This was a fun chapter…relaxing before the action starts up again! In this chapter Jackson and Catherine's interesting relationship is revealed, and…is there some affection between Jackson and Lisa? Read, enjoy, and please review! Have a terrific week!
Chapter Nine: What Killers Do On Rainy Days
Jackson let out a quiet moan and then tried to shift his body into a more comfortable position. A burning sensation shot through both his shoulders, and he inhaled sharply and opened his eyes. It was morning, for he could see clearly in the room, though the room was shadowed because of the dismal weather outside. He looked to the side, a stream of sweat trickling down his forehead, and saw the figure of a woman, graceful and slender, lying across the couch on the far side of the room, one arm hanging off the great sofa.
Catherine was beautiful, as every assassin and other males seemed to notice. Her physical charm did wonders for gaining the tiniest bit of information from rivals. Her winning smile could mean kindness or it could mean death. Jackson and the other men had learned to respect her, for while she was gorgeous; she was also entirely serious about her job and left little room for fun and games.
A clap of thunder shook the house, and Catherine's eyes fluttered open. She squinted, her eyes adjusting to the darkness of the room, and then smiled when she saw that Jackson was awake.
"Good morning," she said, sitting up slowly and straightening the front of her shirt and pants. "Were you able to sleep at all?"
"Yes," Jackson nodded. "You wrapped me up quite well."
"Harvard did the wrapping. I saw to it that Lisa made it to bed."
"Was she hurt at all?" Jackson frowned.
"She was only traumatized, but I'm sure a good night's sleep did wonders for her. You have no intention of killing her, have you?" Catherine asked, getting up and stepping over Phillip's sleeping form so she could get to one of the windows.
"Why do you say that?"
"I think you like her a little more than you're willing to confess," Catherine smiled gently as she pulled a curtain aside and gazed out at the pounding rain. "You haven't killed her yet, and with your temper, that's amazing."
"I might still need her."
"And Arin might still need you," Catherine snorted and then closed the curtain. "What are your plans for today, and when are we leaving for Venice, if we're going there?"
"We are going to Venice," Jackson said coolly, resting his head back against the couch. "The meeting's tomorrow night. We'll leave Paris tonight. Today will be spent in preparation for the meeting. You and I need to brush up on our dance steps and combat techniques. I want you to be absolutely stunning tomorrow night."
"Why is that?" Catherine asked, an eyebrow arched.
"Because you are going to get as much information as you can out of Nicholas."
"Nicholas?" Catherine exclaimed, shocked. "You saw Nicholas?"
"That's who saved us last night," Jackson said easily. "He saw my escape tactics and was impressed. He said he was going to discuss with Smithson about hiring me again to kill Keefe. Tomorrow night he's going to tell me their decision. I want you to spend as much time with him as you can, and the only way you're going to get his attention is by being dazzling. You have to outshine the other women, or he'll never notice you."
"I do wish you would find some other use for me," Catherine sighed. "As for the dancing and combat… You are not doing any dancing until those shoulders heal."
"Tell me, once again, who's in charge of this operation?" Jackson scowled. "We both need practice with dancing and combat. I haven't done either of those things in a year."
"And who was it," Catherine smiled gently, kneeling next to him and raising her hand to his face. "That arrogantly ignored sound advice and nearly got himself killed last night?"
Jackson caught her wrist, wincing as his shoulders moved, and pulled her to him so that their faces were nearly touching.
"I accomplished my purpose. Don't mock me, Catherine."
"Is this part of my combat review, or are you trying to be intimidating?" Catherine asked, her long hair brushing against Jackson's cheek as she pulled back. "Because if it's part of my training, I'll have to inflict some pain on you."
Jackson smiled and released her wrist.
"One year, Catherine, was hardly enough time to spend together on more than a professional level. Whatever went wrong?"
"You became too possessive," Catherine said, rubbing her wrist. "Paul Reynolds wanted me to join his organization, but you wouldn't have it. Don't you remember the fight we had that afternoon? We both screamed at each other like wounded lions. You slammed me up against a wall, I slapped you, and then we both went storming off in opposite directions."
"And yet somehow, we worked things out and we're back together again," Jackson mused.
"So we are, but that past relationship is long gone. I'm going to get Lisa and the kids up," Catherine said, beginning to leave the room.
"Once you've done that, get a full map and details of the Venice La Grande. Find every doorway, staircase, and window in that building. We need to be ready for anything," Jackson instructed.
"Will do…boss," Catherine grinned and then left the room.
Lisa was awake when Catherine entered her room. She watched as Catherine closed the door behind her and then turned and gazed at the two sleeping children.
"I hate to wake them," Catherine said, her eyes meeting Lisa's. "There's little pain in sleep."
"What do you want?" Lisa frowned.
"You and the children have free run of the premises today. Get up, get dressed, and then come downstairs for breakfast. Oh, and don't try to leave the building. We have an outstanding alarm system and ruthless killers who would be more than willing to discipline you."
Lisa watched Catherine leave and then leaned over and shook Jamie gently by the shoulder.
"Jamie, time to get up."
Jamie muttered something incomprehensible and then sat up. She rubbed her eyes and then opened them. She blinked several times and then let out an excited yelp.
"You're alive! You made it back!"
"Yes I did," Lisa smiled, giving her a hug.
"What about Jackson?"
"He was shot, but he made it out alive too."
"Miss Lisa, what are we supposed to do? We can't let them kill my dad," Jamie said quietly.
"No we can't, but all we can do now is take one day at a time. Catherine said we have full run of the house today. Maybe, just maybe, we can find a way out or find a phone and call for help. Let's get up and get dressed. Eric, are you awake?" Lisa asked, leaning over the side of the bed.
"Yes," Eric mumbled. "But I don't want to be."
After she and the children were dressed back in their clothes from the day before, Lisa led them out of their room and down a long hall. All three of them looked left and right as they walked, trying to find some window or some open door. Every door was closed and locked.
Downstairs, all of the rooms were open, but all of them were occupied, and so Lisa and the children made their way to the dining room. They could smell bacon and pancakes as they walked, and Lisa couldn't help but chuckle when Eric's stomach growled.
"Hungry, Eric?"
"Yes. That food smells so good!"
"Catherine is a good cook," Lisa said and then stepped into the dining room.
It was a large room with a long table, wood floor, and a crystal chandelier. Jackson was seated at the head of the table, several maps and a laptop stretched out in front of him. He looked up as Lisa and the children entered the room and then gestured for Randy, who was standing near him, to move over to the doorway.
"Have a seat," Jackson spoke, and then watched as Lisa and the children sat down at the table. "Food's already out. Help yourself."
"What is he doing?" Lisa asked uncomfortably, watching as Randy stepped behind the open door and waited.
"He's going to assist Catherine with her combat refreshment course today, so don't say a word about him being there," Jackson warned. "We're getting ready to go to Venice, and Catherine especially needs to be prepared for anything."
"What are you going to do with the children and I while you go to the meeting?" Lisa asked worriedly as she placed several pancakes on her plate.
"The children are going to stay safe and sound in our hotel room. You are going to come with me," Jackson said casually. "Eat up."
Lisa, Jamie and Eric began to eat, all of them watching the doorway with interest. Randy stood tall and stiff behind the door, waiting for Catherine to come. When she did appear in the doorway, she was entirely unsuspecting.
"Rippner," she said, entering the room. "I found out all the organizations that are going to be at the meeting. There's…"
Randy leaped out from behind the door and grabbed Catherine around her throat. Catherine yelped and then swung her elbows back, catching him in the stomach. He loosened his hold slightly, and she spun around in his grasp and kicked him hard in the shins. He growled and pulled her roughly against him in response. She twisted wildly, broke free of his hold, and then leaped back, hitting one of the chairs as she did so. Randy flung his fist at her and caught her in the shoulder. She fell back onto the table and then scrambled backwards as Randy approached her. He reached out to grab her, and she kicked him in the chin. He caught her ankle and then pulled himself onto the table, climbing so that he was nearly on top of her.
"That is the worst position a woman wants to be in," Jackson remarked as Randy and Catherine struggled, their hands a tangled mess as she tried to get him away from her and he tried to pin her down. "It's also the worst position a man wants to be in."
As if to emphasis his words, Catherine pulled one of her legs up to her chest and then kicked Randy hard in the lower stomach. He gasped as Catherine sat up and then flipped him over and off the table. Before Randy could get to his feet, Catherine had pulled her gun out of its holster on her forearm and was standing over him, gun pointed at him.
Randy raised his hands in defeat, and Catherine put the gun away and stepped away from him.
"As I was saying," Catherine huffed, pushing some loose hair out of her face. "I have the names of all the organizations. We're going to have quite a crowd. There will be at least one hundred people at the assembly."
"You hardly broke a sweat," Jackson commented as Catherine walked over to him. "Impressive."
"Don't do that again, Rippner," Catherine scowled, reaching over him and typing in some words on the computer. "You could lose one of your pawns that way."
"Why do I have to go to this assembly with you?" Lisa asked, watching as Randy got to his feet. "Nicholas already saw me last night."
"You are going to go with me," Jackson said, observing the computer screen, "Because you are much too clever to leave at the hotel. You'd find some way to get out, and we really couldn't have you doing that, could we?"
"What are you going to do to us after Venice?" Jamie asked.
"By that point, dear Daddy will have heard about your capture and is hopefully going to meet us at a rundown warehouse in Jacksonville, Florida. I do hope he comes, for your sake," Jackson said darkly. "I'm going to tell Nicholas that we have you two darling children, and once he tells Smithson that, we'll head back to the States."
"And then you're going to kill our dad?" Eric asked.
"Yes. We won't make him suffer, don't worry," Jackson said coolly. "One shot should do it."
"Why so much hatred towards Keefe?" Lisa asked.
"This is what assassins do," Catherine said. "We were hired to kill Keefe, and even with a year-long delay, we still have to do it. In order to kill someone, you have to make yourself loathe him or her. It would be impossible to shoot them if you have any care about them. Keefe is Smithson's worst enemy; therefore he is our worst enemy also."
"Who is Smithson? Why does he want Keefe dead?" Lisa asked.
"Always so inquisitive," Jackson sighed. "I'm afraid that's just going to have to stay a mystery to you, Leese."
"And what are you going to do to Miss Lisa? You won't need her after the assembly," Jamie said worriedly.
"Now that is a remarkable question," Jackson said. "What are we going to do with Lisa? Any suggestions, Catherine?"
"I think we should give her to Smithson to handle," Catherine said easily. "After all, he's really the one she made suffer."
"Perhaps we'll do that," Jackson said, stroking his chin. "I've considered that as a possibility. I think first I'll stab her in the throat with a pen and see how she likes it."
"You are deplorable," Lisa scowled, standing up.
"I could be worse. I could make you relive a certain parking garage episode from long ago and then kill you," Jackson said smugly.
"You do that," Lisa whispered angrily, walking towards him, "and I'll see to it that you are miserable for the rest of your life."
"How would you do that?" Catherine asked. "You'd be dead."
"Leese," Jackson said coldly. "Cool that brunette head of yours before you do something regrettable."
"You've had your fun, Jack," Lisa snarled, stopping in front of him and putting her hands on the table. "You caught me again, made me capture Keefe's children, and nearly got me killed last night. I'm tired of being tossed about like a rag doll. Before that, you flattered me, made me enjoy your company, and then stabbed a knife in my back. You slammed me against walls, nearly strangled the daylight out of me, and threatened everything I knew and loved. If you think I'm going to let you do that again, you are a bigger fool than I thought."
She was terribly close to Jackson, their bodies only inches apart, and was breathing heavily. Her dark eyes bore into Jackson's, and she was dismayed to see not only an entire lack of fear in the assassin's eyes, but a dull, bored expression. The man didn't flinch, but gazed at her steadily.
"You, my darling Leese, are coming rather close to provoking me to be rash," he said menacingly.
"That doesn't take very much effort, does it?" Lisa whispered, trying hard not to flinch under his scrutinizing gaze.
Jackson's jaw moved slightly, and then he stood up slowly from his chair, wincing as his shoulders burned. Lisa stood her ground, ignoring his closeness and determined to show him that she wasn't afraid.
Her bravado was cast aside when, seconds later, Jackson grabbed her throat and shoved her back against the dining room wall. The children screamed and attempted to get up from their seats and assist her, but Catherine was faster than they were and held them down.
Jackson pressed his body against Lisa's and held her firmly against the wall, his nose nearly touching hers as he spoke, his voice quivering as his shoulders stung.
"Leese, I know you want to have a say in how you are treated and what you are used for, but I'm not giving you that liberty. You are my captive, and I will do with you what I like! You aren't the slightest bit grateful that I saved your life last night when for the past year I've dreamed of your death! Oh yes, I've dreamed of it!" Several wisps of brown hair fell over his eye, but he ignored them and tightened his hold around Lisa's neck. "If you think I want to keep you alive, you are wrong, dead wrong. Catherine is the one keeping you alive. She keeps finding some new use for you, keeps saving your worthless hide every time I even talk about stabbing you or shooting you. Now, I think you should show a bit more gratefulness, or at least keep your mouth shut! This is a warning, Leese. Any more attempts to combat me or get above me, and I'll throw Catherine's advice away and shoot you on the spot."
"Get…away…from me…" Lisa hissed, her eyes wide as her air was being cut off.
Jackson released her roughly and watched, without a trace of sympathy, as she slumped to the floor, quivering like a flower in a windstorm. He pushed his hair out of his face and then turned to Catherine.
"If she tries anything again," he growled, "shoot her."
Catherine moved away from the children, and Jamie and Eric immediately ran to Lisa.
"Are you all right?" Eric shouted, dropping down next to her.
"I'm…fine…" Lisa gasped, tears blinding her and running down her cheeks.
"Let's get out of here," Jamie said, grabbing her arm and helping her to her feet.
The children led Lisa out of the room and into a large library where Phillip sat reading. He glanced at them as they entered the room, and then turned his attention back to his reading. Jamie and Eric sat down on a couch, Lisa in between them, and then gazed about at the large room.
"I wish there was some way out of this place!" Jamie sighed. "I'm so scared for Mom and Dad."
"How can anyone be so mean?" Eric asked. "I'll bet Jackson's strangled someone to death before."
"He has several times," Phillip spoke from his seat. "That's one form of art he's mastered."
"Whose house is this?" Jamie asked, looking up at the intricate designs on the ceiling.
"Harvard's. He is one of Rippner's closest co-workers. It's rumored that he and Rippner are blood-related somehow."
"I never thought of Jackson as having a family," Lisa choked, still trying to catch her breath.
"You know, the assassin's world isn't enjoyable. It's dangerous, and things are expected of you that aren't expected of anyone else," Phillip said casually. "Take Rippner, for instance. Sure, he's hotheaded and hasn't a single qualm about killing someone, but he's still human. He and Catherine were really close for a year before their tempers flared and they decided that they worked better together on an employer/employee basis."
"Were they?" Lisa asked.
"Definitely. They had quite a bit of romance going on in between them. For a while we thought Rippner might just retire and settle down. He had the money. He would still give his life to protect Catherine, and she would willingly die for him."
"That's disgusting," Eric frowned.
"They are still the best team of assassins out there," Phillip shrugged. "They work perfectly together."
"Do you have any kid books in here?" Eric asked, looking at the shelves of books and trying to change the subject.
"Try the bottom shelf next to the fireplace," Phillip suggested.
Lisa was somewhat startled to find that as soon as she chose a book and began to read, her terror of Jackson and of the whole situation died away. There was something about sitting, cuddled up on a warm couch with a good book, and the rain drizzling steadily outside, that soothed her nerves and made her think that everything would be all right.
Three hours of reading passed. Lisa was just finishing a chapter of the mystery book she had chosen when she heard the faint strains of a violin and the light plinking of a piano floating into the room.
"What is that?" Jamie asked, looking up from her book towards the doorway.
"I don't know. Let's go see," Eric said and then stood up.
Lisa and Jamie followed the boy out of the library and into the adjoining corridor. They walked towards where the music was coming from, curious and intrigued.
Two minutes later, they found themselves gazing into a small ballroom. Harvard was standing next to a radio, and Catherine and Jackson were in the center of the room, dancing.
"I do wish," Catherine said as Jackson twirled her, "that you wouldn't dance now. Your wounds are going to open up again."
"I'll take care of myself," Jackson answered, stepping away from her and then pulling her in towards him. "I don't think we've lost our touch."
"Not too terribly," Catherine nodded, leaning back against him and moving with him as he wrapped his arms around her stomach. "How do your shoulders feel?"
"They're fine. Stop worrying about them," Jackson said, flinging her away from him and then stepping up to meet her. "How are we looking, Harvard?"
"Good," Harvard said. "I'm going to change the music."
The jazz stopped, and almost immediately a lively waltz began to play. Lisa and the children watched, in fascination, as Catherine twirled in Jackson's arms, put one hand delicately on his shoulder and the other tightly in his hand, and the two began to waltz.
"That is beautiful," Lisa couldn't help but say as the two moved briskly past her.
"In order to get Nicholas' attention at the assembly," Harvard said from his place next to the radio, "Rippner wants Catherine to be as dazzling as possible. She truly shines when she dances."
"He must be in a lot of pain," Jamie said, watching as Catherine and Jackson slowed their pace when the music slowed.
"He would never admit to that," Harvard said.
"You're going to knock them dead at the assembly," Jackson told Catherine as he rested his cheek against hers.
"Isn't that what you want?" Catherine laughed.
"Of course."
"I suggest we stop now," Catherine said, coming to a standstill. "I need to get some rest before the flight tonight, and so do you."
"If you insist," Jackson said. He turned to look at Lisa, and his eyes darkened. "Leese, come here. You need to be able to dance tomorrow night also."
"Are you going to use me as bait too?" Lisa frowned, folding her arms across her chest.
"No. You are going to be my dance partner when Catherine occupies Nicholas," Jackson said calmly. "From what I know about you, you don't know how to dance."
"Not like that, but I don't want to dance with you."
"Catherine, would you mind convincing Lisa to dance?" Jackson asked and then smirked when Catherine pulled her gun out of its holster.
"Dancing with Rippner, Lisa, could save your life," she said simply. "I suggest you do it."
Lisa growled and then walked over to Jackson.
"Is this how you always spend your rainy days?" she scowled as he put one hand in hers and the other hand around her waist.
"Why so angry? You always wanted to learn to dance," Jackson said, beginning to move as the music started again.
"Exactly how much do you know about me?" Lisa frowned as she moved with him, greatly disliking how close they were.
"Everything just about that there is to know," Jackson said coolly. "I know all about you, Leese, your dislikes, your first crush, dates you've had in the past, your favorite movie and food… There aren't too many secrets about you that I don't know."
"So you are more of a stalker than an assassin?" Lisa sighed and then gasped when Jackson dipped her low.
"That sounds quite romantic," Jackson said, holding her down. "Having fond memories of when we first met?"
"I should have known there was something wrong with you," Lisa said, her breathing becoming faster as she was held in her bent position. "Your eyes just spelled out trouble, and I was too blind to see it."
Jackson smiled and then pulled her back up. He pulled her with enough momentum to make her spin and then crash against him, her hands struggling to grasp his shirt so she wouldn't fall.
"So poetic, Leese," he said with a rasp and then put his cheek against hers.
"Rippner," Lisa snarled. "Please keep your distance."
"Why should I? You like this."
"What makes you say that?" Lisa asked, squeezing her eyes shut tightly and trying to still her rapid breathing.
"You're trembling."
"That's because my legs are weak from all the running we did last night," Lisa said, vainly trying to defend herself.
"It is now?" Jackson asked, pulling his face back just far enough so that he could gaze into Lisa's eyes.
Lisa remembered, as she saw those beautiful pools of ice, when she had first seen them. They had been dancing with mirth and pleasantness. She remembered when Jackson first spoke to her, how his voice had thrilled her and made her excited. She recalled the rapid fluttering of her heart when she had found out that she would be sitting next to him on the plane, her unhidden delight when he smiled at her. She shivered when she thought of how a sensation of yearning had overcome her when he had slammed her against the bathroom wall, forcefully holding her there against her will.
"Why do you torment me?" Lisa whispered, closing her eyes. "You played your part well on the Red Eye flight, Jackson. Why harass me now?"
"Because I can," Jackson answered.
"I was told that you and Catherine used to be close," Lisa said, trying to recover from her discomfort and make him squirm.
"We were," Jackson said simply. "We've worked together for the last five years. There was one year when we were spending every available moment with each other. Now we're just comrades in our great assassination adventures."
Jackson was an excellent dancer, and Lisa found, as they danced song after song, that she was again falling into his trap. He was just as attractive as he had been when she had first met him, and even though he was a deadly threat, his voice and his light laugh affected Lisa like a warm mug of hot chocolate on a cold winter day. His eyes, able to immediately transform from welcoming and kind to cold and icy, were back to their warm look.
Lisa caught herself laughing as she stumbled, felt herself smiling as Jackson smiled.
The children were confused at Lisa's sudden change of behavior, but Catherine, who stood leaning against the doorframe, smiled knowingly.
Dinner was eaten quickly that evening, and then Lisa, the children, Jackson, Catherine, Randy, Phillip, and Harvard boarded the private plane again.
Lisa's heart pounded wildly as Jackson slid into the seat next to her, dressed in his suit and looking exactly like he had on the Red Eye flight a year ago. He shouted back and forth with Catherine for a minute and then turned his attention to Lisa.
"When we get to Venice," he spoke as the plane engines were fired up, "you must stay as close as you can to Catherine and the men. Venice will be overflowing with assassins, many who would like to kill you. Catherine has been given strict instructions to keep you safe."
"Why does everyone want me dead?" Lisa asked, buckling her seatbelt and then sitting back.
"They think you know more about who they are and what they have done than you actually know. They don't want to risk the chance," Jackson explained. "Tomorrow night will be one of the most dangerous, frightening events you've ever attended, so as much as you would like to escape from me, I highly advise you try not to, especially tomorrow night."
"Lifting off!" Catherine called from the cockpit.
Lisa took a deep breath and then closed her eyes. She was headed into danger again.
