The Mission

by Fiona Palmer

  She knew she wouldn’t have to wait long.

  ‘The snake tattoo in the circle? Are you sure?’ He looked less than impressed with this news.

  ‘Yep. I am. Taylor’s dad is really stressed at the moment, and with the things the guy said to Taylor as he held him at gunpoint…’ Jaz faded off.

  ‘You think something’s going on? What are your thoughts?’

  Jaz was thrilled that Ryan wanted to hear her musings, that he trusted her opinion and was taking this seriously. He believed in her.

  ‘I’m wondering if this snake tattoo guy belongs to the same drug mob you were looking into, and maybe they are trying to get Taylor’s dad to spy for them at the police office by threatening Taylor. He’s the Deputy Commissioner of Operations. What if they want Mr Stewart to help them by tipping off raids or other little bits of information from the inside? Who’s going to argue with a mob like that, who can break into your house and threaten your only child? They’re my thoughts. Something is definitely going on, because when I told Mr Stewart what the man had said to Taylor, his face drained of blood. He knew what it meant, I’m sure of it.’ She repeated the gunman’s words as she remembered them.

  Ryan sat back in the couch. Jaz watched him carefully.

  ‘This isn’t good, Jaz. That tattoo you found, we linked it to a large mob who call themselves the Shesha Serpents. They’re like a bikie gang, but instead of wearing their colours on their leather jackets, these guys have it tattooed on the wrists or necks. They have been on our watch list as we gather more info. They make it hard to get into their gang. We have someone working to get in with them now, but they don’t trust anyone but their own. I think what you said could be on the money. Why else would they go after Taylor’s dad? Having a guy inside the police would save them lots of problems, and it’s not the first time something like this has happened. There are leaks everywhere, Jaz. Guys held over a barrel by these unforgiving bunch of pricks.’ Ryan turned away in frustration.

  ‘So what should I do?’

  His hand shot out to hers. ‘Nothing, Jaz. You do nothing. Leave this with me. I’ll see what we can do from our side, but keep an eye on Taylor. There is quite a chance the gunman could be back if his dad doesn’t cooperate enough.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I am,’ she said. Meanwhile her whole body was reacting to his touch. His strong, calloused hand had zapped against hers like static, but she couldn’t deny how safe his grip felt. How much she had missed it and how much it felt like home. As if he’d read her thoughts, he withdrew his hand. It probably didn’t help that she’d been staring at their hands like they were set in gold. ‘I just can’t believe how bad this all is and how it can affect people like Taylor.’

  ‘Once you open your eyes to the world, you find so many dark, hidden secrets. I’m really sorry you had to go through that with Taylor, but I don’t want you taking any unnecessary risks. We are trying hard to bring the Shesha Serpents down.’

  Jaz closed her eyes, taking comfort in Ryan’s words.

  ‘There is another reason I needed to see you,’ he added, spiking her interest. ‘I have another mission where I could use your help. It’s something I can’t do alone and everyone else is tied up. You don’t have to do it, though, if you’re not comfortable.’ He watched her carefully.

  Jaz just about yelled out ‘yes’. Hell, she’d do anything for him. ‘I’m keen.’

  ‘Hmm, just wait till you know all the details,’ he said with a hint of a smile.

  A normal person may have missed it but Jaz knew Ryan, the shape of his face, the hidden emotions and the curves of his lips. He was happy with her eager response.

  He sat forward on the couch, which brought his knees close to hers. ‘It means coming to Pakistan with me, pretending to be my doting girlfriend while I play an invalid in a wheelchair. It’s just a ruse to smuggle information out of the country, but eyes will be everywhere so we have to play the game on the plane and in Pakistan. Do you think you could handle that?’ He was dead serious.

  But so was she. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good. Pax is due back tomorrow. I’ll get him started on your passport.’

  Jaz didn’t even want to ask how Pax managed to make a fake passport but she was sure it would be realistic.

  ‘Don’t worry, Pax knows his job. He has all the same stuff the government use, so it’s a real passport, just a fake you.’

  Jaz didn’t understand how Ryan always seemed to know what she was thinking. Was she an open book? Should she be working on controlling her expressions better?

  ‘When do we go?’

  Ryan ran her through the details. They would be going next week and she’d use Pax as an alibi, as they would be gone for a few nights. Just the thought of a night with Ryan made her tremble. Jaz knew she should be a little fearful of a trip to Pakistan. It would be a place full of trouble, unsafe and teeming with guns. Yet she was ready to go tomorrow. She hoped her eagerness didn’t show on her face.

  ‘Have you done something like this before?’ she almost whispered. She longed to touch his face, to run her fingers across his stubble and to feel the shortness of his hair tickle her skin. She was losing focus. Gritting her teeth, she tried to concentrate on his words forming from his all too familiar lips. Oh, that didn’t help either.

  ‘I have. Don’t worry. I’ll walk you through it again before we go. I’ll come to Pax’s the night before we go to cover all the little details. What to pack, what to say, how to act. I’ll have the hard part of not speaking for the whole plane trip.’

  ‘Somehow I think you’d cope better with that than me,’ she said.

  Ryan’s deep chuckle just about made her melt into his lap. Their knees were now touching and she wondered if he’d noticed too.

  ‘Will I need a gun?’ she asked. Taking a big risk, she moved her hand to his leg. She felt his muscles spasm under her touch. But it still wasn’t enough. She wanted his arms around her and his breath against her neck. Just as her fantasies were taking off, a knock at the door startled them both.

  Ryan sprang up from the couch. ‘Who could that be?’ He looked at her and Jaz wondered if he was deciding whether to hide her in a cupboard.

  ‘Do you want me to hide out in the spare room?’ she asked. He raised his eyebrow, as if contemplating it.

  ‘Ryan, hurry up.’

  Jaz knew that voice.

  ‘Oh, it’s Steph. She could be here for a while. I can’t hide you. We’ll just have to wing it,’ he said, as he headed to the door Steph was knocking on again.

  ‘Sis, what’s up?’

  As they greeted each other, Jaz fidgeted on the couch, not sure whether to stand or stay here. She felt like a robber in a jewellery store but she hadn’t done anything.

  ‘Come in. Jaz is here. You remember?’ said Ryan, as he brought Steph into the lounge.

  Steph’s dark eyes found her and she smiled brightly. It just made her more beautiful than Jaz remembered. Her blonde hair was swept up into a high bun and she was dressed in skinny leg jeans and a cute olive jacket.

  ‘Jaz. Hi. God, you look gorgeous.’ Steph shot a curious glance to her brother.

  Jaz stood up, realising now was her chance to escape. ‘Hi Steph. Yeah, I’m on my way to a ball.’

  ‘Oh, I loved them. The downside to growing up,’ said Steph. She sat down and motioned for them to do the same. All that was left was the couch so she shared it with Ryan again.

  ‘So, to what do I owe this visit, sis? You got time to hang around for a while? I’ve got dinner roasting in the oven.’

  Jaz realised she could smell roast meat in the air. Funny that she’d missed it, but her senses only had Ryan in their targets. His clean soap and deodorant scent had taken over anything else.

  ‘Sure bro, I’d love to. I’m not interrupting anything, am I?’ she asked.

  ‘Na, we were just catching up. I’ve only just got back from my trip,’ he said with ease. Jaz wasn’t so sure she could have pulled it off right now. Her heart was
racing, wondering what Steph was thinking.

  ‘Well, let me tell you why I’m here. It’s Mum and Dad’s anniversary in two weeks and they want us to come. Gazza’s going to be there so make sure you bring someone too,’ said Steph.

  ‘Like who? I’m not dating anyone,’ said Ryan.

  Jaz was relieved. One day she hoped it would be her but realistically, in their line of work, probably not.

  ‘Bring Jaz,’ said Steph. ‘Come on, Ry. You’ve never brought anyone home. Not even friends. We want to be included in your life, we want to get to know your friends.’ Steph leaned forward on her knees and spoke to Jaz. ‘You’d come, wouldn’t you Jaz? You’re the only friend of Ryan’s I’ve met in years.’

  ‘You don’t have to,’ said Ryan, cutting in.

  ‘Come on, your family is not that bad,’ Steph replied.

  ‘I don’t mind,’ said Jaz. Really, she didn’t. If anything, she wanted to meet Ryan’s parents and to see the house he grew up in.

  ‘Wonderful,’ said Steph clapping.

  Jaz spotted the clock on Ryan’s wall. It was eight thirty already. ‘Oh crap. I’ll be late. Sorry,’ she said jumping up and trying to pull out her phone. ‘I need to call a taxi.’

  ‘Don’t worry. I can drop you off. It will be quicker than waiting for a taxi. Where do you have to go?’

  ‘Just to Cottesloe. But you don’t have to. Steph is here. Stay. I’ll be okay.’

  Ryan stood and put his hand over her phone to stop her calling a taxi, then turned to Steph. ‘You don’t mind if I drop Jaz off, do you? There’re some roasting vegies that could use some basting while you wait and there is wine in the fridge. I’ll only be ten minutes. Cott’s close by.’

  ‘No, it doesn’t worry me. Go,’ she said as she got up.

  Jaz waited for Ryan’s hand to leave hers before putting her phone away. She hoped she hadn’t blushed with his touch. She didn’t need Ryan’s sister reading into anything. ‘Thanks, I appreciate it,’ she said to both of them.

  ‘I hope you have a great night, Jaz. Who’s your date?’ asked Steph as they began to walk to the door. Ryan was two steps in front and grabbed his car keys off the hook on his way past.

  ‘A guy called Marcus. It’s his school ball.’

  ‘Oh, is he anyone special?’

  Oh God. Jaz wished she could leave now. Ryan was at the door but his head was slightly turned, listening to their conversation. ‘Yeah, he’s my boyfriend. We made it official just this week,’ she said with a nervous smile.

  ‘Sweet. Is he cute?’

  ‘We better go,’ said Ryan who had opened the door. He was frowning.

  Steph held her hand. ‘You’ll have to show me the photos of you guys at the dinner. Promise you’ll still come. Ry will bring you.’

  Jaz smiled. She really liked Steph. She was bright and friendly. And there was only three years between them. ‘Sure. I’ll see you then.’

  Steph waved as she stood by the door. Ryan shook his head before shutting the door. ‘Sorry about Steph,’ he said as they went to his black SUV.

  ‘That’s okay. I like Steph. Makes me wish my sister was still alive,’ she said softly.

  Ryan went to the passenger door and held it open while she got in and checked her dress was safely inside before closing it. Inside Ryan’s car she felt safe. It smelt like him, even more so when he sat beside her.

  They didn’t speak until he’d reversed out onto the road. Jaz couldn’t think of anything to say. Tonight had been a real overload of the emotions and senses.

  ‘You don’t have to come to the dinner,’ Ryan said.

  ‘Why? Don’t you want me to?’ Did he not want her there?

  ‘No. No, it’s not that. It’s just Steph can railroad people a bit and I didn’t want you to feel pressured.’

  Jaz pulled out her phone again to check the time. She wondered if she should text Marcus. ‘It’s okay. If it’s alright with you I’m happy to go.’ Jaz turned to watch him. His arms were so sculptured, so beautiful and so deadly. Just being alone with him made her feel like she was standing at the edge of a cliff with the fresh breeze in her face as the height made her fell alive and giddy. ‘It is alright?’

  ‘Yeah, sure. Actually you would be doing me a favour. My family are always nagging me about my life. Same old stuff, they never see me, never meet any of my friends. It’s a bit hard in this business. If I could take you, then that would ease things. I hope,’ he added.

  Was he wondering if her being in school would be a problem? She hoped not. And school didn’t have to be brought up. Unless Steph said something.

  Jaz quickly typed out a message to Marcus. Be there in 5!

  Ryan watched her but didn’t say anything. He was pulling up to the side of the road. Jaz could see the beach on the left, the moon glistening along the waves. She hadn’t even given Ryan the address but he obviously remembered. For all she knew, he could have been one of the people staking out the house early on.

  In true style, Ryan had stopped a house short. She guessed so no one noticed the car.

  ‘Thanks for the lift.’ She leaned forward to peer at his house. The lights were on and she saw something move by the fence. Oh, he was waiting for her.

  As she opened the door Ryan’s voice made her pause. It was spoken so softly, but held so much weight and warning. ‘You be careful, Jaz. Just…be careful.’

  She turned back, meeting his eyes, and her pulse skipped a beat. He was so gorgeous it took the breath from her lungs. She couldn’t reply, the nod of her head the only thing she managed before she climbed out of his car.

  Quickly she stepped to the path, refusing to glance back, and headed straight to Marcus. ‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ she said, walking fast.

  He stepped out onto the path and held his arms out to her. ‘Wow, I would wait another hour for you, Jaz. You look amazing.’

  She stepped into his embrace, felt his hands spread over her bare back while he kissed her cheek. Jaz leant back and brushed his suit jacket. ‘You’re pretty spiffy yourself.’ His black suit hung from his thin frame, making him look like a male model. His hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail at the nape of his neck and he was wearing the tie that matched her dress. Any girl would die to have someone like Marcus as a boyfriend.

  ‘Come, let’s get meeting my parents over with quickly so I can have you all to myself.’ He lent down and kissed her lips. ‘I don’t want to let you out of my sight.’

  Marcus stepped away, and took her hand to lead her inside. Jaz glanced back to the road, expecting to find it empty, but Ryan’s black SUV was only just leaving the kerb. He had waited and watched. What did he think? Did he feel anything watching Marcus kiss her? Did it not churn him up like it would her if she saw him with someone else? She watched as Ryan drove past, but she couldn’t see into his car. Couldn’t glimpse one last look at his face. Trying not to think of the great big chasm of distance growing between them, she followed Marcus into his home.

  Chapter 13

  Marcus led her inside deep red double doors, into a wide bright foyer with a big art piece on the wall. While the walls were white, the colours came from the collection of paintings and sculptures. And the wooden and wrought-iron staircase was a big feature too. ‘Wow, I love your house. My folks have nothing like this,’ she said reaching out to a stone statue, but didn’t touch it in case it was worth a fortune.

  ‘This is Mum and Dad’s business. They love all this art stuff. Just don’t mention it or it’s all we’ll hear about. They’ll probably want to try and sell you some,’ he said with a smirk.

  Tugging on her hand gently, he took her along the large marbled floor to a room off to the left. Jaz was trying hard to take everything in. She hadn’t seen any personal photos yet, just the artworks.

  ‘She’s here,’ said Marcus as he pulled her towards him, offering a safety buffer.

  Jaz recognised his parents from the photos he’d texted. But they seemed even more warm and real in person. Diane
Sinclair stood first, rushing towards them with her hands outstretched. ‘Oh, welcome, Jaz. We’ve heard so much about you.’ Diane was wearing a stunning white pants suit and was accessorised to perfection. Her hair pulled up into a high ponytail. Jaz assumed she’d been working at the gallery today.

  ‘Nice to meet you, Mrs Sinclair,’ said Jaz.

  ‘Oh no. It’s Diane please. Diane and Carl,’ she said, motioning to her husband.

  Jaz could see Marcus in both of them. He had his mum’s eyes and dark hair but he was his father for everything else.

  Carl stepped forward and offered Jaz his hand. ‘Hi, Jaz. You look lovely,’ he said, before giving Marcus a wink. Carl’s grin was wide, the same as his son’s, and it was genuine. He wore a dark blue suit but minus the jacket.

  ‘Thank you. You have a lovely home.’

  ‘I’ll give you a tour next time,’ said Marcus with a knowing grin. ‘But now we should head off to the ball.’

  ‘Oh wait. I need photos. Hang on, let me get the camera,’ said Diane, rushing back to the little coffee table by the cream leather couch, where a large Canon camera sat.

  ‘What did I tell you,’ Marcus mumbled into her ear.

  ‘You must come around for dinner, Jaz,’ said Carl. ‘Then we can get to meet you properly.’

  ‘I’d like that. Thanks.’ And Jaz really meant it. She felt as if this was all real, that Marcus was her boyfriend and this was the next step in their relationship. If only Ryan hadn’t left her feeling a little shaken. Fancy telling her to be careful. This seemed anything but dangerous. But then she realised maybe Ryan meant be careful with Marcus. Pax had already warned her about liking him too much.

  ‘Marcus honey, smile,’ said Diane as she took aim with the camera.

  Jaz snuggled up beside him, pulled her shoulders straight and smiled. The flash stung her eyes.

  ‘Just a few more.’

  Marcus eventually held up his hand. ‘Mum, enough already. We have to go.’