To Fool an Assassin (Women of Purgatory Book 1)

by Kells, India

  Gabrielle heard the sound of rustling fabric and opened her eyes to see Abbess Brigit standing in front of her, taking her hands.

  “Do you have all you need, my child?”

  Gabrielle smiled. “Yes, I have to admit I wouldn’t have guessed this place offered access to a hospital, refuge, investigative services, armory. Is there any other service you offer?”

  Abbess Brigit nodded. “I have to admit I would haven’t done the same for any stray knocking at the door of my priory. I normally provide many traditional services, which don’t endanger the women under my care.”

  Gabrielle squeezed her hands. “And I’m incredibly grateful for your help. If ever you need me, consider it a given.”

  Abbess Brigit nodded. “I know. I know you cannot help yourself but to protect the people you love. That’s why you’re soon leaving to rescue my dear sister. And if I could go with you I would. But I will be more useful praying for your success here.”

  “Thank you, Abbess.”

  “However, I fear for you.”

  “Don’t. I swear, I’m good at what I do. I would lay my life down for Beatrice. She’s the one who gave me back my life …”

  “Yes, and by giving you your life back, by offering you a possibility for redemption, I know she also wanted you to embrace life.”

  “I assure you I do, which is why I joined Purgatory.”

  The abbess shook her head “That’s not what I’m referring to, my child. By caring for so many, you leave yourself behind and I fear for you. You’re an intelligent woman, seeing clearly where your mission lies, but you’re blind to your own happiness.”

  “Not entirely true. However, I cannot be happy if the people I love are threatened.”

  “Wrong, you cannot be happy, ever, if you care for those people and keep your heart under lock. Loving, like living, is dangerous. There is possible pain and suffering, but I assure you from experience, you cannot feel true happiness by keeping your heart under wraps or avoiding reaching for others for fear your past is going to hurt them.”

  Gabrielle released her hands to rub her eyes. Shit, I don’t need this right now.

  Relentless, Abbess Brigit grabbed her shoulders. “And what if you didn’t come back, my child? What would be your greatest regret?”

  As she gazed into eyes she knew so well, Gabrielle’s heart squeezed painfully. If she didn’t come back? Her last thought, her last breath would be for Sully. She knew it. And her greatest regret would be to not have had a chance with him.

  Something must have shown on her face, as Abbess Brigit nodded and smiled. “That’s what I thought.”

  And before Gabrielle could ask more about that cryptic answer, the main door opened. Sully, slowly, and clearly painfully, made his way toward them using a cane, dressed in loose cargo pants and a crisp white shirt. Gabrielle automatically went to him and wrapped herself against his good side, helping him stand straight.

  “What are you doing up? You’re not supposed to!”

  “Well, honey, there are things that cannot be helped. Let’s move forward, shall we? I don’t know how long I will be able to stand.”

  “You should be lying, not standing, and even less walking. Let me help you to sit down.”

  Sully kissed her temple, but continued moving forward. “Not yet, honey.”

  Gabrielle followed him, keeping an eye on the closest bench to them. One step at the time, he made his way to the front of the chapel. Once standing near Abbess Brigit, he smiled to her.

  “Have I thanked you for everything you did? If not, I’m doing it right now. For everything you did and everything you will do for us.”

  Abbess Brigit came forward and gave him a chaste kiss on his cheek, almost blushing as she did so. She also did the same on Gabrielle’s cheek, before standing aside. All three turned as a man came in the side door, led by the little smiling nun. Was it a priest? As Sully straightened to stand on his own, Gabrielle had trouble catching her breath. This can’t be. Is he crazy enough to …

  The priest stood solemnly in front of them, as Abbess Brigit took her place beside Sully and the little smiling nun on the right of Gabrielle. Was that panic rising in her chest?

  When the priest asked them if they were ready, Gabrielle gasped.

  “Hold that thought.” Gabrielle turned to Sully. Gone was his easy-going smile. His face was a mask of determination. “What do you think you’re doing, sailor?”

  “What do you think it looks like, honey?”

  “I haven’t given you my answer yet.”

  “I know, like I know you have hidden other things from me, such as preparing to strike that warehouse alone.”

  “Sully …”

  “Don’t. That’s another subject we will fight over in a moment. For now, let’s align our priorities.”

  “By getting married now? As you can barely stand on your two feet and I’m about to go fight a psycho? You have a strange timing.”

  Gently, he touched her cheek and she forced the tears back.

  “I don’t know of a better time, love. If I wait, I may be dead tomorrow. So could you. Therefore, unless what you told me earlier, about loving me, is a lie, I think we don’t have the luxury to wait another minute.”

  Gabrielle gazed into his green eyes. “And what if we live?”

  Smirking, Sully rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah, I’m really going to regret that!”

  “It’s not what I meant. You will be married to a woman you barely know, who’s done unforgivable things in her past. And has been trying to redeem herself ever since, and may never be able to stop.”

  “I’m not perfect, Gabrielle. And I don’t care who you were. I only care about the woman you’re now. Flaws and all. If I die tonight, I would only regret one thing … not becoming your husband.”

  Gabrielle closed her eyes and nodded. She could continue to fight him about this, ask him to wait, but she knew very well that tonight was all they had. Tomorrow, she would leave him behind and go on an impossible mission, one that would very possibly end her life. She might not be ready to say the words, but she could say them for him. Make that short commitment for him. “And I would only regret not becoming your wife.”

  Sully gave her the full-blown smile she’d come to crave. “Good. I feared I would have to beat the right answer out of you, even though I’m no shape to do so.” He cupped her jaw as he gave her a quick kiss before facing the priest again. “Father, you may proceed.”

  The world was spinning so fast, Gabrielle grasped Sully’s hand to steady herself.

  “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join …” The priest hesitated, waiting for them to say their names.

  “Sullivan Thorn.” His voice seemed to boom in the small chapel. Then all eyes were on her. Well, as it was a new chapter of her life, she may as well use her real name, for once.

  “Alexandra Turner.”

  Sully turned, at first surprised, and he grinned. “I like your name. Alexandra.”

  She smiled, but bit her lips when the priest coughed. “Sully, it’s the only time I will say my real name. After the ceremony, and for everyone else, I’m Gabrielle. Try to remember that.”

  Sully angled his head. “We’ll see.”

  Oh, she hated that answer! Her mouth curved up at his teasing.

  The priest resumed the ceremony, but all seemed so foreign to her. She was getting married. These simple words were not computing well in her brain, but her heart didn’t care and she only felt happiness engulfing every single cell of her body. Happiness and deep peace. Everything was going so fast, she didn’t want to miss a single moment. When Sully took her hand and slid a ring over her finger, tears fell but she didn’t notice them. Through her blurred vision, Sully’s eyes seemed quite moist, too.

  When the priest declared them husband and wife and Sully kissed his bride, she willed herself to memorize every moment, every sensation, so she could remember them for the rest of her life. Long or sh
ort, as it may be.

  “I love you, wife.” His voice was gruff with emotions, but he winked at her.

  “I love you, husband.”

  And he kissed her.

  ***

  Gabrielle couldn’t help staring at the gold band on her ring finger. How Sully did get it? It seemed worn, polished by the years, but it fit on so many levels. Another woman had worn it, but it fit her, too. She hoped the woman had been happy, as she would need all the luck and love available to give a chance at her own, despite the fact her marriage would be quite short.

  Sully was lying quietly beside her. When they came back from the chapel, he collapsed on the bed, pale and sweaty. His little surprise had taken a toll on his battered body. They had remained there, on the bed, in a comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s company. Time was flying and she knew it. And as soon as she got out of that bed, Sully would follow. Half dead, he would follow. She had to find an opening, any opening that would force him to stay here, stay safe.

  “I know what you’re thinking about, honey, and that’s not going to happen.”

  Gabrielle turned in his arms to face him. “What are you talking about?”

  His face was still pale underneath the black stubble. Ignoring her fear for his health, she smiled. “I doubt you do, love. Otherwise, you would blush.”

  As she hoped, he smiled. “Yeah, well, wait a little and I will rock your world. But I was referring to your fidgeting. There isn’t much time left and you want to go. And you know I can’t let you go without any backup.”

  And as backup, he was referring to himself. That was her greatest fear, right there in the open.

  She touched his face. “You’re not in any condition to come with me. Your body needs rest.”

  “I will rest afterwards. All I need is some painkillers and a gun.”

  A twisted idea formed in her mind—one that had bloomed earlier and that she disliked tremendously, but one that could work.

  “There’s no way I can convince you to stay here and wait for me, is there?”

  “No, wife. No way in hell.”

  Reluctantly, Gabrielle rolled away and got to her feet.

  “Where are you going?”

  Bending down, Gabrielle kissed his frown. “Going to see Abbess Brigit. So far, she’s made miracles … maybe she has some kind of painkillers in her miracle kit that would fit the bill.”

  “That’s my girl.” Sully sighed and leaned back down again.

  Gabrielle’s smile was gone as soon as she closed the door behind her. There was no way the man she loved could go with her. Not when walking drained all the energy he had left.

  It took her a moment to get her bearings and find the door of Abbess Brigit. Before she could even knock, she heard Abbess Brigit’s voice telling her to enter.

  The woman was sitting at her desk, piles of paper in front of her.

  “You know, some of your little tricks can be creepy.”

  The abbess laughed. “The Lord gave me strange and varied gifts.” Sobering, she glanced at Gabrielle. “You’re going to save Beatrice and James. That’s why you came to see me.”

  “You have quite a tremendous amount faith in a single woman against a compound full of bad guys.”

  “Yes, it’s true. I have faith in you, in your skills, and in that little bag of tricks—a couple of things which might be useful. I placed it in a car I have found for you, as the one you came here with had to be disposed of.”

  Gabrielle shook her head. “Is there something you cannot find or do?”

  “I wish I had the capacity of healing the sick and the wounded, so you wouldn’t have to go there alone.”

  That very thought made her gut wrench.

  “Well, that’s not an option. And that’s why I came to see you.”

  Silently, Abbess Brigit opened a drawer and handed Gabrielle a small rectangular box.

  “One injection should put him under for the next ten hours. I’ve dosed it according to his current condition, so don’t worry, there won’t be any ill effect. You only have to inject it to him. Be assured that we will keep a watchful eye on him while you’re gone.”

  Gabrielle took the small box in her hands, already regretting what she was about to do. “Thank you. And here I thought you couldn’t read minds!”

  “I don’t read minds, child. I only know the next step. What to anticipate. That’s all. And you’re not so difficult to read when the captain is concerned.”

  Gabrielle studied the nun with a face so similar to her friend. It made her think about the clone of herself, which she had seen dead not so long ago.

  “How is it to have a sister, or sisters, so identical to you? I don’t have any siblings.”

  The abbess angled her head. “Until Beatrice found me, I thought I was a single child. But I was never truly alone. When I decided to offer my life to God, I knew I had found my true family. I’m surrounded by sisters who are as close to my heart as if they were of the same blood I’m. I was happy to know Beatrice and others like me existed and led good lives. Nonetheless, my family is here. You too have chosen a family, for yourself. And now you’re building one of your own. And maybe you will find sisters along your path, the same way I did.”

  Gabrielle’s gut twisted. “I don’t know how I feel about clones. I’m part frightened, part curious, part disgusted. And I feel bad about it, to be honest.”

  Coming around her desk, Mother Brigit sat beside her and put her hand over Gabrielle’s. It felt so warm; it spread through her entire being, strangely comforting.

  “You only think about the flesh, child. Don’t. Think about the soul instead. They may have the same genetics, but the soul is always unique. It’s where the will to live and to love takes root. Don’t see any of them as a duplicate of you, and instead find acceptance and compassion for them. That’s where you will find your purpose. And when you doubt, think about me and Beatrice. Similar shells, different souls, I can assure you.”

  Gabrielle put her hand over the abbess’ in a gesture of gratitude. “Thank you. For everything.”

  Abbess Brigit got to her feet to take her in her arms. “I will pray for you, child. You’re going to need it, I fear.”

  “I will take any help I can get. And I’ll do everything in my power to free your sister.”

  Abbess Brigit cupped her cheeks, a welcomed gesture of strength and support. “And then, try to do everything in your power to come back to your husband, child. Even if you still believe you may not. Now go.”

  As she walked back to the room, Gabrielle tried to remember if she’d ever had to do anything so difficult in her life. Well, she’d wanted to get her heart involved in the process, so she had to live with it. Taking one last look at her ring, she entered Sully’s room.

  She believed he was sleeping, but when she took another step his eyes opened.

  “Hey, honey. So, did you get painkillers?”

  “Yep, it’s not the best there is but it should work for a sufficient amount of time. Ten hours, according to the abbess.”

  “Good. Give it to me. We should be going soon.”

  Gabrielle sat on the bed as Sully rolled up his sleeve. Careful to avoid his gaze, she disinfected his arm and took the syringe. When she injected the medicine, Sully cringed.

  “How long until I have the full effect?”

  Now, Gabrielle put the syringe back in the box before looking at him, her heart constricting so hard it was difficult to breathe. “You should be deeply asleep in less than five minutes.”

  It took a moment for the words to make their way to his brain, but when they did, he exploded. “No! Tell me you didn’t do this! Gabrielle, you cannot do this alone. No!”

  “And I cannot risk your life, you’re not well enough. You don’t see it.”

  Sully tried to sit up, but the drug was already taking effect. His speech slurred, slowed. “No! You cannot force me to stay. I won’t forgive you this!”