Mr. Beast

by Nicole Elliot

  “Got it. Hot weather. Thanks for the tip.”

  “One more thing, mon frere. Our mutual friend in Prague—he’s eager to return the favor, so I hear. I have persuaded him that it would be unwise for him to… avoid showing you hospitality, yes?” He continued on, rushing the words out. “I will be going away for a while on vacation. I have some business to attend to. If you… are able to stand the heat in Prague, I will be grateful. I will be taking care of something on my end that will… help you.” The phone clicked, the call dropped his end.

  I turned my phone off and passed it to Alexandra. “Take the battery and SIM out,” I mouthed at her silently.

  “Who was that on your phone. A friend?” she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

  “Yeah. An old friend. He said it’s a bit hot in Prague. Says we gotta stay cool, okay?” I squeezed her thigh reassuringly.

  A while later, we settled into our business-class seats. We sat next to each other this time, at the back of the central aisle because I wasn’t letting her out of my sight. I’d watch her piss if I had to.

  I shook my head to clear the mental image, picking up the drinks menu in front of me.

  Most of the other passengers were drinking soft drinks and tea. I ordered a large whiskey, pointing at what I’d guessed was probably the most expensive one. I fought better after the first few whiskies anyway.

  Alexandra had relaxed somewhat now we were on the plane. She had been nervous in the lounge, pacing. I had eventually persuaded her to have something to eat, and then two glasses of champagne.

  “It’s a shame we’re not in first-class. You ever joined the mile-high club?” she said grinning at me, champagne in her hand.

  “Mile high what?”

  She looked at me blankly. “Really? You’re going to make me explain?” She raised her eyebrows. “You join the mile-high club when you have sex on a plane, idiot.”

  She threw a peanut at me, laughing as it bounced off my forehead. I didn’t even flinch.

  I got a large chunk of ice from my glass, and deftly slipped it down her top and into her cleavage, poking it well into her bra. I guessed it probably got to her nipple. She gasped, swearing at me as she frantically removed it.

  “You bastard,” she laughed.

  I pointed a finger at her. “Don’t mess with me, doll. I got shitloads more ice.”

  Alexandra

  The plane trip had been all too short, the hour-and-a-half flying by as we chatted. Or, as I chatted, more accurately. Cruz had returned to his gruff self for the most part. I still saw flashes of the man that I’d seen come out of his shell last night though.

  As soon as the plane grounded, I saw a change come over him. He sat up straight, finishing the last of his third whiskey, swallowing the remaining half-glass with one gulp. And then he was on his feet as soon as the plane came to a stop. His eyes were cold, surveying the passengers around us. I saw him breathing deeply.

  He was more than cool. He was ice-cold with the eyes of a killer, preparing and getting in the zone. His pose was solid, arms slightly raised, palms face up, muscles bunched, jaw clenched. The sight made me scared and horny at the same time.

  I wondered if I was actually in any danger at all with Cruz by my side. I almost felt sorry for anyone who tried to mess with him.

  He came around to my side of the aisle, standing protectively behind me. I could feel the presence of his reassuring frame shadowing me; I would be invisible to anyone standing behind him.

  His arms circled me protectively as we moved towards the exit, his huge hands settled on my waist. We walked in time as we headed towards passport control.

  All of a sudden, his pace quickened, and he came to my side now, ushering me towards the gate. Crowds of people seemed to part as he strode through, subconsciously avoiding him.

  We were through in no time.

  “Ain’t got time to get the bags, Lex. Stick with me. We need to get the fuck outta here, right now. Stay cool, okay?”

  I felt a twinge of panic in my stomach and started looking around at the crowds of people milling here and there, wondering what Cruz had seen.

  I guessed he had plied me with champagne to ease my nerves, which had definitely helped.

  I had a few spare clothes in my hold-all, which would have to do.

  I tried to breathe slowly in through my nose and out through my mouth, imitating Cruz. Soon, I started to feel a relaxed and almost meditative calm come over me as we reached our car.

  I didn’t know a great deal about cars, but this one was sleek. A black Mercedes coupe, smaller than the large saloon we’d had in Paris. But just as luxurious. The car looked both sleek and mean.

  A vision of Cruz in his suit the night before rose into my mind.

  “Gotta thank your dad for this when we get back. AMG.” He patted the car as he opened the door to let me in, shielding me with his body. “If they keep up, I’ll be amazed.”

  As soon as I was in the car Cruz jumped across the hood and was in the driver’s seat in a second.

  “Was that really necessary? Show-off,” I said.

  His face was hard. “Hold on to something, Lex. But not my cock this time.”

  Moments later, I was stunned into silence as the car roared from the terminal, tires screaming and smoke billowing from them as we sped away at breakneck speed.

  I was left breathless at the raw power of the car as I was thrown back into the bucket sports seat. I held onto the door’s armrest for dear life.

  Cruz

  As we were leaving the place I’d seen a few figures following us. I recognized one of the Russians who I’d bumped into on the flight to Paris. There were at least three others, probably more lurking in the shadows.

  They were close. This was it. It was time to stop thinking.

  The sheer power of the car I drove was even a shock to me. I’d done getaway driving in the past, but this car was something else.

  As I accelerated out onto the main road, tires and loud engines revved behind me. Two cars were on my tail, swerving around shocked drivers.

  The game was up now. I just had to be one step ahead. Set up the first meeting so it went in my favor.

  I felt sorry for Alexandra in the passenger seat as I barely made it through a red light, swerving violently right across a large intersection. The tires cried out as they kept the car on the road, back end tailing out as we sped around the corner. I eased off the accelerator until the car righted itself, and then slammed my foot down.

  We shot forward again, the road ahead clear. Two cars followed, slightly farther behind now; they had obviously run the red light.

  I visualized the map of the city I’d spent time memorizing, looking around for landmarks. I was fairly sure I knew where we were. I was heading towards a hotel I knew had an underground car park.

  If I could get there first…

  I reasoned that it would give me a few minutes at least. Enough time to get to a room.

  I was unarmed, but the first bad guy to get near me would solve that problem. I would simply break his fucking arm and take his gun. Easy. I’d done it before plenty of times.

  Might even shoot him if he looks at me funny, I thought angrily.

  The lights at the huge intersection a little way down the road were red, and traffic was backed up. I braked sharply and swerved into a narrow side street for a quick detour, dodging a couple market stalls and a few pedestrians who looked at me, shocked.

  Guess I ain’t meant to drive down here. Too late now.

  I reached the end of the narrow road, braking slightly as I scanned for traffic. A car was approaching to my right, slower than was necessary. I put my foot down. I didn’t have time to wait.

  A horn beeped behind me.

  “Fuck off,” I yelled over my shoulder. “Learn to fucking drive!”

  Obviously, I wasn’t the most patient of drivers.

  The car shot forward, leaving our pursuers behind for dust. I took another sharp right a little wh
ile longer. Our tail was nowhere to be seen; I hoped they were sitting behind a fucking red light somewhere.

  The hotel I had in mind wasn’t far. I accelerated viciously at the next clear section of road just before I heard the wail of sirens in the distance.

  Great. Just what I needed. I was actually glad to see the police this time because they would be just as much of a hindrance to my followers as they would be to me. I needed all the help I could get.

  Deciding on another short cut, I turned down a narrow side road. This one was clear, thankfully. My car gripped wonderfully as I threw it around the bends of the winding road. Adrenaline coursed through my veins.

  I risked a sideways glance at Alexandra as I slowed for the junction. She looked like she was going to be sick.

  “Almost there now, babe,” I said.

  The junction was clear as I tore across it, the sound of the car’s engine echoing noisily off the surrounding buildings. The hotel was at the end of the next narrow road. Or at least I hoped so. Otherwise, we were fucked and would possibly have to run the fuckers over. I’d never done that before, although some part of me thought it might be fun.

  I swerved onto the road approaching the hotel and turned violently into the underground car park. I stuck the car as far back as I could out of sight behind a massive SUV.

  I ran to Alexandra’s door, helping her out. She looked pissed.

  “Can you tell me what the fuck that was all about? You nearly got us killed, you maniac!”

  “No time. Let’s go.” I grabbed her arm and rushed towards the stairs to the hotel, stopping briefly to grab her bag.

  We were checked in and on the top floor in a matter of minutes.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Alexandra

  I turned on him as we got into the room. “Cruz, now isn’t the time to go silent on me. Tell me what the fuck is going on!”

  But he didn’t say anything. He was thinking, his gaze fixed on the door. “Now ain’t the time. I need to think,” he finally said, not even looking at me.

  Emotion rose up inside me. Selfish indignation at him. I began to wonder if he had even cared about me or had just used me the previous night.

  I worried that maybe his charms had been false and suddenly, I felt scared and lonely in his company for the first time.

  “Do you even care? Or was everything last night just fake? Are you going to just fuck off when your job’s done? Talk to me, Cruz! I need you!”

  He clenched his jaw. “Alexandra! I can’t keep you safe if you’re shouting at me! I need a minute!”

  “Fuck off then, Cruz. Just do what you’ve been paid to do.” I turned on my heels and headed for what I hoped was a bedroom. Warm tears unexpectedly fell down my face.

  What is up with me? I wondered, hastily wiping them away. More importantly, what the fuck is up with Cruz? Fucking iceman. Switches his emotions off and on like a light bulb.

  I got to the main bedroom and stepped inside, slamming the door behind me.

  Cruz

  My head was swimming. I’d desperately tried to shut Alexandra out. I needed to focus.

  All day, she’d been all I could think about. I was obsessed. Her proximity to me, her smile, her smell… It all drove me crazy.

  Needing some distance from her, I let her storm off. I’d give her a minute while I waited to see if we’d been followed all the way to the hotel. Then I would go explain.

  But first, I needed a drink. My nerves were in tatters.

  A feeling of unease came over me as the adrenaline from the car chase began to fade. I backed away from the door, keeping my body facing it at all times.

  I poured whiskey into a glass from a decanter to my left. There was no ice, and this was my fourth whiskey. But at the moment, I didn’t care. I took a gulp, pleased at the burn as it went down.

  After sipping at the whiskey for a minute or two, I sighed.

  Time to go and see little miss stressy pants, I guess.

  I knew women were emotional creatures and didn’t blame Alexandra for her outburst. It hadn’t even bothered me really. I knew she was scared, lonely, and probably homesick by now. But I’d felt an overwhelming urge to keep her safe, which had momentarily overshadowed everything else.

  With one last glance at the front door, I strode to the room she’d holed herself up in. I knocked loudly.

  “Lex. It’s me, doll.” But I received no answer.

  I knocked again. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m an asshole. Let me in so I can talk to you.”

  I tried the handle, pushing at the door. It was open…

  Ice-cold dread seeped into my stomach. I dropped my whiskey, glass shattering and contents splashing across the floor.

  The room was empty.

  Alexandra

  I turned to face the center of the bedroom after making a show of slamming the door as hard as I could.

  My vision was blurred with tears, but I could still make out the shape of three big, dark figures in the room around me. I froze, instinctively.

  Before I had time to scream, a rough hand had grabbed me from behind. I bit the hand as hard as I could and heard angry Russian words close to my ear.

  But before I could react any further, my mouth was quickly taped and my hands were tied roughly behind my back with strong duct tape.

  I remembered, probably from some survival book or movie, to ball my fists and tense my muscles as they were bound. Consequently, I still had circulation and could move my hands slightly.

  One of the men knelt at my feet, preparing to bind my feet too, but struggling with the tape. Another Russian gestured angrily at his watch.

  The kneeling Russian’s face was deliciously close to my knee…

  I smashed it into his face as hard as I could, satisfied when he reeled back, grunting. Blood poured from his nose.

  These guys had it all wrong if they thought I was going to make this easy.

  The largest of the three pushed the one in front of me away and roughly grabbed my legs, while the other completed the task of taping my legs together.

  All the while, I stared triumphantly at the man whose nose I’d hopefully broken. He glared back angrily, not even bothering to stem the flow of blood.

  The last thing I saw was him standing up before a burlap sack was put roughly over my head. I could barely see anything as I was carried from the room.

  I panicked, feeling disorientated. The whole kidnap had taken just over a minute. Or at least so I thought; my perception of time was next to useless.

  Cruz

  I surveyed the room, eyes jumping between points of interest. There was little disturbance, except for a pool of congealing blood near the center of the room.

  Good girl. Don’t make it easy for them.

  A window was open, the curtain billowing softly in a cool breeze. Whether they’d actually entered through the window, I had no idea. Could be a fire escape there, I guessed.

  I heard the sound of heavy footsteps out in the living room, heading slowly into the corridor…

  Boots. A Russian. He was armed. I wasn’t.

  I waited for my would-be assassin to enter the bedroom, turning slowly as I did so.

  I suppressed the burning rage that was growing in my chest, switching it off like a light. I breathed deeply, rolling my shoulders to loosen the muscles.

  The Russian turned the corner, his gun extended. He was a few feet away from the entrance.

  Clever bastard.

  He moved slowly. Professionally. Probably was an ex-KGB.

  “Ah, Dmitry.” I recognized him from the plane.

  He grinned viciously as he saw the recognition in my face. His left eye was half-closed, the other staring at me down the sights of his silver Tokarev pistol.

  “If you don’t give me some useful information, I will kill you slowly.” His face turned dark as he stepped closer, his gun inches from my heart. “Talk now, American.”

  I was relaxed, composed. Motionless. “Okay. I’ll talk. I have s
ome information that you might find important.”

  His eyebrow raised as he looked into my eyes and I saw the gleam of excitement on his ugly face. I could read the thoughts crossing his small brain: Kill the American and return with vital information.

  Now was my chance.

  I had been standing in a powerful fighter’s stance, my right foot slightly forward, weight favoring my good left knee. In an instant, I swiveled my torso to the right, my heart moved out of the line of fire in a fraction of a second. I knew a gunshot then would be painful and probably collapse my lung if he was quick, or merely graze my ribs if I was lucky.

  But I had caught him off-guard. My hand shot to his gun arm like lightning, pushing the weapon away from my body. The gun bucked, gunshot ringing loud. A bullet sliced through the skin of my left arm, feeling like nothing more than a scratch from Alexandra’s nails.

  I pushed my powerful thumb into his palm, savagely forcing the gun from his grip. As was usual in these situations, he focused on holding onto the gun. As soon as it was out of harm’s way, it was next to useless, especially against someone like me. If I was holding the gun, I would have dropped it, surprising my assailant. I’d then follow it up with either a headbutt or palm to the bridge of the nose. Then I’d draw out my combat knife. It would have been over in two seconds.

  With his focus on the gun, I turned my back to him, pulling his arm over my massive shoulder. I pulled his palm down to my waist, using my shoulder as a pivot. His elbow shattered with a sickening crack. He screamed in agony behind me.

  I followed up with a backwards elbow into his ribs, violently cracking his bones. He reeled back from the blow, but I wasn’t finished with him yet.

  Pivoting on my feet, I laid into him with fists like iron. Two, three, four, five body blows to the chest and abdomen. Ribs cracked, collarbone smashed.

  He collapsed to the floor.

  I stood over him, breathing steadily as he writhed in pain below me.

  “Oh, yeah,” I spat, “as I was saying, I’ve got some information for you.” I then kicked him savagely in the gut. “If you don’t tell me where she is now, I’m going to break your fucking legs. And then I’m going to strangle you to death.”