Polar Opposites (In Aeternum Book 4) (6 page)

“What will it take for you to say yes?”

“Bailey.”

Kevin furrowed his brow. “I’m sorry?”

“You heard me. Is this near where Bailey is?”

“No.”

“Where is she?”

Kevin shook his head.

“I want to be near her.”

“What happened between the two of you?”

“None of your business. Where is she?”

Kevin scanned the room before resting his forearms on the tabletop. “Dr Vinokourov, let me tell you something. Bailey doesn’t have an office like you or I would. She doesn’t just work in one place.”

“Why not?” He took another drink. “Not that it matters. I want to be by her. She’s my deal breaker. If I don’t get her—and I’m not meaning you have to tell her to marry me, I can win a woman on my own, but I need to be near her—then we don’t have a deal.”

“I told you, we don’t have a lab near her.”

He shrugged without remorse. “Money is no object you said, so build one. That’s what I want.”

“Same city she goes to will work for you? Well, one of them.”

He didn’t like the sound of that but he had to start somewhere. Perhaps he could hack into their system later on to find out where she was if it happened to be a different city. “Yes. I’ll find her.”

Kevin muttered something under his breath that sounded distinctly like he doubted it. “She’s not going to be happy.”

“Why? Is she married?”

“Nope. She’s a private person.”

“What does she do for Theta Corps?”

Kevin stood up. “I truly hope you know what you’re doing, Ivan. I can’t protect you from her. She’s an assassin.” Kevin McNeal walked off.

An assassin? Ivan didn’t know how to process that immediately and so he remained there and drank. Perhaps this wouldn’t go well.

* * * *

Santiago, Chile

Bailey grunted as she finished her pull-ups.
I hate these things. Hate them, hate them, hate them.
She dropped to the ground with a wince, her arms screaming in agony. “Have I said how much I hate these damn things?”

The warm sunlight streamed into her window hitting the numerous dust particles that floated through the air of the room she used as her gym. She wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand while she made her way to the waiting bottle of water and towel.

On her last mission—the one after Ivan—she’d tweaked her arm because it hadn’t been strong enough and she realized her physical conditioning had begun to weaken. She wasn’t willing to allow that to become an issue when she was out on another assignment. So she’d upped her program and currently was paying for it. Every inch of her ached.

She showered upstairs and dressed before sitting at her square table in boxers and a camisole. Laid out before her were bullets and gunpowder. For the next few hours, she made her own ammo, lacing them with poison. That way, even a scratch would take care of the job if she had a weak angle or a bad shot. With her gloves and mask on, she added the boric acid powder to each one before she pressed it.

The dust was irritating to mucous membranes and led to death. A death that could be immediate when swallowed. She would use this as a backup just in case the bullet didn’t end up where she had intended.

Like that’s going to happen.
Bailey was a perfectionist and hated even being a degree off target. She worked hard to hone her craft, spending numerous hours at the range, fabricating odd situations that one day she might or might not find herself in. Anything to push her limits. High winds, extreme cold, whatever she could think up—she tried to create it and still find a way to hit her target.

Smooth jazz, more specifically Art Porter Jr, played in the background as she worked. This was her downtime. It relaxed her. One by one, she refilled her magazines and the bullet cases she kept. Normally it took one bullet for the job but Bailey much preferred to be prepared than caught unawares and needing more.

As she continued to fill, press and store her bullets, her mind traveled to the handsome Russian. Ivan. Dr Vinokourov. Her eyelids fluttered as desire washed over her and her hands trembled. Exhaling sharply, she laid down the items in her hand and took several deep breaths, trying to steady the pounding of her heart.

It had been so real, her memory of the experience in his arms. For a moment there, she’d been back with him, the scent of his skin all around her. Their mingled smells on the sheets and in the air.

For a scientist who spent most of his time in a lab, he sure had nice muscles. Being in his embrace had created one specific word to travel through her mind—safety. No, it wasn’t the only word but never before had she been with a man where that word had made an appearance.

“Like it’s going to do me any good to think about him. I did my job and we’re done with one another. No matter how much I relive being in bed with him.”

She’d spoken with Kevin a few times since she’d last seen Ivan and had made it a point not to ask about him. Her suspicions were up, however, because Kevin seemed to call more often than he normally did.

After sliding the .45s and the .357 back in their appropriate boxes, she pushed back from the table. Bailey cleaned up the boric acid, removed her mask then peeled off her gloves. Sure none of it had got on her, she lifted the boxes and walked to the floor safe, which currently sat open. Crouched, she placed them in their respective spots and double-checked all her other weapons. Knives, daggers, her sniper rifle, even two garrotes.

When she walked back into the kitchen, the floor was completely solid and no one would be able to tell there was a safe there. It took up four tile spots and so the outline was hidden in plain sight.

She had a few apartments all over the world and each one had a secret safe that held her gear. Identical items, for she had her favorites to use and wanted access to those no matter where she was deployed from.

Bailey poured herself a cold drink then set about getting ready to go out. She strapped on her weapons and tied on her shoes. There were parts in this city that were extremely dangerous. She had no intention of coming across as a victim anywhere she went.

After exiting her apartment, she locked the door and shoved the keys in her pocket. The sun shined down and she tipped her head back to enjoy the warm rays. All around her, the cacophonous noise from the city rose and fell as if conducted in its own opera.

She began walking, smiling at the children who played ball in the streets. When she slowed down along the market street and began looking for anything that might whet her appetite, her phone rang.

She retrieved it from a pocket and peered at the screen. McNeal. She typed her code and took the call with her earpiece. “Yes?”

“How are you?”

She picked up a chirimoya and tested it for ripeness. The lemony-vanilla custard taste was one she craved when away. “Am I needed?” Bailey picked six of them and the woman placed them in a bag for her. Money exchanged hands and with a smile, Bailey continued on her way.

“I’m merely trying to see how you’re doing. It’s not like you hung around when the sub docked.”

“It wasn’t common for me to go in and rescue anyone either. I don’t like doing it.”

“I need to see you.”

“Aren’t you in the States?”

“No.”

Figures
. She gestured for the loaf of bread she wanted and paid for that as well. “Same hotel as you were at before?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be there in two hours.” She ended the call before he could say anything else. “Thank you,” she told the young woman who gave her change. “Good to see you again, Dulcinea.”

“You were gone for a while,” she replied with a slight smile. Dulcinea swiftly covered up the burn marks on her hand, which had been exposed, and readjusted her hair to hide the eye patch over her left eye.

“I went to visit some family,” Bailey spoke the lie without blinking.

“We will have special in two days.” A grin. “You come back then. Get good deal.”

“I’ll be back. Thanks for this.”

“Bye, Bailey.”

She waved and kept on going, shopping as she progressed. Twice she slowed and scanned the market. The most unsettling feeling skated up her spine. Being watched.

When she finally flagged down a cab to take her to the hotel, she sat where she could see behind her and made sure no one followed. Bags in hand, and only slightly less uncomfortable, she walked into the hotel Kevin stayed at when he was in town.

She watched him as he unfurled his long body and rose from the chair he’d occupied. His dark skin complemented his light linen attire. Kevin moved with a sinewy grace and she knew he could more than take care of himself. She kept her gaze fixed on his facial features. This wasn’t a social call.

“I have a table for us.”

She fell into step with him silently. There wouldn’t be a big welcome—neither of them operated that way. She knew he cared about the men and women beneath him but as far as she knew—or cared to know—he was strictly professional about it. If he was with someone in the agency, she hadn’t any clue.

They walked outside back into the warmth and settled at a table near the gate separating the outdoor café from the passers-by. Her purchases beneath by her feet, she waited for him to talk.

Kevin didn’t speak until the time to place their order came. He ordered and once she’d given hers, they were again left alone.

“We’re waiting on one more person. Two actually.”

“Okay.” She turned her gaze to take in the hillside dotted with numerous shanty buildings.

“McNeal,” a man with a deep southern accent spoke.

Bailey looked over the guy who stood there. His body strong and capable. Unending muscles. She took more than one look. A dark billed cap hid his gaze from her and she wondered what color his eyes were. The way the jeans and T-shirt covered him nearly had her smiling. His woman was lucky. Or his man.

Beside him stood a woman with vibrant red hair. Her tanned skin was exposed, given the outfit she wore. A short white skirt displayed long toned legs and her black peep-toe booties with a stunning cut-out design highlighted them. They had a four and a half inch heel. Her shirt was black and silver.

And still… Bailey got the sense this woman was more than she appeared to be. Her eyes were sharp and assessed everything she saw. If Bailey had to put money on it, she would bet they were agents.

“Please, sit.”

The newcomer looked at her briefly before complying with Kevin’s statement. He sat on her left and the woman on her right.

Kevin peered around the table. “Bailey, this here is Anabelle Lee and her cousin Beauregard. They work for Theta Corps as well. With Valentino Cassano. Guys, this is Bailey Hyde.”

She’d heard of them and gave them both a nod, one the redhead returned. Beauregard removed his hat. He had blond-brown hair and killer green eyes.

“Ma’am.”

That there is a bedroom voice if I ever heard one.

“Heard of the both of you. An honor to meet you both.” She fell silent when their food was delivered. While the other two ordered, she added salt to her plate.

They were alone again after the waiter left and she waited for Kevin to say what she was doing here, along with why they were here.

“I’ve heard about you as well,” Anabelle Lee said.

All three of them watched her and Bailey ate a forkful of her sea bass before wiping her mouth and leaning back in her chair. “I don’t do social calls so why don’t we get to the crux of why you’re here.”

“We need your help.” Beauregard held her gaze directly as he spoke.

“You need my help? With all the connections and equipment Theta Corps has at its disposal?”

“My cousin, her brother, is missing.”

She flicked her stare to Anabelle Lee, whose expression had gone from bored and nearly flirty to cold and deadly.

“Missing for how long and why come to me about it? If you’ve heard of me, you know I—” Bailey snapped her mouth shut. She did find people occasionally.

Beauregard cleared his throat and leaned forward with an easy ripple of muscles. Bailey watched him, partially because he was just that mesmerizing and partly because she didn’t know him.

“I know this isn’t typically your thing but you know the area and we could really use your help.”

She canted her head to the side. “Wait, you think he’s here?”

“There was chatter.” Anabelle Lee stirred her drink with her straw, the ice clicking and clanking against the side of the glass.

Chatter. Bailey understood. There was always chatter.

“Leave me a picture and I’ll see what I can come up with.” Bailey finished off her meal and wiped her mouth. “I have to go. It was good to meet the both of you and I’m sorry it was under these circumstances.”

She made her way to the door, money left on the table to cover her meal. The redhead fell into step beside her. Outside the hotel, Bailey paused and looked up at her.

“Are you as good as they say?” Anabelle Lee questioned without any derision in her tone.

“How good do they say I am?”

“Stone-cold killer.”

“Not really an indicative statement as to how good someone is.” She shrugged and readjusted her hold on the bags. “Still, it’s accurate. I am.”

“Good. You find the ones holding them and we can’t get back quick enough. I want you to kill them. All.”

“You misunderstand, I’m not for hire. I work for Theta Corps. I kill sanctioned targets.”

“These fuckers took my brother. I’ll pay you whatever, even if it’s to wound them and keep them until I get here. They will die and pay for what they’ve done.”

Despite them being close to the equator, the ice in Anabelle Lee’s tone made it arctic. Bailey nodded. “I’ll be in touch.” She walked away, no doubt in her mind the words she’d just heard were one hundred percent the truth. Whenever that woman found those who’d taken her brother, they would die. Moreover, it wouldn’t be a pleasant death.

Chapter Five

Ivan stared out of the window of his new apartment. The past few months had been extremely time-consuming as he’d overseen the creation of his new lab. Kevin hadn’t lied or even blinked when Ivan had sent in the sheets of what he wanted and needed.