Two days later
Tuesday
Well today's trip to school, was not fun!
Dr Bennett picked me up, this morning; as Jack was busy. I felt rather uncomfortable and avoided Dr Bennett's gaze, as she smirked down at me. It didn't help that Chloe kept grinning and every time she looked at me, she blushed! It was fairly obvious that Dr Bennett knew, or at least suspected that I had been running my hands all over her naked daughter. I just really hoped that she had absolutely no idea about how far I had gone with her daughter! I was very glad when we finally arrived at school and I could say goodbye to the smirking Dr Bennett.
As we walked into school, we met Avery and Riley. Riley obviously couldn't contain herself and must have read Chloe's guilty look.
"Did you?" Riley asked, excitedly.
"Hell, yeah!" Chloe replied. "It was fucking awesome!"
I blushed and legged it, fast, looking for Ethan and Mike!
West Ridge
I was planning our strikes against the next Mafia strongholds.
The attack the other evening was easy, as they weren't expecting an attack. This time, though, they would be ready and with improved defences. I would need to work out a strategy and this was not proving to be a very easy task!
Lake View High School
I was getting approving looks and smirks from Avery and Riley, all morning!
This was getting very embarrassing! The smiles from Chloe didn't exactly help either! Ethan and Mike were a little slower to catch on, but eventually worked out why Chloe, Avery and Riley were chatting and giggling together throughout most of the morning. I was dreading lunchtime, but it came and once Ethan, Mike and I had sat down, along came Chloe, Avery and Riley, who sat down across from us. Avery and Riley were smiling and looked directly at me, Chloe however, was avoiding my eyes and looked acutely uncomfortable.
"Well, Brit boy!" Avery prompted.
"What!"
"You seem to be very er... Talented, from what we hear!" Riley said, with an evil grin.
"What did you tell them, Chloe?" I asked, indignantly, looking directly at Chloe, who continued to avoid looking at me.
"Not much...," Chloe muttered, blushing violently.
"Tell us everything, Avery!" Ethan asked, excitedly.
"Don't you dare!" I said as strongly as possible.
"Well, according to Chloe...," Avery started, ignoring me completely.
I decided to just bury my face in my arms and try to be invisible!
West Ridge
Dave and I had gone out in the SUV, to do some daylight reconnaissance.
We had identified the next three addresses, which all seemed to be a part of the same Bratva. I was intending for them all to come down over the next two, or three, nights. Kick-Ass and Hit Girl, would make the assaults, with Battle Guy and Hawk, in support.
In this case, Battle Guy and Hawk would be in Lucille, parked a couple of blocks away. Kick-Ass and Hit Girl would be using Beast.
Lake View High School
Would this day of torture never end?
I now had Mike and Ethan giving me approving looks and probing me for further information, which I refused to provide! For now, only Ethan, Mike, Avery and Riley knew some of what had occurred the other night and I had hoped that was as far as it was going to go!
Unfortunately, Abby overheard somebody talking about a British ninth-grader, who seemed to be very talented in the bedroom! She tracked me down earlier and wanted to know all about it. I suggested that she go see Chloe, as Chloe seemed very happy to blurt everything out, to everybody!
Oh well, I could have a worse reputation, I suppose!
Later that evening
West 35th Street
Battle Guy and Hawk were in place, with Lucille, by around seven that evening.
They had the first Russian building under surveillance. Kick-Ass and I left Safehouse A at around eight and drive over in Beast. We had taken great care to ensure that all of our equipment was correctly configured and ready for instant use. Kick-Ass would go in with his H&K 121 machine gun and a spare belt. I would stick with a G36C, but carried extra ammunition instead of one of my Katanas. Both Battle Guy and Hawk had G36C assault rifles ready for use, if they needed to come as backup.
..._...
Battle Guy had identified that the Russians were wide awake and ready. He had seen four men, all armed with AKS-74U assault rifles. These were professionals and they didn't smoke, which would damage their night vision, or talk unnecessarily. Dave and I were both wearing AN/PVS-21 low profile NVGs. These were new and were the latest available; Marty as usual, refused to say where he had got them! These were cool, as they had a built-in heads-up-display. In this case, Battle Guy was sending us live images of the Russian watchdogs. We could approach from their blind spot, but still be fully aware of the watchdog's locations.
We parked up, half a block behind the Russian's building and headed up the fire-escape of the building next door. Once on the roof we headed over towards the Russian's building. We could see no men on the roof, so we both jumped across; I had to smile remembering the first night meeting Kick-Ass and his hesitation, when doing this! Now he didn't hesitate for a millisecond! We landed and rolled; not easy for Kick-Ass with a giant machine gun! We headed over to the edge of the building, while watching the image of the Russian watchdogs, three stories beneath us. They were all looking out, never up. Not as professional, as I thought!
"Battle Guy, we are in place on the roof, above the Russians!" I called. "Setting up the ropes now."
"Battle Guy copies, Hit Girl and Kick-Ass, in position and setting up!"
..._...
Kick-Ass and I were poised on the edge of the roof top, wearing harnesses and with ropes attached to a strong point on the roof. We were coming down on two sides. l would come down on top of the four watchdogs, patrolling outside the main door. Kick-Ass would come down and through a large glazed window, on the second floor.
"Kick-Ass, five seconds!" I called.
"Kick-Ass, copies!"
I pulled the pin on the flashbang grenade and dropped it, I followed four seconds later, just as it exploded and shattered the first floor windows and the ear drums of the four watchdogs and blinded them too. I dropped down to a balcony, on the second floor and shot each of the watchdogs through the head with a Glock 19 as they rolled on the floor, holding their heads. I dropped the harness and kicked open the door from the balcony.
"Kick-Ass, flashbang!" I called, as a warning.
I threw another flashbang and waited on the balcony for the explosion. Just after everything went white, I burst inside. Kick-Ass made his entry through the large window, glass flying everywhere. That was actually quite cool, from this point of view!
"Hit Girl, your left!" Kick-Ass yelled and I instantly threw a knife, that impacted the oncoming Russian's throat, bringing him down, gagging.
That was a first.
I had never gone down the side of a building before, but it was cool!
Yet again, it was a result of Mindy's expert training and her faith in my abilities, which often exceeded my own! Bursting through the window was also very cool and easy with the combat suit protecting me! Once through the window, I looked around to get my bearings. The room was dark, as all the lights had been shattered by the flashbang grenade, but our NVGs allowed us to see what was happening. I saw a Russian come up on Hit Girl's left side and yelled out to her; she killed the Russian with a knife to the throat. Damn, that girl had good reflexes!
Suddenly two more Russians appeared, but before I could say anything, they dived at Hit Girl, who was, at that moment, facing away from them. One Russian threw a punch, hitting her left cheek and she fell back against the wall. Hit Girl drew her Tanto and slashed open the Russian's stomach, which looked rather less gory, than usual, in the green tinted view, through the NVGs. I ran forward and drove the butt of the H&K 121 into the side of the next Russian's head. He obviously hadn't seen me in all the chaos!
"Before you ask, I'm okay!" Hit Girl reported, shaking her head and raising the G36C to her shoulder; I did the same with the 121. We could hear shouting, mostly in Russian, but some in English.
Hit Girl moved off, towards a short corridor and I followed, watching for any sign of movement. At the end of the corridor, I could make out movement, then a few bullets impacted the wall beside us. I let off a dozen rounds, down the corridor and heard screams. I fired random bursts down the corridor, to keep their heads down, while Hit Girl cleared the rooms on the left side of the corridor.
I kicked open the first door and found an empty room, I moved down to the next room and stumbled as a couple of rounds hit my armour. They were powerful rounds, which hurt! Just as I approached the next doorway, the door opened and the front sight of an AKS-74U assault rifle stuck out. I grabbed the weapon and hauled it out of the room, stabbing the attached Russian through the back, with my Tanto; he died instantly, as I severed his backbone. I checked the room and it was empty.
"Both rooms clear, Kick-Ass!" I called.
"Copy rooms clear!" I heard in reply, as Kick-Ass fired another burst past me. Kick-Ass looks really cool when he fires that huge weapon, from his shoulder!
I felt Kick-Ass come up behind me and looked up to see the enormous barrel of the 121, extending past my right shoulder. Why I should get turned on by that, I really didn't know! Focus Hit Girl, focus! I moved forward, followed by Kick-Ass. As we came out of the corridor I could see movement and then bullets started to impact the walls and our armour. I dove left and Kick-Ass dove to the right.
Kick-Ass set up the 121 on it's bi-pod and poured fire across the room. The large bullets carved through furniture and men, before his first belt ran out and he had to change it. While he did this, I started firing with my G36C and moved forward. A Russian appeared to my left and I elbowed him in the face, before two more Russians jumped on top of me and started punching me very hard. I hit out with my armoured elbows and fists, connecting with flesh and bone, but these Russians seemed oblivious to the pain that I was causing them.
"Kick-Ass, I need help!" I called.
"I'm a little busy, give me a minute!" Kick-Ass replied and I could hear him breathing heavily.
Just as I went down to change the ammunition belt, I felt three men land on top of me and start hitting me with rifle butts and fists.
"Kick-Ass, I need help!" I heard Hit Girl call, in my earpiece.
"I'm a little busy, give me a minute!" I called back, lashing out with my fists and elbows, using my armour as a weapon.
Eventually I managed to hit one of the men, in the face with my elbow and he went crashing backwards, blood exploding from his broken nose. I braced my legs and pushed myself up, using every ounce of strength I could bring to bear and forced the other two men back, but not before I received a heavy blow to my head, which made me see stars for a few seconds. This did not deter me, though, as I started pounding one of the men, with my fists. I was able to catch a glance of Hit Girl; she was buried under two large men, but still fighting. I knew I had to get to her fast, as the two men were too heavy for her to battle alone.
I managed to get an arm free and reached up for a Ko-Wakizashi, bringing the butt down hard on the head of the next Russian, which put him out, I then ran the last Russian through, with the blade. I ran over towards Hit Girl, who was still fighting hard.
"I'm coming Hit Girl!" I called.
"Finished your coffee, have you!" Hit Girl growled, angrily.
"Finished your coffee, have you!" I growled, feeling angry.
Then I got a nasty shock, as I saw the tip of a Ko-Wakizashi emerge from the chest of the Russian, directly on top of me and blood ran down over my combat suit. I threw the man off and was able to punch the other Russian in the face, so I could force my way back to my feet. Kick-Ass drove his Ko-Wakizashi into the stomach of the remaining Russian.
One of the Russians was still moving, on the other side of the room so I shot him in the head, with my Glock 19.
"Battle Guy! Targets are down, exiting now!" I called.
"Battle Guy copies that targets are down and you are leaving!"
We made a brief search for any useful information, including checking out the floors above and below, but we found nothing useful and no more Russians, before heading out of the building and past the four dead watchdogs. The entire assault had taken twenty minutes and so far, no CPD had arrived; Jack Bay was slowing down any response, as far as possible. We ran back to Beast and Kick-Ass drove us away from the Russian's building, fast and back to Safehouse A.
As soon as we reported as clear, Battle Guy drove Lucille back to Safehouse A. We both arrived separately, using caution to check for tails or surveillance. None were detected and we all made it back safely.
Safehouse A
Hawk and I arrived back first and got changed out of our combat suits.
About ten minutes later, Beast pulled into the safehouse and Kick-Ass and Hit Girl emerged, pulling off their masks and comms. I noticed that Mindy looked very unstable on her feet. Kim went over and helped Mindy into the briefing room. In the more direct light I could see heavy bruising, Dave had bruising to his head too.
"Should I call Medic?" I asked, concerned.
Kim was checking over Mindy's face.
"Yes," Kim replied. "Better to be safe than sorry!"
Morton Grove
"Chloe, I need to go down to Safehouse A. You want to come?" I asked, picking up my case.
Chloe looked worried.
"What's happened?"
"Mindy and Dave have been hurt," I replied.
I saw Chloe's face go from worried to panicky and saw tears appear in her eyes.
"I don't think it's anything serious, just precautionary," I said.
"I want to come!" Chloe said, running upstairs to get dressed.
Safehouse A
Mindy was out of her combat suit and lying on the couch in the briefing room, with a large ice pack on her face. I was sitting in a chair, drinking a coffee and keeping an eye on Mindy. I had insisted that Marty and Kim go home and thanked them for their help. Reluctantly they left, in Speedy.
About forty minutes later, Dr Bennett pulled into the safehouse and Chloe came running into the briefing room.
"What's happened? Are you guys okay? What's happened to Mindy?" Chloe blurted out.
"Calm down, Shadow; its just a few bruises," I advised her.
"Good, I was worried!" Chloe said and sounded relieved.
"You don't say!" I replied, laughing.
Dr Bennett came in and looked down at Mindy.
"Let's start with you, shall we?"
Dr Bennett examined Mindy's bruised face and said it was nothing to worry about and that there was no sign of a concussion. She checked out the bruises on Mindy's chest and left side, where the Russians had hit her the hardest; again, nothing to worry about. The combat suit had prevented worse injuries.
Next, Dr Bennett moved on to me. I was pronounced healthy, but bruised. I thanked Dr Bennett for coming all the way down here, at this time of night, but she shrugged it off, saying it was much more exciting than the boring 'crap' at work!
Chloe gave both Mindy and I big hugs, before leaving with her mother. We decided to spend the night here at the safehouse, rather than drive all the way home tonight, as we were both very exhausted.
I helped a very tired Mindy upstairs to bed and after getting her under the duvet, collapsed beside her.
The following morning
Wednesday
Lake View High School
Chloe looked worried.
"Have you heard from Dave or Mindy, this morning?" She asked me.
"No, should I have?" I replied.
"Oh crap, I forgot to tell you. They assaulted the Russians again, last night and Mindy got banged around a bit and so did Dave! They called my Mom down to check them out, late last night. I've been texting them both, but nobody answers and it's like eleven now!" Chloe explained.
"They'll be very tired and are probably still asleep. Anyway, they probably saw it was you and are now ignoring your messages!" I replied, laughing.
"It's not funny Joshua! Mindy was a mess when I saw her last night!" Chloe shouted back.
"Tell the whole school, why don't you?" I growled, pulling Chloe away from the crowds of people. "Your gob is going to get us all in trouble one of these days! It's bad enough that the whole damn school thinks I'm fucking you or that I am some expert at getting girls off! I'm getting bloody requests now!"
"Sorry! I had to tell somebody; it was awesome!" Chloe replied, then smiled and tried to look cute and innocent. Annoyingly, I couldn't resist her when she was like that!
"My Dad always warned me that girls and women were devious!" I replied, but smiled back at Chloe.
I dug out my mobile and called Dave.
"Hello trouble, what's up?" Dave asked, sounding tired.
"Chloe's worried and thinks you're avoiding her texts," I explained.
"I've only just woken up; we had a difficult night," Dave said.
"I heard. You both okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, just a few bruises!" Dave replied. "Mindy's face looks a bit like she was hit by a truck, but she'll be fine."
"Okay, I'll tell Little Miss Moans-a-lot here! Take care, bye," I said and hung up the call then turned to Chloe. "They're fine, they were asleep."
"I do not moan, Joshua!" Chloe moaned.
"I know you worry about them, but they're fine," I said, giving Chloe a hug.
Safehouse A
I'm actually glad that Josh called; I was sore and needed a shower.
Mindy was still asleep, so I left her and went to soak my bruised body.
About ten minutes later, I was still in the shower when I felt a pair of hands on my chest and Mindy rubbed up behind me. I pulled her around in front of me and tried not to wince, but Mindy saw my expression.
"That bad?" She asked.
"Just don't go looking in any mirrors!" I advised, with a laugh.
"Thanks, partner!" Mindy said, punching my chest lightly.
"Makes no difference to me, you always look gorgeous!" I said, making Mindy blush. She really did look bad, on the left side of her face, where she had been punched; the bruise was purple!
"Is it sore to move your jaw?" I asked.
"Not so much, but I can live with it."
"Got plenty of make-up with you?" I asked.
"Not enough for this!"
"Once we're done here, we'll head home and then you can rest," I said, smiling down and hugging Mindy. I hated seeing her visibly injured and this looked worse than it really was.
West Ridge
We spent the rest of the afternoon doing not very much, while we let the aches and pains in our bodies heal. Mindy had insisted on cleaning and checking the weapons that we had used last night, before we left. I also cleaned the blood off of Mindy's combat suit.
Sophia was glad to see us, as ever, but I think she knew that Mindy was hurt so Sophia stayed with her all afternoon. Mindy was annoyed and unhappy about being so badly bruised. The attack had been successful, but she hated getting hurt; Hit Girl should not get hurt! Mindy's bruise, as well as mine, meant that we would not be able to attack the other two addresses, until the bruising went down. I was happy with this, as it would allow us time before the next attack. Mindy worried that this would give the Russians time to build up their forces, I agreed, but there was nothing that we could do about it.
Kim had come over to check on us both and she was glad we were okay. She only stayed twenty minutes, before heading home, but Mindy was glad of the visit.