The Lost Angel

Chapter 8

I could smell their fear and, in as many times in twelve hours, adrenaline rushed into my system. I swung the chain and wrapped it around the closest intruder’s neck. He must have still been in shock because he didn’t move until it was wrapped twice. I gave him a small evil smile before I jerked the chain, successfully breaking his neck. I only had to leave one of them alive to get the information I needed. Which meant the guy with the broken back. The rest were dead. I dropped the chain and started toward the others. The five men facing my crew all dropped to their knees and surrender. I looked at John and pouted. He laughed at my expression and then stood with a little help from Jake.

“It’s alright my sweet. You’ll have enough fighting and killing to do in a little while.” He then turned his attention to the men on their knees and his voice changed from loving to deadly. “As for the prisoners, I want to know what they know or they die. If they cooperate then a nice jail cell awaits them at Headquarters.”

“We’ll tell you whatever you want to know just don’t let her get us.” When he said her, he looked at me with disgust. I was going to enjoy killing him slowly. He must have been their leader.

All of these men looked similar in their features. They looked to be Italian, which lead me to believe they were sent here by my target. The one who spoke was the only one that had blonde streaking through his hair. His eyes were hazel, which was different from the others who had brown eyes. I gave him a devilish grin when he looked my way and went down to one knee next to the man with the broken back. I slowly caressed the man’s cheek and even though he had been moaning in pain his breath caught. I was torturing all of them at that point.

“Do I disgust you? I do apologize about that.” I said it to the one who had spoken but my eyes were on the man next to me. I made sure my voice was sweet as honey. “What about you? Do I disgust you? Or do I inspire other feelings in you?”

“Angel.”

It’s the deadliest I had ever heard John speak to me. There was so much anger behind his words I stopped tormenting the prisoners and looked at him. I didn’t know if he was mad at me or himself. John prided himself in being able to protect the ones he loves. He doesn’t like to be saved especially by his children.

I stood and left my face pleasantly blank. I would never let anyone know how much it hurt me to hear John use that tone with me. The man at my feet apparently didn’t like that I wasn’t paying attention to him because he fingers reached out to wrap around my ankle. I smiled sweetly then and looked down. In his brown eyes the pain from the break was on display.

“Please….” It was all he said but everyone could hear the pain in his voice.

“Please what?” John had asked it with venom in his voice.

The man’s eyes never left me, “kill me.”

“I don’t think he’s going to let me sweets.” I made sure to use a soft alluring voice. The same one you’d use with a lover.

“Angel, stop that. He’s either going to want to die or recover so he can be with you. Lee how’s Jason?”

I looked at Jason then. I couldn’t see any blood, which didn’t mean there wasn’t any. He looked as if he were asleep.

“He’s fine. But he’s gonna have one hell of a headache. They hit him on the head pretty good.”

“Will he be able to back you guys up?” John was worried and I could tell it in his voice. No one else could but I knew him well. I realized everyone else was looking at me for guidance.

“Lee, you and Sara take Jason to the infirmary and make sure he’s ok. If we have to then we’ll make do without him. If he can’t shoot then Sara will back the boys up and I’ll go it alone.” It wasn’t the best idea but I had to do whatever I could to finish my job.

“No!” Jake, Adam, and John said it at the same time.

“No? Are any of you telling me what I can and can not do?”

My voice was boarding on dangerous, the amount of venom and anger in it shocked even me. Jake’s eyes went wide and he backed up a step. John just looked at me with anger clearly displayed in his features. He was pissed and I doubt it was my tone of voice. He didn’t like me going it alone.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Adam back up a few steps and put his hands up like the first time I met him. Everyone else was rooted in place and staring at me with fear rolling off of them. They need to calm down soon. This much fear coiling in the room like a snake was going to push me over the edge fast. I could sense and smell it. The taste of it was starting to collect on the back of my tongue. I took a deep breath and shuddered.

“We merely want you to be safe, my Angel. Calm yourself. If Jason can’t shoot then we’ll find a replacement. I’m sure Adam will be able to cover the boys while Sara covers you.”

“Well John, you recovered nicely. However, this is still my crew and I say what we will and will not do. I am the leader of this crew and trust them to do their jobs without motivation from me. I will not take the time to fill in anyone else about the mission we have to do. We’ll be leaving in ten minutes. So don’t start with me.”

The venom still tainted my voice but the anger was gone. The first words came out harsh like I was fighting something within myself. But as I spoke the words started to come out dreamy. I was starting to be pulled under by the current of fear rolling through the room. If they didn’t relax soon, I was going to lose it.

“Alright Angel. Just calm yourself.” John knew what was happening but couldn’t calm me down. I had to do that on my own. I took two deep breaths and tried to calm myself.

“Alright, time for them to talk.” My voice came out rather calm.

I wanted a fight and these assholes were going to tell me what they knew one way or another. John was the one who promised them they wouldn’t get hurt. I never said I wouldn’t hurt them.

“Angel, maybe we should handle this. Why don’t you have a seat and watch?”

I knew Jake was asking me out of courtesy and to help me calm down. I could tell none of them wanted me there. I gave all of them a cruel little smile and tried to use the sweetest voice I could muster. Two could play this game.

“Well Jake, I think I will allow you to question them. I don’t think my little friend here will allow me to go very far so I’ll stay right here.”

The man at my feet groaned and tried to tighten his grip on my ankle. I looked down and changed my smile to a sweet one. His eyes were closed and he had a pained look on his face. He moved his right foot from left to right and then his left foot followed suit. If his limbs were working then the break wasn’t enough to paralyze him. He’d be in a tremendous amount of pain but nothing permanent.

“Could you get him some help? We’re willing to talk to you without violence. The least you could do is help him and not torment him.”

It was the one who spoke before. He was truly disgusted by me. The rest of the men couldn’t take their eyes off of me. They were afraid but oddly mesmerized by me. He was just angry. There was no fear or admiration in his voice only the anger that surrounded him.

“I’m sorry. What did you say? The least I could do? You attacked my crew and I’m sure you would have killed them if the chance presented itself. And if I had my way, you’d be strapped to a table so I could torture you. Since I can’t do that then he can wait until we’re done hearing what you have to say. I suggest that you start talking if you don’t want him to suffer more than he already has.” My voice changed from angry to sultry as I thought of something. “I wonder why you are so interested in this man. Could he mean something to you?”

“You crazy b***h. Of course, he means something to me. I look after those in my crew, unlike you.”

I ignored his last comment and knelt beside the man we were talking about. It forced him to let go of my ankle and his eyes to open. I stared into his eyes and gave him a small smile as I moved a lock of his hair off of his forehead.

“Tell me honey. Why is he so worried about you? What is he to you?”

“Brother.” It came out a whisper with pain laced through it. I looked up from him.

“Well. I see now. Would you like me to end his suffering or help him? He’ll be in more pain if I help him but I’ll leave it up to you. You know his choice.” I looked at the man beside me again. “Don’t we honey? You already asked me to kill you but I’m going to let your brother decide.”

“b***h! Leave him alone! Of course, I want him alive!”

“Angel. We’ll leave him alive as long as his brother tells me everything.” John turned his attention to the bastard on his knees. “But know this. If you withhold any information from me or I think you’re lying, I’m going to give Angel the signal. And she’ll give your brother a slow and painful death. However, she decides to grant that death is up to her. By the way she’s very creative in the way she grants a death. She might have something in mind already.”

“Oh, I do John. If you want this one dead get the others into the infirmary and handcuff that one to the wall. It will just be me and the brothers witnessing what will happen.”

My attention never left the man at my side. Her eyes were open and staring at me with pain almost filling them up. At my words, something else trickled into them. It was either fear or hunger. Unlike his brother, this man wanted me to touch him.

“Fine. Just get her away from my brother. Our boss told us to come here and kill anyone we find. He didn’t tell us why but he said it was very important. I asked for more information and he said that I didn’t need anymore. You know my boss, I’m sure, everybody does.”

“You’re boss’ name?” John already knew but he was asking to be sure.

“Giovanni.”

“Angel, step away from his brother. Brooks, Jake. Get a backboard and neck brace out of the infirmary and help him. I’ll get him to a hospital. Adam, get two of your crew to handcuff the prisoners and ready them for transport.”

“Jeff, David. You heard the boss, get these men ready for transport. The rest of you finish up Angel’s room.” He turned to John and all the fear from earlier was gone. “If I may John, I’d like to back up Angel on her mission if her man can not. I have the highest marks out of the men in my crew and I have motivation to keep her alive. She’s offered to be my mentor when we get back to the states and help me become a field agent. I’ve had a lot of mentors but none of them have been successful and I hope she can end that streak.”

“Angel, is this true? Did you offer to be his mentor? If you have then I’ll stand by it. Once this mess is over, you’ll have any resource at your disposal to assist you. As always.”

“He speaks the truth, John. He’s mine until I decide he’s ready for the field or that he’s a lost cause.”

“So be it. I wanted to tell you earlier that we might have a hunter party on our tails but they busted in before I could tell you. You only have a couple of minutes before your ride gets here so get ready.”

Lee came out of the infirmary before I could move. “Jason’s ok but we don’t know if he’s going to be able to shoot yet. Sara’s testing him now, after that she going to hook him up to the simulator. We might need to get a new shooter.”

“We have one. Adam will take Jason’s place. If that happens then Sara will be on you guys and Adam will watch my back. I have to go now but if that happens, have Jason go with Adam’s crew to the airport. Jake, you’ll need to fill Adam in and get him ready in record time. I’m counting on you guys.”

“We’ll be ready to go right after you. Sara’s hooking Jason up right now. We should know in five minutes what’s going on.”

“Good Jake. I’ll see you in a little bit.” I wrapped my arms around his neck as his arms wrapped around my waist. I put my mouth by his ear and whispered, “be careful.”

“You too.” He whispered back.

We disentangled and he handed me my gloves. They were black and blue like my outfit but they only went to my wrists. I guess that was fine since I had on long sleeves. I nodded at Jake and was about to walk outside when he grabbed my wrist. I looked back at my brother and he wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were on Adam and they weren’t friendly.

“If you do take Jason’s place then you need to know something. If anything happens to Angel, I’ll kill you slowly. She means the world to me and if I don’t get her back breathing something might snap in me. Think about that before you commit to this mission. I would rather her go it alone than rely on someone to watch her back and they don’t. I just want her safe.”

“Jake, I give you my word of honor that I will watch her like a hawk. I won’t lose her without a fight. She may not be my partner or my sister but I want her safe just as much as you do.”

The intensity in Adam’s eyes as he talked to Jake made my heart rate pick up again but I suppressed the shudder of pleasure that threaten to run through my body. It was obvious that both men cared for me and would do anything to have me safe.

“Jake. You’re in charge while I’m gone. Keep in touch with each other. I won’t know what’s going on outside of the house. So, if any of you get in trouble whoever’s watching my back needs to let me know. Shoot three times into the wall behind me. The first shot will make me stop. Two shots mean you’re on your way to me. If anything happens to me get out of there and get this crew home. This is important Jake. I know you. You won’t want to leave even my body behind but you must. Promise me that you’ll get out if I leave this world without retrieving my body. Promise me Jake.”

I could tell he didn’t want to do it but he knew what I would do if he didn’t. He’d be pulled off the mission and sent to the airport with Adam’s crew.

“I give you my word Angel. If anything happens that causes your death, I will not retrieve your body. I will get your crew and myself out of there. I swear to everything that I hold dear in this world including our relationship.”

“You can’t be serious Jake. You’d leave her behind!”

“That’s what she wants Adam and I will not go against her wishes. I’m in charge when she’s not with us and I will not allow you to take Jason’s place if you won’t listen to me.”

“I have to go Jake. Adam, Jake’s in charge and he’ll leave you behind if you won’t listen. It’s your choice.”

My senses were screaming at me to hurry. I trusted them because they had always saved my life when trouble started. I could almost predict the outcome of any mission I was on and that was helpful. One of the handlers back home told me once that my senses were off the charts and wanted to test me but I’m too busy for that. He thought that I might possess senses beyond normal human ability. He thinks it has to do with my near-death experience and the amnesia. Most of the agency thinks he’s a little off, me included, but John believes in him.

Without looking at anyone I walked out of the room putting on my gloves as I went. I walked into the garage with Adam trying to argue with me from the control room. I wasn’t listening anymore. I had a job to do and so did he. I wasn’t about to run from my mission, which meant fight was all that was left.