Chapter 10

All Business

It was now one hour until the large Boeing 747 was due to land in Heathrow airport. 47 stood up, put his laptop back in its case. The air hostesses made their final rounds collecting rubbish from all the passengers. Nika excused herself to use the bathroom. She washed her face and freshened herself up for their new destination. She applied some more topical cream to her face and placed another small flesh coloured bandage over the top. Once she returned back to her seat, 47 took out a small jewellery box and turned around to her. Nika's heart skipped a beat as she contemplated what he might do next. Using his precise surgeon-like hands, 47 lifted the lid and revealed two gold wedding bands. Nika's breath was caught in her throat as she prepared herself for a possible proposal.

"While in England, I need you to pretend that we're married." 47 said nonchalantly.

Nika could feel her entire chest sink as all hopes of a proposal were dashed. The rings were necessary for pretence.

"On our new passports, we have the same last name. The authorities might get suspicious if no wedding bands are evident." 47 lifted the thinner band out of the box and presented it to her. She looked into his eyes; the disappointment must have been apparent however he continued to explain the set up without missing a word. She took the ring and slowly put it on her wedding finger. It was very pretty and probably authentic. 47 placed a ring on his finger as well. It was a very surreal moment. Nika sat back into her chair and continued to look out the window. The ring felt wonderfully constricting on her finger, as if she wished she could be tired down to this man. This contract paid killer. What was she thinking? 47 wasn't exactly conventional husband material. He was basically a killing machine, trained and methodical. It was amazing that sometimes it was easy for her to forget this rather important fact, as if she was willing to blind herself and pretend this was all a fairytale.

"47?" She asked wanting to say something.

His eyes met hers again for a moment. "Yes?"

She stopped herself from continuing. "Nothing."

They both sat there silently and waited as the plane made its descent.

It was winter in England and Nika started to prepare herself for the chill. Although coming from Russia, she doubted the English winters would be much different. The snow on the ground was now evident from her window; it was thick, white and would chill down deep.

The captain landed the plane rather smoothly considering the bad weather. Nika and 47 unbuckled themselves and he retrieved their belongings from the overhead compartment. 47 handed Nika her winter coat before putting on his own long black one. They made their way through the terminal down to be processed in customs. Nika followed 47, trying to stay inconspicuous like he would want her to. They arrived at customs and withdrew their passports. A short Englishman greeted them. Rotund and wearing glasses he seemed like a seasoned veteran when it came to processing people.

"Welcome to London, uh, Mr and Mrs Rothstein." He said eyeing the passport names.

"Thank you." 47 said.

Nika was uneasy for some reason. She was dying to get to the hotel and lie down on the bed.

"Is this your first time in England?" The customs officer asked.

"My wife's first time, I've been here on business before. We're on vacation."

"Oh, well I hope you take advantage of all the tourist attractions." He exclaimed in a friendly manner.

"We will." 47 answered him.

Nika tried to smile and tried to make casual eye contact. She was afraid any minute he would see through her and call airport security on them.

"Do you have anything to declare?" The officer asked them both.

"No." She replied holding onto her smile.

"No." 47 answered as well. To try to make their act a little more believable, she embraced 47 from behind and rested her head on his shoulder. To any outsider, it appeared like a tired wife finding comfort from an adoring husband. The customs officer stamped their passports.

"Enjoy your stay." He said.

47 grabbed their cases and they both exited the terminal locating where the taxis were pulling up. The cold weather hit her like a blast to the face.

Nika was eagerly taking in the sights as they drove through London. After 47 entered her life, she had seen more destinations than she had ever dared dream of. The taxi ride was relatively short and before long, the cab arrived at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton. 47 paid the fare and they entered the hotel. It was beautiful and lavishly furnished but still modern. 47 checked in at the front desk and received their room pass. A staff member accompanied them to their room with their two cases of luggage. Nika was glad when they were finally alone and isolated. The roomed hummed from the heater. The room was decadent and large, with massive bed, adjoining bathroom and sitting room. The bed was spacious and full of pillows which annoyed Nika and so she flung them to the floor.

Nika took off her coat and lay down on the bed. Feeling tense she sat up and pulled out a cigarette.

"There's no smoking in this room." 47 said casually. They were the first words he'd said to her since they landed.

She took the cigarette out of her mouth and slammed it on the bedside table loudly and deliberately. 47 began to run some kind of small machine over the room's furnishings. He was looking for bugging devices.

She let out a sigh and suddenly became aware that she was playing games that all women played when they were mad, making a situation uncomfortable but not really saying what's wrong. Either 47 was ignoring her or unaware of their unwritten games.

"What now?" She finally said breaking the silence whilst sitting on the bed.

"There's a menu beside the bed to order room service." Came his only answer.

"That's not what I meant 'Mark'." She said addressing him by his fake passport name, almost mocking their situation.

"I have business here to complete. You know that."

Nika put her hands to her face and rubbed it furiously. She was exhausted, more exhausted than she cared to admit.

"I don't know if I can do this much longer." She told him.

47 stopped what he was doing and placed the small device back in his bag. He walked into the bedroom and stood near Nika, his height looming over her.

"We only have to be here for a few days, and then we can leave."

"I'm tired of all this 47." She said wearily.

"Why don't you take a bath and get some sleep?"

"Stop it." She said forcefully. "Why can't you stop? I thought we were done with this."

"It's a little more complicated than that and you know it."There was a hard edge to his words.

"Please, please, let's forget all this." She begged him, feeling like she was on the verge of tears.

"I can't Nika. This is a favour for getting you back."Some of the softness had returned to his voice. Nika could feel herself easing as well. He sat down beside her.

"I just want you. You know?" He was close again and she could hear his steady breaths. His heart beat was probably the same, slow steady and rhythmic. Suddenly they both seemed aware of the fact that it had been several days since they made love for the first time. She reached out and grabbed his hands. They were strong, graceful but definitely masculine. She wondered how many people these hands had killed. The skin was smooth and slightly pale.

"It will be over soon. You just need to be patient." His hands gripped hers but in a gentle way.

She nodded, signalling she wouldn't continue with the argument.

"I care about you Nika, I think you know that by now."

She nodded again. There was a brief moment when there was complete silence and neither spoke. Nika desperately wanted to connect with him again. She tilted her head up and kissed him, pressing her lips to his, soft and gentle. He silently welcomed the affection and seemed more open to it now. His hand reached up and touched the side of her head warmly and affectionately as their lips continued to lock. His hands felt wonderful on her, manly and firm. She tilted herself back against the bed and 47 followed. She loved to feel his bodyweight on her, pinning her to the bed. This was the side of 47 she definitely enjoyed.

Both his hands caressed her and rubbed her shoulders. Nika reached down and placed her hands inside 47's jacket, feeling his body through his starched white shirt, before opening up the black jacket sides and slowly wanting to remove it from his body. Their breathing was gaining momentum, her heart was picking up speed. She felt his own heart close to hers, gloriously faster than before. His head moved down making a trail along her cheek and chin before caressing her neck. Her hands glided to his head, to the back where his tattoo lay. Her fingertips couldn't feel it but she knew it was there. His skin was smooth, the stubble only a few hours old.

"47..." She managed to croak out. Her hands were planning to head south towards his zipper when suddenly 47 sat up slightly, his ears pricking to attention and his focus no longer on her. Nika was about to ask him what was wrong when there was a knock at the door. 47's demeanour immediately changed and he pulled himself away from her. He pulled out his silver hand gun and approached the door.

"I have your case sir." Came the voice from the other side.

47 looked through the peephole before placing his gun in behind his back. Nika sat up as well and regained her composure. Her face was flushed and her hair was a little dishevelled. 47 opened the door and was greeted by a bell boy with a large silver metal suitcase.

"Thank you." 47 handed him a tip, took the case then closed the door.

He pulled the case to the sitting room table and opened it. Nika stood up and gained a better look. Inside were 47 weapons in order for him to complete the job. There was a blazer sniper rifle, two handguns accompanied with silencers, ammunition, a switch blade knife, cash and papers, and other devices which she couldn't recognise. 47 went over them before turning around and watching her watching him. "You knew this is who I was when you met me."He closed the case and relocked it.

Nika eyed his six foot frame and studied him curiously. "This is what you do, not who you are." She said before walking away to the bathroom and taking a shower. Suddenly Nika was no longer in the mood. Once again reality intruded on her fairytale.