by Helena Smith
‘Actually, would you mind getting me some painkillers? My head is pounding.’
‘Of course I don’t mind, I will run and get them now for you.’
With that he does run off and comes back armed with a bottle of pills. I take two from the bottle and swallow them as quickly as possible. I hope that they kick in soon. I need to think properly and I can’t right now. Not like this.
‘How do you feel Bella?’ I sigh, I don’t know how to respond.
‘Tired, weak, my head is banging.... emotionally....I can’t even make sense of my own feelings right now. I can’t decipher them... not yet. I just... oh god... I just keep thinking of Ash.’ Tears sting my eyes, I think they have dried up. Every time I think of Ash, I don’t even know if she is ok. If she is alive, if she is harmed... oh god.... what have they done to her. As if Robert can read my thoughts he puts my hand in both of his hands.
‘Shhhh... Bella... she will be ok. They will look after her. I am sure of that.’
‘I hope you are right... and that you are actually telling me the truth.’
‘I promise you I am telling the truth. The only reason why I didn’t was because I was trying to get her back Bella.’
‘Work... what about your elusive job. I feel like I don’t even know you.’
‘You do know the real me. You just don’t know a lot about my job. But I am not particularly proud of it. It is something that I was born into and have had to continue for my family. Does it mean dealing with undesirable people? Yes. Does it mean that I have to do things I don’t want to do? ... yes... yes it does. After all of this I will explain it properly to you. Now is not the right time for you to start trying to understand all of that. All you need to focus on, is us getting Ash back and remembering that I love you.’ I nod at him.
‘Yes Robert... I know. I just find it difficult. Difficult to forget that if it wasn’t for you, then Ash would be safe and well.’
‘I know, and I promise I will make it up to Ash, and I will make it up to you.’ I like to hear that fact that he wants to make it up to Ash and that he believes he will have the opportunity. That is a glimmer of hope for me. To know that he thinks Ash will be here for him to make it up to her. I close my eyes and Robert wets a face cloth to put on my forehead and sits with me, in silence.
CHAPTER 42
Chris sat there and kept repeating the words ‘Fuck... fuck..... ohhhhh fuck’, as he watched Roberto scoop Bella, precious Bella into his arms and carry her in the house. Not in a romantic gesture, it was more so that this arsehole had to pick her up so she didn’t fall. She looks so fragile, beautiful, but fragile.
‘What’s going on dickhead?’ Bob was alerted when the sat phone had rang.
‘Bob, this is fucked up.’
‘It must be if you’re calling me Bob. Come on.... spill.’
‘Gaffer has called, job is aborted.’
‘Brilliant, it means we can go home early.... ok ... by your face I am gathering we can’t?’
‘Mate, listen. I had one true love of my life. Not to get all soppy but it’s true. She is in the fuckin house.’
‘Holy crap. You’re kidding right?’
‘Nope. I wish I was. I watched her walk out into the garden, puke her guts up and then that Roberto geezer had to carry her back in. She looks weak.’
‘Are you sure its her?’
‘Oh... I am positive. 100% positive.’
‘Soooo..... what are we gonna do about it.?’
‘Well the jobs been aborted, so I can’t touch them can I. Or I will be fucked over well and truly.’
‘Well yeah. That’s the point.’
‘So the only thing is, I am going to have to go in there and get her.’
‘We going in for a rescue then?’
‘Bob, I appreciate your offer. It means a lot. But if it goes tits up, I don’t want you dragged in. I am going in alone.’
‘You sure?’
‘Yep, I am sure. Thanks though. You might as well do one and report back to the guys.’
‘Well before I report back to the gaffers, let me help you out. I can do that from afar. Watch your back and give you the heads up. If it goes badly I will take sniper position to take them out.’
‘We need to avoid taking anyone out though Bob’.
‘Mate... if this thing goes south....we will have no other choice. If its them... or you... we choose you and put a bullet through them. Are we clear?’
‘Clear’
Fuck, Chris never thought that this mission was going to go on to this direction. Clean assassination and escape. Easy, as always. Put Bella in the mix, and this was just a ridiculous scenario. One that Chris never expected he would face in his career. He was hoping she was in the UK, safe and happy. Not mixed up with this crowd. Why was she mixed up with this lot? Why oh why.
Chris waited until it got dark before he made his way down the hill next to the side of the house. With his night vision goggles on, he had his full kit with him. Tear gas, grenades, his sig saucer handgun and his rifle. Bob was still on the hill as he would have a good view point from that angle and he wouldn’t be so involved.
As Chris approached the house, he dropped down so he could army crawl around the house. Bob and Chris had ear pieces in and could communicate freely with each other. The ear piece in Chris’s ear came alive.
‘Two at the front of the house just around the corner from where you are.’
Chris heard, but didn’t respond by speaking and Bob would know why. By making any unnecessary noises would be giving away his position. Instead, he pressed the beeper fixed around his neck to acknowledge that he had heard. Slowly he crawled along and drew out his handgun with a silencer attached. If he there was only one guy, he would have taken the guy by surprise and slit his throat. Maximum effect, little noise. But there were two, the other guy could alert the house by the time Chris would get to him. Using the silencer, anyone in the house would be unaware. People always assume that using a silencer, means no noise. If someone was stood close by they would hear it, the familiar whoosh and dull thud. But people in the house wouldn’t.
Chris edged around the corner, and smirked to himself that the two clowns outside were not exactly the best of guards. They were chatting away to each other in Italian and sniggering with each other. No doubt talking about porn. Chris had to get just a little bit closer take the shot, and as soon as he did he assumed the position. Kneeling on one knee, the other leg rested on foot. He extended his arms, took aim and exhaled. Some people made the error that they held their breath when taking the shot, but you should always exhale. It gives you a steady aim. With that Chris pulled the trigger and double tapped both of the guys. No noise was made apart from the whoosh thud of the gun.
Chris had to ensure that when he did have Bella, he had a clear path to get her out. The less people to fight on the way out.... the better.
‘Another guy coming around behind you.’
Chris dropped to his back and laid still as it was too late to get cover first. As the guy walked up to him, he muttered something in Italian and when he reached Chris’s feet, he quickly sat up and took the guy by surprise. Double tap. It was always the same. It was the only real way of ensuring that the guys didn’t get a second wind and try and play Rambo.
‘Well done mate. I can’t see any others I think you are clear to go in the house.’
Chris decided it made more sense to try and go in through the back, where he had watched that arsehole carrying Bella into the house. It was less likely to have as many locks on as the front door, but it would be dangerous to assume that. Chris would have to check. It also gave Chris a chance to bump into any more guards. But before he did so, he had to drag the bodies away of the 3 guards that he has just nailed. Leaving them there would be a stupid mistake. Anyone could come along and see three bodies and raise alarm straight away. It bought Chris some more time.
CHAPTER 44
I lay in bed, my heart pounding. I can’t sleep, I have tr
ied everything. I am sick of waiting and wondering...... is she ok? I just want to see her and throw my arms around her and take her away. Somewhere safe. Is she alive? Oh god... the thought... I just can’t. I squeeze my eyes together to try and get rid of the images that keep flashing in my head. I am scared to sleep, to see the nightmares that await me.
I asked Robert to sleep in the other room again, to give me space. He did so, and was very understanding about it. Which I was pleased about. I didn’t want any more hostility, it was something I just don’t feel like I could face. Why is it that since Chris, I have picked the wrong men? I try to analyse all my boyfriends, and stifle my bitter laugh. I mean really.... this one tops them all. This couldn’t get more fucked up if it tried. I just want to run away from all of this. How can I stay with him after this? He has put me in harms way and Ash is.... well.... I am hoping that wherever she is they are treating her well. I hope she has water, and in a comfortable room. I pray.... pray to God that she is ok. The alternatives are too unbearable to think about... yet I do. As if I am preparing myself for the worst. The worst that could very well happen.
CHAPTER 45
Chris gets his knife out and manages to fiddle the lock and enter, to his left there is an alarm panel. He quickly rips it off the wall, but not too far off to ensure the wires are kept in tact, and he snips the red and green wires. The alarm dies.
Quickly he assesses the room around him. Bob comes to life in his ear
‘Mate, its all clear so far, I see you have got in. I will let you know of further activity. Over’
Chris listened intently and started breathe through his mouth again, giving him optimum hearing. He had his flexible rubber soled boots on, which will give him silent footing... he proceeded through the open kitchen. Shit these guys had money. It oozed expense from everything he could see. But now came the task of trying to find out where Bella was being kept. Was she being kept against her will? It didn’t look like she was fighting them. Jesus.... Bella. What on earth have you got yourself into?
Chris walked through a large dining room and then through a lounge that was the size of a hotel function room. His pulse quickened as he saw someone, but it was his reflection in the mirror. Chris had his rifle behind his back, and his handgun with silencer attached held out in front of him. Arms locked, ready for what he might find. As he crept through the downstairs area, it was clear. He made his way up the stairs, no chance of creaking floorboards here, it was made of marble. Making his way upstairs, he started on his left and went along the corridor, listening outside the first closed door he could hear snoring.... it was a man. He slowly opened the door, with his night vision goggles on he quickly saw a man on his own. Closing the door quietly, he went to the next few rooms, each were empty. How many rooms did this place have? It was time to tackle the corridor on the right.
Opening the first door, showed another bathroom, a bathroom that was bigger than the downstairs of Chris’s pad back home. Moving to the next room, listening first, he could hear a man sighing. Not in a way that suggests he is getting his leg over it was more out of annoyance. Restless, so he moved quickly to the next room to check out the others first. The next room was quiet, then he heard a very quiet cry. It was Bella, he just knew it was. But how the hell was he going to do this without being spotted and her being alerted to someone stood in her room with black paint on their face.
He pushed the door opened slightly, and she was facing the other way. This was the time. So he rushed forward. Dived on the bed and put his hand firmly over her mouth. Just in time as she started to make noises underneath his hand. She wriggled hard, and tried to get out of the vice like grip he had her in. Then he moved his mouth to her ear.
‘Bella. I need you to be very quiet.’ Her response was moaning as she was trying to scream underneath his hand.
‘Bella.... its me. It’s Chris.’ Slowly the wriggling subsided, and the moaning, under his now hot hand with her breath.... stop.
CHAPTER 46
I can’t stop tossing and turning. How many days and nights is this going to take? I have my bedroom window open so I can just see the moon that the clouds keep playing hide and seek with. I have tried to read, and my eyes were getting tired. I turned my light off in hope that I might sleep, but no... I felt awake again. So I put the light back on and painted my nails, let them dry and then turned the light off again. I turn to the window again and watch the clouds, and the moon peeping through.
Suddenly I felt a rush of air in my bedroom behind me, as I turn to see what it was. Someone jumps on my bed and has their hand over my mouth. I try to scream and get out of his vice like grip. Who the hell is this? They have come for me... they have finally realised that the woman they have is Ash, and now they have come for me. I try to scream.... scream for Robert, Giuseppe... anyone. But all you can hear is a muffled sound under this bastard’s hand. I try to get free, but he has strong legs, one of them wrapped around my legs. In effect, pinning me down. What do I do? I start to panic and my heart feels like it might pound out of my chest and escape.
Then he speaks.
‘Bella. I need you to be very quiet.’ I try to scream again, but in the back of my head there is something familiar about his voice. I have no time to think about it or try and place his voice so I scream again.
‘Bella.... its me. It’s Chris.’...... Chris.... Chris.... CHRIS? I stop moving and try to breath through my nose... trying to calm down. Chris... really? I don’t make any more muffled noises. As I had stopped struggling, Chris started to release his hand slowly. To ensure that I wouldn’t try and scream again, I guess he kept his hand close by. Gently, he started releasing his leg that was gripping mine so hard. He allowed me enough room to turn around and look at him. My eyes were wide, I know that, but I think they got wider as I looked at him. His face was painted black and he was dressed in black. But those eyes... I recognise those eyes. We speak in quiet voices.
‘Chris?’
‘Yes it’s me Bella.’
‘Usually the man in black comes through the window armed with chocolates!’ I smile at him, at my own joke.
He looks at me and a smile spreads across his face and he starts to chuckle, a very quiet chuckle.
‘Only you, could crack a joke in this situation.’
‘I know’ I join him in the chuckle.
‘Bella, we have to get out now.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Bella, the men you are in this house with are more than dangerous.’
‘What?’
‘There is no time to explain now but you have to come with me.’
‘Oh Chris... you have no idea how much I want to. But I need to keep with Robert to find Ash.’
‘What the fuck has happened to Ash?’
‘She has been kidnapped. Something to do with Roberts’s business. They think she is me. They have her in Afghanistan, and Robert thinks they will contact him any day now to do some sort of trade’
‘She has been taken to the Stan? Christ Bella. You know where?’
‘Yeah he has told me the village.’
‘Lets get out of here. We will get to her.’
‘But I might miss any information’
‘Trust me Bella. We won’t. Get up now, dress we have to go.’
I get up and quickly run into the bathroom taking my nightie off and put my underwear on and my jeans and t-shirt. Grab my hoodie, slip on my trainers and my handbag. There is all my other stuff, but looking at Chris... something tells me I won’t be rocking out of the front door with my suitcases. I don’t even know if I am doing the right thing. Going with Chris... moving away from my chances of finding Ash. Or am I? I don’t even know if Robert was telling me everything anyway. Shit, it’s too late now. Chris is in the doorway with his weapon help out in front of him looking left and right. I stand there looking at him and my god does he look hot. Then he whispered in my ear.
‘You stay close to me, and do everything I say.’
I nod
at him. We move down the corridor and I can hear my own heart pumping fast. I am sure that everyone in the house must hear it. Going down the stairs one by one, he leads me towards the back of the house. But he stops listening, he changes direction to go out the front door. He undoes the lock and I stay an inch away from him. Looking left and right. He listens intently. He indicates for me to duck behind the pillar of the porch, and he goes behind another one. One of the guards walks around the corner, we are out of his sight but I can hear him whistling. Chris looks at me and indicates that I have to stay where I am. He draws his knife from his belt, and I look at him in horror. But he has changed, in an instant right before my eyes. He is not Chris, not right now. The guard walks past the pillar that Chris is stood behind and within a swift movement, Chris is behind him.... his hand is on the guards mouth and he slits the mans throat. Blood gushes from the gaping wound and I have to look away. Holding a hand over my own mouth. Petrified that I might scream without meaning to. Chris seems to be listening again, and I notice a little earpiece.
He grabs my arm firmly and we head off to the side of the house, and into the tree line. Running, and running and we draw to a stop when we can no longer see the house behind me. Then Chris speaks, but not to me.
‘Nob head, is anyone following?’
‘Good. I can’t thank you enough. Hold on... my sat nav is ringing.’
I am nearly sat on Chris’s knee and I can hear mans voice on the phone. Chris listens and puts the phone down after a minute and puts his head down. He sighs, and exasperated sigh.