by Ruby Knight
“We have shoes for you, too, Julia,” he said in an amused tone.
Weird how quickly I had adapted to my new self. Maybe my true self. I felt like I could breathe a little easier, despite walking into one of the most intense missions of my life. I was me—feeling, expressing, and loving with every fiber of my being, and it made things clearer. A different kind of clear from when I was in the agency. When with Eisenhower, I’d been cold and cunning, calculated to a specific design to become a lethal weapon. I still embraced that part of me, because it would never go away. Now, though, feeling emotions allowed me to better understand each scenario. Amazing how much more one could see when willing to look over the walls put up. I wasn't just looking over the walls anymore. I was breaking them down.
The group under Hank made its way toward the back of the property. Each team had assembled outside. A group of black SUVs sat idle, along with one bulky, military grade chopper.
I swallowed audibly. It seemed more real. In this moment. That the weight and responsibility of the world rested within the group of thirty-ish freaks who had superseded genetic capabilities to become stuff only shown in movies. We were it for the world. I knew I could be effective in certain scenarios but the expectations, the possible outcomes of this mission … I shuddered. Heat registered against my hand along with pressure as Cole entwined his fingers with mine.
“It's going to work out how it is meant to. We will do the best we can. We will control and change what is in our power. That's all we can do. You can't look past that,” he whispered. “Worrying and over-analyzing the situation right now isn't going to change the outcome. We have to trust in hope. Hope that the right and good in this world will come out ahead. We go into this already knowing we will succeed,” he added reverently.
I squeezed his hand three times in rapid succession. He leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on my cheek.
“This is it. This is the reason why Hank and I designed this program. The Sway exists for this sole reason, to offer a chance for the people of the world when evil threatens to take away their freedom,” the president yelled out. “I trust each of you explicitly. Even though you may not know me on a personal level, believe me when I say I know you and I respect you. God speed.”
The president turned and shook Hank’s hand and pulled him into a brief hug.
The six of us with Hank headed toward the chopper so that we could transfer to the airport that had closed in Brooklyn. Which I guessed was just cover, because it was definitely fully functional. I looked back toward the windows lining the back of the compound and saw my little brother standing in the doorway with Kiya tucked close to his side. I lifted my hand in a wave and he nodded in acknowledgment.
The blades of the helicopter started spinning, pulsing cold air against my face. I braced myself against the wind and jumped into the cargo area. Cole sat in the seat next to me and handed me a pair of earphones. When his fingers brushed against mine, a rush of warmth and security washed over my senses. I met his eyes. He leaned his lips toward my ear.
“I love you,” he said.
A smile tugged at the left side of my lips. I squeezed his hand three times.
“I love you, too.”
Chapter Fifteen
I had never been to Prague before. I had been on missions in other parts of Europe. I had been to Mexico once. When I was ten, we went on a Disney cruise to the Bahamas. So that didn't really count. I tried so hard not to be the naive girl with my face pressed up against the glass, taking in every piece of ancient history I could see. But I was totally that girl, so much like on my first trip to Washington DC.
I slept a majority of the eight-hour flight. At just after nine a.m., Prague seemed to awaken with a rosy glow, the sun golden. Even in the cold of winter, it bounced off the terracotta roofs in Old Town, making everything appear warm. I promised myself in that moment that I would come back here as a tourist after this was all over. After we had taken down Letum.
“Was Prague on the list?” I asked to Cole.
He shook his head. “I don't think so. I don't remember seeing it.”
That explained why there wasn't a mad rush here. When we had flown over Brooklyn, it had been madness—people frantic, traffic stopped on every bridge that headed out of the city. Some New Yorkers seemed to have a sense of self-preservation, after all. I shook my head thinking of how much the people of New York had had to endure over the years. Some of the strongest and bravest people in America resided in the boroughs of the Big Apple. I knew this for a fact.
“It's so beautiful here,” I said to no one in particular. “I wish I were here for a different reason so I could see the beauty for what it was, instead of what it represents in my head right now.”
Hank turned to look at me. “Soon, Julia, you will be able to. You can come back here or backpack through all of Europe. This is just the beginning for you.”
He sounded so much like a father. The father he hadn't been to Cole since Mrs. Thomas had left them. I nodded and returned to watching history pass quickly by the glass of my windows.
Hank, Cole, and I had rooms booked at the Four Seasons in Prague. Harrison was with us as Hank's bodyguard. Quade and Natalia had been dropped off some time earlier and had transferred into a local cab. They were also staying in the hotel, but in no way connected to us.
They had probably already set up the bugs and surveillance in the ballrooms and suites of the hotel. Natalia moved faster than the speed of light. Quade jammed signals, like a human radio, so together, they could effectively bypass most security measures.
We pulled into the hotel off a paved side street, and I looked up at the gorgeous building. I couldn’t place the architecture. It seemed like old and new had been joined by something modern and fresh. The new blended seamlessly into the ancient architecture, but the inside would have spared no expense; it would be lavish and modern. It was Brooklyn meets Renaissance and I loved it. The doorman opened the door for us and we got out.
My imagination had not done the hotel justice.
I felt a tug on my white peacoat to see Cole smiling at me. I wiped the look of awe off my face and smiled. “This is amazing.”
He nodded. “I had the same reaction the first time I was here, too.”
I’d been right about not needing to pack anything, having had an entire wardrobe provided for me on the plane. Back to my high-society status. From my handbag to my shoes, everything about me looked like I belonged in this hotel. Appearances could be deceiving. Rule number one of being undercover, look the part. Don’t let anyone even suspect you don’t belong, because the moment a doubt formed was the moment you lost your credibility. The only thing actually familiar to me was the cold weather in the Czech Republic; Utah was like that in the winter.
“Mr. Thomas, Cole. So good to see you. This must be Miss Vaughn,” the receptionist said in highly accented English.
I inclined my head. Hank had slipped on a cool façade I assumed he wore when he was acting as the WMD dealer he really wasn’t.
Julia Vaughn.
Caldwell, Statton, and now Vaughn.
I’d memorized my identity on the first few hours of the flight over. It hadn’t taken me long with my unique set of skills. I thought back to snuggling into Cole’s side and sleeping the rest of the flight in the warmth of his body. We got to be the young couple in love that we were. That part of the story would be easy to act out, because it was true. My background remained similar to the one I had used as a cover when surveying Cole with the CIA, so the only thing I had to watch was the use of my name.
“Your suite is available. Miss Vaughn, you are next along the hallway.”
I had to hold back a scowl at Hank for putting me in a separate room from Cole. Asshat, I thought in his direction. He snorted.
“To be young and in love,” Hank said to the receptionist. “It’s going to be hard to keep my son from sneaking into Miss Vaughn’s room.”
The receptionist blushed under Hank’s stare
. I smiled politely at her.
“You know how us brazen Americans are, taking pride in our debauchery,” I said through a perfectly placed smile. The receptionist’s eyes widened at my admission, but she just shook her head.
“Americans all seem very glamorous to me,” she admitted shyly.
“Then we have something in common,” I replied with a wink. A question crossed her features. “I think Prague is picture perfect, like out of a movie. It’s just a matter of perspective.”
The young receptionist smiled at me and slid the room keys across the counter. A bellhop appeared and started guiding us toward the elevator bay.
The gala was in eight hours. Eight hours to prepare; eight hours to figure out the best way to gain access to get all five heads of Letum in one room. Hank needed to be able to fish in their head for the passcodes to the facility in Africa, as we could stop the launch on location. That had to happen.
We had arrived at our suite while my mind took a vacation. I got out my key and the bellhop held my door for me. Hank and Cole continued down to the next room, on the same side of the hall.
“Julia, come over once you're settled,” Hank said.
I nodded once in acknowledgement and let him take care of tipping the guy who brought our luggage up.
I rolled my luggage farther into the suite, the wheels of my bag spinning against the carpet on the floor. I dropped my bags on the bed, walked to the window, and threw open the heavy drapes. I looked out over the Vltava River and inhaled deeply through my nose before pressing my forehead to the glass, feeling the cool chill of the air outside permeating against it.
How was I still this tired? I’d slept great on the plane. I hung my gown in the mini hotel closet and patted it twice so it knew it was loved. I didn’t particularly bother unpacking my bag, because even though I knew my clothes would get creases on them from staying folded, I wanted this portion of the trip over with quickly. I also needed to be able to grab this bag and go. I glanced at the closet and tried to imagine maneuvering around in the gown and smiled to myself.
Something about riding in a plane made me want to scrub my body. A shower was definitely in order. I closed the sheer curtain and began removing my clothes, starting with the five-inch heels. I dropped my coat, T-shirt, and bra in a pile on the floor.
A key card slid into my door lock and the handle turned. I covered myself and glanced over my shoulder as Cole walked through the door. When he saw my bare back, he sucked in a breath and quickly shut the door behind him.
“I’m getting in the shower. You aren’t going to be able to stop me,” I said over my shoulder.
Cole smiled like the devil. “Are you sure there isn’t something I could do to change your mind? I can be very persuasive.”
He said that with a look so hot that it scorched my skin. I shook my head, blonde hair falling as a curtain in front of my face. He took three more steps toward me to close the distance between us. He ran a finger up my spine, leaving a trail of heated tingles in its wake. I closed my eyes in response to the sensation. God, he could undo me with one touch.
“Shower,” I whispered over my shoulder.
“Can I?” He lifted his shirt over his head. “I’m in desperate need of a shower all of a sudden,” he added as he popped the button to his jeans.
I turned around and lowered my arms as I walked past him to heat up the shower. The mirror in front of me fogged over. The heat of Cole’s body made me shiver while spreading warmth through me. His hands lightly touched my hips before he reached around to take off my jeans. He hissed in appreciation as he skimmed his fingers up the backside of my legs. God, it was all so sensual. My head rolled back toward his body, and I closed my eyes to relish his touch.
His finger toyed with the lace of my thong before sliding it down my legs. I had to hold on to the counter so my knees didn’t give out on me. He placed chaste kisses up my spine before nipping my neck. I reached behind me for his hand and pulled him into the shower.
Weird how sex made me feel older. Like I was in some club now, one where entry could be gained only by experiencing it. I also understood why so many people sought out membership, because it got better with each experience.
Afterward, I wrapped myself in a white fuzzy robe with my hair still dripping in my face. Cole pulled his shirt back over his head, and a sigh escaped me as he covered up his abs. They were some good abs. Greek statues would be jealous of those abs.
“Shoo, you. I need to get ready for tonight. I want it to be a surprise.” I smiled up at him.
He leaned in and kissed me slowly, lazy like a hot day in July. I’d never felt more calm or collected as I did when I connected with Cole. He was a part of me that I never knew I’d been missing.
“This can be our Junior Prom. I’ll pick you up at six for dinner. The gala and dancing starts at eight.” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be right on time. I love you, Jules.”
I tightened my arms around him and allowed myself to feel the strength he provided to me.
“I love you, too.”
I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I slid on the full-length black silk gloves. A black wire masquerade mask sat near my makeup bag, gorgeous and intricate. It scrolled and made floral designs entwined with diamonds. It had to be the most expensive accessory I had ever worn. I plumped my lips out as I applied a dark, wine-colored lip stain that set off my smokey eyes. The girl who looked back at me appeared sophisticated, put together, like she was born for this world.
Three quick knocks resounded on my door.
“Just a minute.” I lifted the mask to my eyes and tied the velvet ribbons tightly behind my head. My low, slicked-back ponytail made my features look sharper. I looked older, like a woman. Sometime between my graduation from Eisenhower and this moment, I had left the girl I was behind. I felt more confident, alive. I may not have been made for high society, but I was made for this rush, for the adrenaline that came with starting a mission and the thrill of using my ability to my advantage. I was powerful.
My five-inch black heels clicked against the marble tile of the hotel’s bathroom. I took a deep breath and opened the door.
“Hank.” Surprise covered my tone.
“Cole is waiting for you downstairs. Something about him wanting you to have an entrance.” He held his elbow out to me “May I escort you downstairs?”
Pride shone out through his eyes.
“I’d be honored, sir.”
“No sir. Just Hank from now on, yes?”
“Yes,” I said through a smile.
I was pretty sure the elevator ride lasted one hundred and eighty-seven minutes. Butterflies fought their way up my throat in anticipation of seeing Cole. The doors opened up to the bustling lobby, full of people of varying ethnicities. I scanned the faces in the crowd to find the one I wanted. When I caught it, my heart must have stuttered. I smiled and fought tears so I wouldn’t ruin my make up.
Cole held his hand against his heart, like it literally hurt him to look at me. Hank pulled me toward him and released my arm while handing me off to his son.
“Julia,” Cole said with a broken whisper. He patted his heart once. “You look beautiful.”
He lifted my gloved hand to his lips. I smiled and straightened his bow tie.
“You’re not so bad yourself, baby.”
Cole’s eyes scanned my body, and his face gave away his lust for me. I bit my bottom lip as heat coursed through my body.
“Julia, you do look lovely but seriously, you guys are gross,” Harrison said. His brown hair had gotten slightly longer, revealing tiny curls. He would make someone very happy one day. He held his palm out to me, and I placed a gloved hand in it. He also lifted my knuckles to his lips.
Before it reached his mouth, Cole swiped my hand away.
“Not in this lifetime,” he said inches from Harrison’s ear.
Hank touched both mine and Cole’s shoulders. A zing of electricity pulsed in my brain and my barriers
dropped.
“You must not show any emotion toward the men who are threatening our world. You must act as if this is the best night of your life, all while calculating and pushing our way through their minds. Cole, you will push them. Julia, you will let me know once they have relaxed, and then I will dig through their mind. I will let you know who we need to get the five codes from. Yes?”
I nodded once. Cole placed a hand on my cheek and I leaned into it. A rush of calm ran through my body. I opened my eyes wide at him, and he smiled softly before kissing my cheek.
“Let’s go kick ass,” he whispered in my ear.
His ability to flirt during a mission impressed me, but I quirked my lips as I dropped my hand to his butt and lightly patted it.
“Game on,” I whispered back.
We walked toward the ballroom, passing by women dressed from modest to scantily stripper status. Some hung off the arms of men in designer suits; others appeared confident in walking on their own. I hoped I was a mix of the two. Confident, independent, with a damn fine boy at my side. Well, three guys surrounded me, but whatever.
Hank handed a small card to the hostess, and a woman dressed in black pants and a button-up black shirt escorted us to a table in the front right corner of the room. Harrison sat with his back in the corner, effectively giving him a view of every person in the room. Convenient.
Wine sat in the glasses on the table, water next to it. I didn’t need anything impeding my ability to think tonight. Nor did I trust a drink that I hadn’t seen poured in front of my face.
I hoped it wouldn’t be seen as disrespectful if I declined the wine. It was a common practice here. A rush of wind blew behind my back, and I caught a brief flash of dark-braided hair as the wine was swept from mine and Cole’s places. Natalia. Harrison held the wine to his lips, but didn’t drink.
One of the bonuses of working with Hank was the lack of wires. Any communications that needed to be made were direct and Quade would be jamming any foreign signals, giving us a clear room for the night. This was just the beginning, though. Dinner was for observation, to ensure our three lions were in the den. At the gala, we would turn into the hunters.