by Bella Juarez
Azad took in the thin, blonde woman. She was stunning and very dangerous. He noticed the cold blue eyes held no warmth when they gazed on you and it took Azad less than a minute to realize the beauty this woman showed outwardly wasn’t what she held inside. She was cold, calculating, and even when she smiled it seemed evil.
“Alexia has recently returned from America. She’ll be working with you when you return,” Ivanov said.
“Working with me? How lovely. Pugachev? Cossack?” Azad asked.
“Yes,” Alexia answered.
“Director Ivanov, what will Ms. Pugachev be doing?” Azad asked.
“She will be learning about the pathogen’s uses and planned delivery methods,” Ivanov said.
“I see, its military application. Right, as soon as I get back from my short visit home, I will be happy to instruct Ms. Pugachev on the pathogen’s uses,” Azad said.
“I look forward to working with you, Doctor,” Alexia said.
Azad walked out with the two of them. He made his way to Moscow and packed for his short trip. He couldn’t shake the bad feeling he had about Ivanov and Alexia. He wasn’t sure what Ivanov’s motives were. Was he sending Alexia to watch him? What was the purpose of this new set of eyes in his lab? Bakri’s disappearance had caused Ivanov a lot of distress and after leaving Iran, Bakri had seemed to drop off the planet. Ivanov grilled Azad for a week and things were starting to get a little too hot. Azad was getting paranoid that Ivanov was starting to suspect he was not who he presented himself to be, so going back to Iran for a while would be a nice reprieve.
Azad had a meeting scheduled with the president while he was in Iran and also had a meeting with Bakri in Istanbul. He needed to find out what was happening inside Iran, so he thought about asking the president to extend his stay in Iran. It would be a much-needed break from Russia. He considered how he would present his need for staying to the president. He was a little freer in Iran. As messed up as that idea seemed to him it was true.
* * * *
“What do you want me to do, Viktor?” Alexia asked.
“When he returns we want you to watch him. He’s either the luckiest man alive or he’s a mole,” Ivanov said.
“I could just kill him and it would end any question in your mind. What makes you believe he’s a mole?” Alexia said.
“Every project or place he’s been, it seems that the Americans have followed,” Ivanov said.
“I looked at his file and he’s on the British watch list. Bakri was in all of those same locations. If you ask me, Bakri is a bumbling idiot. He talks to everyone about his plans. I think he got careless and the Americans were able to track him this far,” Alexia said.
“Save one, the lab in Afghanistan. Azad was the only one that knew about that. What happened? It was captured,” Ivanov said.
“The Americans are crawling all over Afghanistan. According to the file it appears as if the Iranians caused that problem. Why did they terrorize a bunch of mountain goat herders? I read Sasha Goryunov’s report. The Iranians were looking for a fight with the Americans. It was all their commander could do to keep them under control,” Alexia pointed out.
“Goryunov? I didn’t see that report,” Ivanov said.
“You obviously didn’t read the file very carefully. It was a two-page report after Sasha Goryunov was returned to Russia. It was his debriefing. He and Azad spoke to the colonel in charge and requested that the Iranians stay close and not engage in any hostile activity with the nomads in the area. Sasha spoke to the colonel on more than one occasion. They knew there was American activity in Kush and the colonel told them he would take their concerns under advisement. What does that tell you? That colonel disregarded their requests. He wanted American blood just as much as his men.”
“Perhaps you’re right. I still want you to watch him. Closely. I need to find Bakri,” Ivanov said.
Alexia sat back and looked out the window. She would do as her superiors requested. She, however, did not want them to find Minister Bakri because her brother, Demetri, was in the middle of a very lucrative deal with the Pakistani. Once the deal went through and Demetri had been paid, she would kill Bakri if they wanted. She’d led her superiors to believe she and Demetri were estranged. She was a highly decorated Russian soldier and operative. What did she need with a small-time arms dealer?
In reality Alexia was the reason Demetri was so successful and rich. She’d led him to the stores of biological, electronic warfare and undetectable weapons that had been abandoned. She, through her contacts, funneled business his way. Terrorists and organized crime syndicates were paying through the nose for his unique weapons. They had cornered a niche in the arms market.
Alexia thought about Demetri with a stab of emotion. Her little brother was all she had in this world and he was the only person she had any feeling for. Their parents had abandoned them on the streets during the collapse of the Soviet Union, and amid the chaos that followed, they clung to each other, taking care of one another until they parted ways as adults. They both had gone into the army in order to eat a steady meal every day. Demetri had left after ten years in Spetsnaz and Alexia had been recruited by the intelligence service. She discovered a natural talent for killing people, delighting her superiors that such beauty could be so deadly.
Alexia glanced at Ivanov. She would watch Azad, she would learn as much as she could about the new pathogen. It may prove to be a viable new product for Demetri to market. She thought about Dr. Jobrani for a moment. Katrina’s son, the American Navy SEAL she’d worked with, had used his name. She recalled when he’d instructed her to use it.
Alexia remembered with some disdain when the older SEAL he’d sent her after had discovered who she was. If she ever saw that man again, she would shoot him on sight. There would be no finesse about the way she would kill him. James Jones. Mudak! She spat the Russian term for bastard. She also considered how she could drag out his death. She wasn’t sure which would be more pleasurable, torturing him or simply killing him instantly. He’d made a mess of her mission for almost a year. Finally, in a diplomatic exchange she’d been returned to Russia.
“What did you find out in Stockholm?” Ivanov asked, drawing her out of her thoughts.
“Apparently they’ve discovered the second pathogen,” Alexia said.
“Did you obtain the samples?”
“Of course, I turned them over.”
“We’ll have our scientist look into this. I’m eager to see what they discover. It was the only remaining sample from Sergei’s work.”
“If you wish to test your theory, why not give it to the Iranian when he returns?” Alexia suggested.
“I will. It will let me know for sure if things are as I suspect,” Ivanov said.
Perfect. Demetri needs a new product line.
* * * *
“Another hacker? Shit! I hate this cyber shit! Why can’t they just pick up a fucking gun and shoot at me? I told Rock when he first talked to me about coming to this group that I didn’t know shit about computers. I hate fucking with my e-mail and now I’ve got to figure out cyber terrorists,” Cobra ranted.
“Are you done whining, Cobra? Can we work out just what the hell we’re doing?” Friday asked.
“Listen, I talked with MI-6 about the hack. They have sniffers on the network. I didn’t think this was done remotely. I think this was an inside job, like the last time. Just like that person who walked in here and it was someone who works in IT or the IT department at the security firm. Anyway, it’s MI-6’s baby now,” Gamez said.
“We found out MI-6 has a ghost sever on the network that copies everything off of the security servers. We’ve got a better picture of the person. It’s a woman,” Shaq said.
“Rock wants that lab gone, like yesterday. I’m going back to where the terrorists shoot guns and not fucking keyboards. JJ’s coming to help you guys with this one,” Cobra said.
“Good. I’m tired of your bitching, Cobra,” Friday said.
“Fuck you, F
riday. Don’t forget I’m still the XO and the commander of this outfit,” Cobra snapped.
“Yes, sir,” Friday said, rolling his eyes.
“Just because you’re Rock’s pet ain’t saving you from me fucking up your world when you piss me off.”
“I get it, Commander,” Friday said.
“If you two are done with your pissing contest, I’ve got an idea,” Shaq said.
“What’s the plan, Shaq?” Alex asked.
* * * *
The team waited at Arlanda Airport for Master Chief James “JJ” Jones and Mrs. Jones to arrive. Alex was still stinging from losing that bet because he was so sure Irene would never marry JJ that he would have bet the house. Thankfully he didn’t. He and Izzy were looking through a newsstand inside the cathedral.
Isabel was a little nervous about meeting new people and Alex tried to reassure her that JJ and Irene were really nice, especially Irene. JJ was just rough around the edges. Alex was relieved that JJ was coming to help them. It would be good to have someone who had a plethora of knowledge behind him. JJ was a good strategist, and together with Shaq, Alex was confident they could handle this current situation and see it to completion. Despite JJ’s gruff nature, he was a smart and very experienced special operator.
Cobra had a tendency to get irritable when he was faced with things he couldn’t readily understand. This cyber and biological stuff was way out of his comfort zone, so it was better that he went back to Afghanistan to plan missions and just do what Rock wanted him to do.
“Lookie there, they don’t look retired,” Shaq said to Izzy and Alex.
Alex chuckled when he spotted the elderly couple. Irene was so ladylike and always dressed to the nines. JJ walked beside her dressed like a business man, minus the tie. He noticed JJ had sported a short beard for this trip. Alex guessed Irene had been something else when she was younger. He knew JJ had been a force to be reckoned with when he was younger. Hell, even now JJ could still out party the best of them. JJ and Irene approached and JJ was greeted with the usual jabs and insults. All of the men affectionately greeted Irene like a beloved aunt and Cobra immediately warmed at Irene’s graciousness.
“Mrs. Jones, I’m Commander Lance Corbin,” he said, introducing himself.
“It’s nice to meet you, Commander,” Irene said.
“Man! I still can’t get over that,” Alex exclaimed.
“What?” James questioned.
“Mrs. Jones! Damn it, JJ. I just knew Badass would kill you when he found out. We even had a pool going. You cost me fifty bucks,” Alex said.
“Fifty? That was pretty damn good. I lost a hundred to Cobra. Rock and Mac knew it was a safe bet,” Lt. Gamez said.
JJ shook his head. “See, if you would’ve asked me, I’d have told you what would happen. I knew I would marry her all along. Right, sugar?” JJ said.
“Yes, you did. There were days when I’d have lost that bet, too, Alex,” she said, taking JJ’s hand.
Alex noticed Irene glancing at Izzy who was standing off to the side by herself. Irene disengaged herself from JJ and walked to Isabel. Alex watched as Irene extended her hand and smiled. Izzy glanced at him before taking Irene’s hand and introducing herself. The two women started talking.
“Let’s get the hell out of here. Did you get me a room somewhere?” JJ asked.
“The Best Western,” Cobra said.
“The hell you say, my wife doesn’t stay at the Best Western. Especially after you fucked up her vacation, you better find me a fucking Hilton somewhere,” JJ snapped.
All of the men broke out into laughter as they started to walk out of the area. Alex glanced behind and saw Irene slip her arm into Izzy’s and trail behind as they talked. He noticed she relaxed as Irene talked with her. Alex knew if anyone could make Isabel feel at ease Irene could. He exhaled. Izzy was fine.
* * * *
Isabel watched as the men all gathered around the couple who’d just walked into the cathedral. The elderly couple was treated like royalty by the SEALs. Isabel watched as Alex hugged the woman and she affectionately returned the embrace. The woman glanced at her a few times and walked over.
“Irene Jones,” the woman said to Izzy as she extended her hand.
Isabel knew who the woman was because Alex had mentioned her and went on and on about JJ and Irene Jones. Izzy shook Irene’s hand.
“Dr. Isabel Vasquez, Mrs. Jones.”
“What sort of doctor?” Irene asked.
“I’m a surgeon,” Izzy answered. As she looked around her she found Alex and made eye contact with him. It was reassuring to know he was close because meeting strange people in a strange environment was uncomfortable for Isabel. If she was seeing in them in a hospital that was one thing. It wasn’t social, it was work. Izzy looked at Irene and smiled nervously. She needed to make an attempt at civil conversation.
“Have you and JJ, is it? Been married long? Alex and the guys talk about you a lot,” Izzy said.
“Sweetie, you don’t have to entertain me,” Irene said, tucking her arm into Izzy’s, and pulled her along as they walked toward the group of men. “No, we’ve been married a little over a month now,” she said.
“Really?”
Isabel was surprised. The way Alex talked about them it seemed as if the couple was an institution. Irene and JJ looked as if they had been together forever because they seemed so comfortable together. The men were walking toward the baggage claim area as Irene and Izzy followed behind.
“Tell me about you. What you’re doing here with them? How did you and Alex meet?” Irene asked.
“What made you say that?” Isabel asked.
“I know these men and they’re hard to resist. So, tell me how you two met,” Irene said.
How could she tell? Isabel hadn’t been near Alex since they had seen the couple so how could Irene tell she was with Alex? She could have been with anyone else or no one at all. Irene was looking at her expectantly. The woman didn’t appear to be judging Isabel. It seemed as if she were genuinely interested in Alex. Izzy really didn’t know how to begin.
“It’s a really long story,” Isabel said.
“Well, I’ve got nothing but time,” Irene said.
“I don’t know where to start,” Isabel said honestly as they reached the baggage area.
They waited in baggage claim. Alex and the rest of the men were loudly talking and chiding each other. Several times JJ glanced at Irene and Isabel.
“You know, the first time I saw James I was somewhere I shouldn’t have been. I snuck out of my room to go and have a drink down at a hotel lounge. I’d been recently widowed and I was learning to spread my wings a little. I was on a trip with my niece in San Diego and he was absolutely the most attractive man I’ve ever seen,” Irene said.
Isabel said nothing. The way Irene said James sounded so proper, so ladylike. This woman was spectacular. She was perfectly dressed and groomed. Izzy felt a little sloppy next to her because Irene was so polished and perfect. She watched as JJ approached them and Izzy took note of how he obviously only had eyes for his elegant wife.
“Sugar, do you want to find a hotel first or do you want to sit and visit for a little while?” JJ said to Irene.
“James, have you met Dr. Vasquez?” Irene asked.
JJ turned his attention to Isabel for what seemed like the first time.
“No, I haven’t, sugar. I guess I should apologize for being so rude. I’m sorry. James Jones,” JJ said, taking Izzy’s hand into both of his. “Isabel? I think Alex said it was? I’ve got to say, darlin’, you’re absolutely one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.”
Isabel was momentarily stunned because next to Alex this man was one of the most charming people she’d ever met. His soft southern drawl was as hypnotic as Alex’s deep melodic voice. She glanced at Irene who was smiling at her.
“Isn’t she?” Irene agreed.
“Thank you, Mr. Jones,” Isabel said shyly.
“Alex is a very luck
y man. It’s nice to meet you.” JJ redirected his attention to Irene. “Sugar, what do you want to do?”
“I’d like to find the hotel first so that I can freshen up. I’m a little out of sorts from the trip. Then I would love to sit and catch up with our boys,” Irene said.
Isabel looked at Irene because there wasn’t a hair out of place or a wrinkle on her clothes. Her makeup looked as if it had just been applied. Izzy was the one that felt out of sorts standing next to this sophisticated and classy woman. Alex walked to them and stood behind Isabel. He placed his hands on her shoulders and massaged gently.
“I’m trying to find out how you two met,” Irene said, looking up at Alex.
“I picked her up and took her home,” Alex answered.
“Oh? Where was she?”
“She was my damsel in distress. It’s not often a guy gets to be his lady’s knight in shining armor,” Alex said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, kissing her cheek.
Isabel wanted to melt into the floor! Alex! Why the hell couldn’t he keep things private? Everyone seemed to know everything about them. Isabel heard a giggle escape Irene, even the way this woman giggled sounded refined and it reminded Isabel of champagne bubbles. You couldn’t help but smile when you heard it.
“Now I’ve got to hear this story,” Irene said.
A few hours later Isabel found herself surrounded at the end of a long table by Irene, Alex, and JJ. Irene was chatting with Alex and Commander Corbin and Isabel marveled at how easy Irene made it look to socialize and carry on a conversation. It was awkward for her to socialize the way Irene was doing. After dinner the men decided to go for a drink at the pub that was a couple of doors down. Irene took Izzy to a small café next to the pub to have coffee and a sinful Swedish desert.
“So how do you like working with these men?” Irene asked.
“I really only work with two, Friday and Alex,” Isabel said.
Irene nodded and took a dainty sip of her coffee. Isabel felt like she should be taking notes on how to be a lady.
