I'm sorry it's taken so long to get this up! I went to a going away party for a friend shipping off to Germany for the next two years with the US Air Force that lasted well into the morning, and by the time I walked home I was more than a little tipsy and ready for bed. And then yesterday I spent most of the day out of the house (when I wasn't catching up on sleep).
I'm not sure I like this chapter all that much, but it needed to be included so I can keep the story moving where I want it.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
~~~SELL YOUR SOUL~~~
"You don't have to do this, Annie."
"I don't have any other choice, Eyal."
"Annie—"
"No, don't say it. Yes, I know that I suppose I could just run again, but we both know that as soon as I do the hounds will be on my trail faster than you can say Annie Walker. Because I will be hunted, Eyal."
"Annie—"
"And going back to Langley is out of the question. I go back and they will polygraph, poke, prod, and altogether do everything in their power to end my career. They'll find out about my heart and put me on desk duty until either I receive a transplant or it just goes out on me. Or worse, they'll take me out. I'm dangerous to Langley, just as dangerous free as I am under their control. No, I have no other choice, Eyal."
"I was going to say," began Eyal, looking at the blonde spitfire next to him, "that perhaps it might be better if I accompanied you inside Mossad. You're not alone, Annie."
Annie blinked. "Oh, Yes, that would probably be best."
Sitting in the car outside Mossad, Annie and Eyal were hesitant to enter the lion's den. Going through those doors would mean consigning Annie to the clutches and whims of Rivka. Annie was expendable; Eyal knew that Rivka would cut Annie loose without batting an eye if it meant saving the good name of Mossad.
"So this is Mossad," Annie observed.
"Not what you would expect?" asked Eyal, knowing she was probably caught up on the seeming lack of security.
"Not at all. After Langley I expected even higher security measures. No offense, but I always thought Mossad was paranoid."
Eyal allowed himself to chuckle. "Mossad is paranoid, yes, but also content in the knowledge that making it this far would take knowledge of the inner workings of Mossad's security and counter-terrorism practices that few have managed. If anyone were to breach our security this far we would owe them respect for making it so far and tell them so. Before taking them out, of course."
Annie could not believe what she was hearing. Respect? That sounded so . . . classy compared to what would happen in the States.
"It really is a different world over here," Annie commented. And yet Israel, Tel Aviv, living with Eyal, it was all beginning to feel like the new normal. She was comfortable here.
"It is, Neshama. An old world where respect remains of the highest importance. We at Mossad are just as cutthroat as the CIA, perhaps more so, but we value respect."
Stepping out of the car, Eyal quickly moved to the passenger side and opened the door for Annie, helping her out of the car
"Now, are you ready to sell your soul to the devil, Neshama?"
Annie took a deep breath and started forward. Rivka was the devil of Mossad, but Annie had a few tricks up her sleeve yet.
Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear what you guys think, whether you have an account or not. I welcome all reviews, including anonymous ones :) Have a wonderful rest of the day and I'll try to get something out tonight.
Later!