Alex was getting restless. He'd been at Edward's lovely Notting Hill home for over a week and it was getting to be just too nice and normal. The fact that Sabina, Edward's daughter was stressing over her up and coming exams was like deja vu, as Alex had already taken his. Sabina wanted to read English at Oxford and be a writer like her dad. She had not been impressed with Alex when he had told Edward that he wrote poetry. Edward had wanted to read them, but Alex wrote in russian and he thought they lost their impact if translated into english. Edward had taken a couple of the poems to look at anyway. In general, Alex kept his contact with Sabina to a minimum. Dealing with happy normal people was always stressful. Sabina was the ultimate perfect daughter; beautiful, bright, popular. She had never been hurt, threatened, blackmailed or abused. Both her parents doted on her. It was happy families and it all made Alex feel like an outsider. All Alex had was a godfather, who had let that bastard Ian bring him up and then left him for Blunt to abuse. Alex had read and reread the letter's Edward had given him and discarded them. The three letters were odd, each were distant missives inquired about Alex's health and well being. All were too little too late. No wonder Karen had kept the letters. The guy had no idea how to relate to a disturbed teenager and was only offering contact and custody as a matter of what was expected of him than any real concern. Who was this man and who had he been to Alex's mother and father anyway?
Alex ran daily as a way to relax and to escape concerned adults and their incessant chatter. Every day he ran a four mile circuit. He was always watchful, was he being being followed, were there any inconsistencies? As he crossed through Hyde Park, he noticed a familiar tall lean figure standing reading a copy of Izvestiya. Alex slowed and watched as the man, folded and binned the paper before turning and walking away. Alex had the choice, to leave or to follow. He jogged behind the retreating figure at a careful distance, just to make sure there were no other bogeys about. Following the figure from his past had committed him to a path of possible destruction. Alex finally stood next to the man he'd followed for the past twenty minutes in the lift of a mid range hotel south of Hyde Park. The two figures made no outward appearance of familiarity or recognition. Alex exited the lift on the floor above Yassen, and then walking down the stairs. The door of Room 432 was ajar. Alex stepped through and closed the door. He was not surprised to be manhandled to face the wall, arms on the wall, legs kicked apart. The search was thorough and undertaken with practiced ease. The pat down revealed Alex was just wearing track suit bottoms, long sleeved t-shirt and trainers. Liz, Edward's wife, was at home working so Alex did not even need a house key.
Alex's clothes were pulled off and a deeper more invasive search commenced in the small bathroom, Alex's hair was carefully examined, from scalp to tip. Mouth, ears, eyes were given the once over, before a full cavity search commenced. Alex remained placid and still throughout it all.
"No tricks, Alex" stated a cool accent-less voice as he motioned Alex to return into the bedroom.
Alex knelt on the floor with his hands on his head. The russian assassin then sat down on the only chair in the room to watch his captive. Alex knew if he made any sudden moves he would be dead.
Alex looked at Yassen and made up his mind to talk. "I missed you."
A wry half smile broke out on Yassen's face. "So, do you think you have passed your final exams?"
"Umm yeah. Straight A's according to the teachers at Chichester College. I have not applied to uni... I can't decide whether to do Russian studies or Spanish. I could even go to college abroad."
"Yes you could. Such a bright boy. Your father would be very proud." Yassen continued to look at Alex. They both remained in their respective positions. Alex's knees beginning to get cramp when Yassen spoke again. "I see my lessons in patience paid off. I have some information for you."
"About MI6?"
"No. A fellow russian has invited Mr. Pleasure and his family to stay over the Easter holidays. The invitation that has been extended because this man wants to meet you Alex. Edward thinks of him as a friend. He owns a publishing house in Russia. One that will print a translation of Mr. Pleasure's book on your kidnapping. Edward sent him your poems and now the man is intrigued by you. Edward like's your poems by the way." Yassen then stood up and helped Alex onto the bed. Alex's heart sped up. Here he was, naked beside his Yassen. He could feel the warmth of the russian's body.
"This man appears to be cultured, harmless but he is an arms dealer. He has connections to terrorists. I want you to be careful." Yassen smiled. "Sergei Rushkov is a homosexual. He likes young lovers. He will try to entice you, seduce you. See him for what he is, a user." The assassin turned to the young man beside him. One that had grown to look so like John, with the exception of his mother's blond hair. The cold blue eyes warmed with inner mirth and remembrance of his old friend.
"Do you want me to pass on what I observe?" asked a disgruntled Alex, who had realised that this short meeting would be all he saw of Yassen.
"I came to warn you Alex. I am not asking you to whore yourself for information."
"In my place you would though. You need to accomplish this task and I could help you" Alex chewed on his bottom lip.
Yassen spoke in a whisper "Alex, this will be very dangerous. Do not expose yourself. I will have no direct contact with you. I cannot protect you. Rushkov is a very dangerous man, as dangerous as me"
"So, its dangerous." Alex shrugged. "I still want to go to Moscow. Probably nothing will happen. I'm just a fucked up child after all"
"You have not been a child for a long time. Maybe you should go stay with your friend in Germany."
Alex looked at Yassen, putting off thinking of the future, he kissed Yassen hard, using his teeth to bite the russian's lips. Forcing intimacy and he was not disappointed when the russian responded just as forcefully. Not giving an inch. Alex had missed this. For once he felt something. No longer existing, this made him feel alive.
Alex showered before he ran back fast and hard to Notting Hill. Alex had left the hotel room without a backwards glance at Yassen.
That evening, Alex played with his food as Edward talked of the planned five day trip to Moscow to visit his friend Sergei Rushkov. Alex was excited about visiting Moscow. He wondered what this Rushkov fellow was like. Immensely rich, successful and how he had now earned the attention of Scorpia and not in a good way.