The room was packed with people, all equally dressed in their finest clothes. But the dress coats didn't show their endless pockets or bad intentions. But despite the lies that painted the room I couldn't have felt more at home. When you're in a place that proves paranoia useful you don't feel so bad about never trusting anyone, and always questioning peoples motives.
Looking around I was met with souring sights of marble splendor. The Rossi Estate was beautiful but dull. Hundreds of criminals all packed in shoulder to shoulder playing nice. There to drink alcohol that was too expensive and gossip with people they were trying to kill the week before. But where was a better place to find work as a mercenary than right in the thick of it all?
Though my offers were few and hard to come by. People weren't too interested in small discreet mercenaries when they were looking to make a statement, which appeared to be all of the time. I took a glass of champagne form a waiter and thought to seek employment upstairs. Watching each step carefully I made my way upwards. With shoes that were too tall and too awkward to be anything but calculated in.
The eerie blue-white lighting fell off my black dress as I stepped toward a window of real sunlight. The view of the valley below was breathtaking. The bright blue water splashed and played against the white boats the speckled the ocean shores. At least this place had a few redeeming qualities.
As I stood admiring the view I spotted movement from the end of the upper floor. Quick and ridged unlike the party guest lounging around.
My attention was drawn and I watched as three men gathered around a small table perched close to the overlook of the main room. The older of the three men was grey-haired and anxiously chewing on a half-smoked cigar.
Victor Sullivan. Downing the last of the drinking I had been nursing I set the empty glass down on a vacant table and headed for the three men tucked away at the end of the hall. I noticed one of the men hid a piece of paper in his jacket. Now, what could that be?
"We'll cut through the cellar…" Sullivan stopped short when he saw me approaching him. His face first stricken with surprise but he quickly corrected himself and smiled.
"Lizbeth!" He greeted as I approached him with a wide smile, his arms outstretched for a hug.
"Victor." I returned his hug warmly, the older man patting my back before gingerly releasing me. He was tense, up to his old trick no doubt. "I didn't expect to see you here this evening," I said now noticing the other men standing behind Victor. The older of the two looked at me confused but, with interest while I easily recognized the younger man.
"And as I live and breath, its Nathan Drake himself." Stepping away from Sully I quickly approached Nathan.
"Hey Liz," He said softly smiling while accepting me into a friendly hug. "I thought you retired from this line of work?" I asked him skeptically, as I stepped out of the hug.
"I did," He started. "I-I mean I have."
"So what are you doing here?"
"What I can't be here to enjoying the party?" He asked with a smile, knowing I could see clean through his lie.
"Not with a crowd like this." I mocked while nodding to the masses of people below. The third man, still a stranger to me cleared his throat looking at Nathan expectantly.
"Right, Sam this is Elizabeth Blair, she's helped Sully and I out on a few jobs back in the day." Nathan clarified to the confused man. "Liz, this is my brother Sam," I said with a kind smile as I reached a hand out to the man.
"It lovely to meet you, Sam, I didn't even know Nate had a brother." Sam shook my hand vigorously, linger when he let go.
"Thanks, It's a pleasure. Although I'm shocked I haven't heard of you before. I'm certain I would have remembered my brother mentioning his friend was a model."
"Oh my god," Nathan said as he threw on hand over his eyes in annoyance. I smiled and laughed while watching Nate's distraught behavior. I looked back to his brother and was met with a charming smile and tentative gaze filled with mischief.
"Faltered, but I'm no model, mercenary actually," I said with my own half smirk.
"Really? Well, you're far too pretty to have bullets flying at you." He went on.
"Oh I have my fair share of scars, but I can handle myself."
"Oh I bet you can, but just out of curiosity where about's are those scars?"
"I'd show you, but you'd have to buy me dinner first," I said slyly. Sam opened his mouth to say something else but Nathan cut in quickly, clearing his throat to get our attention.
"Sorry to have to cut this short Liz, but Sam and I have some business to tend to." He said glaring at his brother who just shrugged. "We'll catch up with you later," Nate promised with a faint smile before he stepped away inching his way closer to the stairs while he waited for his brother.
"It was great meeting you Liz," Sam said with a half smile and a wink before he trailed off after his brother. I could hear Nate scolding him as they got further down the hall. I turned back to Sully who only rolled his eye with a shake of his head.
"Brothers." Was all he said with a sigh. "Take care sweetheart, don't be a stranger." He said placing one hand on my shoulder be before he stalked after the boys. They were about to disappear around a corner and down the stairs when I called after them.
"Hey, Nate." I made my way to them with a smile. "If you boys find yourselves in some trouble tonight let me know, this place could use with some livening up and you know I'm always ready for a fight." Nate chuckled and shook his head.
"Will do." The three were gone from sight after that. I lingered on a balcony waiting for them to reappear on the ground floor below. Surely enough the group reemerged headed toward the caller door just as Sully had said. With a faint smile of my own, I skirted down the stairs into the main ballroom. Those three didn't know they needed a key, so I thought it would be nice if to help them out. Because if Nate had come back into the game it was for a damn big score, one I wanted to be a part of. I watched as Nate and his brother ventured onto the floor packed with people, tailing a waiter whos key card that would be painfully easy to take. But I watched with amusement as Nathan struggled to get the card. Figuring I better help out before he got himself caught I walked up to the waiter. Quickly placing my left hand on his elbow,
"Mi scusi signore, dov'è il bagno? Ho provato a trovarne uno ma non riesco a trovarne uno da nessuna parte." I said sounding distressed as I used my right hand, now hidden behind his back to snatched the key card from his pocket and offer it up to Nate, who stood just behind the distracted waiter. With a looked of surprise Nate quickly took the card and scurried back to the cellar door with his brother chuckling beside him. The waiter quickly pointed out a bathroom to me and ran away as fast as he could, not one for customer service I suppose.
With the waiter now gone I followed Nate and stood just out of sight but within earshot of the boy's conversions.
"A pleasure to watch professionals at work." Sully teased.
"Hey, I would have gotten it, if she hadn't been there first," Nathan grumbled.
"She knows we're up to something," Sully warned and I smiled to myself as I pretend to be admiring the building around me.
"Of course she does, you could see it in her smile." Nate groaned.
"You figured out she was on to us from just a smile?" Sam asked confused.
"Yes, Sam, because unlike you I was actually looking at her face."
"Hey, I've been in prison for fifteen years, you expecting me not to notice a girl like that, in a dress like that?"
"Yeah, well, lucky for you I'm sure we haven't seen the last of her tonight." There was the sound of a lock and the slight squeak of the hinges on a door.
"All right…let's try this again." Sullivan said, "We'll still need these."
"Great." I heard Nate say. Quickly I picked up from the wall in time to see Nathan and his brother sneak into the cellar door. Sully left hovering just outside the door, he gave me a playful wave when he saw me. Knowing I had heard their whole conversation. He watched me with suspicion, taking a drag off his cigar as he started to approached me.
Holding back a laugh I winked at him and disappeared into the sea of people. Skillfully weaving through the hoards of partygoers I made my way to the bar, ordering myself a drink while watching Sully through the crowd. He scanned the room, looking past all the people in the crowd, trying to find me. I chuckled to myself as I took a sip of the scotch the waiter had brought me. But my smile quickly fell away as I saw Nadine Ross approached Sully from behind. They were far from friends, and given my experience with Nadine, she wasn't one to let go of grudges. Stiffening as I leaned against the bar I watched the exchange. Nadine made short work of the conversation bring herself to the bar where I lingered. I put my empty glass down on the counter and waved for the bartender to get me another. I could solemnly make it through an event like this sober, but I needed a stiff drink or two.
"Elizabeth," Nadine greeted as she came to stand next to me. "Having a long night?" She asked looking down at my empty cup with curiosity.
"Merely bored," I told her straightening up taking my fresh drink from the bartender. "You know how it is, we mercenaries are a better fit for a battlefield than a ballroom." The bartender slid her two glass of rich scotch.
"I do, all this talking it's painful but the best way to learn a thing or two." She said taking a sip of her own drink but linger to talk to me before going back to Victor.
"Or find a job." She said as I took a heavy swallow. "As I hear it you and your boys are having a hard time finding work." How kind of her to remind me.
"Competitions rough," I said admiring the deep golden color of my drink. "But I think I might have found something tonight after all." I smiled to myself.
"Well, Congratulations then," Nadine said tipping her glass to me. "I have someone waiting for me but come find me later. I'd like to hear about this job of yours."
"I will," I said finally turning my head to look at her. With a final stiff smile, the woman clad in red went back to where Victor had watched us from a distance. Nosey bugger, I thought to myself.
Venturing away from the bar gliding around the room, I was no longer interested in looking for work, and my line to Nadine had been more than just an attempt to save face. I was getting in on whatever Drake was here for, I only needed to figure out what that was.
Scanning the room I found no sign of Nathan or his brother and Sully was still wrapped up with my fellow mercenary. I just hoped the boys weren't finished with whatever they were here to do quite yet. I still needed time to uncover their plan.
"Elizabeth?" Pulled from my thoughts I turned to face a vaguely familiar voice. Rafe Adler stood behind me, dress in a fine off-white jacket and a smile that killed.
"Rafe, hi," I said putting on my best smile, hoping to hide the lingering annoyance I had for the man. I was startled to see him let alone hear him address me with such warmth or familiarity.
"It's been awhile, how have you been?"
"Good, I'm doing well. Yourself?"
"You know me, always busy." He said with a humorous smile. "But I must say, you look positivity stunning in that dress."
"Thank you," I said modestly. "And I must say you look rather handsome yourself, white suits you." He chuckled, smiling at my comment as he continued to admire my dress, I had to choke back the look of disgust fighting its way to my face.
"You do know how to make a man smile." He said, finally returning his gaze to my eyes. Seconds into a dull and dreary conversation Rafe began telling me a story of his newest adventure into history. False tales of lost cities and forgotten ruins, he wanted so badly to be someone he wasn't. As he droned on I found myself absentmindedly playing with my necklace. Twirling the simple charm between my fingers as I pretended to listen. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a waiter with a familiar face pass by. The older of the two Drake brothers. He watched the room as he walked around with a tray of drinks, winking when he found me in the crowd. I smiled despite myself, but Rafe hardly seemed to notice that my attention was elsewhere.
"Some of the things I get involved in are just crazy don't you think?" I finally took into thought what Rafe was saying.
"Oh yeah, of course, downright insane." He laughed and I just offered him another tentative smile completely blind to what he was referring to.
"Anyway, I hear you're looking for work" Her began, how many people were going to bring that up tonight? "Now, I may already be working with Shoreline, but given the rather, reserved size of your gang."
"Company." I corrected
"Right, well, given the rather reserved size of your company I could probably hire you guys on for some extra help. I mean I'd truly hate to see you struggle and getting in on a job like this, well, its the opportunity of a lifetime." He boasted. Genuine as he might have been, working for Rafe on a deal like this no doubt came with strings attached.
"That's very kind you, I must admit I'm rather surprised you'd give me such an offer, give past indiscretions and all." He just shrugged.
"Water under the bridge. It was, after all, a very long time ago, some ten years. Besides you're a smart woman, Lizzy, not someone I ever want to be working against."
"We'll thank you, Rafe, for the offer. Truly it's incredibly generous, but, I'm afraid I found a job here tonight after all. As thrilling as it would be to take part in one of your next adventures, I'm going to have to pass. I need to do whats right for my company and being Nadine's assistant just isn't what TSM needs." I said giving him the most sincere and apologetic look I could manage. He looked a little take aback, surely he expected me to have accepted. I thought he might grow angry, or bitter at my rejection but to my surprise, he just shrugged.
"That's fine," He said quickly. "Can't have them all right?" He asked with a chuckle. He looked over his shoulder to where Nadine was still talking with Sully.
"Well, if you'll excuse me. I have to go talk to my partner about something." He said offering me his most charming smile.
"Of course," I said eager to be rid of him.
"But do keep in touch," He said as he readied himself to walk off. "We should have dinner sometime, see if we can't rekindle anything." He said and I had to hide the urge to gage with a smile.
"Sounds great." Was all I manage to say before I watched him walked away with relief. I backed away just to be further from Rafe but as I watched him approached Sully I began to worry. The older man looked anything but comfortable around both Ross and Adler. I kept a tentative gaze on the group until the bright red vest of one of the waiter cut into my view. I didn't even need to look up to know which waiter it was. Rather, which fake waiter it was. Sam hovered in front of me offering me another glass of champagne with that same charming smile.
"Let me buy you a drink?" he asked, I laughed and took a tall glass from the tray.
"The drinks are free," I said bringing the champagne to my lips. "and you serving them."
"Then say yes," he said.
"Shouldn't you be hovering around the party?"
"I'm am, I just so happen be hovering here." He said playfully. I smiled and was about to acquit his comment when something caught my eyes.
Rafe had lashed out and grabbed Sully's arm as the man had tried to leave. The smile dropped from my face as I watched the scene play out with concern. Sam turned to see what had caught my attention.
"Whats going on there?" He asked.
"I don't know, but I don't like it."
"Cut the bullshit, old man!" Raf shouted as he tossed Victor's drink to the ground, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. I traded a worried look with Sam before the two of us quickly and on opposite sides of the room made our way toward the arguing men. I was careful not to draw any attention to myself as I approached and was pleased to see Sam had done the same, he now lingered by the stage. I hovered near a table a few pace off from Sully just close enough to hear the end of their conversation.
"But if you think about biding on Avery's cross, I can tell you exactly how you're going to be leaving. In a goddamn body bag." Nadine cut Rafe off before he could go on.
Avery's cross? I shot my gaze up to the auction table scaring over the items until I found the old wooden crucifix. That's what they were here for. Sam was dressed as a waiter and walking the floor so he could steal it and Nate was off to make a diversion so that his brother could grab it without being seen. I smiled to myself, now all I needed to do was get my hands on that cross before Sam did.
I remained at the table I had been eavesdropping at, watching the room with new and heightened purpose. The auction bidding began shortly after Rafe's little outburst and he quickly and easily became the highest bidder. The smug smile he got every time he watched another bidding sign fail to raise made me feel so much better at the fact that he was going to lose anyway. Keeping my eyes on both Sam and Sully I found they were talking to themselves, or rather to each other. The three men must have had ears pieces.
Sam slowly approached the stage, looking nervous. He was getting ready to strike. I threw back the last of the champagne that had been lingering in my glass and discreetly slipped my heels off my feet and under the curtain of the table. Shoes discarded I made my way over to Sam. Halfway across the room, while bidding was almost closed I watch none other than Victory throw his sign up, and I knew for a fact he didn't have the money he was bidding with. I gave him a polite nod in my passing but that man looked sick. When I finally reached Sam he briefly looked at me trying to hide behind a weak smile, before returning his gaze to Sully. I came to stand next to him on the other side of the velvet rope, pretending to admire the items on auction.
"So Avery's cross huh?" I asked Sam, casting an innocence look at him over my shoulder. He opened his mouth to say something but the woman on the auction stand was announcing the sale of the cross when all of a sudden the lights went out.
Smiling I ducked under the rope and raced over to the stand and grabbed the cross.
Hey guys, thanks so much for checking out my story. Please feel free to leave your comments and opinions I'd love to hear what you think.