Chapter 32
Ryan and Maurice loaded the rest of the equipment in the van. I walked inside the cabin to change into my tuxedo. The cabin had a warm rustic feel with exposed beams, a large leather couch in the living room next to the fireplace, and a white kitchen with stainless steel appliances. I walked into one of the bedrooms and began to remove my clothes to take a shower. I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower and the bathroom quickly filled with steam. I stepped into the shower and let the hot water wash all over my head and body. Suddenly I felt a hand on my back. I turned and saw Natalia standing there naked and she entered the shower with me. She picked up the bottle of body wash and squeezed some into her hand. I inhaled the nice cool scent as she rubbed her soft hands across my back. I then turned and looked into Natalia’s beautiful eyes.
“Hey baby. I thought you were already getting dressed?”
She raised up on her toes and pressed a kiss to my lips.
“I didn’t hear you come in Natalia. You’re probably the only person on the planet who can sneak up on me.” I joked.
“Don’t worry the guys didn’t see me sneak in and I locked the door behind me. I just wanted to have a few minutes alone with you before we leave,” she said.
“Oh, really?” I inquired.
“I can’t believe we are finally going to be together after this is over. I want to go to sleep beside you every night and wake up to you every morning. I want babies too. I want to embrace life, not be mired in all the killing and death.” Natalia stated.
“I agree baby, I love you too. I’m going to resign as soon as this mission is over. Are you okay for this mission? I can’t focus if I’m worried about you.” I said.
“You never had to worry about me before, Jason. And as if I recall, I have even knocked you on your ass a few times. I can take care of myself,” she said.
“I know you can baby.” I teased.
Natalia and I finished our shower. She leaned over to kiss me and then wrapped herself in a towel and peeked out into the hallway so she could sneak back to her room. I finished getting dressed and proceeded downstairs to meet with the team about the mission.
Natalia and I were going undercover as a couple looking to buy some documents that had been stolen from the CIA. Our mission in Moscow was to locate Boris Valchek’s office on the top floor of his mansion and steal the files back before they could be sold to the highest bidder. The files contained the identity of all our undercover U.S. operatives around the world. They were encrypted and Valchek had to bring in someone to decrypt them before they could be sold. This was the one mission that I knew would change all our futures forever. As I stood by the fire, I stared into it and dreamed for a moment what my life would be like once this is all over. I was looking forward to settling down and having a normal life. I’ve pulled the trigger on so many targets over the years. The life of an assassin is a lonely one and I didn’t want to live that life anymore. I had sold my soul for long enough. Killing was all I knew. I was stunned back into reality when Natalia walked down the stairs. She was dressed in a red, floor length gown that hugged all her gorgeous curves. Her makeup was flawless but elegant at the same time. At that moment I just wanted to kiss her bright red lips. Her brown highlighted hair was pinned up in a way that suited and elongated her neck. She looked breathtaking and I was at a loss for words. The team gathered in the living room so we could go over the mission.
“Guys, I just wanna say to all of you this is my last mission. It has been an honor to serve as Commander of this unit. After this mission I will be retiring to start a life with Natalia.”
“Commander, we have been best friends a long time and this is the first time I have ever seen you smile. From that first day we met at Briarwood Academy, I knew you would be our leader and you have served well. If Natalia makes you happy, I say go for it! Remember, I’ve always got your six,” Chase said.
“Commander, it has been an honor serving under you,” Nick said.
“Well Commander, look out, Natalia is a snarky firecracker! But I hope you both are happy together,” Vince said.
Vince walked over and hugged Natalia.
“Natalia, darling you know I adore you. Commander, you and I didn’t get off to a great start but it has been an honor serving with you. I am happy for you both,” Maurice said.
“Thank you all for your support. This is the first time I feel like I have a real family in you guys,” Natalia said.
As Natalia walked by, she said, “Come on Commander, let’s have some fun and deal with Valchek once and for all.”
Ryan, Nick, and Chase followed Natalia and I in the communications van disguised as a delivery truck. Maurice and Vince were both following us on motorcycles. As we drove to the party, Natalia placed her hand on my leg and smiled.
“Okay, Coms check everyone,” I said.
“Commander I hear you loud and clear and both your body trackers are giving off strong readings on this end!” Ryan laughed.
As Ryan monitored the readings on the screen from the communications van, he noticed both of them were giving off the same heartbeat readings.
“Coms check,” said Vince.
“Coms check,” said Nick.
“Coms check,” said Maurice.
“Coms check,” said Chase.
“Okay, eyes on the prize everyone,” I said.
Maurice had set up explosives around the perimeter of the mansion as a diversion for our escape. Ryan was in the van monitoring us all. Chase was in a tree adjacent to the property with eyes on the scene through his M40 rifle scope. Nick was already inside undercover as one of the wait staff to assist with our retreat. Vince arrived after Natalia and I as a guest to the party.
Natalia and I pulled up the driveway in a black, Maserati. As we both walked inside I could feel all eyes on us as we entered the main ballroom. We took a seat toward the back of the room so I could keep my eyes out for Valchek. Vince was mingling with the guests and was already on a couch making out with some hot supermodel. Natalia and I drank a couple glasses of champagne to keep up our cover. Vince glanced over at me as he blew rings of smoke in the air and sipped on his gin and tonic cocktail. Suddenly the band began to play the tango. I stood and extended my hand to Natalia which she accepted. As we danced across the floor, we looked into each other’s eyes. We had an obvious and fiery connection that couldn’t, and wouldn’t, be denied.
“Well Commander, am I making you nervous,” Natalia asked.
“No, of course not,” I answered.
“Well, I can feel your heart beating against mine,” Natalia said
“Chase, report. Where is Boris?” I asked.
“Commander, he’s out on the back patio talking to two gentlemen I don’t recognize,” Chase responded.
“Copy that, Chase.” I said.
Ryan had hacked into the mansion’s surveillance systems.
“Ryan, run facial recognition on the men Valchek is talking to.”
“Copy that.” Ryan responded.
“Okay Commander, the men are arms dealer Assad Akem, number one on Saudi Arabia’s most wanted list and Bennett Michael Hall the world class art thief.”
“Copy that Ry.”
“Vince, time for you to make your move,” Natalia said.
I watched as Vince stood up and began to walk toward the grand staircase with the model on his arm. As Natalia and I danced, we saw Vince disappear into one of the upstairs bedrooms and close the door. The room Vince went into is the where the electronic box was located to deactivate the motion detectors in Boris’s office so we could gain entry without being detected. When the music stopped playing we went over to the buffet table to get some food. Nick was serving guests at the buffet table. As Nick handed me my plate he placed an electronic key card wrapped in my napkin.
“Good evening. Sir and madam,” Nick said
“Good evening,” I responded.
“The filet mignon is especially good tonight, sir,” Nick stated.
With Nick telling us the secret phrase, I knew it was time to make our move. Natalia and I saw that the stairs were unguarded so we headed up. When Natalia and I got to the top of the stairs, Boris’s office was straight ahead. As we walked down the hallway Natalia and I saw two of Boris’ men approaching us carrying machine guns. We hurried into a small bathroom and closed the door ‘till they passed us by. After they passed, Natalia and I entered Boris’s office. I stood guard at the door as Natalia turned the computer on Boris’s desk on. She inserted a flash drive and started downloading all the files.
“Okay Ryan, can you hear me?” Natalia said.
“Yes Natalia, I’m here. Did you insert the flash drive and start downloading the files?” Ryan asked.
“Yes, Ryan I did. The screen says the download is almost complete,” she stated.
“Okay Natalia the virus I put on the flash drive will destroy the files and Boris’s computer at the same time,” Ryan said.
“Hurry up Natalia. They’re coming this way now!” I said.
“Commander, there’s some serious movement going on in there!” Chase said.
“Chase, I see them!”
“Boris and his guys are on their way to your position!”
“Copy, that! Nick what is your position?” I asked.
“Commander, I’m in the ballroom serving the guests. Boris and his guys are on their way upstairs! Did you get the files yet?” Nick asked.
“Almost. Natalia is downloading them now.”
“Vince, what’s your position?” I asked.
“I’m in a bedroom down the hall. The girl tried to kill me, so I just took her out quietly mate!” Vince said.
“Get out of there Vince. Something’s wrong. They must know we’re here.”
Suddenly, all our communications went down. I peeked out into the hallway and I saw Boris and his guys coming up the stairs. Natalia and I both pulled out our guns.
“Natalia something’s not right! I think our cover has been compromised. Did you complete the download before the power went off?” I asked.
Natalia pulled the flash drive out of the computer and placed it under her dress.
“I’m not sure. Come on Jason, we’ve got to get out of here before they find us!”
“Stay behind me no matter what! I love you, baby!” I said.
“I love you too, Jason!” Natalia said.
As Natalia and I walked out into the hallway we were confronted by Boris and his guys. Natalia immediately stood behind me. I could see Vince peeking out of the room down the hall. I could see the glimmer of his 9mm pointing toward Boris and his guys.
“Well, Commander, we finally meet at last! Did you really think I didn’t know you and your team were trying to steal back those CIA files? And who is this beautiful woman? Now put down your guns and I promise to kill you quickly.”
Natalia and I stood back to back with our guns pointed at them in either direction. I gave Chase the signal to kill Boris as I released the clip from my gun and let it fall to the ground. I mouth the word “Execute” and the next thing I know a bullet comes through the window and strikes Boris in the neck. Boris falls to the ground grabbing his neck as blood gushes out of his neck in every direction. Natalia and I both fall to the ground and I reload my guns and began shooting. Vince runs out the room and dives on the floor shooting both of his guns simultaneously hitting several of Boris’s guys and they fall dead to the ground. They began to retreat, but Natalia and I get separated. I see one of Boris’s guys grab Natalia and rush her down the stairs. As I start to run toward them a bullet hits me in the arm and I drop my gun, someone suddenly hits me in the head from behind. I fall down losing consciousness.