Their clothes were returned to them within an hour. Evie showered and dressed in her newly cleaned clothes. John did the same.
"I know you want to get home and I want you there safe but I'm not sure why they targeted you. They tried to bargain your life with me. They know what I am capable of and they knew you would end up with me." he said.
"I don't know you." she said. "You had no obligation to save me. How would they know you would? You said these men don't make sense. The men who took me are dead. I can go home."
"It's not that simple." he said.
"Maybe it is?" she said.
He suspected she may have ties to the assassin underworld. It was not etiquette to bring in outsiders with no ties.
"Let's head to your place. We can see if you're safe there." he said.
They arrived at her apartment. When she opened the door it was just as she had left it.
"I hope you are ok with me staying here with you. I need to make sure no one is coming for you." he said,
"Do I really have a choice?" she said. A knock came at the door. He instinctively pulled his gun. Evie looked through the peephole. She nodded to him it was ok. He put the gun away as she opened the door to see her neighbor Krista.
"Hi Krista." said Evie standing in the doorway. John stood behind her.
"I just wanted to make sure you were ok ." Krista looked past Evie to John. "Did you have a little getaway?" she said smiling as she looked back at Evie raising her eyebrow.
"Yeah, a bit unexpected." she said.
"Well, I can see why. Who is your friend?" she asked pushing past her to come in.
"Please come in." said Evie sarcastically.
"I'm Krista." she said smiling and extending her hand to John. He looked at Evie.
"Nice to meet you. I'm John Smith." he said shaking her hand and walking to Evie's side as he wrapped an arm around her. Evie played along.
"Ok, well, uhm, we need to go to coffee soon." she said leaving. "Oh, and here is a note that was outside your door this morning. I didn't want to leave it in the hall." she said as Evie walked to the door to take it from her.
"Hang on to him or if ya get tired of him let me know." she whispered giving Evie a wink. "Nice to meet you, John." she waved.
Evie shut the door and locked it. She opened the envelope.
"I hope that was ok." he said referring to his actions.
"Yes." she said focused on the letter she pulled from the envelope. "Why did you say your name was Smith?"
"In case anyone comes asking." he said.
Evie looked at the letter. The words read:
'grekhi ottsa yavlyayutsya proklyatiyem yego potomkov. dolg prichitayetsya i oplata dolzhna byt'.
John stood beside her looking at the letter. She looked at him. "I don't know what this says."
"the sins of the father are the curse of his offspring. a debt is owed and payment is due." said John looking at her. "You need to pack your things and come with me."
Evie had just finished packing her bag when they heard Krista scream. Evie ran towards the door. John put his hand out to stop her. He shook his head. He pulled his gun and led her to the window. He saw men on the ground. He walked to the door. He guided her next to him beside the doorway. He laid his hand across her stomach and gently guided her as they stood with their backs pressed to the wall. The door burst open. John shot the first man in the head. Evie jumped but kept quiet. The second man walked in with a third. John hit the man in the face. As he fell to the ground the third man turned his gun in John's direction. John shot the man in the leg and as his head dropped on instinct to his wound he shot him in the head. The man dropped on top of the second man pinning him as John shot the second man in the head. John turned to see Evie staring blankly at the dead men. He knew there were more coming.
"Evie." He whispered to get her attention. Her head snapped to him. He grasped her hand and peered into the hall. Evie again wondered who this man was. He pulled her into the hall once he determined it was clear. Evie saw Krista lying dead in her doorway. A pool of blood beneath her head. Her dead eyes staring up at Evie. She felt sick. John pulled her along. She took deep breaths knowing this was not over yet. She was tired of seeing what he was capable of. He found a utility closet at the end of the hall. He pulled her close to his chest protectively as he opened the door and searched the closet. When he determined, it was clear he guided her to the corner several feet clear of the door and gave her a gun. "Stay here and stay quiet." He said. He clicked the safety off. "Like I told you before." He said nodding. She took a deep breath and nodded. He placed his hand on hers to reassure her before leaving. She heard the quiet click of the door closing. There was a silence before gunshots went on for what felt like minutes but she knew it was only seconds. When the gunfire ceased, she heard the grunts and struggles of fighting. She kept the gun at her side terrified that she may have to use it. She could not make sense of the noises outside. She stopped counting gun shots after she got to twelve. Was he ok? She heard a silence then the careful click of the door. Her heart raced as she lifted the gun aiming it at the door. She took deep calming breaths to steady her hands. The knob began to turn. She began to squeeze the trigger. The door swung open. She fired as she saw John duck to the side. She gasped. "I'm sorry." she said dropping the gun to her side and rushing to him.
"Don't be." He said. "You kept your eyes open that time." he said smiling. "We need to get back to the hotel." he said. She was shaking. "I know you didn't ask for this Evie. They don't care but I do. I'll make sure this debt is wiped clean and that you get back to your life." He said as he brought his hand to her face and wiped a tear from her cheek. She hadn't even realized she was crying. "I'm sorry about your friend." He said. She clicked the safety on her gun. She could only nod and stay silent. She had no words. He took her hand and they headed out.