Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! Planes trains and automobiles!..... huh? Nevermind, random tangent. I hereby present to you!!! *drum roll* A new chapter! Thank you thank you *bows* please hold your applause to the end.
Chapter Thirty
Nike liked Zurich, maybe it was the way it rolled off the tongue, maybe it was the sights and sounds, maybe it was the people, the architecture, the night clubs.
She lent on the railing that ran around the small patio that came off the apartment she was using and watched the people on the street, business people, tourists, parents, teenagers slacking off the day off school.
She watched a young mother struggle with her shopping and thought back on the job she had been forced to go on with Sparrow.
“How do you feel about your parents?”
That question had stung, like a slap in the face, how was she supposed to feel about people who instead of loving her had given her to the Project Christmas program, no questions asked for cash.
Nike growled and pushed herself off the railing, annoyed with herself for even thinking about her family, she was dead to them and so they were dead to her, what did she care, she was doing what she wanted to do with her life, travel, get the hell out of Russia, if killing people meant she never had to go back to Russia then the man could send her on as many assignments as he liked.
Just as she thought about raiding the mini bar in her room, despite it being only nine in the morning her phone rang.
“You’re on the air.” She announced knowing she was seriously vexing her employer.
“I need you to be at a local club by nine pm, come dressed well but not elegantly, meet me at the back entrance.”
“Any information on the job?” she asked casually pulling open the fridge and smiling at the small bottles of vodka that lined the door frame.
“Just be on time, don’t bring a weapon.”
“Boss, I’m a contract killer, you pay me, I kill people, don’t complicate our arrangement by telling me not to bring a weapon.” She said pulling out one of the small bottles.
“No weapons Nike or your bank balance stays the same.”
“You’re the right hand of god, if you say no weapons, fine, no weapons.” She sighed and unscrewed the lid, downing the small bottle in one shot.
“Good, Sparrow told me you did a good job at the hotel.”
“No she didn’t, she told you I was a brat and she wanted to kill me slowly.” Nike scoffed.
“Never the less, you did the job, keep up the good work Nike.”
“Is that a vote of confidence boss?” she laughed.
“Sparrows right, you’re a brat. See you at nine.”
Click; Beep beep beep.
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Jack was sitting at a small outdoor café with a coffee and the morning paper when his phone went off.
“Bristow.”
“Sweetheart, honestly is that how you answer your phone?” Irina’s voice laughed on the other end.
“Only after coffee, before then I just grunt.” He smiled and leaned back in his seat.
“I’m glad I decided to call after breakfast.”
“Where are you?”
“Just arriving.”
“So where do you need me to be? And when?”
“There’s a club, owned by a former KGB Colonel, he used to run a small arms operation for the Alliance, his club is a money laundering operation for the Covenant, he’s high enough on the food chain to know where Sydney might be.” Irina explained and Jack heard a car engine in the back ground.
“Will he recognise you?”
“Not immediately and I’ve already had my people arrange my admittance into the club, we need to question him and retrieve the files in his office.”
“What time?” Jack asked sipping his coffee.
“Eleven, I want them all really drunk by the time you arrive.” She laughed.
“He’s Russian; he can probably drink a gallon of vodka and still stay standing.”
“Yes but stand and throw a punch?”
“Probably not.” Jack agreed.
“Bring your things with you Jack; I’ll have a car waiting to take us to my place.”
“You have a house here?”
“I have a very comfortable town house.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me.” He smiled.
“Nothing surprises you Jack.”
Jack smiled and leaned back in his chair.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
“Remember, wear a suit.”
“Is this all part of your surprise?”
“If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it.” She laughed.
He had to admit defeat on that particular point.
“When you arrive there will be a young woman waiting tables, be sure to get her attention, she’ll talk you through what I’m planning.”
“One of your people I suppose.”
“She’s an insolent young kid with way too much attitude but she gets the job done.” Irina said with what sounded like an irritated tone of voice.
“Sounds like your kind of operative.” Jack smiled.
Irina gave him the clubs address and sighed on the other end of the phone.
“I’ll see you later tonight then.” He said as he jotted down the address into a small note pad.
“I can’t wait.” She hung up and he closed his phone.
“This is going to be interesting.” Jack rumbled to himself.
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Jack walked into the club and looked around, it was a rather swank looking place, very up scale, high vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, more of a bar restaurant type place then a club.
He scanned the crowd and noticed a fair amount of people, couples, groups, single dinners, no families, which was good, no children to worry about in case anything went wrong.
He walked up to the bar and got the barman’s attention.
“What can I do for you sir?’ he asked pleasantly.
“Bourbon with ice.” Jack ordered and looked up and down the bar, seemed most people were seated at tables.
“Here we are sir.” He handed Jack his drink.
“You’re in for a treat tonight sir.” The barman smiled.
“Whys that?” Jack asked handing him some bills.
“Last set of the night.” He nodded to a stage that was set up; Jack looked over his shoulder and saw a piano and guitar on stage and their owners walking back onstage.
“Good timing.” He smiled and moved away from the bar to a vacant table.
He was finishing his drink as the voice of the nights’ performer hit his ears and he nearly choked on a cube of ice. He knew that voice.
Jack put his glass down and his eyes adjusted to the lower lighting and there she was, sitting centre stage, microphone in hand.
Her hair was in a twist and tendrils fell about her face and high lighted her high cheek bones and wonderful facial structure.
The dark sapphire top she was wearing set off the black slacks and contrasted well with her hair and eyes, the whole ensemble was designed to mesmerize and hold your eye, the single tear drop diamond she wore around her neck drew the eyes down to her cleavage.
But it was her voice, her voice that truly bewitched, the melodious sounds emanating from her were like a siren song and he was completely seduced.
‘Tell Sydney I greatly enjoyed her performance, she has her mothers singing voice.’
Sark’s words floated back to him and Jack had to agree, Sydney had a great gift in her singing voice and it could only have come from Irina, her tone and pitch were perfect, the soft sensual accent highlighting and enhancing the beauty of her voice.
It wasn’t the words, the words meant nothing to Jack, it was simply the sound.
He had glimpses of her remarkable gift when she was still his wife, she often sang Sydney to sleep at night or sang softly as she cooked dinner, but never like this, never in such a way that his heart was in his throat with the emotion she was able to purvey with a single note.
He watched her eyes travel over the crowd and stop on him for a moment, her face seemed to light up and she smiled.
“Excuse me sir? Can I get you anything else?” said a young voice and Jack snapped out of his daze to notice a young woman standing at the side of his table, probably no older then sixteen.
“Ahh another bourbon please.” He said shaking away the feeling.
“As you like sir.” She smiled and lent over to retrieve the empty glass and napkin.
“At the end of the set ask the floor manager for a few moments alone with the lovely lady on stage; he’s the big guy at the centre table. He’ll make you wait on a decision so slip him a few big bills and he’ll let you through, once your backstage Irina will fill you in on the rest.” She hissed as she pretended to wipe down his table.
Jack looked her over and noticed the scar like white line above her eye brow and cold look in her eye, this girl wanted to shot someone not wait tables.
“Anything else?” Jack asked taking out his wallet and slipping her a bill.
“I swiped a pass card for the up stairs office, thought you might need it.” She said taking the bill and palming him the card.
“Thanks.” He smiled and she went on her way.
Jack lent back and watched as Irina worked the crowd, she had them in the palm of her hand; she was the piper and they the mice.
His second drink was placed in front of him and he shot her a side long look.
“She keeps this up and the whole room is gonna need cold showers.” The young girl hissed vehemnantly before disappearing.
Jack watched as Irina walked amongst the patrons stopping at a few tables and then moving on, he couldn’t help but notice the goofy looks on a few of the younger men’s faces.
Suddenly she was at his table, dark eyes boring into him.
He smiled up at her and she lent down to run her fingers over his face and down his chest, he took her hand gently and kissed it all the while smiling.
She winked and headed back to the stage.
He was mesmerized by the movement of her hips and the length of her legs, black was defiantly her colour.
Irina took the stage again and finished out her set to resounding applause, she bowed her head graciously and indicated her two musicians who also stood, bowed their heads then headed off stage. Irina stayed for a moment or two then bowed her head again and headed off stage.
Jack stood up, fastened his suit jacket closed and headed over to the man the young woman had indicated.
“Excuse me? Are you the manager?” Jack asked casually to the man who was still seated.
“I am.” He said simply not looking up from his drink.
“Do you also manage the entertainment?”
“I organise it, yes, why?”
“I was wondering if I might have a few moments alone with tonight’s entertainment.”
The man looked up at Jack and lent back in his chair.
“And you would be?”
“A well paying patron.” Jack replied with a smile.
The man huffed and slammed back his drink looking Jack up and down.
“You know I’ve had a few men ask to speak with the singer, she’s sent them all back. What makes you think you’ll have any luck?” he sneered.
“Well,” Jack made a show of taking out a roll of bills and pulling three from the group.
“There’s never any harm in trying.” He threw them down on the table and waited.
The man looked from the bills to Jack before scooping them up and standing up.
“I’ll take you back stage.” He smiled and lead Jack to a secured door, down a small flight of stairs and finally behind the stage. There were dressing rooms and practise rooms along the wall as well as a bathroom and small dinning room.
He stopped at a door and rapped sharply three times.
“Yes?” Irina’s voice floated out to them.
“Sorry to disturb you madam but there is a man here requesting a few moments of your time.”
They heard the lock click and the door opened a fraction; Irina’s deep eyes sparkled when they saw Jack.
“I suppose I could spare a few moments.” Irina said opening the door a little more, but not admitting them into the room.
“If you need anything Madam?” asked the Manager.
“A private room if it’s possible, this dressing room is stifling and I dislike small spaces.” Irina turned her gaze on him and he swallowed before nodding.
“There are a few private rooms upstairs, your welcome to conduct your business there.” He smiled.
“Do we need a key?” Jack asked.
“Oh yes, of course.” He handed Jack a pass card like the one in his pocket.
“Thank you.” Irina smiled and Jack slipped him another note of his trouble.
He turned and walked away leaving Jack standing at the door.
“Are you going to invite me in?” Jack leaned on the frame and looked down at her.
“I was thinking we take him up on his offer of a private room.” She smiled, flicked off a light switch and shut the door behind herself, she was still dressed in the out fit she had worn on stage and his eyes were almost magically drawn down ward.
She smiled at him and pushed his head up a fraction so he was looking her in the eye.
“Glad I still hold your eyes.” She smiled.
“Every man in that room had his eyes on you.” Jack said reminding himself why they were there.
Irina shrugged a shoulder and smiled, “I have that affect on people.” She smiled.
“You certainly do.” Jack held his arm out for her and she wrapped her hands around it and they walked down the hallway to a set of spiral stairs.
“I spoke to your friend.” He said softly as they headed up the stairs as music played out in the main bar.
“Isn’t she a sweet little thing?” Irina smiled.
“Oh yes, very pleasant.” He muttered.
“The Colonel stays in his office till twelve thirty; we’ve got plenty of time before someone notices something’s wrong.” Irina informed him as they made it to the top of the stairs and saw several doors running down both sides of the lavish hall way.
“Which rooms his?” Jack asked pulled her against the wall near the top of the stairs; at looking each of the doors.
Irina pointed out the fourth door down then turned to press herself against him.
“You ready to play a little game?” she smiled.
“You lead, I’ll follow.” He smiled and kissed her softly.
“I’ve been waiting for you to do that.” She breathed as they broke apart.
“I’ve been wanting to since I first saw you down stairs.” He reached around her head and pulled the clip from her hair, letting her hair fall from its restraint.
She loosened his tie and ran her fingers into his hair, messing it up slightly she smiled as she played with a small curl.
He pushed the straps of her top down her shoulders and smiled.
“Your getting ahead of yourself.” She accused.
“Details count my love.” He whispered softly.
They walked over to the door and stood there a full minute getting focused, Jack took the pass card the young woman had slipped him and pressed it into the card swipe but didn’t do anything else, waiting for Irina to compose herself, she shook her head and her hair flicked about her face.
He nodded and she smiled back, she pressed herself to him, running her hands behind his head, he ran an arm about her waist and kissed her intensely as he swiped the card and the door swung open to admit them.
Too wrapped up in each other and their physical exploration they pretended not to hear the startled cry of the former KGB Colonel.
“What the hell are you doing?” he shouted standing up from behind his desk and walking around to the front of it.
Jack managed to extricate himself from Irina’s passionate kisses for a moment to look over to the man.
“Oh, damn, sorry, we were Ahh.” He tried to force her off but she was having none of it, the door swung shut behind them and Irina heard the click of the lock.
“We were told we could have a private conversation up here.” Irina smiled and finally pulled away from Jack.
“This is my office, take your conversation down the hall.” He snarled.
She pouted and stalked forward; hips swaying hypnotically, Jack had to tear his eyes away and did his best to regain his composure.
“No need for that tone of voice.” She said softly.
“I won’t tell you again wench, get out.” He growled.
“We can’t do that.” Irina said softly as she veered off to the side of the broad man and headed towards the back of his desk, Jack hid his smile as he saw her reach for the lamp that sat there.
“And why not.” He said looking from Irina to Jack.
“Because you’re the reason we’ve come all this way.” Jack smiled as the lamp crashed down on the back of his head.
Mwhahahahahahahahhahahahahahaaa you can say it, I'm evil!!! And you all love me, I promise I wont keep you waiting so long for the next update.
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