Chapter 34

Janus

After the steamy session Dani and I had last time I was here, it’s very strange to be on the plane without her right now.

Images of her are flashing through my mind.

The cheeky little smile. Those perfect breasts. Those little round nipples.

Stop, Janus.

Luckily, my escapades last night have given me a full-blown hangover. It’s hard to take a trip down memory lane with a throbbing skull. I eye the part of the cabin where we had our sex romp with suspicion.

I sit as far away as possible.

It’s immature, but so is running out of the building heartbroken, mid-argument, and then getting drunk. I have hazy memories of a second bar, and a third. And texting with Leviathan about evils of women.

Jesus, how drunk was I?

Dani’s effect on me clearly got way out of hand. Good thing I’m leaving the scene.

Private jet aside, Eagle still has to wait for our turn to take off.

Meanwhile, I’m stuck sitting on the tarmac with a blasted heart and brain. And a hankering to get out of here.

I call Griff to double check all the details.

“How’s the head this morning?”

“It’s fine, Griff. You know me. I’m impermeable.”

“Really? Do you not remember Oslo, Mexico City, or Sydney?”

My head throbs angrily at me as I remember the events in question that Griff is mentioning. They were profitable jobs, but my head hated me after each one.

“And then there were the texts I got at two in the morning as well. Where are—”

“Griff, I’m embarrassed enough as is. Let’s not rub salt in the wound, mate.”

Griff laughs heartily—he’s definitely not going to drop this anytime soon.

“I love this. You’re always so professional and removed, but it’s nice to see you’re human like the rest of us. Hell, if we need Dani to come around every few years to remind us that you’re a person, maybe that’s a good thing.”

“My dignity seems like a high price to pay.”

“Well, sometimes that comes with the territory.”

My embarrassment is waning a little. I even find myself laughing.

“Wait, did you just say this was a good thing? I leave a job halfway through, embarrass myself to everyone in the Brotherhood, and leave some woman in the Middle East alone to get herself killed, and it’s somehow a good thing.”

“Well I’m getting your help on this job in Tokyo, after all. That’s a win for me, so yes. It’s good. Besides, Dani is a big girl and she can take care of herself. She did it in South Sudan, and Istanbul is much more civilized. ”

“That’s actually what I’m calling you about. I’m waiting to take off. I want to check my documents with you. I’m coming into the country under a new identity this time. The last one we used is too traceable now.”

We talk details, and Griff gives me a list of the new documents he’ll need for himself, Kali, and I.

The people we’re stealing from are some of the richest people in all of Asia. And they’re also the people who had some rather shady dealings with Kali’s father prior to his arrest. Relieving our targets of their possessions—which will likely net me a cool five million—will be a true joy.

Anyone who dealt with Kalista’s father in under the table deals are dirty and don’t deserve half of what they own. I like to think I’m doing my own part for the greater good here.

I like to think I’m doing my own part for the greater good here. “Alright Griff. This is gonna be fun. I can feel it.”

“Me, too. It’ll be good to have you. And remember, I’m your guy.”

“Shut up, Griff,” I groan as he brings up the texts I so desperately want to forget.

“Never. I’m never going to let you forget this.”

I hang up thoughtfully. I honestly can’t stop myself from thinking about Dani and worrying about her safety.

Yes, Istanbul is more civilized than South Sudan. But that doesn’t make it safer. I’m sure Mahdi will keep an eye on her, and hopefully keep her out of trouble—he’s good like that.

Yet I still can’t help but worry.

It’s always been a good tactic of mine—stay close, don’t get distracted, and do the job.

I find my eyes shifting unconsciously to the section of the plane that I’ve been avoiding since I got on. I have to admit, it felt good to sleep with someone who I felt such a strong connection with, fake or not.

It felt very good. But evidently, it was one sided.

Jesus, why is it taking so long for this plane to take off?

I tap on the seat in my irritation.

Then, I start idly scanning the newspaper for something to distract myself. The front page reads, Human Trafficking Ring in Greece Exposed.

God, is there anything in this plane that isn’t trying to remind me of Dani?

I shouldn’t—I know I shouldn’t—but I read on anyway.

“New York Times investigative journalist Danielle Robinson has uncovered a human trafficking ring in Greece. Thanks to information provided by Robinson, dozens of high ranking Greek officials have been exposed as members of the trafficking ring and facilitating its operations in Athens. Authorities used the information to find and free hundreds of men, women, and children. Experts believe that the operation may be much greater, perhaps including thousands of women. We were unable to reach Danielle Robinson, the one who broke the story, for a comment.”

Why was she unable to be reached for comment?

I know she’s keeping a low profile on the ground here, but she is ridiculously connected to the media. Always answering emails immediately, always contacting this colleague for this and that colleague for that.

Has she gotten herself killed?

Already?

My heart plummets in a way I didn’t realize it could.

Even if she is a heartless bitch, there is no denying in this moment that I am hopelessly in love with Danielle Robinson.

God, I don’t care if she’s using me. I can’t let her die.

Fuck it.

I get up from my seat and move up to the cockpit.

“What’s up, Jackal?” He asks cheerfully as he looks up at me.

“Change of plans, Eagle. We’re not going anywhere.”