Marie was at her breaking point. She got up and backhanded James in the face, causing his noise to bleed for a moment. “If Franchesca heard you say that, she would be so disappointed in you.”
“You never liked her. You hated her. I bet you're glad she's gone.” James sobbed. The mention of her name brought back all the grief.
“She loved you and wouldn't want this. Robbie and Finn raised you better,” Marie replied gently. “I never thought about what your father would have thought of my behavior. I just shut it away, trying to tell myself that he would have wanted me to get revenge. I was lying to myself. He would have been sickened by the things I've done. Don't let Chessy down the way I let Michael and myself down.”
Her words were ringing true to James. Chessy did love him and would never want him to hurt their friends or allow himself to give in to his rage. She couldn't even bear the thought of him getting hurt, and that cost her, her life. James just stared off in the distance as every interaction he ever had with Chessy ran through his mind, every word, every touch, every feeling. Marie squatted down in front of James and held her spot and waited for him to speak again. The sound of approaching vehicles drew both out of the silence. Marie pulled her knives and stood guard over James.
“Let me out of this and give me a weapon,” James pleaded.
“No, I don't need you going vigilante on me. I will handle it.”
As the cars pulled into the estate, they had drawn the attention of the rest of the team inside the mansion, who were readying their guns for an attack. As the cars got closer and came to a stop, Marie saw the presidential seal on the cars. “What are you doing here?” Marie questioned to herself, holding her ground.
Warren climbed out of the passenger seat before his secret service agents could get out. Warren made a beeline for Marie. “What the hell are you doing?” Warren questioned, staring at the bloody and tied up James.
“Parenting. What are you doing here?” Marie replied, still holding her knives.
“I'm here to get you guys to the right fight. I have arranged transportation and was planning on coming along for the ride,” Warren confidently replied. “Put the knives away before the secret service guys get uncomfortable.”
“I don't care if they are uncomfortable, and as much as we appreciate the ride, you weren't invited on this excursion. You're a suit, not a soldier,” Marie chided.
“I can hold my own against you, any day,” Warren challenged, stepping up to Marie.
“As cute as this attempt to be tough is, I don't have time for it. We have problems for you to solve, so we can do our job.”
“Oh, like how you tied up your own kid and apparently beat him. I think that puts you out of the running for mother of the year,” Warren snipped.
“You're a pain in the ass. You know that? One of our team members didn't make it. You need to make sure she makes it back to her family in the states.”
“You lost one? How? That's not possible. They should be able to heal like you.”
“Yeah, about that, I lied. They can't. They still have gifts we need. I can't unlock something they don't have.” Marie wasn't going to mention anything about James or Jasmine. It was best he stayed out of that for the time being.
Warren was furious. “I planned all this, having a team of indestructible soldiers.”
“Chill out. The plan is still in place. Get us there. We won't fail,” Marie soothed almost flirting. “I have never failed before.”
“Fine. Get your things together. I will make sure the girl makes it home to her family, but I'm going with you, and you can't stop me.”
Marie smiled. “I'm done arguing with you. Plus, you need to deal with the little slave girls Ming had locked up in her basement. They will need to be taken in by the Chinese government, until their families can be located.”
“I anticipated she would have left some behind. I will take care of it.” Warren looked down to James. “You ok, son?”
“Eat shit,” James replied.
Marie chuckled.
“I can't see how he is your son. He is nothing like you,” Warren said sarcastically, walking away from Marie and towards the house.
Marie turned back to James. “Now, as much as I approve of you telling him off, that is what I am talking about.”
James nodded, but it felt good to tell him off, so he smiled a little.
“You owe Nathan and Rose an apology.”
James nodded again.
Marie untied James. He shook out his arms and noticed Marie was reaching out to help him up. He took her hand and stood up.
She pulled him in and hugged him then pulled back. “Make her proud,” she said with a smile as a single tear fell down her cheek. James smiled. “I will.”
“Stay here. I will get everyone together. Take some time and get some fresh air,” Marie said, patting James on the back and heading back into the house.
Once inside, she almost laughed at the admiration of the rest of the group as they talked with Warren.
“If only they knew,” Marie whispered to herself.
“If only they knew what?” Ray inquired, stepping up to Marie's right.
“Nothing.” Marie brushed off Ray, but he wasn't going to be ignored.
“If only they knew what?”
Marie sighed. “If only they knew that not every member of my original team was dead,” Marie replied, pointing to Warren.
“He is one of you?” Ray was shocked.
“Yup. He's a pain in the ass, too,” Marie replied, walking up the stairs away from Ray. As Marie climbed the stairs, she couldn't decide if she wanted to check on Jasmine. Greg was with her, and at the end of the day, he was much more stable and caring then she would ever be. However, she made the decision to go to Jasmine's room.
As she pushed open the door, she saw Greg was awake, just sitting in the chair, staring blankly at Jasmine as she slept.
“Has she slept all night?” Marie asked quietly.
Greg nodded. “Yes, but is hasn't looked peaceful from what I saw. She tossed a lot.”
“Well, she needs to get up. We are moving out. Please make sure she gets downstairs without delay,” Marie ordered, turning and leaving.
Greg looked back to Jasmine and got up from his chair and went to her side. He sat down lightly on the bed beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Jasmine, time to get up,” he said with a gentle shake. Jasmine slowly came out of her sleep and looked up at Greg sitting over her. Her blue eyes were dull, not bright and full of life that he had seen before. “Are you ok?” Greg questioned, concerned.
“I shouldn't have been able to sleep here, but I could. I didn't want to talk to those girls so harshly yesterday, but I didn't know what else to do for them.” The words were flooding out of Jasmine's mouth.
“Hold on, calm down. You don't have to explain yourself to me. You did what they needed. Good or bad, it was what worked to get them to accept food and help. You make them feel secure. Don't blame yourself for their situation.”
“I know what they have been through, and I should have done something to stop it a long time ago.”
“Don't do this to yourself. You couldn't have, and you know that. You were as trapped as they were.”
Jasmine sat up and looked away from Greg. Greg could feel the distance coming between them. She was shutting him out.
“I used to steal cars. My parents split when I was three, and they left me with my grandma. She was great, but she had to work two jobs just to keep food on the table. I had too much freedom and got involved with a bad crowd. I was finally caught and sentenced to five years in prison.”
Jasmine turned to look at him.
“I was sitting in a cell when a CIA agent, who called himself Preston, showed up and offered me the chance to leave my cell and do something worthwhile with my life. I have never regretted that decision. It was my chance to change my life for the better, and I plan to make my grandma proud.”
Jasmine just stared at him for a moment
then spoke. “Six months. I spent six months down there.”
Greg nodded to show he was listening, but didn't want to say anything. He just wanted to allow her to let it all out.
“She told us that, if the caged bird wants out, she must sing first. I always thought I survived because I was tough and smart. I figured out fast how to make Ming happy. I gave into her to save my own skin and the Lings. She threatened to harm them, but since I excelled at everything she asked, I felt they were safe. But none of us were ever safe. She would kill us if we failed. I helped her. It was every girl for herself.”
“You did what you had to do,” Greg said sympathetically.
“That doesn't make it right,” Jasmine replied with tears forming in her eyes.
Greg scooped her up in his arms and held her. “You can't change the past. You can only make the choice to live a better life.”
Jasmine nestled herself against Greg's chest.
At that moment, Marie walked through the door. “We have to get going. Are you ready?”
“Yes, we will meet you downstairs,” Jasmine replied, pulling her head up.
Marie acknowledged and turned and left. Greg stood up and stretched out his hand for Jasmine to take. She accepted, and he pulled her out of the bed to her feet. Greg had brought her bags up, while she was asleep, and picked up their bags.
“Hand me mine, please,” Jasmine requested.
“I got them.”
“I can carry my own, please.”
Greg realized she wanted to feel some type of control and handed her the bags.
“Thank you.”
They descended the stairs to the waiting group. Everyone had congregated in the foyer to get a chance to talk with Warren. Having the President talking to them like an everyday person was giving many of them so much excitement. Marie broke up the chit chat by following Greg and Jasmine down the stairs, causing them to turn to see her.
“Hit the bikes. We are leaving. I take it we are following you?” Marie inquired to Warren. “Yes, I have a plane ready at the Beijing airport to transport us.”
“To where?” Greg questioned.
“Finland,” Warren replied.
“Lead the way, Mr. President,” Marie sarcastically replied.
“That's fine, but first, I need to make a call, so get everyone out and the bikes ready. I will be with you shortly,” Warren replied. Marie and the rest of the team quickly vacated the foyer, leaving Warren alone. He pulled out his phone and dialed Wen. “So, you like positive publicity. I have a gift wrapped situation for you.”
“Oh, do tell. I do enjoy a great show,” Wen replied happily.
“We have taken Ming's mansion, and she has done some nasty things.”
“Well, that is not news.”
“She had children in cages; these kidnapped little girls are a mess. They need medical care. They need a savior,” Warren hinted.
“Those poor things. I will be there with aid within the hour. I will make sure they are taken care of,” Wen replied.
“Good, then I will leave a few secret service agents with them to make sure they are taken care of until then.”
“Wonderful. We will be there soon.” Wen hung up the phone, and Warren did as well. Warren walked outside to the ready team.
“Have a productive phone call?” Marie inquired.
“Yes, I was just setting up for the girls to be taken care of. They will be receiving medical attention within the hour, and Ming will be publicized as a kidnapping monster.”
“Good,” Rose huffed.
“Let's go.” Warren pulled himself into his SUV, closing the door.
Chapter
32
Franklin had been able to assemble British troops in Kotka, Finland and was awaiting the arrival of Marie and her team. Once Marie and Warren, along with her team, had landed, they were immediately escorted to the headquarters of the British army.
Franklin greeted them at the entrance to the tent. “Good, I need you two for a strategy meeting.”
Marie turned to the rest of her team. “Ray and Greg, you're with me. Everyone else rest and get something to eat.” Greg was a bit confused, but followed Ray into the tent. The rest of the team was just as confused, but followed Marie's directions. They were all hungry.
“I wonder if we get tea and biscuits,” Liam joked as they walked towards the tents.
“Shut up,” Mitchell said, trying not to laugh.
Once inside the tent, Marie, Ray, Warren, and Greg were greeted by the British Army Commander, Sarah Darnley. Her short auburn hair and bright green eyes were stunning. Her reputation for being strong willed, intelligent, and tough made her an ideal leader.
“Who are those three?” she inquired, staring at Marie, Ray, and Greg.
“They are with me,” Warren interjected before Marie could spout off a snappy response.
“Fine. Here is what we are dealing with. Sergei's mansion is a complete replica of the Winter Palace, which makes it much easier for us to infiltrate.”
“One of the benefits of dealing with a megalomaniac is their obsession with their own greatness. There is nothing that deviates from the original,” Franklin added, looking at Sarah.
Marie almost laughed as she noticed Franklin was looking at her like a love-struck puppy, but she had other things on her mind. “Yes, there is,” Marie interrupted, touching the digital map before them and stretching it to zoom in on the office Sergei inhabited. “The office has blast shields. The house also has security measures far beyond what the original had.”
“I don't think we ever thought it didn't,” Sarah replied, zooming the map back out. “We know we will meet fierce resistance trying to take the palace.”
“We are not going to take it. We are going to blow it up,” Marie replied.
“I'm sorry, what?” Sarah questioned.
“We are going to blow it up,” Marie repeated slowly. “I need remote detonation explosives that my team can plant strategically within the palace. We are going to implode it. We have to remove it completely, not just take out Sergei. We need to take it off the map.”
“As a statement that he is gone,” Warren added. He understood what she was trying to accomplish.
“You already said his office is blast proof. If he stays in his office, as much as our intelligence has discovered, he would be safe from the blast and may be able to escape,” Sarah pointed out.
“Let me deal with Sergei. He will not make it out alive. Greg will lead my team into the mansion and plant the explosives. Ray will take our seal team and your special forces to sweep the mansion,” Marie ordered.
“No, we lead our own troops,” Sarah protested.
“Ray is a former seal and has extensive training and experience. He will lead the troops,” Marie argued.
Franklin decided to pull rank. “We can compromise. Sarah will join the infiltration team and go with Ray. She has the experience needed to be an asset with the mission.”
“Fine, with me,” Marie replied.
“I take it you will need my best explosives expert as well?” Sarah inquired
“No, I have my own. I need the explosives and the computer chips to set the remote detonation. Can you get those to me?” Marie asked.
Greg was silent. He was still trying to process Marie saying he would lead his friends. He understood she wanted Dovia to handle the bombs, but why him to handle the team?
“I can. Now, we just have to get there,” Sarah replied.
“Air drop,” Warren replied, zooming out the map even further. “There is a field that would be a perfect drop site about a mile from the palace. We will do a nighttime air drop. Ray will be in charge of the drop and making sure the troops are prepared.”
Ray nodded his head.
“We will meet again in the morning, tomorrow, to get everything finalized,” Warren said confidently.
“Good, then you all can go. I need to speak with the President and Prime Minister alone,” Marie ordered.
/> “I do not take orders from you,” Sarah retorted, looking to Franklin.
He smiled at her. “It is ok. I do need to speak with her. I will touch base with you later.”
Ray and Greg turned and left, with Sarah following. Sarah caught up to Ray and stopped him.
“I need to speak to you,” she said, blocking his path.
Greg knew this was a conversation he did not want any part of. “I will leave you two to talk.” Greg walked past Sarah to join his group, who was eating around a fire only one hundred yards away.
“I am qualified. I have over ten years of experience in combat. Your troops are in good hands,” Ray defended himself.
“That is not what I am asking. I want to know who she is.”
Ray avoided eye contact. That was not a question he wanted to answer. “Look, she is involved in this and is our best chance of not only surviving this, but succeeding. I know she is not very traditional.”
“Traditional? She is wearing leather, like some sort of assassin, and those tattoos. I can't believe she is being given this much say. What is her training?”
“The fewer questions you ask about her, the better. It is best that we focus on our part of the mission.”
“Fine, but I don't like this,” Sarah said, walking away to return to her troop’s tents.
Back in the headquarters, Marie couldn't contain her laughter, once Sarah left.
“What's so funny?” Franklin asked, looking at the map.
“You. Love sick little puppy. Are you going to ask her to prom?” Marie teased.
“Shut up,” Franklin replied, not looking up.
“No, I think it’s cute. Now that you don't have to play fake with Ming's girl, you can have a real girlfriend,” Marie continued to tease.
“It's not funny,” Franklin said flatly, still looking at the map.
“This is a serious time, Marie. You need to stay focused,” Warren added.
“If this fails, we are looking at our own destruction,” Franklin added.
“It won't. We will blow it up and protect your precious identities.”
Franklin looked at Warren. “That's why you ok'd a plan to blow up his home, instead of just bringing him in. To save your career.”
Jasmine (Teumessian Trilogy Book 3) Page 15