New Encounters (30 page)

‘They want something Bella. Possibly money. They think that Ash is you and they know that this is the way to get what they want... to get to my family. So they will keep her safe to ensure that they get what they want. I just hope that they end this soon and call.... get in touch and tell me what they want. I will give it to them with a bow on top.’

‘You think it will be soon?’

‘I think so, as they seem to have stopped travelling. They should be ready to lay their cards on the table any day now.’

‘Any day now? I am hoping its any minute.’

‘Me to Bella... me to. Can I get you anything?’

‘No... no thank you’ My head is pounding, like I have been hit around the back of the head with a baseball bat.

‘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 tried 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?