-14-
In fact, it had been seven weeks ago since Borya Gorjajev had visited the casino with Kolcheck. Kolcheck was surprised by the second visit of Sam and Jesper in only two days' time.
Although slightly hesitating about re-visiting the casino, which probably was crowded with Brigada's men, known and unknown, he agreed on going in with Jesper.
"Kensi will be accompanying the both of you. We thought you might need a new girlfriend, at least for tonight."
"Kensi?" Arkady was curious. "Is it the dark-haired dangerous girl I have met before?"
Sam nodded, while Jesper laughed. "Dangerous? Well, not to us."
Which meant the boy was green, Sam thought. There had hardly been any cases around where Jesper had seen Kensi in action. Maybe there would be an opportunity to do some free fighting in the gym. Pretty sure he would be impressed by the skills of Kensi Blye.
Arkady Kolcheck looked at Jesper. "You're new, I know. If your team mate is going to join us, I might just as well leave two bodyguards at home, that's how far my trust in her goes. Besides, it looks better if I enter any club with a beautiful woman by my side," he smiled, "and you, young man, you can be, how do you say, my protégé. Have you ever done any gambling?"
At this moment, Jesper Barcuk was unaware how this night would change his ideas about his job.
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She opened the door of the car as quickly as she could and walked away, even if it was barefoot like she still was.
"Chris, wait!" She heard Dorien, her voice panicking. Something in the voice of her friend made her look around. She shouldn't have. When got things all messed up this way? When was it her best friend agreed to trust her worst enemy?
"You're not going to do it, Dorien. You don't have the guts to betray me," she said, and walked on.
"Она никогда не собиралась, мой маленький ангел, но вы были бы удивлены, что хороший разговор может сделать" [She never intended to, my little angel, but you would be surprised what a nice talk can do].
It made her shiver. She knew it was him. Nobody would call her angel, only he, only Dmitri Vayavich. Dorien would not understand what he said, but she did. He used her friend to get to her, and it had been through her all the time.
"Now, Chrissy, I am so happy you accepted the invitation to the party, how about you, Dorien?" he asked in a sleek voice. "Come, let's go inside girls. Time for some dinner. Oh, and Chrissy, you look terrible. We should get you a bath, and get dressed for the best party ever".
That was exactly how he did it. Nearly hypnotizing. Would there be a choice for her?
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"There will be some others having dinner in here. It's a great place, have you been here before?" Alec asked.
"On the other side, yes I have. An old friend invited me some weeks ago".
"Just checking. I know Borya, it was the first time we saw you in town and Vayavich wanted to know more of you. There's this camera room from where you can watch every single corner of the casino."
"Wonder if the Vor invited any other friends. I never needed to get this overdressed", Evgeny said. "Which makes me think, Alec, why you did not need a new suit?"
"My schedule will probably be another one".
The three of them went upstairs, where they met one of the other Brigada's elite members, Igor, in the camera room, obviously enjoying himself. "Look at Dmitri's face. He's watching the girls", he laughed. "He is like a little сын, a little boy, who can't wait to unpack his Christmas present".
It was Evgeny who switched of the camera. "Let the Vor enjoy his privacy".
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There had been times when she and Dorien shared everything. From mathematic tests to high school musicals, from boyfriends to fun shopping days. Right now, nothing that she experienced was something she wanted to discuss and share with Dorien. In her way, Dorien had always be the easy-going type, but now she seemed to be so naïve. Still, Chris loved her, simply for old time sake. And if things had not been so complicated, she was sure that they would have fun again. One day.
At this moment, her friend enjoyed the sauna in the private spa and bath house.
Chris knew he was watching though, she could sense it. It made her feel even dirtier. All privacy was gone, it seemed impossible to escape from the camera. Even though the water in the whirlpool was warm enough, she still shivered.
"Enjoying yourself, my angel?" she heard the voice she hated - soft and repellent. She was disgusted to hear him, he had speakers and probably microphones in there, besides the cameras.
She would escape from him. Soon. She had to. Right now she needed to do the trick, the Fiji-trick she had mentioned to this Brigada man with the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever seen. Don't think, just do. She got out of the water and went for the smaller shower room. When she was nearly there, she really could not stop it and vomited in one of the trash cans. The showers were warm and nobody could see her tears when she turned her head toward the wall.
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Although he did not have any appetite at all, Callen, ate some blini and fish, had a beer and let all kind of outcomes of this case whirl inside. At least he would have a chance to contact Sam or Hetty now he finally had a phone and some more privacy to make a phone call.
"You're quiet, Borya. Is anything bothering you?" Alec asked.
He looked up. "Not really. Still curious about the plans of Vayavich," he answered.
"So am I, Borya," Evgeny said.
They did not have to wait long. Dmitri entered soon after and started to give orders.
"We will have a special night this night. Evgeny, Borya, you will join me and two special women to a special party. Igor, you will stay in here. Alec, you will the one to drive us, we will probably take the limo. Now all of you, freshen up, get redressed". Looking at his watch, he added: "we'll have to leave in 45 minutes from now".
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No matter what would happen, Chris still had the feeling she had to protect her friend. Dorien had a great time finding the right clothes for her and Chris.
"And you know what? I finally get the chance to dress you the way I wanted for a photo-shoot Chrissy. Told you, you have the right looks."
She sighed. "Dorien… Dmitri is not the nice person he appears to be. He is pure evil. He—"
"Don't care Chrissy. He just gives me the chance to see you in here, he has always been kind to me and he offers me a great opportunity to make perfect pictures this night. So stop whining and just enjoy, will you?"
There was no use changing her friend's thoughts, so she just kept quiet, took a dress and let Dorien do the things she wanted to do. Meanwhile, she tried to find out what the trap might be.
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She looked astonishing, or perhaps even better than that, Deeks thought. Of course he would not utter it like that, knowing that Kensi would feel embarrassed and he would be probably be even more than that after her revenge, because revenge she would take.
"Fern, I would love to go out with you. Would you mind switching tasks for tonight, Jesper?" he asked instead.
"Ehm. Do I have to… I mean, Sam, he said, and Kolcheck," Jesper started to stammer.
Sam laughed. "Nope Marty. You and I will have time enough for a nice conversation, and Jesper, you look good. So do you Kensi," he said.
This time, Jesper would drive the Mercedes Callen used to drive and he and Kensi got on their way to pick up Kolcheck, while Sam and Deeks would be parked outside in the Challenger, waiting until either Kensi or Jesper would ask them to make any pictures, for back up or if any orders would come from Hetty.
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He really felt refreshed after a long shower. He had removed all the bandages and was glad to see the wound was healing cleanly. He had found some smaller and clean dressing which he managed to put on and got dressed afterwards. Although Callen never really felt at ease being dressed like this, he knew it changed his personality for those who did not know him at all.
Unfortunately, it did not work like that for Evgeny. He definitely did not feel at ease either, and everybody could see that.
"Now what?" he asked.
"Now we wait until the Vor shows up and he will tell us what to do next. Until then, we walk around in the casino," Evgeny said.
How surprising it was to meet Arkady Kolcheck, being accompanied by a great looking Kensi Blye. And a young man he'd never seen before.
"Arkady… How are you my friend" as he hugged his friend. "Nice to see you brought some new company." He smiled at his younger team mate and introduced himself with a smile. "Borya Gorjajev, nice to meet you."
Although it was hard for her not to show how glad she was to see her head agent save and sound right in front of her, she sent one of her flashing smiles back at him. "Mr. Gorjajev. I'm Miss Blye."
"And this is Jesper Barcuk. He is here so me and Miss Blye can teach him some new tricks", Arkady said.
At ops
Hetty Lange was glad to see her lead agent finally, looking tired yet healthy. It had worried her to not know how he was, except that he had been shot. Unfortunately there was no possibility to talk to him.
"Arkady, I believe you have met Evgeny before?" Callen continued, knowing of course they'd never seen each other before.
It was clear Evgeny was impressed by the good looks of Kensi too. "No, we have never met. Evgeny Kolznev."
At ops
Nell quickly checked the name in the system and carefully picked one of the pictures that came through Jespers small cams with it. It was the second of the Brigada's elite team they could trace this way. She sent all his data to the other agencies, joined with an arrest order.
Evgeny got nervous and impatient and kept looking at his watch. Then he looked around and said "Borya, the Vor is ready. We should leave."
Callen looked around.
Next to Dmitri Vayavic he saw the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen. Afraid yet calm. Chris Young.
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