It’s okay, my little angel. It will be just you and me now. One more job and we’ll find something else.
This time, maybe I’ll go off-grid for good. No more jobs for Ian Black, no more missions.
***
“Room service,”I sing as I knock on the room door of Aleksandr Krupin’s hotel suite.
In and out, that’s the plan. This cart has all the heavy artillery I need for this job. I take a deep breath as the door is pulled open.
Showtime.
“I hope you remembered steak this time,” the big guy who opens the door says as he looks behind him.
I lift the dome from one of the plates and grab the gun with the silencer. Aiming at this guy’s head, I pull the trigger before he gets a chance to turn back around.
I then push the cart inside and let the door click shut behind me. Swiftly, I put a bullet in the heads of the two guys who come into sight first. Feeling someone come up behind me, I turn quickly to pull the trigger.
However, I’m not fast enough. The gun is knocked from my hand. I’m pushed back hard.
My back hits the cart and the momentum of the shove flips me over the top. I land on my feet and pull another gun from under the cloth over the cart. This time, I get two off into his chest before he can charge me.
I curse as the gun jams. Piece of shit. I toss it aside right as someone grabs my shoulder.
I don’t take time to think. I throw my elbow back into his ribs. When he grunts but doesn’t release me, I throw another elbow at the same spot and then the other at his face. I wiggle away before he can get a hold of me.
Spinning out, I plant a foot in his chest and pull a knife to toss into his throat. He drops to the floor, gurgling as he clutches his throat. I pull another gun and rush into the next room of the suite.
I find Aleksandr sitting in an accent chair in that room. I don’t hesitate to put two in his chest and one in his head. A frown comes to my face. That was too easy.
My gut tells me something is off. Sound in the front of the suite causes me to snap out of it. I don’t have time to think.
I can only react. I move quickly into the corner and squat down out of sight. As I glance around for my escape route, something catches my attention.
Hiding under the bed, trembling in fear, is a little kid. Now I understand why Aleksandr didn’t put up a fight. I caught him off guard. The Krupins are known for trafficking, another reason why I think Ian should have cut his losses.
The kid’s little blue eyes are locked on mine. I lift my gun to my lips to tell them to remain silent. I don’t kill kids.
It’s one of the rules. Kids are a hard no. Knowing I need to move this out of the kid’s sight, not wanting them to witness any more than they already have, I quietly move toward the door.
Moving back into the other room, I make sure I can’t be seen. I’m outnumbered and it’s clear I’m going to have to shoot my way out. I tug at my bulletproof vest and smooth a hand over my belly. I need to get out of here and back to my baby.
I inhale and stay low as I run for the cart I left behind. Halfway there, I drop down to my knees and slide. I grab the rifle from beneath the cart and roll to my feet. In the next breath, I air the place out then grab my bag from the cart and take off for the door.
Once in the hall, I go to run to my right to head for the elevators. However, I spot more of Aleksandr’s men heading in my direction. I turn and dash for the other corridor to race down the stairs.
When the door closes behind me, I snatch off the wig I’m wearing. Then I pull out the trench coat from my bag to toss on over the uniform I’m wearing and to conceal my rifle. Shouting comes from above as I race to the ground level.
I push a bit harder and make it to the exit. As I push through to the lobby, I take a calming breath. Calm as a cucumber, I walk through the lobby as if nothing is happening. I tug a hat from my pocket and pull it onto my head as I get outside.
“You can do this, love. One more block,” I whisper to myself.
I keep moving, heading for the coffee shop I pinned for my getaway. The tension begins to ease as it comes up on my right. I jog across the street and push through the doors.
“Ach, excuse me. I’m sorry, love. Are ya all right?”
I look up into a pair of green-gray eyes, and my breath is taken away. He gives me a huge smile. I fall speechless and want to kick myself.
My baby’s father did the same thing to me. I don’t know what’s going on with me. I’ve never been crazy about men like this.
