by Mark A Pryor
Niko turned around. “I promised we’d walk along the edge of the crowd, and that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
He led her north, maintaining their distance from the throng of people, many of them waving hand-painted signs. The messages were anti-Russian: “Evil Empire,” “Beer not Vodka,” and “Make Russia Pay.”
“Very impressive,” said Vyper. “A few weeks ago, nobody was upset about the Russians. Now they are angry.” She winked. “I never thought anyone would pay attention to your messages.”
“I wasn’t sure it would work either. It’s amazing how easily people can be led when thousands of sock puppets keep pushing a common message. If the demonstrations in the other cities are half this size, we can call it a success.”
A man nearby held up a sign that read, “Freeze their money.”
Niko waved his arm in the direction of the sign. “I’m going to talk to him. Do you want to come with me?”
Vyper nodded and wrapped her arm around his as they walked over to the man.
“Excuse me,” said Niko. “We’re visitors here. What’s with the crowd? … the signs?”
“It’s the Russians.” The man set down his sign. “Embassy’s full of KGB spies and killers. We gotta kick ‘em out of the country. Freeze their money.”
Niko smiled. “Thank you.” He looked at Vyper. “Sweetheart, this is the demonstration we read about in the news.”
After they walked away, Vyper whispered, “He said the KGB, but—”
“I know. KGB, GRU … most Americans don’t know the difference. It doesn’t matter. He considers them killers, and that’s what’s important.”
Niko pulled Vyper closer to the heart of the crowd where some of the demonstrators screamed wildly while others cheered them on. Organized groups chanted their messages: “Damn senators are paid off by the Russians,” “They bought the damn election,” and “What will they blow up next?—the White House?”
Three burly young men carrying red plastic cups approached, singing, “One bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.” They shoved demonstrators out of their way. Some tried to flee, others stood their ground, trying to fight back, but the drunken trio kept pushing closer.
Niko tried to avoid the drunks, but the crush of people blocked his escape. The crowd pulled Vyper away. Her hand slipped from his fingers. Niko pushed and reached, touching but not grasping her outstretched hand.
Someone shoved him from behind, and he turned to see the tallest drunk push a woman aside. When the man began to take another step, Niko kicked the raised leg aside. He pushed hard on the drunk’s chest, knocking him into his friends and spilling his drink.
The ebb and flow of the human wave pushed Niko away from the drunk. He searched for Vyper, spotting her a few yards ahead. A stroke of luck opened a small gap in the crowd, and Niko pressed through it.
Barely five feet away, Vyper appeared, panic in her eyes, reaching out. A surge of people pushed them together. Niko grabbed her arm and pulled her nearer. Another gap appeared, and he pulled her through.
They escaped the knot of people, held hands, and ran toward an open area in the grass. When it was safe, they stopped, and she hugged him tightly.
She didn’t move—just squeezed him tighter—shaking and rocking.
Niko had wanted to see the demonstration up close, but he got more than he bargained for. He stroked Vyper’s hair. “You’re safe now. Let’s get the hell outta here.”
She released him. Her eyes were wet with tears. “I love you.”
Niko kissed her. “I love you, too.” They headed toward the parking garage.
When they reached the car, Vyper sat silently in the passenger seat. Niko got behind the wheel and headed south to the interstate. He glanced at her. “Are you okay? Did the crowd—”
She shook her head. “It was the big man. One of my fathers looked like him.”
“Are you talking about one of the foster families you lived with?”
She nodded. “Each family had a father. Some were nice. This one was not.”
Niko gripped the wheel tighter and almost missed his exit north. “You don’t have to talk about it unless you want to.”
“I was a virgin.” Her hands flapped. “He said no one would believe a retard … I never told anyone.”
The car drifted onto the shoulder, and Niko steered it back onto the road. His anger focused on the face of the tall drunk at the demonstration—same face as her rapist.
This was a fragile moment for the woman he loved. He fought to remain calm. “Couldn’t you tell his wife? Or someone from social services?”
“He was right. They would not believe me”
“Your foster father was a monster. Most men are kind. I wish I could hold you and make you feel better.” He took the exit north.
Her flapping started again but stopped when she placed her hands in her lap. “I used to wear baggy sweat suits, but it did not seem to help. He never gave up. Some of the other families had fathers like him … and brothers. I just let them. No one would believe the retard.”
Sonofabitch!
A horn blasted at him from the left. He jerked back into his lane. Niko squeezed her hand. “Those men were wrong! They should pay for what they did. You can speak up now, people will believe you.”
“No! … I want to forget them.” She grabbed her laptop from the back seat and opened it. “I have more important things to think about—like Sokolov.”
Niko wanted revenge, but she wanted to forget the men, so he’d try to put them out of his mind. Now he understood her fear of sex. He’d have to suppress his anger. Be patient.
Vyper tapped on her keyboard, then abruptly stopped. “I broke through Cybercade’s firewall. They are not monitoring county services any more. Apparently, the Russians moved on to another target. They are going after oil pipelines and refineries in Texas and Louisiana. Nothing active yet, just probing.”
The sign for Route 7 was up ahead. Niko moved into the right lane. “That’s alarming, but it’s Cybercade’s problem. We’re after Sokolov.”
“The hackers accessing the oil systems are coming through the dark net, using the same routes as Zatan’s team in Vladivostok.”
Niko turned into Vyper’s driveway and raised the garage door. “Hmm … another connection between Zatan and Sokolov. No doubt in my mind, they work together.” He pulled in and closed the door.
Vyper went inside and headed directly for the kitchen. “You hungry? I’ll make sandwiches.”
“Starved. We should have stopped for lunch.” He walked to the sink. “Want some water?”
She nodded. “I have been studying Zatan’s spreadsheets. I think I figured out what is going on, but I need to look up some accounts. There might be more information on suspicious activity reports.”
“What did you find?”
Vyper handed him a sandwich and sat down. “You have to wait. I will check it out after I take a shower.”
“Would you like some company in the shower?” Niko grinned. “It saves water, you know.”
“You are naughty.” She smiled. “You can shower in the guest bathroom like you always do.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
A shy smile was her only response.
Vyper had loosened up over the past few weeks. They loved to “make out”, and she wasn’t shy with her body around him. But Niko’s naked body—a man’s body—was off limits. She certainly had reason to fear men, and she always demanded he keep his pants on. Even though they kidded each other about it, she was dead serious.
After lunch, Niko took a shower. Then he put on a pair of gym shorts and a T-shirt before heading to the living room to join Vyper on the couch.
She adjusted the top of her bathrobe. “I do not want to distract you. I think we hit the jackpot with Sokolov.”
“I love being distracted by you.” Niko scooted closer and looked at the computer screen. “What did you learn about our favorite Russian?”
“Accord
ing to Zatan’s financial spreadsheets, he receives 650 million rubles a month from Altai Associates—the one owned by Sokolov’s nephew.”
“That’s about ten million dollars a month. Sokolov receives thirty million from GRU.”
“Right.” Vyper pointed to a number on the screen. “This ten million comes out of the thirty that goes to Sokolov.”
“Okay. I must be missing something. Sokolov spends one third of his GRU money on Zatan’s team. That’s a lot, but it could be legitimate.”
“Look at this.” Vyper’s finger moved to another spot. “Zatan pays sixty-five million rubles each month to this account. The owner is Sokolov’s nephew—the same nephew who owns the Altai account.”
“Hmm … smells fishy. The mysterious nephew is a front man for the GRU. Then Zatan sends this same nephew a ten percent cut. He’s skimming money. Cheating his own government.”
Vyper nodded. “I told you I hit the jackpot. If we can prove this, the Russian government will be angry with him.”
Niko laughed. “This isn’t a court of law. We have sock puppets. If our puppets post it, many people will believe it. I’m going to post the story as a fact and send it to my pro-Russia and pro-Ukraine followers. If they buy it, Sokolov could be in trouble. If not, we lose nothing.”
After Niko drafted and refined the messages, Vyper configured her sock puppets, each one falsely identified as a real Russian or Ukrainian. After a thousand of them posted their messages, she directed a thousand more to post responses.
Before long, real Russian-speaking followers reacted, and arguments followed. The internet lit up, and the hashtag #SkimmingScandal topped the trending list.
Vyper threw her arms around Niko and kissed him. “We did it. We got him. All we have to do is wait.”
“We should celebrate.” He nuzzled her neck. “I have an idea.”
She softly pushed him away. “I know your idea, but right now I want to play video games.”
Niko went to the game console and brought the controls to Vyper. As she started it up, he walked to the back of the couch and kissed her neck.
She squirmed while clicking on the controller. “What are you doing?”
“I have a challenge for you. I’ll bet you can’t maintain your concentration while I kiss you.”
“How silly. If anyone can concentrate, it is me.”
“You’re on.” Niko opened the front of her robe and cupped her breasts while he nuzzled her neck.
“No fair.” Vyper kept playing. “You said kissing.”
He released her breasts and walked around, kneeling next to her so she could still follow the game on the TV. “You’re right. I said kissing … well, fondling, too.” He opened her robe, exposing her entire body, then he removed his shirt.
Vyper squeezed her legs together, but she smiled and continued playing. “Only kissing and fondling. Nothing more.”
“I know. I’ll keep my pants on.” Niko’s lips and hands roamed all over her body, teasing and squeezing.
She continued to play. Her hips moved rhythmically, her legs relaxed, and she arched her back. Then the game controller slipped from her hands.
Niko did everything possible to please her while keeping his pants on—and it was working. Her inhibitions washed away.
Vyper’s hands gripped his head and she pulled him gently on top of her. “I want to make love.” She reached down to the waistband of his shorts. “Take them off. Make love to me.”
Niko rolled over and removed a condom from his pocket before slipping off his pants.
She grabbed the condom and tossed it on the floor. “I use birth control.”
The woman was a mystery, but now was not the time for questions. He turned back and reached for her breast.
Vyper grabbed his butt. “I want you … now.”
He began slowly, treating her like a virgin—and in a way she was. She responded to his moves and he responded to hers. They made love with abandon until she collapsed with a smile.
Her arms held him tightly for a long time. “This was even better than I imagined.” She kissed him. “You have been so good to me. I hope it was worth the wait.”
Niko raised himself on his elbows. “I would do anything for you.”
A wicked smile appeared on Vyper’s face. “It is your turn to play video games. Let me see if I can distract you. And you may not put on your pants.”
Sokolov
Chapter 16
Vyper’s Home—Sterling, Virginia
Even though Sokolov went into hiding after the successful internet campaign against him, Niko’s nights continued to be plagued by frightening dreams from his life in Sevastopol, when he was still known as Adam.
***
On the bed next to Adam was a valise of collection money for Falcon. Beside it was a suitcase, packed and ready to go. Time to leave this dangerous life behind.
But first, he couldn’t resist playing his favorite video game. Every time he played Grand Theft Auto, he became Niko Bellic—a hardened war veteran willing to do anything to make a buck. Right now, ‘Niko’ was running from the police. He turned the corner and—shit—one of them pointed a gun at him and pulled the trigger.
The game ended with a familiar metallic sound, followed by a groan and the word WASTED plastered across the screen. He could start another game, but not tonight. This would be his last for a long time.
Adam stood up, dropped the game controller on the bed, and opened the valise. It was a lot of money, and Falcon would never get his hands on it.
He started with the largest bills, stuffing them into pockets on the inside lining of his jacket. More went into his underwear, his socks—every place he could hide it. He checked himself in the mirror to see if any suspicious bulges appeared. Satisfied, he abandoned the remaining small bills, grabbed his suitcase, and left for the docks.
Straight ahead was the cargo ship Adam was looking for. The Bolshoi was headed to Odessa where he’d buy a fake passport. From there, he’d find a ship to Istanbul and eventually to America.
Adam walked up to a sailor who was barking orders to others. “You hiring?”
The man looked Adam up and down, then nodded. “You’ll do. What’s your name?”
Adam responded with the first name that came to mind. “Niko. The name’s Niko.”
“You can start right away.” He yelled to a sailor on the upper deck of the ship. “New man coming up.” Then he spoke to Niko and pointed. “Top of the ladder. We’ll do the paperwork later.”
The ladder, actually a steep metal stairway, was firmly attached to the ship. Niko climbed to the top.
The deck boss’s on-the-job training was delivered with one terse command. “Do what they’re doing.”
Niko got right to work, moving barrels off pallets and muscling them down a narrow ladder, where he placed them next to dozens of other barrels. It seemed like the job would never end.
When he returned for more barrels, his boss yelled out. “Niko, the third mate wants to see you.” He pointed toward the bow. “Take the forward ladder—two decks down.”
Niko descended one deck and half of the next. Then he stopped abruptly.
I’m a dead man.
On the deck below was Falcon, an evil grin on his face. Next to him stood a large man, obviously an enforcer. Niko turned to climb back up, but another man blocked his way. There was no escape.
“Where do you think you’re going?” asked Falcon, leaning on a metal table, fingering the handle of a meat cleaver.
Niko’s heart raced. He felt the bile rise in his throat, but held back, trying not to puke. Nothing he could say would help, so he remained silent.
Falcon spoke to the man behind Niko. “Get him down here.”
Niko quickly scrambled to the lower deck, trying to avoid being pushed off the ladder. He stopped in front of Falcon.
The evil man’s black eyes never blinked. “You owe me a lot of money.” He tilted his head briefly toward each of his enforcers. “Strip him
.”
One man pulled Niko’s jacket from behind, pinning his arms against his body. The man in front removed Niko’s shoes and socks, spilling cash on the deck. As the rest of his clothes came off, more cash appeared.
Falcon picked up the jacket and removed more money. “Tie him to the ladder. Tie his arms to the rails.” He grabbed a meat cleaver from the table. “You know what happens to people who steal from me.”
***
Niko sat straight up in bed, sweat soaked the sheets. “My hands!”
Falcon had disappeared. Vyper’s hand was on Niko’s shoulder. He reached out and hugged her naked body.
“You are shaking,” she said. “Did you have the same dream?”
Niko’s breathing calmed, and he released her. He nodded. “Sokolov caught me stealing. He threatened to chop off my hands.”
“Lie down and relax.” Vyper ran her fingers through his hair. “You let the death of Sokolov’s nephew affect you. That happened a week ago. He is the one whose hands are missing.”
“True. The Russians killed him, and we’re the ones who exposed his role in the skimming scheme. He wasn’t even in Russia. They tracked him down to Odessa. They took his hands! It was a message to people who steal Russian money—like we did.”
Vyper kissed his cheek. “It is almost morning and I am awake. I will fix breakfast.”
“We don’t have to get up immediately.” Niko wrapped his arms around her neck. “I’m not hungry yet … not for breakfast.”
***
When they arrived home in the evening, Niko followed Vyper into the bedroom they now shared. “You look amazing in that dress. And I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Everyone in the restaurant checked you out.”
“They were staring at my breasts.” Vyper walked to the dresser. She pulled out a halter top and shorts. “Fancy clothes are uncomfortable. And I do not like strange men staring at me.”
“All the women show a bit of cleavage.” Niko picked out a T-shirt and cargo pants. “Did you enjoy the restaurant? Would you like to go back sometime?”
“I prefer eating here. The chef does not cook meat the way I like it.” She removed her dress and held it in front of her. “It is pretty, but uncomfortable.”