Author's note: Apologies for the late update! 12 Days ago my computer crashed due to a virus and I was without any online access for all that time. I had backed up the most recent chapter except it was only 2/3 of the way done. Let me assure you, if I ever intend on taking a break I would inform you guys before doing so. If I disappear it's usually because of computer problems. Thanks for the reviews!
The Prada high heels Patricia wore clacked against the conference's room floor. All the men seated at the long black table ceased their conversations and sat up in their chairs.
She stood at the head of table, "Good morning, gentlemen. As you know, I am expected to relinquish control of Platinum Force Security to Vice President Brian Loughton," she gestured to the vice president with a small nod.
"It's only appropriate since Norman's unfortunate passing," Brian said.
"But it's not required," she smiled at him, "I've already appointed another individual to take my place as president," her hand pointed to the doorway where Agent 47 and Diana appeared before entering the room.
All the men began murmuring.
Brian stood up, "You cannot be serious! Agent 47?"
"Actually that would President Frank Holt and Vice President Diana Burnwood," Patricia told him.
"Gentlemen," Agent 47 sat at the head of table, "Diana, the Chief Financial Officer Ian Smith and I, have gone over financial records and determined that you're all useless. You're all fired."
They angrily grumbled.
"Are you mad?" Brian asked him, "you can't walk in here, assume control and fire us!"
"I just did and this isn't a negotiation. You're all going to die in a very unfortunate plane crash," he told them.
Brian laughed, "You can't make us.." he felt a strange sensation in his heart and sat down.
All the men began breathing heavily and gripped their chests.
"The tea and coffee you've all been drinking has a very potent and concentrated amount of potassium chloride. Your hearts will stop beating in a matter of moments."
"You son of bitch! We have families!" Brian managed to cry out.
"All of them we'll be compensated," he answered as a team of agents walked into the room.
"Well, it looks like you two have a perfect grasp on things here. I have a flight to catch. Goodbye Diana and Frank," Patricia smiled at them before leaving.
After all the men finally give into the poison that ran through their veins, the team of agents collected their corpses and exited the room. Another team of agents walked into the conference room.
"Gentlemen, please sit," Diana said as she gestured to the table.
They obliged and sat down at the table.
Agent 47 stood up and he stared at the ghosts of his past self. He began walking around the table as he spoke, "I have plans to restructure and reform The Organization. It's going to take a substantial amount time and money. The only way my plan can succeed is if we take down the only competition we have, The Franchise."
Diana began handing each agent folders as she said, "You've all been chosen to help assist Mr. Holt in this mission. We don't know much about The Franchise so essentially.." she looked at Agent 47.
"We're going to kill necessary individuals until we find the location of their headquarters. After we succeed, those of you left will continue to work for ICO except their will be new conditions."
Diana spoke to them, "You will have the option of a reduced work schedule and optional retirement at the age of thirty-five. If you wish to learn another set of skills to change careers before retiring then we won't object."
"If you fail an assignment or betray us before the retirement age. You will be killed," he glared at each and every one of them to emphasize his words.
The agents looked at one another feeling confused, stunned and curious.
"You're all being given a chance at having a normal life," he thought of the life that he had waiting for him back home and grinned, "I'd suggest that you'd at least consider it."
An Asian agent raised his hand and spoke when Agent 47 nodded, "A normal life?"
"Yes, a normal life with a home, a life partner and maybe a family, if you wish. Now, I know what all of you are thinking that it's impossible, it isn't," he opened the doors to let Agent 18 into the room.
"Thank you Frank," Agent 18 thanked him.
"You're welcome, Miguel."
He approached the table, "Gentlemen, I am Miguel Vasquez. I was once an agent just like all of you. I am now semi-retired with a successful business not related to killing. I also happened to be married to love of my life and we have amazing children. Now, if you have questions on any of my achievements I will be more than pleased to answer them."
A few seconds passed before most of the agents raised their hands.
Agent 47 and Agent 18 looked at one another grinned.
The Petrovas were having a delightful breakfast until the youngest member of the family (Tiska and Lena being the exceptions) blurted out an unexpected question.
"Are you gonna marry Frank?" Mai asked Nika.
Nika almost choked on her orange juice.
"Mai don't ask stuff like that, it's Frank and Mom's business not yours," Madison scolded her little sister.
"Yes it is, he'd be our father," Mai explained, "So, are you?"
She wasn't quite sure how to answer since her and Agent 47 hadn't spoken in great detail about marriage only that it was a shared goal of theirs, "You want me to? Both of you please be honest with me."
"Yes..only if you want to," Madison kindly said.
"I'd love it!" Mai exclaimed.
"That's great to know," she smiled, "Well, that is between Frank and I but I can tell you both that when he comes back it won't be s short time like before. He will be living with us..indefinitely."
"Awesome," Mai said before popping a piece of pancake into her mouth, "I can't wait!"
"Me too," Madison almost bounced in her chair.
"I feel the same way and Mai?"
"Yes Mom?"
"Don't eat with your mouth full."
"Haha, Frank tells me to do that too!"
Nika loved hearing how paternal her hitman could be and she couldn't help but miss him at that very moment.
The sleek and sophisticated look of the lobby took Declan aback when the automatic doors to Platinum Force Security welcomed him. He approached the front desk lined with male and female receptionists.
"Good morning Mr. Greene, welcome to Platinum Force Security," a young blond reception warmly greeted him.
"Thanks..how did you know who I am?" He asked her.
"I have your photo on file and here is your keycard," she answered and handed him a keycard.
"Right..I guess you already know why I'm here."
"Of course, Mr. Holt is in his office on the top floor. Just take the elevators and the keycard will grant you access."
With a small grin, he held up the card and said, "Thanks."
His hands held on to the strap of his messenger bag as his foot tapped to the music coming from the elevator's speakers. Before reaching the top floor he wondered why Agent 47 flew him out to London.
The instant he opened the door to Agent 47's office he nearly froze at the sight of the usually deadpan assassin greeting him with a warm smile and firm handshake.
"Declan, welcome. How was your flight?" Agent 47 gestured to seat across from his desk and next to Agent 18.
He sat down, "It was...great. I never flew first class before, thanks."
"That's nice to hear, by the way I am Miguel..you know me as Agent 18," he smiled.
His dark eyes widen, "You are?"
"It's ok, I won't kill you for trying to track me..unless you give me another reason to," he scowled.
He gulped.
Agent 47 suppressed a smile.
Agent 18 laughed and slapped the FBI agent's knee, "I'm joking. You're a fine young man."
"Good to know..Anyway, I brought the files that you asked for. There were a lot of names but I had it narrowed down," Declan nodded and reached into his messenger bag to retrieve the small portable hard drive.
"Thank you, I knew you'd come through," Agent 47 accepted the portable hard drive and placed it on his desk.
"You didn't have to fly me out here to give it you. I could have shipped it," Declan replied.
"I know but I wanted to speak with you in person."
"For what?"
Agent 18 answered him, "We are offering you a new career opportunity."
He picked up where his friend and fellow assassin left off, "With us. You'll still be doing what you are now but with a few differences."
"Differences…like what?"
As he listened to both men explain his occupation he couldn't help but be impressed and interested. There was one exception that prompted him to turn down their offer.
"Guys, this sounds amazing but..I can't move to London," he looked at them.
"You won't have to," Agent 47 answered, "I'm moving the company to California to be closer to my home."
"And mine," Agent 18 added.
Declan couldn't believe what he was just told and beamed, "Wow, that's great because Lisa and I have been wanting to move out there for months now! I'm in!"
"Good, how soon can you start?"
"Well, I need to clear some things with the FBI first so..three weeks..no more than four."
Agent 47 smiled at how well his plans were coming together and agreed to Declan's terms.
"Wow..that's gonna take some getting used to..Boss," Declan joked at his friend and employer's expense.
In bright blue lights the digital clock on Nika's nightstand changed to eleven o'clock. The morning sun shone through the balcony's French doors and onto the king size bed where Nika sat wearing his dress shirt over her light blue silk blouse and dark denim jeans. A large smile pulled at her lips when she heard his mobile phone ring.
"Hello Nika," he walked out onto his hotel room's balcony and stared at the bright lights of London.
"Hello to you too," she happily answered and then asked, "Where are you?"
He smiled at the sound of her voice and leaned against the stone railing, "London."
"Why?"
At the moment, he would have given anything to see her face, "I've taken over The Organization."
She thought her ears were deceiving her, "You have? How?"
"I killed the president and his wife handed ownership to me. They're no longer a threat to us."
Pure bliss filled her, "That's incredible! I mean..I can't see you quitting and becoming an accountant."
"I'm moving our headquarters to California. So I can be closer to you and the girls."
His consideration of her and the girls brought tears to her eyes, "I'm.."
"You're what?"
"I'm proud of you," she wanted to be with him but knew that for the time being it would have to wait.
His thin lips curled into a bold smile, "That means a lot to me, Nika. Thank you."
Hearing how he valued her words and feelings pleased her, "The girls asked about you.."
"Really?"
"Yes..Mai asked me if we were going to marry," she listened intently.
He took a breath, "Nika..I want to do it right…not over the phone."
"I know..I do too," she nodded, "They miss you..so do I."
"Me too. Tell the girls."
"I will.." A wicked idea entered her mind, "I miss seeing your face, and being near you."
"Likewise."
"I'm wearing your shirt..and nothing else," she told a little white lie and let her free hand travel underneath her blouse and bra.
"Really.." he stood up and had an inkling of what she was trying to do but wasn't sure.
"Yes and your hand is mine. Right now you're touching my breast," she purred as she cupped her breast and moaned.
Panic came to him; he wasn't prepared for this and was uncomfortable with talking about sex in great detail. His inexperience paired with the enticing image and sound of his lover was too much for him to handle all at once.
"Nika, I'm sorry I have to go now, bye," he ended the call.
She removed her hand from herself and sat up. With a mixture of anger and shock she stared at the phone in her hand, "What the fuck?"