Debt of Honor: A Rough Romance, page 11
“Goddamn it, man. You sure know how to put the screws to someone. Thank God I know a few people. Particular airport? “
I thought about his question. There wasn’t a chance in hell the damn Russians could flag every airport. “Nashville.”
“Given the short timeframe, buddy, I need pictures in case I gotta go commercial.”
“Not advised.”
“I still have sources, my friend, but I’m no miracle worker. You need to trust me.”
I weighed the odds of getting out of the country safely by means of a commercial airline. Slim to fucking nil, but what choice did I have? “Fine. You might need to doctor them.”
“No worries. I’d get yourself a disguise or two.”
A disguise. Trained militia would have recognition software in whatever device they used. Once they homed in on us as targets, it would be a matter of thirty seconds before our identities would be secured. However, thirty seconds might mean the difference between life and death.
“Yeah. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good enough. You should hear something from me later tonight. Maybe we can talk about old times when you get here.”
He and I both knew we’d never discuss the incident again. It was far too painful. “Yeah, maybe.”
“I’ll make a few calls. This might be pulling in a few last favors, but for you, I’d do anything.”
We’d sworn to have each other’s backs, only the other men who’d taken the pledge hadn’t survived. We were both haunted by the experience.
“Thanks, Jeremy.” I ended the call, securing my weapon in my jacket pocket. It didn’t matter how small the town or its location. I refused to allow the operation to be derailed by one bad decision. I left the vehicle where it was, acting as if I wasn’t in a hurry when the last thing I wanted to do was be gone for an extended period of time.
When I’d left Isabella, her huge doe eyes had been zoned on me, the corners of her mouth tilted up in a smile. She’d kept the Beretta in her hands, unafraid of using it. I’d sensed that in her the moment she’d taken the weapon from my hand. I’d been right in my assessment of her. She had more strength than most people gave her credit for.
However, one woman with a weapon would mean nothing to a group of Russian soldiers. I took long strides down the sidewalk, constantly scanning the other side of the street. As I entered the bank, I repeated the same action, always concerned. Always second guessing. That had kept me alive more than once.
I waited in line, something I hated to do. Two minutes turned into five. Then ten. I couldn’t stand waiting. I had no patience. Still. In the same place.
“You’re American trash!” one yelled. “You’re hungry. Eat this.” As he tossed a rat into the hole, I lunged toward the opening, able to crawl up the dirt wall by several feet.
“You fucking asshole. I will kill you first.”
The prod was sharp, the point digging into my shoulder. As soon as the jolt of electricity tore through me, I dug my fingers into the earth, letting off a primal roar. The fuckers would never beat me. Never.
“Sir. Can I help you, sir?”
Blinking several times, I tried to pull myself out of the memory. There was a sudden tickling sensation and I almost snapped, sensing bugs crawling all over me. After taking a deep breath, I lifted my hand, wiping the substance away. Beads of sweat on my forehead.
Fuck. A vision hadn’t been that hallucinogenic for years.
“Sir. Do you need help?”
The woman’s voice finally dragged me all the way out of the delusion. Swallowing, I walked toward the teller, sliding the slip of paper holding Jeremy’s information. “I need a wire transfer.”
“Do you have an account with us?”
A nagging feeling swept through me, similar to the one I’d felt when the first car had spotted us. I shifted toward the window onto the street, noticing nothing out of the ordinary. “Yes, I do.” As I relayed the information, waiting for the confirmation, I continued watching. The last thing I needed was to fall into the trap of convincing myself there were issues, men ready to crash the party unexpectedly. That would only create another moment of chaos.
I said nothing as the transaction was completed, leaving the bank satisfied the plan was put into motion. Jeremy wouldn’t fail me. He had connections both legal and illegal. I never asked questions. If I needed something, he’d always come through. This would be a test for him, the odds of safely getting to Lisbon now at forty percent. If he managed to get us on anything but a commercial flight, I’d give it a fifty/fifty. After that, it was all about disappearing for long enough the Russians would grow bored or meet their maker.
After leaving the bank, I did what I could, purchasing several items in order to effectively create disguises. If we lived through the next two days, making it to Lisbon alive, a more permanent solution would be needed.
As I headed for the car, I passed a small store and stopped. It was a quaint shop exactly like you’d find in a small town, eclectic in very feminine offerings. I couldn’t remember the last present I’d bought for anyone, let alone a woman, but something gnawing inside of me said Isabella needed something of comfort in order to keep her compliant.
Happiness wasn’t on the menu.
I walked inside, ready to jerk the little bell announcing a new customer off the inside of the door. An older woman approached almost immediately, giving me a quick onceover.
“Can I help you find something special for your lady?” she asked.
“Just a friend.”
She laughed, which for some reason irritated me. I turned my head toward her and she immediately flushed.
“I’m sorry. It’s just when a man buys a gift for a ‘friend’ he’s usually terrified to admit how strongly he feels about her.” I continued staring at her. “I know. None of my business.” She backed away, but her comment lingered in my mind.
Isabella had seemed excited about the fucking fake ring. She might understand the world in which she’d been forced to partake in, but every action she took, every word out of her mouth was a hard push to keep from accepting what she hated. The intimacy I’d allowed myself to feel with Isabella had left me with an ache that I couldn’t explain and didn’t want to.
I’d always believed that the act of sex for a man was taking advantage of being stronger, controlling the situation with a few whispered words and rough touches. But for a woman, she offered a portion of her heart and soul, allowing her body to be used as a vessel for the briefest hint of salvation.
She’d given me a tremendous gift and I’d turned my back on her. While my reasoning was substantial, it had broken the thin line of trust that I’d developed from saving her life. I moved to the small case near the cash register, noticing a pin that I believed she’d like. A butterfly. I’d noticed the only theme noted in her apartment revolved around the butterfly. Fragile but with strength to accept change.
I thought of a quote my mother had used several times over the years.
“Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and set softly on your shoulder.”
“That’s Thoreau. You must care for your friend very much.”
I hadn’t realized I’d said the words out loud. “Just something I remembered. I’ll take this.”
“Would you like it giftwrapped?” She winked as she pulled it from the case.
“Just in a box.”
As I left the store, the box safely located in my jacket, I continued to be surprised why I’d made the purchase. I had no need to make her happy or keep a smile on her face. I was here for one purpose, then out of her life as soon as the mission was over.
Yet Isabella’s eyes had haunted me, the gift she’d provided one I’d taken for granted not once but twice.
Maybe this was some form of redemption.
Oh, who the hell was I kidding? I was a soulless man, nothing more.
But as I started the engine, I thought about Isabella’s beauty and grace and another realization came to me.
Isabella was the beauty at the end of the pain.
Isabella
I held the small drive in my hand, turning it over several times, feeling guilty for taking the last part of the formula from my laboratory as well as not telling Cobra about the threats. Had the Russians known I’d taken the information? They couldn’t have unless they’d had someone working on the inside. I thought about the team of men and women I’d worked with for almost eighteen months, some of whom were foreigners.
But their backgrounds, beliefs, social media posts—everything had been thoroughly checked in order to obtain security clearance. I’d never doubted a single one of them. I continued to rub my fingers on the drive, longing to continue my work. Maybe what I’d developed hadn’t been such a good idea. I’d placed parameters on the data, the formula, and every calculation. I’d managed to keep the volatile effects at a minimum. In order for the particles to be used as a weapon, the formula needed additional molecules.
Was there another scientist in the world who could figure out the hidden codes? Maybe. Or maybe I was missing something. I’d come into work at six in the morning finding several other team members starting their day ahead of me. Was it possible I’d overlooked the fact changes had been made right under my nose? Something else I couldn’t rule out. I’d uploaded the last data, locking down the system because of the last threat.
One I’d never forget, the text succinct and terrifying.
Continue your work or face the ultimate punishment.
I’d laughed at it the moment it had come across the screen of my personal phone, the unknown sender previously providing two less caustic threats on my office cellphone. Those had already been detected by the team of experts maintaining a firm lock on all communications within the building and on the communications devices every employee was provided. They hadn’t bothered me.
But my personal phone had never been made public. Hell, the Secret Service, the CIA, and other law enforcement agencies regularly swept every personal communication I had. But they hadn’t noted the last threat coming through, which meant whoever had sent it had specialized equipment blocking the various scanners. They’d also been able to find a number that had almost as much security surrounding it as my work in the lab.
A sickening feeling formed in my stomach again. The formula hadn’t been the only data I’d copied onto the drive. I should have taken the threats more seriously before everything had escalated. Before I’d become certain I was playing into unknown hands, the purpose for my work being used in a different manner than I’d signed up for.
That had been thirty minutes prior to leaving for the club. By then I’d already taken the drive, locking down the project.
As I moved through the house, pacing the floor, I noticed a closed door I hadn’t paid any attention to before. Without thinking, I tried the doorknob, finding it unlocked. As I walked inside, I took a deep breath. The room was set up as a communications center complete with two computers and satellite equipment. There was a console equipped with three monitors. As soon as I pressed my finger on the console, the screens became active. He’d positioned cameras in at least three dozen locations.
I stood in front of them, shifting my eyes from one to the other. The late afternoon light provided a clear view of the surrounding area. While they provided some level of comfort, I continued to feel chilled to the bone. This was real. This was… terrible.
Cobra could run several operations out of here. Why did he need to leave the cabin in order to make a phone call?
Because he didn’t want me to overhear what was being said? What was the man hiding from me and why?
I thought about what I should do with the disc. First things first, find out if anyone had tinkered with the formula. The movements of every scientist involved with the project were tracked, including their time spent and their activities. I should be able to narrow down who’d logged onto the system the day I’d taken downloaded the formula onto the drive.
What could it hurt to use Cobra’s computer systems to check? If it brought us closer to finding out if the Russians were being assisted, then it was well worth the effort. I knew my way around computer systems. I’d been the nerdy kid staying in her room, more interested in science projects and the power of gigabytes than forming lasting friendships.
I studied his systems, turning on one of the computers, surprised it popped up to a regular screen without a passcode. I noticed quickly that the system wasn’t attached to the internet. That’s what the satellite connection was for. I shifted to the console, studying the configuration. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how to flip a simple switch. As I returned to the computer, I clicked on the internet to make certain it was working.
The security system was activated, the entire system immediately shutting down. I should have known better than to even think Cobra didn’t have tight security for every aspect of his life. I’d either need to confess what I had in my possession or pray that whoever was responsible would be caught.
The thud as a door was closed forced me to jump. No. No. He couldn’t find me in here. I shoved the drive into my pocket, scurrying toward the door. Shit. He was making a beeline in my direction. I slipped out into the hallway, leaving the door to the communications room cracked a few millimeters. Where the hell could I go? I inched toward the end of the hallway, unable to see him from where I was standing. Oh, dear God. What if the person was an intruder? I’d been stupid enough to leave the weapon he’d given me on the coffee table. I knew better.
I held my breath, crowding as close to the wall as possible. Whoever was inside stopped a few feet from being able to see down the hallway where I was standing. Then the person headed upstairs. As soon as the mystery person was on the landing, I tiptoed into the living room, immediately noticing the weapon was gone.
Oh, God. I had to get out of here. I rushed toward the front door, ready to throw it open when I heard a single cracking sound.
“Stay right where you are, princess.”
Relief flooded me hearing Cobra’s voice. As he walked closer, I calmed my breathing.
“Turn around and face me,” he instructed.
I did as I was told, instantly noticing the weapon left behind was in his hand. “You’re back.”
“And if I’d been anyone else, you’d be dead or on your way to an unknown destination. What part about keep the weapon with you at all times did you not understand?”
“I’m sorry. I was coming right back to the room.”
He lifted his head, studying me like a specimen. Then he started scanning the area as he shoved the weapon into his jacket. “What were you doing?”
“What could I be doing?” What a ridiculous comment.
Cobra immediately turned around, heading toward his office.
I didn’t bother following.
When he returned, the look on his face terrified me. He advanced quickly, grabbing me by both arms. “What the hell were you doing in my office?”
“I…”
“Talk to me. How long did you have the satellite feature on?”
“I don’t know. You’re scaring me.”
“I want you fucking terrified, Isabella. How long?”
I thought about the question, fearful of what he would do. “I don’t know, less than five minutes, maybe a little longer.”
“You need to be accurate about this. How. Long?”
“I don’t know! Why is it so important?”
“Because that’s how they could find us, Isabella. If you were on that system for longer than five minutes, then they may already be on their way. You might have just signed our death warrant.”
He allowed the caustic words to linger. I twisted my mouth, my heart racing.
“What the hell were you doing inside that room? I need to know everything.” he demanded.
The second I looked away, he pinched my chin between his fingers, forcing me to look into his eyes.
“Goddamn it, Isabella. What are you hiding? What?”
“Stop telling me how much danger I’m in.” His eyes were full of fury, his eyes darker than I’d ever seen them.
“I’m going to keep doing so until you get it. You need to come clean with me. Who were you trying to contact? Is this some kind of game?”
It dawned on me what he was saying. I tried to jerk out of his hold, but his fingers dug into my skin painfully. “Are you crazy? Do you think I’m betraying my own country?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart, but you’ve been cagey for two days, hiding something. What the hell is it?”
He shook me again. I had to trust him. I opened my mouth, but no words came easily. How could I tell him I couldn’t trust my own father? That I feared he’d sold out his country? I looked into Cobra’s eyes, able to catch another glimpse of his soul.
“Please tell me everything is going to be alright.”
After taking a deep breath, he backed away. “I can’t tell you something that isn’t the truth. Your apartment building and laboratory were torched. Several people died. These monsters will stop at nothing to hunt you down, Isabella. Nothing. And when they do, there will be nothing I can do to save you.”
CHAPTER 8
“Hidden in each of us is a secret person, often unknown even to ourselves.”
—Dr. Jean Wolf
Isabella
Secrets.
I’d been very good at keeping them my entire life. In fact, I excelled at pretending they didn’t exist, living in a flawed fantasy world. I’d fallen in love with science because it allowed me to touch reality. I had the feeling the life I’d pretended to live had just collided with the raw existence of a world that I’d never wanted, nor had I been able to face.
Pretending was far easier and less painful.
Cobra remained quiet, his expression emotionless. I sensed extreme tension in his muscles and the thickened cords in his neck. Hell, I felt it, thick enough a sharp knife was needed to cut through.
