Moving forward, I had a unique vantage point. Face down, staring at my nemesis. I hovered the copter right above him and made eye contact. With a satisfied smile on my face, I lifted my hand and gave him a two-finger salute. His mouth opened in a scream, exposing the silver fillings in his molars.
Laughing, I pulled the stick and pressed the pedals, evening out the copter. As I flew away over Rapa Nui, wind roared through the copter’s shattered window, carrying the scent of smoke. I flew high enough to escape the rising dark cloud and to get a visual of the portion of the island where Viktor’s facility was buried.
Fissures had opened in a circular pattern around the raised concrete bunker that had been the entrance. Based on the schematics we had, I knew the underground city was laid out in a giant circle, with spokes running out from the center. The cracks were following that pattern. The ground appeared to be sinking, and at various spots, smoke and flames licked out of the earth.
We’d done it. We’d destroyed Viktor’s lab and removed the immediate threat and the monster responsible for it. Warm satisfaction from our success filled me like a downy soft cloud.
When I checked the fuel gauge, I was pleased to see I had a large enough of reserve to reach my chosen destination. The radio’s knob clicked as I dialed in a new frequency, one I knew T monitored.
I fitted the headphones over my ears and opened the channel. “Mission accomplished, T.”
Apparently, I was on speaker because loud cheering erupted, drowning out T’s reply. I heard her hushing everyone else in the VIS control room back in London.
“Koszlov?” she demanded, the strain in her voice palpable even over the long distance connection.
I understood her tension. She wanted him dead as much as I did. One of my compatriots he’d killed all those years ago had been her lover, a fact not many people knew, and I couldn’t be sure she knew I was privy to the information. We’d never talked about the man.
But the Director wanted him alive, for whatever misguided reason.
Nevertheless, it pleased me to make my report. “That particular threat has been eliminated.”
“We would have preferred to have him still breathing, Solo. His death wasn’t sanctioned.” She tried to be stern, but I heard an underlying hint of satisfaction in her tone.
“I’m sorry, T.” No, I wasn’t. “It was unavoidable. The VIS issued me a license to kill for a reason.”
I could picture the look of relief and triumph on her face, offset by the sag in her shoulders. “Well done, Solo. We’ll expect you at headquarters tomorrow to debrief.”
I swung the stick, turning the copter to the west. “I don’t think so, T.” My stomach lurched a bit with the sharp turn and the freedom the words unleashed in me.
“What?”
“I won’t be back.” I’m not sure when I made the decision to retire, but the words had barely left my mouth when the rightness of the idea stung me.
I’d been with the VIS since becoming a vampire. I’d made my fortune, rid the world of numerous threats, and still managed to hold on to my humanity. It hadn’t been an easy road. But I’d done it. To maintain a shred of who I was, my only option was to leave the service and embrace civilian life. Going back would crush the tiny morsel of human that remained. I couldn’t let that happen, couldn’t live with myself if I had to give that up.
“Bond, you report back here immediately.” There was a distinct, but unvoiced, or else in her tone. “We have things to discuss.”
“My tendency to go rogue? My desire to rescue humanity? No, thank you.”
“Jayne, we won’t pursue the final death for your infractions. Not for any of it, even Viktor’s death.”
I searched my memory for a time when I’d heard her use my Christian name with that pleading tone. Truthfully, I couldn’t think of a time when she’d come so close to begging.
Her tone didn’t sway me. I gave her tit for tat. “Words, Truly. Just words.”
The quality of the line shifted for a moment, a clue she’d muted the comm link between us. I imagined her barking orders at some hapless tech. Or maybe Drax.
My forearm heated under my wetsuit. Bollocks! She’d activated the tracker.
“Bond, don’t be ridiculous. We need you here.”
“Actually, you don’t. And I don’t need you.”
I placed the controls in autopilot and whipped the Zip dive knife from my utility belt. Like a hot knife through butter, I sliced open the neoprene of my wetsuit and peeled the layer back.
“Get back here, Solo. That’s an order.”
“Yes, ma’am, I understand. But I’ve just quit, so you really can’t order me around anymore.”
“Did you find her?” T’s question wasn’t directed at me.
I winced as I carved out the glowing tracker. The device looked so small and innocuous in my lap. I licked the blood away on my skin, then sealed it closed again.
“Ten seconds, we’ll have her,” came the answer to T’s demand.
“Penn, are you there?” I voiced my question softly.
His smooth baritone filled my headset. “Yes, Solo.”
“I’ll send instructions on where to send my final paycheck.” I wanted the money to go to Thierry-Sue. I’d also ask Penn to arrange relocation if the woman wanted to get off Pitcairn and make a life elsewhere.
“Five seconds.”
Balancing the tracker on my fingernail, I used my thumb to flip the diode through the shattered window. They’d find it at the bottom of the sea.
And then the flip of a switch took me to blessed radio silence.
Flying west into the sun, I contemplated my future. A hearty laugh snuck out as I realized what I’d done. I’d taken back my life…my freedom. And with luck, I’d regain some of the humanity that had leached away over the long years I’d been a super spy.
After this mission, it was crystal clear to me that I could use some softening around the edges.
Now that Viktor was dead, I felt like I’d accomplished every goal I’d set since he abducted and held me captive. The first goal had been to survive, then escape. After that came getting revenge.
I deserved to rest on my laurels.
I’d miss Lucien and couldn’t help wonder if he’d miss me. We’d made a good team, in bed and out of it over the years. I’d pray for his safety.
Hell, I’d even pray for Baxter’s. I hope whatever he was trying to do with the other rogue agents would be a success.
But I was out.
I tipped up the tail rotor, went nose down, and put on some speed. Adrenaline, anticipation, and excitement tingled along my limbs. My heart beat strong and sure against my ribs.
As I flew into my future, I realized I’d transitioned from licensed to kill to something far more fun. Now I was licensed to thrill.
And I was going to love my new life.
Epilogue
Three Months On
Dolphin Island, Vanuatu
“Grazie, Raleigh.” I slipped twenty quid to my favorite waiter, tipping him for delivering my second dirty martini. The bartender had quickly learned the proper proportion of vodka to vermouth to olive juice and the exact amount of bleu cheese necessary to properly stuff an olive.
I normally only allowed myself one martini each day as I lazed away at the resort where I’d taken refuge after abandoning the VIS. I’d arrived on Dolphin Island by way of Fiji, The Solomon Islands, and then New Caledonia. I hadn’t been comfortable staying in one spot too long.
But today was the first day I’d decided that Dolphin would do nicely as my permanent home. It was a special day, deserving of a celebration. Hence the second dirty martini.
Enjoying the local delicacies, I’d gained a couple pounds. The fruit tasted of sun, and the elements around me—sand, surf, wind—all replenished me daily.
Getting lost in the present day high-tech world was as simple as unplugging from every electronic gadget I’d ever owned or coveted. On Fiji, I’d contacted an old business
acquaintance and arranged for a new Italian passport. I’d picked the name Lucia Baxter as my identity. And smiled each time I said my new name to anyone, loving the small tribute to my fellow spies. I figured that Lucien and Tamsyn would grin a little, too. Once they got over being pissed at my disappearing act.
My friend who’d provided my new identity also sold me a ghost phone, a mobile so untraceable I’d never be found via the signal. The ghost feature is what gave me confidence to reach out to Penn on his private cell. That conversation hadn’t gone as well as I’d hoped.
“Bond, you make most rogues look like Camp Fire Scouts. T is fit to be tied with your little stunt.”
Little stunt? I was fairly certain that’s not what she’d called it.
“Penn, I’d hoped you, of all people, would understand.”
“Jayne, the bounty Viktor placed on your head is twenty million pounds! You know Gregorie is good for it. We can’t protect you if we don’t know where you are.”
I should have killed the son by helicopter when I’d had the chance. “That much for little old me? Imagine the good that money could do for widows and orphans all over the world.”
His voice went a bit echoey, which made me wonder if he’d cupped a hand around his phone. “Tell me you’re somewhere safe. I’m concerned, and Drax is beside himself. It’s possible you’re not as lost in the world as you thought.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. Are you healed from your poisoning at the Barrier?”
Spending three months drawing energy from the sun, the tropical breeze, and the salty ocean had purified my blood, eliminating the last traces of the toxin.
“Never better.” My reassurances sounded false, even to me. I told him, “Truly, Penn. I’m physically healed. Now I just need to work on the mental part.”
I’d rung off with him, never giving a hint about my location.
Fixing my psyche, reclaiming my soul, had taken longer. I worked on it through yoga on the beach, meditation at sunset, and snorkeling in blissful silence, re-engaging with the person I’d been. And I felt so close now to whole, I’d take it.
Unfortunately, I’d grown a trifle bored sitting under the thatched palapa on the beach. I’d toyed with the idea of buying some ocean-front land and building a refuge for vampires like me who wished to retain their humanity a while longer. I’d drawn up a detailed plan for how I’d reach other renegade vampires to let them know I’d created a safe place for us all. Finding them would be simple—I knew how to search for rogues like me. I only had to watch the news about daring rescues and stunning feats of heroism to find like-minded vamps. The idea made me smile…a home for wayward vampires.
But maybe I should consider the Italian Alps because slathering on SPF50 daily had become a burden. The scars on my belly and arm had darkened despite upping the sun cream I used on them to SPF100. I’d read everything I could get my hands on and had even turned to social media. Lucia Baxter had a Facebook page, while the very idea would have repulsed me six weeks ago. The bitch posted lots of pictures of surf and indigenous flora and fauna. But never a selfie. And I’d been careful to adopt an Italian style of writing posts. I never replied to anybody else’s posts, not even the annoying ones about recipes.
Eyes closed, I sipped my cocktail, listening to the hypnotic sound of waves crashing on the beach. I really should go for a jog later today. I’d gotten woefully negligent about my fitness. Not that I needed to stay in top shape and fit for duty any longer.
The sun shifted, slanting across my legs and changing the light under the tiny hut I’d claimed for my own every day for the past six weeks. Beside me, the phone pinged with a notification from my Facebook page. Setting the drink aside, I picked up the phone and checked the display. It was one I’d never seen before from Messenger. The text was blocked, but the sender’s name was Luke The Devil.
I swiped into it and read, Jayne, you’ve been a naughty girl. Look to your left.
My head swung around to find Lucien and Baxter standing twenty feet away.
They waved and then approached.
“Go away.” I pulled a towel over my face and ignored them.
“Time’s up, Solo.”
“Not Solo anymore.” My retort was muffled. Nevertheless, I couldn’t curtail the burst of excitement swarming me.
The towel was tugged away, and the sun lounger wobbled as Lucien sat down. “Your employee records are still intact and active. You are still very much in the employ of the VIS. Unless you want to come to work for the DIA.” He looked hopeful.
Baxter tut-tutted. “Now, diAvola. No poaching our best operative.”
“How the bloody hell did you find me?” I’d covered my tracks so carefully.
“Your contact in Fiji is an informer for the DIA. I casually put it out there that I was looking for you, and he tossed you like a salad, love. I’ve known where you’ve been almost the entire three months, Lucia.”
His tone implied he also knew just how bored I’d become.
For show, I rolled my eyes. “Fine, now you can simply forget you found me and leave me in peace.”
“We need you, Jayne.” His wide eyes and raised brow nearly did me in.
I jerked against the lounge chair. “You don’t need me.” There was a lilt in my voice I hadn’t heard in months.
Baxter squatted next to me. “Jayne, we’ve uncovered a new threat to mankind. Nuclear this time. Not to mention the ongoing operation to help vamps hold on to their humanity. We’ve stalled there. But the fact remains…humans need you. T needs you.”
I shook my head. I was so not going back.
Bax went for the kill. “The other rogue vamps need you. But not as much as Lucien and I need you.”
Throwing my hand in the air, I capitulated. “I’m probably going to regret this—when do we start?”
“We already have, Jayne Bond.” Lucien smiled that special smile that melted any remaining hesitance. “Welcome back, Solo.”
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About the Author
USA Today Best Selling author Gemma Brocato’s favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a 'round tuit,' and a slip of paper from a fortune cookie proclaiming her a lover of words; some day she'd write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss, even the rejections addressed to 'Dear Author' were gratifying.
After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue a career as a romance author.
Gemma focuses mainly on contemporary and paranormal romance, with an occasional detour into science fiction romance. Her titles are available in digital and print-on-demand at all major retailers.
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