Chapter 12

So why did it irk him the next morning when he came down from his bedroom to see Charles and Kalina sat together in the morning room, just finishing breakfast and chatting together comfortably? They had their backs to the door, probably weren't even aware of his passing, let alone the fact that he paused before moving on. Charles was leaning towards the woman, saying something which made her smile. Yassen could see the curve of her neck and lips, the glass of juice poised halfway to her mouth. Then he was past the room and on his way out, resisting the urge to slam the front door behind him. That would be childish.

He decided that a strenuous walk would clear his head and set off purposefully towards the lake.

Alone with his thoughts, Yassen was able to clear his head and centre himself. He'd had a good night's sleep; he was absolutely exhausted after the trials of the day before and despite such whirling thoughts his body had dragged him into welcome unconsciousness. Now he felt rested and more at ease with what had happened. Soon he'd be able to put it all behind him. Detachment was an assassin's best friend.

After breakfast Charles suggested a walk up the mountain.

"The view from up there is amazing" he enthused. "You'll love it"

Kalina smiled. Charles seemed to be enthusiastic about everything. Even though she'd gone to bed early so had only been in his company for a few hours the afternoon before, she felt completely at ease with him. Not like Gregorovich where she felt she was treading on eggshells.

"I'm not really up for a hike…" she warned. They were still in the breakfast room, sprawled in comfortable chairs and digesting happily. Charles waved a hand.

"I'll take you an easy way. It's only about a mile. We can go slow, take a picnic…some wine, whatever…"

Kalina raised an eyebrow. This all sounded rather romantic. Charles caught her look and laughed.

"It's not everyday I get to spend with a lovely young woman. Sorry if I'm coming on a bit strong"

His smile was so disarming she couldn't help returning it. "It's ok…" she said. "These past few days have been so mad I'm just having trouble…adjusting. I can't get my head round being here yet"

"I know what you mean. Believe me"

Charles' tone was light but his look said everything. He was a Scorpia agent too; of course he met with danger just like Kalina had. Like everyone who spent any time at Redwood. They all had to go from risking their lives one day to eating breakfast in luxurious surroundings with their every whim catered for the next. It was a crazy life but one they'd all signed up for.

And to think I just used to go home after a mission Kalina thought, imagining her small apartment in Vienna where she retired after doing a job. She lived an almost-normal life there; going to the supermarket, meeting her few friends for drinks and nights out, taking walks in the park…

I wonder if I'll ever get to go back there? Things will have to be taken care of, at least, All my clothes, books…the rent will have to be paid next week…

"So, how about it?" Charles asked. He looked expectant.

"Erm…sure, why not" Kalina said and stood up. "I'll just go and get changed"

When she came back down from her room Charles was waiting in the hallway with a small hamper. He was dressed in a light blue sweater, cream chinos and tan leather shoes. Kalina thought he looked exactly like an Ivy-League graduate with his blonde hair side-parted in a college-boy style. She wore linen trousers and a Thomas Pink blouse she'd found in her wardrobe. Surprisingly, in the time it had taken to eat a continental breakfast, the house staff had managed to populate her wardrobe with about a dozen different outfits all in her size. They were all particularly good labels too; the blouse alone must have cost close to £100.

"What's in the hamper?" she asked as she skipped lightly down the stairs. The new clothes had really lifted her mood and she was ready for a day of fun and relaxation. Charles shrugged.

"Chef made some sandwiches…chocolate éclairs…wine…"

"Mmm…sounds good. I think I'm going to like it here"

"Glad to hear it. Let's go"

He held open the front door and they stepped out into the sunshine. The courtyard was still half in shadow but the sky was blue with just a few scudding clouds. It was going to be a lovely day. Beyond the walls of Redwood the mountainside climbed upwards, a tall swathe of green with clusters of dark pines. Charles pointed off to the left.

"See that tree-line? There's a meadow up there, that's where we're heading"

"A meadow? On the mountainside?"

"Yep. I've heard they put cows in it sometimes"

"If you say so…"

"You'll see. The track's this way"

He led the way through the archway and out onto the dust road. Several tracks branched off it into the undergrowth, which was made up of wildflowers and grasses rather than weeds and thorns. Some were steep and bent quickly out of sight, but Charles chose one which sloped on a gentle curve around the mountain. Even so, Kalina was glad she wasn't carrying the hamper.

There are some advantages to men I suppose she mused as she followed the tall man along the path. She found herself surreptitiously checking him out and wondering how he compared with Gregorovich.

Not that I noticed anything about that man… she told herself, knowing at the same time that she blatantly had noticed that Gregorovich was tall and strong and…

Stop it! Look at Charles, look what a nice behind he has! Look how it…

Charles began to turn his head and Kalina snapped her eyes upwards.

"Lovely day isn't it?"

"…Yes…yes it is…" Kalina blushed, struggled to find something to say. Luckily Charles proved once again he was excellent company, by telling a story of a time he'd hiked up the mountain the year before with a certain agent who'd been afraid of heights but neglected to admit it till they were almost at the top, balanced on a precipitous path with no way off but to keep going.

"I had to tie myself to him and practically drag him the rest of the way. He had his eyes closed the whole time. And to think, Scorpia actually puts him in the field. I had it written into my contract never to work with him!"

The morning passed in much the same way, with Charles being charming and Kalina enjoying herself. She even found herself telling him funny stories about things she'd done or that had happened to her, and experienced a flush of pleasure when she made him laugh. It was so long since she'd had such a good connection with anyone. By the time they reached the meadow, which was beautiful, nestled on the mountainside like an oasis, they were both hungry and sat down on the grass to a scrumptious snack, mostly of éclairs and wine. A long rest and slow walk back found them entering Redwood just as the afternoon was fading towards evening.

Kalina looked forward to a cool drink and a shower, and after a "do you want a drink?" to Charles, started to head towards the kitchen. She was barely halfway across the hall when Yassen Gregorovich appeared in a doorway.

"Kalina? I need to speak with you"

His voice was level, expression giving nothing away. Kalina glanced at Charles, who had paused on his way to the morning room.

"What about?" she said. Yassen's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I've had a phone call from Scorpia. It concerns you. Come with me"

He turned and went back through the doorway. Charles shrugged.

"I'll see you later?" He smiled sympathetically.

"Yeah…" Kalina sighed. "See you later"

Just when the day had been going so well. What could Scorpia want so soon? Lightfoot had said it would be a few days before they heard from him. Perhaps something had gone wrong. Kalina found butterflies emerging in her stomach; she couldn't think of anything she'd done and surely Yassen would be angry if she really had done something wrong…

She stepped through the doorway into a kind of drawing room with stately furniture and large dark paintings on the walls. Gregorovich sat in the middle of a long sofa, and Kalina took a chair opposite, not wanting to meet his gaze but forcing herself to. He was studying her openly, which made her very uncomfortable.

"What is it?" she said, a little more harshly than she'd meant to. Gregorovich's brows drew together slightly.

I'm sorry, did I interrupt your day? He thought.

"Lightfoot has sent us a warning" he said calmly instead. "It seems your previous employers have been sniffing around Patel's mansion. They know he was looking for the disc. They also know Scorpia was there. They traced your phone back to my safehouse."

Kalina blanched. Shit! I should have known I'd have to deal with them sooner or later…

What with all that had gone on she'd almost forgotten that she'd had a job to do. She'd been paid half her money to get the disc, with the other half to come once she made the drop. Only the drop had never happened; she'd been waiting on the call from her employers when Gregorovich had caught up with her.

"Do you think they know I…"

"Led us to the disc? Probably. At least, we have to assume they do. They will not be so charitable as to assume you were forced to hand it over against your will. Either you have already given it to us, or you are under torture to reveal the location. Either way, they will want you dead"

"Oh…"

"Yes. Lightfoot says they do not yet know you are now in Scorpia's employ, but they probably soon will do. Fortunately, you should be safe here. I have been instructed to keep you that way until the situation can be resolved"

Kalina felt a flood of relief. "That's alright then…I just stay here until this all blows over"

"That is correct"

Kalina put her hands on her knees and stood up with a sigh.

"Where are you going?" Gregorovich's voice was commanding.

"Erm…to get a drink?"

Why is he looking at me like that? Kalina wondered.

"You are to go nowhere without telling me first. I am not to let you out of my protection"

Kalina stared at the Russian in disbelief. "What?"

"Do not leave Redwood without my permission. I must know your whereabouts at all times" Gregorovich scowled. "I do not like it either but that is the way it must be"

"You're kidding me…"

"I do not kid!" he snapped. Kalina flinched. He must hate this as much as she did. He stood up from the sofa and looked down at her, expression stern.

"Like it or not Miss. Moon, we will be spending a lot more time together"

Kalina opened her mouth but couldn't think of anything to say. The safe and happy holiday she'd been building in her mind for the next few days crumbled around her. Gregorovich, scowling, replaced it.

"I'm going to go to the kitchen and get a drink" she said at length, enunciating carefully. "Then, I'm going to go to my room and have a shower. Will you be needing to join me?" She raised an eyebrow. Yassen's lips smiled but his eyes remained cold.

"No" he said. "Just let me know when you return"

"Fine"

Kalina turned sharply and stalked from the room, feeling Gregorovich's eyes on her back the whole way.

A/N: Guess they can't get away from each other that easily... Please review!