”
Her face lights up, and she’s genuinely delighted by the information, like only a true investigative mind can be. I can literally see the gears in her head turning furiously.
“Istanbul isn’t far from here, either!”
“Indeed, and if we want to bust these traffickers, this is most likely the place to do it.”
She’s beaming with excitement. “Good work, Janus!”
“It was Leviathan who extracted the location out of the data we collected, for which you deserve credit as well. You know, saving my arse and all.”
She playfully pinches my ass cheek. “And don’t you forget it.”
“Dani, one thing,” I say, getting all serious. “This could become even more dangerous, and I know that won’t hold you back. But if you want out, now would be the moment to say so.”
She shakes her head vigorously. “No way! I’m with you on this.”
“Okay, I just wanted to have brought it up. I’ll arrange our transport then.”
She places her hand on my chest and runs her hand over my muscles. “Thanks for bringing it up, and for the transport.”
That’s a job for the Eagle.
I finally put on some clothes before calling him up.
“What do you need, Jackal?”
“Transport for two, from Athens to Istanbul.”
“That’s just a short hop over,” he says cheerfully.
“The sooner it happens, the better. It’s important.”
“You got it. Are you bringing any cargo?”
“Just some personal belongings. Nothing grandiose like last time.”
“Understood. Meet me at the hangar, and I’ll make sure we’re cleared to go once you arrive.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
I turn to Danielle. “Time to pack. We’re heading to Turkey.”
Chapter 23
Danielle
My heart pounds as Janus drives us to an airfield I didn’t know existed just outside of Athens.
I can’t believe he managed to uncover the central hub of this trafficking ring. My story is going to be sweeter and more successful if I can report on not only how we exposed a human trafficking ring in Greece and other European countries, but on how we managed to shut it down, too.
There’s a jet already waiting at the end of the runway when we pull up on the tarmac. A man stands patiently at the bottom of the stairs up into the aircraft.
As soon as our engine cuts out and we exit the car, he lifts his head up with a bright, beaming grin.
“Jackal.” The stranger smiles and walks over to us both.
He envelops Janus in a tight hug. Janus pats him gently on the back in return, smiling fondly.
“Hey there, Eagle. Thanks for coming our way so quickly.”
“It’s no problem. You know I am always happy to help.”
Eagle then begins to help us with our bags. He takes mine without hesitation, hoisting it up over his shoulder as though it was filled with feathers. He carries it towards the plane as Janus walks alongside him, and I follow behind as they speak.
“We’ll need you to take us to Istanbul, to the usual airfield if you can. Dani and I have uncovered something big. So, I know it’s a lot to ask, but if you could keep yourself available to bring in some of the rest of the Brothe
rs as reinforcements, that’d be such a help.”
Eagle nods his head then flicks a glance at me over his shoulder. “Of course, Jackal, I’ll do what I can. I’m always happy to help out a beautiful Aphrodite such as this lovely lady.”
His smile is warm and infectious. As he ushers me into the leather and wood-lined cabin of the jet, I find myself smiling back at him.
Eagle places my bag in the secure hold above our heads, while Janus and I settle into the plush leather seats sitting across from each other.
Sitting in the cabin of a private plane is surreal and unlikely anything I’ve ever experienced before. For the amount that I travel, you’d think I’d be more used to first class, but my expenses are only covered if I fly coach. A good flight for me is when the seat next to me has been booked but the person fails to turn up so that I can borrow some of their leg room.
Sitting in a private jet with only one person to take up the entire cabin with me—that’s the life of luxury. It’s also another reminder of how Janus is good to me; he didn’t have to work with me in Athens, much less fly me to Turkey, but he always did have my best interest at heart, and I really haven’t been all that kind to him in return.
Once the seat belt sign turns off, I sigh and turn to Janus. He was flicking through his phone, but as soon as I lift my head and look at him, his attention is all mine.
“Janus, I’m sorry…”
He looks at me, puzzled, and puts the phone away.
I close my eyes to try and find the words to say, then take a deep breath. “I’m sorry that I left you back in South Sudan. You deserved the decency of a goodbye and I…I didn’t give it to you.”
“Oh, Dani, it’s okay—”
“It’s not okay.” I say firmly.
I get up out of my seat, kneel before him, and look up at his softly smiling face. I rest my hands on his thighs and stare into his sparkling blue eyes.
“It’s not okay. I had—I have—real feelings for you, Janus. And the way I left things in South Sudan was cheap. I should have treated you better.”
Janus keeps smiling at me. He then leans forward and lift me up from the floor towards him. He pulls me to straddle his lap, and I can already feel him stirring beneath his trousers; perhaps I do know how to make it up to him again.
“Dani, it’s okay. I understand. I can forgive you for South Sudan.”
Those were the magic words to take the heaviness from my soul.
I push forward into Janus’ grip and kiss him. Our lips dance over each other as I lower my hands and begin to brush them over his shirt.
Janus does the same; his hands trace down my arms. One hand moves to my breast, and I gasp as he begins to play with me through my blouse and bra, while his other hand moves down to my ass to support me as I roll my hips over his stiffening cock.
I feel arousal beginning to stir within me as my kisses get hungrier. I move my lips from his jaw, kissing down his neck and nipping the skin of his jugular with my teeth, as I begin to unbutton his shirt.
Janus runs his hands over my ass, pushing up my skirt and exposing my panties. His other hand begins to tear at my blouse, popping open the buttons until my black lacy bra spills out.
His cock is practically begging to be freed, twitching beneath my rolling hips, as he holds my ass and grinds me down against him. But I’m going to make him wait.
I finish unbuttoning Janus’ shirt before moving next to my bra. I pull my breasts out over the top of the cups so that they’re the exposed to him.
Janus immediately places his mouth on one of my nipples, kissing and licking at the exposed bud, sending jolts down my spine.
“Oh, Janus,” I whimper, but he lifts one of his hands to shush me before my moans can grow too loud.
“Careful, Dani, Eagle might hear.”
“Oh, fuck Eagle,” I whisper as his hands grind mine down against his hips harder, rubbing my clit through my damp panties.
“I’d rather fuck you.”
“Then do it. Fuck me, Janus. Fuck. Me.”
Without hesitation, Janus picks me up from where I’m sitting atop of him. He stands up, throws me back into my seat, and pushes the button on the side of the chair, so that I’m lying before him with my skirt up around my waist and my breasts spilling out of the cups of my bra.
I spread my legs wider for him. I lower my hand to play with myself through my underwear.
Janus groans and palms at himself through his trousers before he unzips and pushes down his underwear and his trousers in one sweep. He pulls my panties down my legs, finally seeing for himself how wet I am for him and how eager I am for him to fuck me. He leans over my body and strokes the tip of his cock against my folds.
As I begin to moan, he places my panties into my mouth and whispers into my ear.
“Shh, if you’re too loud we’ll get caught.”
I groan into the fabric and try to lift my hips and pull Janus into me. But he’s adamant to tease me, continuing to stroke his cock against my sopping cunt and running his finger over my clit. Within minutes, I feel an orgasm rock through my whole body, and I tremble and I come from his touch.
Only then does Janus thrust into me. As my body still jolts from orgasm, his cock fills me to the hilt, and I cover my own mouth despite the gag to quieten myself.
Janus lifts one hand to my breast, playing with my breast with one hand and kissing the nipple on the other as he gives me a moment to get used to his cock.
I can’t help myself; I need more. I begin to buck my hips, desperate for him to fuck me.
Hungrily, Janus complies. He starts to thrust into me, his cock stroking my g-spot with each hard stroke as he pins me into the chair.
I lift my hands to claw at him. I snake my fingers into his hair and pull him closer as my other hand scratches his back through the shirt. I hear him moan and gasp in my ear as we ride against each other, eagerly devouring every inch of flesh we can find.
Janus pulls the panties out of my mouth kisses me ravenously, his tongue stroking over my lower lip and pushing inside when I part my lips.
I begin to feel a second orgasm building inside of me.
“Janus...Janus...oh, god, I’m gonna come.”
I begin to cry out, but Janus smothers my moaning with his lips, kissing me passionately and muting my cries of ecstasy. As my walls clench tightly around him, I feel Janus’ cock begin to twitch and pulse within me as he comes, too.
With the strength sapped out of us, we shuffle about in the chair and lay for a moment in each other’s arms. There’s still a little while until we reach Istanbul, so I enjoy the afterglow and the moment of tenderness as we cuddle.
“There’s nowhere for you to sneak off to now,” Janus teases.
“Trust me, Janus, I don’t want to sneak off. Not when this can happen again and again if I stay.”
Janus kisses me tenderly, holding my face. I lie against his shoulder and watch the bright blue sky out of the window.
There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Chapter 24
Janus
Coming to Istanbul is always something else.
The golden domes of the mosques, the bridging of Europe and Asia, the spectacular yellow light…it’s something, that’s for sure.
I had no idea the experience could get more spectacular, but then, this is the first time I’d had the experience with Danielle Robinson sitting beside me, buttoning up her shirt. We have a few minutes left before we touch down in Istanbul, so I take the opportunity to soak in her now-messy hair and satisfied dark eyes.
God, she’s sexy.
Honestly, she’s astonishing when she’s all sexed-up and relaxed, but we’re on a dangerous international criminal trail, not a beach holiday.
Astonishing won’t cut it—surreptitious is what we need. So I grab her hand to stop her there. It’s warm, and her fingers twist through mine temptingly.
She smiles at me questioningly.
“We have to be even more inconspicuous
here.”
“Ah yes, that’s what I hired you for.”
Of course, I’ve already prepared for this. It’s particularly easy to disguise a woman in Istanbul—the headscarf and long dress do most of the work.
Unfortunately, Dani’s still spectacular even with most of her skin covered. I give her a pair of sunglasses to block out those eyes—the fewer heads she turns, the better.
The disguise is simple for me, too.
Istanbul’s population is diverse enough that I can fit right in with my dark hair and current tan.
I simply dress down. With a pair of Levi’s on, a tight shirt, and a different part to my hair, I am no longer a gentleman but any local guy going about his business. A couple of brown contact lenses go in too, and then Bob’s your uncle.
We won’t have to go anywhere near customs—that’s the benefit of a private jet and my contact on the ground—but I take some time to double-check everything is well with our fake passports anyway.
And then we’re there, climbing onto the tarmac, and I’m being kissed on both cheeks by Mahdi al Sahli.
Being greeted by this bloke is the closest thing I’ve had to coming home to a parent in over fifteen years. It’s a goddamned delight. Most of the brotherhood have gotten tougher over the years, but I swear Mahdi has gotten more eccentric.
When he sees my eyes combing the area for anyone who could be watching, he claps me on the back and sings a couple of lines from one of his favorite Gilbert and Sullivan songs.
“We're sober men—true and attentive to our duty.”
Dani giggles from behind me and I roll my eyes.
“Why always so serious, Jackal?!” he asks in his thick Cairo accent with widening smile.
He sees me watching Dani descend the plane.
“Ah, this one! Yes, you told me a little about this one last time.”
His eyes crinkle in soft sympathy. But before I have a minute to protest that I don’t need sympathy, and I’m just doing my job, Dani’s on the tarmac next to us, and he’s herding us towards a car park.
“Come, I’ve got a car around the corner. A better place to talk.”
“Dani, this is Madhi al Sahli. Mahdi, this is Danielle Robinson.”
