Sexpionage

by Lesley E. Hal

  “I see.” I went for the door and blew Jordan a kiss before leaving.

  The sprawling estate grounds were awe-inspiring with nothing but lush, green manicured lawns, vibrant flowers, trees and other vegetation for as far as my eyes could see. During my walk, I came upon a sitting area that was surrounded by a small lake filled with ducks and swans floating around it without a care in the world. I sat down on one of the wrought-iron chairs, pissed at myself for not bringing a glass of wine or something to help me enjoy this area of seclusion. The birds chirping and other sounds coming from nature lulled me into a peaceful slumber.

  What later turned out to be a beautiful dream turned into a nightmare. Jordan and I were married with children and had moved to Hong Kong to live in his family’s home. Everything was perfect, as it should’ve been. Our son looked like me while our precious daughter resembled her father. Both were as cute as they wanted to be. We doted on them making sure they never knew what a hard day looked like. In the fantasy, we had just put the kids to bed and settled into our own. As Jordan caressed my burning flesh with his soothing lips, I recalled being so hot for him and needing his touch. I begged for him to give me what I wanted, when all of a sudden, I was in the lake trying to stay above water. The ducks and the swans were doing their best to get to safety as I fought with someone that I could not see. A woman’s hand with long, lacquered fingernails closed around my mouth and nose while trying to hold me under. The more I struggled, the more the person who was restraining me fought. I bit down hard on the hand of my captor who momentarily let go to nurse her wound.

  Finally, I was able to come up for air. Taking in deep breaths, I choked while trying to get as much oxygen as I could, all while screaming for help and throwing up water. The perpetrator now resembled a man as he tried to put a stop to my pleas, slapping me repeatedly, before once again dunking me under water. This time, I fought because my life depended on it.

  “Bianca!” I heard a distant voice calling me.

  Water was being sucked in through my mouth and nostrils as I struggled to defend myself and take in breaths of fresh air, but it was a losing battle. I prayed that my cries could be heard as I called out before I was submerged again.

  “Bianca! Bianca!”

  I took in a deep breath. “ARRGGH!” I hollered to the top of my lungs.

  “Bianca! Bianca!” I felt a stinging sensation across my face. “Wake up!” My eyes flew open, and Jordan was standing over me where I’d fallen asleep . . . on the bench.

  “Where am I?!” I looked around wide-eyed and unsure of what was going on, especially since I wasn’t wet and still seated where I’d found this little slice of tranquility. “What . . . what happened?!”

  Jordan straightened up and looked at me as if he wasn’t sure if I was stable or not. “You’re in Hong Kong, at my family’s estate. I came out looking for you, when I heard you screaming.”

  I noticed that my breathing was somewhat erratic and that my heart was racing. “I feel like I’m going mad.”

  Jordan took the seat next to mine. “Care to tell me about it?”

  He seemed genuine in wanting to know, but something told me to tread lightly. That something also angered me. “Exhaustion. The conversation on the plane. Leaving my friends in Bora Bora. I don’t know. You tell me, because lately, I don’t know if I’m coming or going, thanks to you!” With that, I left him where he sat as I started back toward the house.

  Chapter 35

  My phone indicated that I had messages. When I called in to check them, my mailbox was full. I pushed one to listen and confirmed my suspicions. It was Reggie. The rest were also from Reggie, Cody, Shelia and even my employees who had accompanied us on the trip. I didn’t have the energy to explain things to them, so instead of calling, I sent out a mass group text to ease their minds, at least for the time being.

  Hey guys, sorry I ducked out on you the way that I did, but something came up that needed my undivided attention. I promise you all that we will reschedule to do the trip in style, as planned, another time in the near future. I hope you all are enjoying yourselves, on me of course, and if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to charge it. In addition to the money that I left, I have an open line of credit with the resort and they are aware that it’s for my party to use however they choose. Love you all, smooches!

  I hit the send key and then powered off my phone. Knowing them, they were going to still demand answers that I wasn’t ready to deal with. I had bigger issues to concern myself with at the moment.

  Just as I was putting my phone away, Jordan walked in. “Am I interrupting?”

  “No. I sent a text to my abandoned friends letting them know that I was okay.” I was sure my sarcasm wasn’t lost on Jordan, from the look on his face.

  Jordan clasped his hands together and bowed his head. He looked to be saying a silent prayer. Then he trained unflinching, forbidding eyes on me. “Bianca, if you knew what was best for you, you wouldn’t bring up those faggots to my face ever again. I gave you more than enough time to sulk and have your pity party. Now get yourself together, and meet me downstairs in the library within the next five minutes and not a second later,” he said before walking off.

  His departure didn’t leave me with a chance to respond to the disrespectful way he had just regarded my friends.

  I was the last one to walk through the beautiful wooden double doors of the library that bared a crest that I guessed belonged to Jordan’s family. The room not only displayed books on the impeccable shelves complete with a ladder, but heirlooms, accent pieces, expensive furnishings, priceless art, and family portraits. I should’ve known by how exquisite the rest of the house was decorated that I shouldn’t have expected anything less with the library.

  Judging by the nasty stare I got from Jordan, he wasn’t too pleased with me holding up his precious meeting. As usual, Seven and Snake sat side by side while Sledge sat off to himself. When I took the empty seat next to Seven, Sledge snickered loud enough for it to be heard.

  “Is there something funny, besides you?” I asked.

  Sledge reacted as though he was about to come across the table at me, but slowed his roll when he caught sight of Jordan. “You need to control your—”

  “Sledge!” Snake gestured for him to cool it.

  He looked at everyone, and eased back into his seat. “I’m good, Snake.”

  “Are you two done?” Jordan asked.

  Neither of us said anything.

  “I said . . . are you two done?” he asked again.

  “Why don’t you ask your girlfriend?” Sledge’s bitter response made me wonder who the real faggot was since he’d behaved as though Jordan was his man, instead of mine.

  With the speed of a cheetah and the sleekness of a panther, Jordan was on Sledge pointing at his head with a gun that I didn’t even know he had on him.

  “You were right, Snake, but hey, I tried,” Jordan shouted over his shoulder. “This motherfucker has forgotten who he’s dealing with. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the reason we almost got popped in Paris.” Jordan punched Sledge in the gut.

  “Oomph!” Sledge mumbled when the blow connected with his abdomen. “Come on, man. I was . . . I was just joking.”

  Jordan, hit him again. “And you of all people should know that I’m not the joking type.”

  “I think he needs a reminder.” Snake stood and walked over to where Jordan held Sledge hostage.

  Seven got up to try and diffuse the situation. “Come on, guys, is all of this even necessary?” she tried to reason.

  Snake held up his hand to stop Seven from coming any closer. “Stay out of this.”

  She sat back down next to me. I wanted Jordan to pistol-whip his ass so I was all in and wasn’t stopping a damned thing.

  “Now, I’m going to give you a couple of options that I normally wouldn’t, but since I consider you a friend, I’ll make a one-time exception. You can either A, get on the next plane heading back to the States a
nd forget about me. Or B, get a few cuts and go for a swim with the sharks. It’s your choice, but know this, if you choose A, don’t even let the word double-cross enter your mind because if you do, I’ll more than make good on my threat, starting with that foul mouthed-ass mother of yours. There won’t be a rock for you to hide under. Trust me, you’re going to wish that you had chosen B, by the time that I’m done with you.” Jordan pulled the gun back from Sledge’s temple. “So, what’s it going to be?”

  Sledge was shivering with tears and snot running out of his nose. “You . . . you know that I woo . . . would never double-cr . . . cross you, you, mm—man.”

  Jordan punched him one more time before relenting from the domineering stance he had over him. “That’s what I thought.” He returned to his spot at the head of the table. “Seven, book this sorry sack of shit on the next thing to the States. I don’t care where it is, just so long as it’s on U.S. soil.”

  I almost felt sorry for Sledge . . . almost. There was no way I was going to say something slick to get Jordan riled up at me. Snake snatched him up and led him out of the library. Seven followed.

  When we were alone, Jordan went from being a menacing pit bull to playful cocker spaniel, within a matter of seconds. He walked over to where I was and tickled me. We playfully wrestled for a minute before ending our squabble in climactic kisses. Jordan stood up and looked down at me as I was trying to contain myself from the abrupt ending of our frisky romp.

  “Bianca, I apologize for having you go through that, but you don’t have to worry about Sledge, anymore. Now is not the time for his bullshit, especially when I’m so close to avenging my family’s honor. What I said earlier about your friends was uncalled for. I’m guilty of being jealous of your relationship with them. I sometimes wonder why we can’t share the same closeness.”

  The anger I felt earlier started to melt away. I can’t say that I’d waited to hear Jordan express some kind of feelings for me, but it felt good just to know that he did care. “Apology accepted.”

  He cupped my chin in his hands. “Once this is over, I promise to do better by giving you all of me, instead of just pieces.”

  That got a smile out of me. Suddenly, I felt better about the decision I’d made to leave Bora Bora. “I would like that very much, Mr. Lei.”

  Just as we were about to kiss, Seven came back interrupting what could’ve turned into something X-rated on top of the massive table.

  “There’s a flight scheduled to leave within the next couple of hours nonstop to San Francisco.”

  “Did you book him on it?”

  Seven took a seat at the table while giving us a knowing look. “Yes, Snake is accompanying the driver to the airport to make sure he gets on it.”

  Jordan went back to his chair. After reclining back as far as it would go, he covered his face with his hands. “I should’ve listened to Snake in Paris. This impromptu trip to the airport is going to delay us. Now, I have to find a replacement on the fly.” He rose back up and slapped the table with his hand. “Fuck!”

  “Let me take over what Sledge was going to do and let Bianca man the computers,” Seven suggested.

  Jordan sat considering Seven’s idea for a split-second. “No. No. No . . . I need you on those computers.” He ran his hands over his head, then stopped when he seemed to have had a light bulb moment. He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

  Seven and I sat patiently waiting on him to wrap up his call.

  “Jim, it’s me.” He drummed his fingers while listening to his caller on the other end. “Okay, that’s not important right now. I need you to get on the next flight to Hong Kong and meet me at the place like yesterday. Seven can schedule it and call you back with your itinerary.” He listened some more. “Good. Good. I’ll see you when you touch down.”

  • • •

  “Was that Jim on that call, Jim Reynolds?” Agent Garza asked.

  “Yes, it was him,” I answered.

  DA Hayes spoke up. “Seems like our boy Jim, has been knee-deep in scandal. I’m going to have a ball putting his bigoted ass behind bars. You’re doing well so far, Ms. Brooks. I’m pleased with information you’re giving us. If not for your cooperation, we would be still at square one.”

  “I’m glad someone is finally treating my client with the respect she deserves, even if it’s you, Marlow.”

  To prevent the claws from coming out, I jumped in. “Thank you, District Attorney Hayes. I’m only doing what I should’ve done from the beginning.”

  “Aww, that’s sweet. Now, can we continue with the task at hand, please?” Agent Garza interrupted.

  Chapter 36

  Three days later, we arrived at an abandoned old building in the middle of nowhere. Jordan shook hands with a man who introduced himself as Novikov. He was Russian, tall, ruggedly handsome with a blond, military crew cut. He was sporting a noticeable scar on the left side of his face. He caught me staring a few times and from what I could see, he didn’t mind me looking one bit.

  Once Jordan was seated comfortably, he read over the details he had on Easter and The Collector before addressing the rest of the group. Snake walked in with coffee and bagels. I was glad that someone had thought of food since we didn’t have breakfast at the house. During this time, Jim Reynolds joined us fresh from his flight. He greeted everyone with only a nod and took the only seat left.

  Jordan stood to address us. “Now that we have everyone assembled, we can officially begin. As you all know, I only do things pertaining to business and rarely do I focus on personal, but this time it’s an intimate matter that’s driving me. I won’t go into details, but you all know where I stand with The Collector, and why this is so important to me. Easter, on the other hand, is business. He’s tried to infiltrate my organization for years, even before the fallout in Bangkok. For some reason or another, Easter has always had it out for me. I can’t continue on the way I have with having to have eyes on him twenty-four-seven. What we do depends on all bases being covered, and we can’t afford to be lax, especially with someone like Easter, lurking around. The setup in Bangkok could’ve proved deadly, and for that, Easter, must suffer the same fate that he had in store for all of us.”

  Jim threw in his two cents when he cut in. “I’d love to get my hands on the little rotten scoundrel. I was depending on that score to get this yacht I had my eye on.”

  “Speaking of yachts, Snake and I were planning to take some much needed time off to sail the Mediterranean, Seychelles, Hawaii and Tahiti among other places. We’d planned to even maybe start working on starting a family during the time off and that little imp of a man ruined it for us,” Seven argued.

  Snake took over Seven’s rant. “When I think about what we lost in Bangkok, when it comes to Easter, I have thoughts of putting my hands on him in the worst way.” That evoked a laugh from all that was in attendance, including Jordan.

  “As would we all, but luckily or unluckily, depending on how you look at it, The Collector’s people will be the ones doing the laying of the hands. As most of you know, Snake has been in on Easter’s Louvre heist plans for the past few months. It has been confirmed that this will be the weekend. The Louvre will be undergoing roof repairs since a leak was discovered due to all of the rain damage. What that means is that the glass that’s usually triggered with an alarm won’t be. There will be guards watching the repairmen on duty, but no need to worry. We can overpower from a distance with these . . . ” Jordan held up a small, thin object. “Tranquilizing darts. First, we’ll need to find out what time the workers will be ending or going on break. I don’t want to chance anyone dying by falling. However, this must be a synchronized attack done succinctly with no breaks for them to be able to react. No need in wasting precious time in combat. The men inside will be even easier to subdue since we’ve been made aware of their routines.

  “As for the treasures,” he continued, “The Collector has his eyes on the museum’s European collection. Including works by Brueghel and Rubens
with the most valuable being Remington’s The Wrath Angel, Lilith, and The Silence of Bathsheba. He’s very specific in what he wants and we’ll have the rest of the details after Snake’s briefing with Easter in Paris. Mother Nature has made Easter’s job a hell of a lot easier, but with the tarps covering the repair zone, ours will practically be a foolproof victory. Once I get all of the names of the paintings that The Collector wants, I’ll have prints made. After all is done, the way it’s going to be received by The Collector is that Easter has once again pulled another of his stunts like the one in Bangkok.”

  “Isn’t The Collector going to be there?” Seven asked. “I don’t get it.”

  “No, he won’t be, but Easter is scheduled to meet him the same night at an undisclosed location for now with the masterpieces that he has hand-selected for his compendium. The Collector doesn’t want to take any chances of having something happen to his precious works of art. The man’s a hands-on-multitasking maniac. Of course he’s still searching high and low to recover the Joie De Vivre diamond that I relieved him of.” Jordan chuckled. “I have to admit that I’ve enjoyed toying with him with pictures and false leads which make him want to retaliate even more. The more focused that he and Easter are on my demise means mistakes that I plan to capitalize on.”

  Novikov laughed out loud. “Keeping him on his toes, eh?” Even though he had a very sexy, but thick Russian accent, he spoke perfect English. I found myself watching him again and this time, when he caught me, I didn’t look away.

  “Exactly, Novikov!” Jordan shouted before he addressed Jim.

  “Jim, I need you to make a little impromptu visit to Ming-Hua Wang. He has been tracked to the south side and is currently staying at his luxury high-rise apartment. I want for you to send a coordinated message to The Collector to rattle his cages a bit. Ming-Hau has a concert the day following the heist that I’m going to need for him to cancel indefinitely. However, do not harm a single hair on his wife’s—” Jordan cleared his throat when he caught me gawping at Novikov. “Ahem . . . Bianca, can I get you to focus over here, please?”