The middle aged man seemed a little surprised she was with the group leader, but she only gave the short dark skinned man a sly smile at his questioning stare.
Glancing through the pages, Brett asked, “How soon does it need t’ be completed?”
The man smoothed his slick black strands, “The hits must all be accomplished in one night, and by the date on the corner of the file.”
Nodding his understanding, Brett assured, “It’ll be handled.”
Deciding not to report the change within the Scorpions unless their mission failed, the well-dressed man did not want to upset things unnecessarily. Being the bearer of bad news could be a potential health hazard when it came to The Organization.
They allowed the group to leave to handle their new assignment with none the wiser. However, having a woman show up permanently inside one of the groups again would at some point need to be addressed, as the last group had ended up dead.
Mounting up the following morning, the troop headed north, out of Florida and towards Chicago. They had two full weeks to prepare, and the guys seemed confident the op would go without incident, even though Brett had announced Tori would do the planning, stating he wanted to see how she did with it.
Giving him a cynical smile, she realized he had almost made it too easy.
Arriving at a small community outside the city, the group took up residence at an out of the way campground next to a small lake, occupying a cabin and the primitive slots close to it. Once they were settled, Tori brought out a map of the city and they began to lay plans for who would take out what target, when and where.
Watching as she scribbled on her yellow legal pad and marked locations on the parchment, Brett became impressed with what he saw. She even uses our little nerd effectively, having him scout locations on his little machine. He gave her an affectionate grin, supremely confident he had made a good choice reeling her in, as well as the kid.
It may take her some time to really settle into our group, but she’ll be happy here. After all, this’s what she was raised for. And after this op, she’ll see this’s a good crew, too, even if we ain’t the Dragons. That was, after all, the reason he had her doing the planning; so that his guys could prove themselves to her once and for all.
Taking care not to expose her distress, Tori felt deeply disturbed to see that one of the intended targets was Debra Paisley, and considered the fact that the Fed’s investigation into The Organization had not gone unnoticed. She reassured herself that when her plan succeeded, Debra and the others would remain safe, as she intended to eliminate the Scorpions before they had time to harm any of the targets in the folder.
After they were removed from the equation, Tori would be free to return to Texas and to her life. She had also been thinking about her brother, and had promised herself if she survived, she would make sure he went back to his world and left her to hers. She wanted no part of his money, fame or fortune. We’ve never liked one another from the time we first met in LA, and finding out we’re family is no reason to change that, as I can do without him.
As the date of the attack drew closer, Tori considered sending a warning to the Feds, but realized making contact could put the whole operation at risk. I still don’t know for sure who’s really on my side within the federal entity… if one of them is a traitor, and it most certainly looks like it, I have to work this out on my own. Using the resources at hand, she planned to do exactly that.
While making the arrangements for the Scorpions, she planned a second agenda in the back of her mind, one that would be for her alone. If all went according to plan, she would intercept the group members as they moved through the city, eliminating each of them before they could complete their intended task.
No one knew about her hidden itinerary, not even Enrique, as she did not see him as trustworthy in the end. I hope to God this works, she thought to herself as she laid out her secret plans on a second map, I don’t know if I can stand these guys much longer, and it took all her resolve not to go bat shit crazy at any moment.
Marking where she intended to leave their bodies, she realized she would soon be done with them, and sighed her relief at the thought of home. Her second map complete, she hid the guide, planning to turn it over to James Godfry, and hope for the best, since Eli had basically condoned her plan. Maybe he’ll be good for something, after all.
Set Up the Plan
The night before the scheduled day of the attack, Tori focused on finalizing the necessary arrangements, and hated being interrupted by the rest of the group. The tiny cabin they occupied had all of their materials scattered about it, the front section containing a small kitchen area with a sink, mini-fridge and microwave along the left hand wall.
The right side held a small seating area, with a couch along the front, underneath a wide picture window, facing a small flat screen television mounted on the wall. Several of the guys liked to lay around on it and stare up at the device endlessly, and she could almost see them drool as they did so.
In the center of the room stood a small table, a large map of the city lying across it with various locations marked. She had been leaned over it, working on her plans, when Enrique crept in to join her. She had run everyone out of the cabin an hour earlier, and they were all outside, sprawled about, sleeping from the indication of the snores.
She had claimed the cabin as her own, accustomed to having a bed. She wanted the one in the back room for herself, and having the quiet around her had helped her keep her sanity within the endless chaos of the group.
A couple of nights she had shared the space with Enrique or Brett, using the different ways that they thrilled her to satisfy her needs accordingly. Otherwise, she slept alone, separating herself from them the best she could while she made her plans to put them in the ground.
Not lifting her gaze when he entered, she posed a quiet question, “Is something wrong?” She had not given him any indication she was in the mood for a dirty romp, and had no intention of sharing her plans with him.
His presence unwelcome, she was prepared to run him out if he overstepped his bounds. Keeping her head down, she remained aware of his quiet movement as he made his way around the table to the hallway that led to the back, where the bathroom stood off of the narrow passage and the tiny chamber beyond.
“Jus’ wanna check on you, baby girl,” his tone soft, his words were guarded, “I can sees you got a lot on your mind, ya know?”
“A lot at stake here. Planning the op, making sure things go smoothly.” She kept her words clean, her tone firm. Son of a bitch, he knows this is it. I might have to fuck him, just to put his mind at ease. She had been keeping him away from her, not wanting him to be a part of her plans, nor caring to admit he would be hard to leave behind, dead or alive.
Enrique only nodded, avoiding pushing her for what she didn’t want to share. Leaning against the corner formed at the hallway to the back and the wall that held the television, he watched her as she busied herself, fiddling with the map.
Her long dark waves hanging down, hiding her scar when she peeked up at him, God she’s beautiful. He felt his chest tighten, his thoughts filled with their future. Our time is short, and I’ll be alone again when she leaves. He had never known lonely, until she wasn’t by his side. She had kept her distance from him since they had arrived in the group over six weeks ago, and he had had little opportunity to convince her of anything different.
She only chose to be close to him when she needed physical satisfaction, he no more than a play thing to her. He almost feared what her plan for him might be. She could dispose of me as easily as she would the others. Heaving a deep sigh, he felt almost glad, hoping she would kill him if she wasn’t going to stay with him. It would hurt less, he rationalized.
Moving around the table, Tori gave him a pose. She knew what he was into, how he liked to fuck her. She wasn’t really up for it, but she would play her part just the same. Breathing deeply, she cut him a second look, her rear facing him,
her body crying out to him for attention.
The man responded to her, but she detected something different in the way that he touched her. Reaching for her, he ran his hand across her back, his fingers lacking their typical grasping manner. They were tender, soothing, his fiery brown eye’s lost in thought. “You know I love you, baby girl.” His voice fell deep, heavy with emotion.
Enrique had never been what Tori would have called loving when he held her, or when he spoke those words. Tonight, the softness of them seemed unlike him, and she contemplated how she had never seen him as capable of being those things. Nodding, “I know you do, baby.” She just wasn’t sure that in the end it would matter.
Allowing him to embrace her, she nuzzled his neck, kissing and breathing warm puffs of air into his ear. She guided him back to the tiny bedroom, with its small full-sized bed and single nightstand beside it, her hands moving over him calmly.
Helping him undress, she would do her part, do her best to satisfy his desire, as it had always been. Stopping her, he gave her a small grin, wanting this time to be different. Afraid it would be his last time to have her, he wanted to make it count.
Turning off the lights in the crowded space, he left the light from the front to filter down the short hall, casting a dim glow about the room. His movements slow and deliberate, he smiled as he undressed them both and laid her onto the bed. He still faced her, his palms firm as they pressed on her skin.
Pushing at her legs, he moved to put his face against the trimmed covering of her soft folds of flesh. Astonished by his actions, Tori protected her mound with her hand, hiding her hardened point beneath it, “Don’t.” She gave the command softly, not intending to berate him.
“Why not?” he looked up at her with doleful eyes, confused by her refusal.
Because that belongs to Michael, she glared at him icily. He had been the only man to ever touch her in that way, to love her that much. She wanted it to remain so, the specialness of it, and of the first time he had held her, beyond words. “I don’t like that,” she lied flatly.
Gazing into her brilliant blue, he recalled the day he and her husband had stared each other down, across a table in a diner. “Look her in the eye when you’re with her. She deserves that.” That’s the advice he had given the other man before he left him.
Too bad I never made time for it myself, too busy satisfying my own needs to worry about hers. And now that I’m ready, she won’t even let me. Pushing his sadness aside and sliding up her body, he kissed her, using his lips to taste her tender neck and shoulders for several minutes before his hands moved over her, parting her legs to find his way inside.
Tori stared up at him, thoughts wandering as she struggled with his altered behavior. Lovemaking not their usual fare, his tender touch became almost more than she could bear. She rather preferred the rough and violent fucking they had always enjoyed, as she seldom had to look at him when she gave herself to him, her mask in place when she did.
I wanna get on my knees, she inwardly longed to look away, to turn her back on him. Instead, she fixed her gaze on the ceiling above him. Like this, it’s so difficult to hide, as if he were looking too deeply within her, and able to see the darkness of her soul.
Blinking up at him, she recalled she had heard him say he loved her, how many times? More than enough… She had never responded in kind; never planned to. She could play the role, being his dirty girl, even enjoy it to an extent, but this was not where she belonged. She didn’t need Michael, but she wanted him, and that meant more than anything Enrique could ever give her.
Closing her eyes to avoid his stare, she allowed him to satisfy himself, knowing he would fall asleep afterwards. It seemed to take much longer than usual, but eventually he finished with her and Tori could finally turn her back on him. To her surprise, he spooned up behind her, continuing to hold her and run his fingers through her hair. Now he clings to me.
He’s afraid you’re gonna kill him, along with the others. Lying still, listening to him breathe, she wondered if this had been his payment, that she might let him walk away, unsure why else he would treat her so differently in the darkness. Of course she hadn’t decided what she would do yet, and probably wouldn’t, until the time to make the final call.
The next morning, Tori was a bundle of nervous energy. Each member of the team had a job to do, working in pairs or as singles. Ready to lay the final essentials into place beforehand, she had announced to Brett that she would be taking Geek to set up the necessities. Having grown confident that she had accepted her position within the group completely, he didn’t even question her motives as they rode away.
It only took a small amount of planning for her to be ready, and she wanted the opportunity to explain everything to her accomplice in detail, while they had time for him to ask questions if need be. Giving him the address to a downtown diner, she went over the details once more while she rode behind the thin young man she guessed might be twenty years of age, at best.
Sliding into the booth, he gave her a questioning look. “How exactly is this setting up?”
She allowed a small smile in return, then ordered a cup of coffee and a glass of water from the waitress, “We need to talk.”
Her words made him nervous and he cast a guarded glance around the small space. “Were we followed?” His apprehension caused her to giggle.
“Of course not, Brett trusts me, and no one else would dare. They’re all afraid of me, I think. With good reason.” She noticed he gave a small shiver. “You know I’m going to take care of the heavy stuff, hun. You don’t have to do anything but sit in this diner and monitor a few things for me.”
Geek gave her a wide relieved grin, “Really? I was afraid I was gonna have to help. How are you gonna kill all of them all on your own?”
“Let me worry about that. But I did want to go over your part with you beforehand, just to be sure you’re ready.” He nodded his agreement, so she forged ahead. “We will ride out together and come here. I’ll take your bike and go take care of business. You’ll come inside and get your computer set up; start tracking Enrique for me.”
“Enrique? Why?” dumbfounded, he had been confident the two of them were truly lovers.
“Let’s just say, I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do with him.” She stirred her cup of black java nervously, and then turned her right palm to the ceiling, “I really need to keep an eye on him. I’m not sure I can trust him.”
Geek nodded, not really understanding. “He was pretty upset when we found him. Insisted he had no idea where you were. Even after they tied him up and beat him.” He gave a small shrug. “Not really sure why Brett suddenly decided t’ cut him loose, after we spent all that time lookin’ for him.”
“When was this?” Tori’s heart had begun to thump loudly in her ears.
“I dunno. Before we trashed that rich guy’s place. Few weeks before I think. Month at the most. You guys play some serious games. I can’t wait to go home.”
He looked so small and meek sitting across from her, hands folded on the table; Tori knew she was doing the right thing. “Is home far away?” she asked in a quiet voice, not wanting to upset him.
“Kansas. Little town there.” He didn’t look up.
“You have a real name?” Truthfully curious, and not just playing the part, she picked up a southern drawl, “I’m sure yur mama didn’ name ya Geek,” and smiled wickedly.
“Kevin. Kevin Harris.” This time he looked at her, a small curve on his lips in return.
Reaching across the table she lay her hand across his and gave it a small squeeze. “Don’t worry Kevin. It’s going to work out. You just watch out for Enrique for me. Ok?” She smiled broadly at him.
Flipping his hand to catch hers, he returned the squeeze. “So whatta I do? If he don’t do what he’s suppost to?”
“I’m going to pick up a go-phone while we’re out, and I’ll give you the number. You can call me if he leaves his location, or doesn’t report to
it as he should.” She shifted in her seat at the thought of Enrique crossing her, “I’m sure it won’t be necessary, as it sounds like he’s really got my back after all. Why didn’t you tell me that before? That they beat him, when you helped the guys find him…”
He stared at her blankly for a moment, “I thought he would’ve told you. Besides, you never asked what happened. I just assumed you knew.”
She studied the young man, well aware of her own policy, never volunteer information. I can’t blame him, he’s right… I didn’t ask, I guess I didn’t really want to know. Giving him a small grin, “It’s ok. I would have worried a lot less, I think. If I had known. But, for now, we have to go. We do have a few things I need your help with. If you can, I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure, I can help.” He beamed widely this time, blue orbs shining.
Leaving, Tori knew they needed to be quick. First they took care of the fire escape outside Debra Paisley’s apartment. Next, they headed over to the storage unit that belonged to Anthony Livingstone. After a small amount of convincing and a $500 tip, the guy behind the counter let her crack it open to take out a few things. Asking him to call her a cab, she went to rummage through the boxes and crates, confident she would find what she needed.
Making it to the front of the building as her taxi arrived, she hoisted the oversized case into the back of the minivan and climbed in beside it. Kevin would be following them over to the building, and she gave the driver the address.
Instructing him to drop her off in the alley as they reached the location, he gave her a funny look, but she only smiled. After she had her package out and leaned against the graffiti covered wall, she handed him an extra $100 and a wink before he pulled away.
Alone with her companion, Tori picked the lock to the wide metal door of the abandoned building and let them inside. She then grabbed the case of the large caliber rifle, intending to haul it up to the roof, fifteen stories in all. The bulky case wasn’t much of a burden. Handing Geek the mag-light, she could carry it up the stairs easily enough, leaving him a bit put out at being given the simpler task while they climbed.
A New Life Series - Finisher Set Page 13
