Alright, alright, alright. Here we go folks!
aaaaaa
Sharon's voice repeated itself like a tempting secret in her ear.
"People don't change. You know this. It's not the person who changes, it's the circumstances that change."
Darko's gun tremored in her death grip, and she squinted her eyes to reconcentrate on the hate that was looking up at her. The same contempt and resentment that Boris had exuded. As well as Natalya… Though her eyes never faded from memory. They were seared in her soul to continuously stir up fear and doubt. When she started to gain ground in healing, her brain would mock her with the perfectly eyelined frozen cold eyes.
Her Pa's voice stacked on top had a slimy sickness clog her veins.
But this time the disdain and disappointment were missing- only pride and honor remained in the reverberations of his booming voice; "Once a McReary, always a McReary…"
Her index finger held immunity to the shake of her hand and arm. This was her moment to either prove her therapist right or wrong. People could change. She wholeheartedly agreed with that statement. So why was she so damn calm wielding an object of death in her hand?
Kate tilted her head and started to study the man Georgi had called Ziad. Sweat rolled down the side of his clenched jaw. A drop or two of blood marred his closest cheek to the freely bleeding leg and stabbed hand. The sight of the thick, rich blood had her stomach pitching which attempted to jab her brain into the alarm bells blaring at high volume in her head.
"Georgi, I will not have interference from my determination. Please get medical help for these two Bratva members." Kate's tone ran dangerously close to her Pa's 'don't give me shit' voice. It shot goosebumps up her arms and down her spine. She couldn't believe how close her own indifference was bringing out memory after memory of her own father dishing out punishments. The dark corner she hid in to silently watch table meetings and unfortunate terminations. Gerry caught her once and after sharing a long silent conversation behind frozen stares, he never bothered her again. 'Let her see if she wants' had been grumbled to Packie one morning at the kitchen island.
Kate was never blind to the violence in her family. Was very well aware of it. But when her own blood turned on one another it broke the veil of security she felt. Now that same shock, anger, and never-ending fear curled and coiled within her. Swaying the pendulum from passing off the gun, to pulling the trigger.
Was this how Niko felt?
Could it be possible he shared similar thoughts before killing someone?
"Students let's take a long break before resuming grappling. Move silently and quickly. Pakhan is at work, and we are not deserving of being within her presence at this time. Move along. Hit the showers, take a breather, regear up. I don't care, just do it in the locker rooms." Another instructor spoke up and started shooing the watching crowd toward the swing doors of the locker room. He didn't want to disrespect his highest boss with watching an execution that was beyond his understanding. He gave one last look down to his fellow teacher and shook his head. Ziad did tend to speak too freely for his liking. And with that thought lingering he followed the huddled students as they sped walked toward the locker room door… And would radio ahead to send in a medic team for Anatoly and Abram.
"Thank you Высочество (vysochestvo) Pakhan. I do believe this wound needs attending to. Forgive us for having a rather heated training session." Anatoly bowed his head and slowly moved out of his held position to cover the stab to his thigh and hobble a few steps back before giving her a full bow. She was downright stunning in her rightful garb. The crest seemed to almost be glued to one spot on her leg and he couldn't keep his eyes off of it. If this was the little firecracker Georgi kept rambling on about, then things just got a lot livelier around the compound. Her act as head of the Bratva would burn through them all like a raging wildfire. He kept his bowed position waiting for dismissal.
"Forgiveness is not needed here. I can see how certain beliefs and ill thinking can lead to rather devious decisions and misinformed lashing out. Please. Get yourself and this young man all the medical attention you need then report back to me with what happened here. I require all sides of the situation." She turned her head to regard the man with the bleeding leg, "What is your name solider?"
"Anatoly, my lady. Lead trainer for new recruits and leadership within the ranks." He slowly rose from his bent position, ignoring the warning look from Georgi, and finally allowed himself to meet her eyes- and felt his heart stop. Her wide, caring eyes snapped whatever was going to come out of his mouth next. Beautiful red curls framed her face and helped take away from the darkening circles under her eyes. The firetruck red hair that Lova talked about nonstop to anyone who would listen was breathtaking. They had all been told what had happened to her and what she has endured at the hands of their enemies. His chest swelled with pride and adoration for the young woman who stood before him armed and ready to carry out her first execution.
"Anatoly. Thank you for giving me the oath. Now do please get yourself some-"
Ziad leapt from his crouched position, yanking the knife free from Abram's hand, and tackled her to the ground. Kate bounced slightly with the force behind the person who body slammed her to the springboard floor. Her brain went useless on her, and her body kicked into overdrive to protect her from the descending knife aimed at her chest. Her untremblingly hand pressed the gun to Ziad's side…
"Violent like your family… Or like the man who had been protecting you? Or, and what's even more possible- Violent like Niko?"
Sharon's voice boldly proclaimed in her mind rapidly as if trying to stop what was happening.
"I told you to run! What are you thinking?!" Darko practically yelled at her while searching her eyes and gave her a slight shake.
His caring and building feelings for her warned her to not pull the trigger and simply roll to the side to get out from under the slow-motion knife that was descending down upon her. To imitate his moves when she attacked him. Catch the arm and wrist that wields the knife. To do something other than fire his gun…
"Katie, hand me the gun. Everything is alright now." Gordon lowered his weapon from being pointed at Bobby and placed his free hand over the pistol in her grip.
Flashes of Gordon always looking out for her and secretly protecting her with her brothers help zoomed by behind her closed eyelids. There was always a nonviolent way to manage the situation… But-
"Hey! I know you were scared- And would you cut it out with that?!" Gordon had turned to look back at her and throw an insult her way when he spotted her holding the handgun again, "Do you even know how to properly fire it? You have proven you know how to pull the trigger, but do you know how to aim or hold it or anything?"
Anger shot her eyes open at being considered incapable of defending herself.
Niko grabbed the pistol with one hand and twisted it to be pointed down in her grasp. His touch must have startled her as she jerked against his hold and fought to break free.
Kate jerked the pistol up to be pointed down, shoved flush into Ziad's hip, and sank in as a warning. One that was completely ignored. The knife fell another inch toward her.
"KATE!"Her name sounded watered down and a great distance away.
Her finger slid back onto the trigger and Niko immediately jerked the gun between their hands up toward his chest to try and put the safety back on.
Her finger slid and took its rightful place against the trigger, firming and confirming her next and only move there was to make…
Niko's free hand landed on the top of the gun and unsuccessfully tried to flick the safety switch back on through her thrashing around in his grip.
"Kate. Calm down. It's okay." Niko, the love of her life- His voice desperately tried to stay her hand and not commit to something she could never take back. He gave it his all to keep her from being in these situations… But he wasn't here with her. He wasn't removing the threat against her. The recoil ravaged her body as she realized it was going to have to be on her to save her life.
No one was coming… No one was going to shove her bedroom door open.
Her heart shook.
No one was going to give her back the life she lost…
Tears flooded her eyes as she shut them harshly against the downpour of overwhelming emotions. The realization of feeling gutted.
Empty.
The joy of a dream not meant to be diminished miserably and hid itself somewhere in the darkness that was beginning to flourish. The darkness that had always been lurking in the shadows of her broken heart and soul.
A darkness that matched her soulmate's.
The gun blast was a lot louder this time around.
The gun blast was a lot louder this time around.
"Fuck that was close!" Trevor yelled as he ducked down to reload for the tenth time, "Just who are these fuckers?!"
"Obviously, everyone out here that has a clear hate Kenny Petrovic!" Niko grunted as he slipped down from his perch against the metal barricade. They were in a losing battle, and he knew it. They were trapped just outside the hanger with the plane stalled due to the amount of gunfire, and now needing to be refueled. Voices screamed to him for direction and help. Johnny was running low on ammunition for the light machine gun, so their main weapon was about to be useless.
"Watch it!" Trevor dropped down from his high ground and picked up a loaded rocket launcher and fired at the armored SUV that attempted to get around their line drawn in the sand, "Jesus that is some serious fire power. Kinda like it."
"Romeo Uniform Sierra 1406, diplomatic representatives are under fire. S.O.S. Does anyone read? S.O.S." Ivo clicked over to an open radio channel and prayed someone would hear their call for help. He'd used Kenny's old call sign and threw out their diplomatic immunity card. Kenny did technically have immunity so long as Russia kept re-upping his membership status.
"Come on… Someone has got to be flying overhead to hear me." Ivo sighed and removed the headset. He needed to remove the fueling cable on the outside of the plane and figure out if it was going to be a hasty take off. Maybe just using the taxiway? He wasn't sure if there was enough room to reach proper speed for takeoff. With a worried thought he climbed up over the captain's chair and opened the cockpit door only to freeze in place, lifting his hands in surrender.
"Ivo try connecting to LSIA, Los Santos International Airport tower! If Kenny really is a diplomat, they should be able to help us!" Niko spoke loudly into the earpiece after hearing Ivo's previous attempt at communicating with someone in the air. He ducked some when a couple of bullets ricocheted above him, "We got to find a way to thin out their numbers!"
"Good idea boss. Them or even locals might pick up the distress call!" Johnny fired the last few rounds in his light machine gun and had to dash back into cover. He lifted the strap over his head and dropped the heavy gun onto a metal desk. Surely someone would show up to help. He was getting worried at how long it was taking his backup to get to the airfield. His men should have made quick work of the ambush and been on their way by now.
"Hey pick up that grenade launcher attachment and hook it up to that spare rifle. Give 'em hell Cowboy!" Trevor slammed down another rocket into the launcher and leaned out of coverage to shoot the rocket toward another heavily armored SUV, "Where are they getting this equipment? And more importantly who the hell is attacking us!"
"I told you. Kenny's enemies. But these assholes look more like a rival table member's mafia. Which is going to end with me dragging their Don down their territories roads by their ankles!" Niko rose his voice as he emptied an entire magazine into a group of finely dressed men trying to emerge from a different vehicle.
"I told you. Kenny's enemies. But these assholes look more like a rival table member's mafia. Which is going to end with me dragging their Don down their territories roads by their ankles!"
Packie's head snapped up from its bowed position when he recognized Niko's voice over the radio transmitter in the airport's security office. He had been busted getting into the airport by a drug dog. Which led to them finding the fifty kay in his bag… So he had been held up in a rather nice-looking police station, while the pigs did their best to locate someone who could claim responsibility for him when he got transferred to a local police station.
Which in his situation he had given Gordon's information in hopes that his connection to the mob, and through the mob Niko- He'd be able to get out this little predicament. Even if the thought of having to get Niko's help burned like acid in his throat. The dude had killed Derrek! And he paraded around like it was nothing! Probably fucking his sister and laughing on the inside at how he ruined the entire McReary family. Brought the mob to its knees and at his mercy. God what was going to happen to his sister when she found out?
"Mayday. Mayday. Mayday! RUS 1406 requesting air support. Diplomat R115 is aboard and is being held hostage by a crowd of gunmen refusing to allow the plane safe passage home. Repeat Mayday. Mayday. May-"
A more rough and heavily accented voice came across the radio, and it struck fear in his heart. As much as he wanted to hate Niko for killing his brother, he also didn't want him to die, especially since he figured his sister was glued to his hip… "What the fuck is he doing out here in LS?!" Packie muttered under his breath and looked around at all the officers who seemed to ignore the distress call coming in.
"Hey assholes! You hearin' this or not!" Patrick yelled at the meandering police officers. It was like he was the only one picking up the sounds from the tiny radio box on top of a large monitoring desk.
"I'd keep your mouth shut coke dealer. Still haven't found someone at the number you provided, and since you live in another state we have to figure out if they want you there for prosecution or if we get to deal with you. So if I were you-"
"Diplomat R115 is being held hostage by a crowd of gunmen refusing to allow the plane safe passage home. Repeat-"
"Oh fuck! Men get that relay over to Fort Zancudo now! If that is who is actually on that plane we are dead if anything happens to him!" One of the police officers ran over to another seated officer in front of the monitoring board and started smashing buttons and changing cable plugs, "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"
"And I'd watch the damn name calling as I lead the Irish Mob seated at the same table as that diplomat!" Packie yelled when it looked like the officer was having trouble getting the signal out to whatever Fort Zancudo was.
Movement stopped within the airport police station.
"Wait… You're." The highest-ranking officer lifted up the clipboard with Packie's information on it and did a double take, "You are Gerald's younger brother. And with his passing that makes you head of the Irish Mob." He looked up from rereading the name to stare at someone with immense power. Someone who had sided with Kenny Petrovic. Someone who sat at Kenny's table… He silently placed the board down and walked up to Patrick and started to undo his handcuffs, "What can we do for the Bratva?"
"You can start by making sure he gets help!" Packie rubbed his wrists once free from the tight metal and followed the Sergent over to the monitor board, "You have visual of where the plane is located?"
"No. But we have pinned his location as stranded at Sandy Shores. Which is odd. A private jet would have trouble landing there, unless it was a highly skilled pilot." The seated officer looked up to his superior awaiting instruction.
"I'll get on the emergency line to Fort Zancudo. Keep me updated on what comes over the airways, let them know we are working on it." The Sergent walked over to his office and immediately lifted a red phone receiver off his desk and typed in the phone number to the General's desk.
Packie watched as everyone started to work in unison to get help out to Sandy Shores. He felt so out of place and wasn't sure what all was allowed. He had never worked with actual police officers- Francis not included- just the name of Francis had him narrowing his eyes. He still wholeheartedly believed his own brother ordered Niko to kill Derrick. He took a deep breath and glanced his eyes over all the switches and cables mindlessly…
Till IAA stood out to him. He knew Niko had high connection within the agency, so with a simple flip of a switch and the inserting of a cable, the signal was off to the notoriously mysterious IAA. Without missing a beat he picked up the spare headset and dropped the mic to be able to communicate with the strong accented male on the other end.
"Hey. It's me Packie. I'm trying to get you guys some help. A Fort Zancudo and IAA are alerted to what's going on. Listen… I-"
"Do not worry or hold grudges. It was not entirely his fault. And it is slowly killing him, and it will kill you if you let it. Thanks for the help. Keep this line open. Over and out." A voice Packie didn't recognize but assumed it was someone within Kenny's inner circle of men responded to him. A weirdly calming sensation flooded his body at the way the male pointed out his problem and gave few words of advice. And a thought that hadn't crossed his mind.
'Maybe Niko was forced… It would be the only reason for him to pull the trigger like that…'
"Hey! Put Niko on!"
"Packie?!" Niko nearly dropped his trusty rifle hearing Kate's brother's voice come over the comms in a rather uplifted tone.
"Hey Niko me boy! Hear you're in a bad spot. You watched my back when we met, so I'm returning the favor. Just don't go an start sayin' I ain't ever did you no favors!" Packie's normally joyful and sarcastic voice took over the open radio channel and put Niko to his knees.
"Thanks man. I owe you. I owe you more-"
"I know you killed Derrick. So just stop. Accept my help and keep Kate happy. Or I'll come after the head of the table and destroy everything you hold dear!" Packie's voice dropped and held venom to it. As if his words could cut Niko through the radio waves.
"Understood. I am sorry. I hope you know that…" Niko's voice trailed off as he sat on his knees in the middle of a shitstorm. Bullets zipped past him. People screaming obscenities were easily ignored. Patrick knew what he had done. The one of two people he wished would never find out- found out. And with how open the channel was; Trevor, Johnny, Ivo, Sergei, Aleksei and Anton now had firm confirmation he had killed a McReary brother. An atrocity by table standards. But this was in the past. Just not far enough away to begin healing the wound.
"Mayday. Mayday. Mayday. RUS 1406 requesting air support. Diplomat R115 is aboard and is being held hostage by a crowd of gunmen refusing to allow the plane safe passage home. Repeat Mayday. Mayday. Mayday. The plane is not safe for takeoff."
'I know that voice!' Niko snapped his head to the side to stare in disbelief at the plane's front windows, 'There is no chance.' Niko stood on shaky legs, uncertain in his movements when he turned to fully face Kenny's jet. "T. Johnny. Keep- Oh shit! Aleksei!"
Aleksei stumbled in through the backdoor to the hanger on the shoulder of a smaller frame in full tactical battle gear. They shook as they both stumbled further into the hanger before collapsing to the dusty concrete.
"Sergei! With me!"
The smaller person jerked the helmet off and pulled her pistol, aiming at Niko, "Don't you dare come closer. I am leaving and in good faith I brought you your third in command. That should be penance enough to allow me safe travel out of here." Karen's hair was disheveled, and blood marred the side of her face, running down rather rapidly from a cut along her hairline, mixing with the dried blood from her neck wound. The glint of bullets in the vest glittered when a ray of sunshine caught them. Her left arm was also bent and clung to her waist as if it was broken or out of socket. In other words- she looked like hell.
"Karen put the damn gun down. Now is not the time to pull Bratva order into this. You have been fucking exiled. What the fuck are you doing dragging my man into here like this?!" Niko was livid and oh so confused. Was she the one who was attacking Aleksei in the outcropping of rocks? Or was it the one person he still dreaded to be near again? His brain couldn't land on any one specific thought or action. The person talking over the radio, the ensuing gun fight, Karen, Aleksei and Anton looking worse for wear.
But.
The silence was deafening. The killer had his rifle locking in on the kill shot between Karen's eyebrows. He would deal with the main focus of his anger and pain, then get back to murdering idiots who thought they could take him and his Bratva down. The killer forced himself to be front and center. Niko needed protecting and right now was critical for everyone's safety.
Niko could feel his control slipping. His finger shaking as it rested against the trigger.
Death's hands landed on his shoulders and released the tension there.
'Go on… Pull the trigger. Be done with the threat against you and Kate's love…'
The gun blast was a lot louder this time around.
The gun blast was a lot louder this time around.
Kate fired the gun, struggling to maintain her hold as the blast nearly jerked the gun free from her hand and resting place against the male attacking her. Warmth coated her index finger and thumb, before rolling down the backside of her hand. The noise had zapped her hearing into the high stung bells that rang, twinkled, gonged, and sent vibrations throughout her entire body.
Shocked eyes jolted when she dared to look up into Ziad's eyes. There was disbelief and pain swirling within bark brown eyes. The glint of the knife caught her attention and was slammed back into reality. The knife was still moving!
She fired again.
The descendent sharp object of pain and horrific memories was closing in toward her face.
'No more… I can't take another swipe… Niko Please!'
Scared blueish green eyes frantically searched the room for her protector. The one who would storm into the room proclaiming her as his. The man she trusted with her life to take the shots she could not. Her one and only… Only. This time her one- he wasn't coming. He had left her side and went out avenging or murdering for all she knew. Florian hadn't been specific enough.
She fired again.
And again.
And again.
"KATE!"
The knife sank into the felt springboard floor above her head, the sharp slice exploded along her parted hair and nearly ripped an unflattering whimper to slip past her suddenly dry lips- until the full body weight of the man on top of her slammed down with a force she couldn't support. Air bolted from her lungs and body and for the first time since waking up, the clawing, stabbing, overbeat pain ignited below her navel that she let a blood curdling scream out.
Her voice cracked with sorrow, anger, and agony.
"KATE! Shit, Kate! I got you! I got you!" Georgi came within her blurry eyesight looking shaken and it only forced more tears to well within her eyelashes, "Katie. I'm here. Let me help." He knelt down and gently removed her finger from the trigger guard and caressed the gun loose from her white-knuckle grip, tucking it into the back of his sweatpants, "That's it. Let me help you."
"Georgi!" Kate gasped as it was becoming harder and harder to breathe and calm down. Had she just killed this man?! Had she lost the baby?! Did Niko leave because he found out?! Who all had heard her cry out? Had she inadvertently scarred someone for life? 'Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God… What is happening?! I-I…? It feels so wrong. I feel so wrong and empty…'
Georgi rolled Ziad off of Kate and briefly checked for a pulse, "Sam get out here! Bring a couple of able-bodied guys to rush Ziad to the medical wing- as well as Abram and Anatoly. NOW!" People rushed out of the locker rooms and started to help carry a profusely bleeding Ziad to the main exit to the gym.
"Is she okay?" Abram spoke softly and cradled his injured hand to his chest, not allowing anyone to see the damage. He would wait till he could see an actual doctor or surgeon before letting someone in training with him help.
Anatoly hobbled forward and rested his clean hand on Georgi's shoulder, "Do I need to ensure the medical team gets to her first?" His sharp eyes darted over Kate's face and down to where a prominent pool of blood rolled down the side of Niko's jacket.
"Kate… It's okay. May I check for injuries?" Georgi felt his voice grow dry in his throat at the sheer panic and surging fear that painted her face and shaking body. He knew it the second he met her tear-soaked eyes- she understood that she was no longer pregnant. Or had a very close inkling that she lost the baby. Her skin was paling by the second. He would just need to do what needed to be done and ask for forgiveness after. Or fight her off. His mind was weary of how she would react.
He reached up and tucked his hands over her shoulders and shifted her body down away from the knife, frowning at seeing the small droplet drip down from the insanely sharpened blade. Without missing a beat he gently moved his hand under the jacket to feel her shirt and skin under the massive blood pool. He gave a silent shaky breath at feeling unmarred skin. She was not injured.
Meaning… Ziad was far worse off than expected.
Part of him didn't care. The other side, the one closer to Kate, gave a begrudgingly bitter prayer that Ziad recovers so Kate would be spared her first kill. That way he could hunt him down and kill him once Ziad was officially banished from the Bratva. There was a zero chance Niko would allow Ziad the ability to even explain himself. It would be a bullet through the head… Or heart. Niko did have a dark streak to him. So maybe he would just slip into the medical wing and give him the poison they used on their enemies. No one would stop him.
The doors to the gym swung open and a crowd of nurses and doctors ran in, pulling stretchers and a wheelchair through the cold metal doors. They rushed in their direction and immediately set to work on Ziad, Anatoly, and Abram- but not before bowing their heads in respect to Kate and waiting for Georgi to give them the all clear to do their jobs.
Too many eyes had now seen Kate laid out under Georgi looking injured. But how many more had spied from the locker room doors? Knowing Kate had shot Ziad in defense? And not just as an execution. The rumors would run wild within the compound, and if he didn't act quick, word would spill out into the streets.
Word would spread fast.
Acting Pakhan had attempted an execution while being attacked.
The Irish Princess had claimed her first victim…
Georgi leaned back over Kate and shielded her from the chaos of everyone rendering aid and leaving them completely alone in the gymnasium. He could see the panic rising beyond a level he had be witness to. Faster and faster it rage through her. It would completely consume her if he didn't start helping guide her back to the present. A kernel of darkness resided in her usually breathtaking eyes, and he realized she was making large assumptions and connecting dots that might not need to be connected at this pressing time.
He pulled the gun free to look down at the large gouge on the handle, frowning at the integrity of the pistol could have misfired and they would be in an even more dire situation. He turned it in the light and glanced his eyes over the boxy lettering not understanding what it said. Beautiful boxy words scrawled along the barrel and looked slightly faded with years of use and neglect.
"It means bravery is knowing you are afraid… Georgi…" Kate sucked in air as if she was dying. Maybe she was. Her heart felt like it was physically tearing apart within her ribcage. Pounding blood pulsed throughout her body making everything ache severely. Her hand shook violently as it slipped up under her clothes to cradle her flat abdomen. A sob filled her body begging to be let free, but she would hold out till she was alone. No one needed to see her fall from grace.
"I will give you an update once we are settled. Protect our new leader Geo. She is going to do well upon the proverbial throne." Anatoly ruffled Georgi's hair as he was rolled by on a gurney, before one of the medics scolded him and placed his arm back down at his side.
"The leadership is secure and brilliant. I am here to serve." Abram clutched his wrapped hand to his chest as someone rolled him by in a wheelchair, the metal doors slamming shut dropping the coolness over the two figures huddled on the ground.
"Kate-"
"Georgi. I-I can't breathe! I… I can't stop it from breaking!" Kate lifted her arms up and immediately accepted Georgi's guidance up to a seated position before crumbling into his chest, burying her face into his bare neck. She held on like her life depended on it, and she truly believed that if she let go, a hole would open up on the floor and swallow her up.
"What's breaking, Храбрый (Khrabryy)? Georgi tugged her up into his lap and adjusted her to let her bury herself where she wanted. Whatever made her feel safe and protected, he would provide to her. He had sworn his life to her and Niko. He would be shield, sword, or simply a shoulder to cry on. It was an oath he could easily live by and feel rewarded in every joyous moment and mourn during difficult times. His own heart had stopped when Ziad had lunged for her. And it did stop when the gun fired. All the training in the world went out the window when the gun went off for the second and third times. The fourth and fifth had nearly shut down his entire being. People typically didn't survive being shot more than twice…
"My heart… I- I lost the baby didn't I?" Kate sniffled from her place of warmth and protection. Everything tremored and shook. Her soul was perched precariously on the ledge of sanity and being completely lost. With a few words from his lips and she would either crumble down within his strong arms or hug him tightly in relief. He had the balance and it scared her how much power Georgi now held over her mind.
She felt him rub his hand up and down her back in a soothing motion, his other bunched in her frayed curls. He held her so tenderly as if she was going to break into a million pieces. It was answer enough. Her sob broke free in the most pathetic way. She whimpered and returned his fierce hold and just let her soul nosedive. Her breathing took on an odd cadence making it difficult to catch a breath. Her heart slammed into her ribs painfully.
Was this what the dream feels like? Is this the victory we longed for…?
Buzz.
Georgi felt his phone vibrate once, before it kept going.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz-
Someone was calling him, but he would ignore everything else till he knew Kate was back to a stable place.
"You, You can get that." Kate whispered from her pressed position against his neck.
"It is not important right now."
"Come on Georgi! Now is important! More than ever buddy!" Packie hung up and redialed. Again he was met by the Russian voicemail that he couldn't understand. He pocketed his phone and could only shrug at the other officers. They had lost contact with the private jet's cockpit and were now flying completely blind. A raised voice in the Sergent's office had everyone turning to see what the commotion was all about. The uniformed officer paced back and forth arguing with whoever was on the other line. The red cord bounced and curled with each pass by the phone's body.
"When he paces it's never good. Means he is either getting his ass chewed out or is not getting his way of things. Officer O'Neil." O'Neil held out his hand to Packie as he turned a dial to scan the radio channels.
"Yeah. Cool. Listen is there a way to get ahold of someone within the IAA? I got a contact that should be able to sort all this out." Patrick returned the handshake and pulled out the chair next to him. 'Might as well see what I can do. I just hope Kate isn't in the middle of all this crap…'
"Use that headset there and flip the IAA switch on and off 4 times in a row quickly. It will take you to the switchboard. Hope you know their coded language." O'Neil shrugged and winced when the phone in his boss' office was slammed down into the receiver, "Guess we will get our answer soon."
"Fucking FIB! Always in the way!" The Sergeant marched out of his office and pointed in Packie's direction, "Get me connected to IAA. We will see just how well a 'very special' Agent Haines takes to that!" He scoffed and rolled his eyes as he approached the switch board silently asking for the headset to begin the weird, coded language the IAA used when dialing in.
Packie handed off the headset and stood from the chair offering it to the only guy who seemed as pissed off as he was. Why wasn't help charging out there? Shouldn't the military be rolling in tanks by now? Or the police out wherever surrounding the fight? None of it made sense to him and he plopped back down into the chair he was originally shoved down into.
"Charges all clear from Liberty's Police Commissioner. You are free to go Patrick McReary." The young-looking new officer spoke up from his front desk position and went back to typing on his computer to finish out their report.
"Great. Lotta good that does me. You mind if I stick around till my boss gets to safety? Wouldn't be doin' my job otherwise." Packie crossed his arms and scanned the room, only to land back to the Sergeant.
"Hi Gloria. The meeting is going poorly, and I was wondering if you could supply refreshments to our guests in room 273? Uh. Yeah Blaine County conference room. Yep. The large one with the wide table…
What do you mean you are out of refreshments in our office? That can't be true. My presenter told me to ask you.
Oh no. I called you for help. Asset RUS 1406 and Diplomat R115 are being held hostage out on the Sandy Shores Airport. Get your agents out there or so help me I will march the entirety of LSPD NOOSE down there right this instant!"
The Sergeant paused and everyone could hear elevator music blaring loudly from the headset on his head, "She uh. She put me on hold. Try your people again. Might need a specific location to give the IAA if they are even willing to work with us."
"I can try the head of the table, doubt he will answer, but here goes nothin'…" Packie dialed the familiar number to his once best friend and placed the phone to his ear.
Ring. Ring. Ring… Riiinnnnngggg
A cheerful chirp sounded from his pocket, but he was too frozen in place to even move. He watched as the body slumped down to the concrete floor, "I thought I told you to always watch your back." Niko angrily glared at Karen who had ducked down with Aleksei when Niko fired his rifle.
"Bos-boss. Requesting aid sir…" Aleksei did his best to raise his voice, but everything was hurting. He had taken on the sniper, but was so not prepared to face another ten people. Thankfully Karen had shown up after sniping a few of the guys off. He had completely mixed feelings sitting on the ground in front of his boss and other ranking members of the Bratva.
"Send him in here. I got a med station set up."
Niko and everyone spun around to look at the open hatch to see who had spoken, as it was not Anton or Ivo.
"Darko… What the actual fuck are you doing here?!" Niko aimed his rifle at his ex-comrade and had one pointed his direction in return.
"Apparently I have to do all your cleanup work for you. Is Kate safe and secured? Or do I have to go rescue her too?" Darko smirked at the irate stare he was getting from Niko.
"You leave her out of this!"
"Uh guys! Help! Dick measuring can take place later. But right now we got assholes in armored SUVs approaching!" Trevor gave zero fucks as to what was going on behind him but was getting irritated at how he was the only one shooting at the enemies, "Running out of rockets here!"
"Send me Aleksei and Karen. They both need medical attention. Florian would be great to have right now, but I learned everything I know from him. We can talk once we are out of this situation." Darko gruffly spoke in Serbian to Niko in hopes that focusing on the mission at hand would stave off any ill will or fighting till later.
"Fine. Karen welcome back for the time being. You and Aleksei get into the plane and rest up. You two deserve a break. Sergei watch over them with Ivo's help. We might just have to run the plane out of here and take off on the taxiway and pray we don't get shot to hell. It will be distraction enough for Johnny, T, and your friends to get out of the area." Niko barked out orders and ignored the lifted eyebrow of Darko and returned to Trevor's side to help defend the ensuing attack.
"Darko? How are you even alive?" Karen helped haul Aleksei to his feet and together they hobbled to the stairs.
"Perhaps a story to tell once we take off, yes?" Darko held out his hand to Aleksei to give him the needed support to climb the steps.
The ringing once more filled the hanger and Niko angrily snatched his phone free from his pants pocket, "Yes?"
"Niko, pal! It's Packie. Can you give me a specific location? Working on getting IAA out to you for some help."
"Help would be greatly appreciated right now. I have three injured and we are down to five against a horde of Pavano's and possibly Angels of Death." Niko tucked the phone into his shoulder so he could still shoot people that approached his location, "And best I can give on location is Sandy Shores Airport hangar one. Or the first one from the main gate."
Static buzzed overhead and throughout the open comms and cellphones.
"This is AVA One approaching vector. Please confirm target, over."
"Oh my God it's Bob! Quick someone get me a laser to target the large crowd!" Karen pushed past Darko and tiptoed over Anton, grimacing at the wheezing he was doing, to fling open the back closet door. Immediately she started pulling things free in hopes of finding the laser guided headset to help Bob use his laser guided missiles.
"Trevor, I can't say it was a pleasure meeting you, but I think we have a mutual understanding of one another." Niko waved Sergei and Johnny back to the hangar and ended the call with Packie.
"Not a pleasure?! This was one giant pleasurable thing we just did here. Don't go and deny yourself the thing we got between us. Yeah?" Trevor shot off one last rocket and hopped down from his perch, quickly walking over to Niko to shake his hand.
"I guess you could say we had some fun. Now get your men out of here. We have missiles coming in and I'd like to not lose my newest partner, yes?" Niko smirked at the matching devious one spreading on Trevor's face.
"Keep in touch. Wouldn't mind getting into some more trouble, if you know what I'm saying. Take care or whatever and such." Trevor grew thoughtful for a second before shaking his head and walking over to his truck. It wasn't the day he had planned for, but it turned out better than he could imagine.
"Niko man! Wish we were parting on better conditions, but I think we got the job done. At least we don't have to try and chase down a bunch of diamonds or money. Heh." Johnny shook Niko's hand and saluted him with Kenny's Bratva fist over heart, "Just maybe next time you come to visit, don't bring this big of a fight?"
"Next time I come out here better be for an actual vacation and not this shit. Take care man. Tell Ashley I said hello." Niko used their connected hands to pull Johnny in for a hug and patted his back, "You watch out on Trevor. Something tells me we are not finished with him yet. Snakes wait patiently in the grass before striking." Niko whispered in Johnny's ear and patted his back once more.
"FOUND IT!" Was yelled from the inside of the plane and spurred everyone on to their designated vehicles or plane. Karen did her best to run down the step carrying a large box-looking thing with goggles attached. Her foot caught the last step, and instinctively Niko reached out and caught her elbows to be able to stand upright. What he wasn't prepared for was for her to yell out in straight agony.
"What?"
"My- My arm. I think it is broken. Just let me get to the edge of the hangar and mark the target zone for Bob. I can do this." Karen leaned up away from Niko's body and stumbled over to the edge of the large metal containers.
"I will leave the door down as we taxi out of the hangar. Make it back on the plane. That's an order." Niko called after her and boarded the plane. He needed to lay eyes on Anton and Aleksei to make sure they were okay… And given the correct medical care Darko said he could offer. The level of trust between everyone was about to get extremely strained.
Niko's eyes immediately landed on Anton sprawled out in the middle of the isle with Darko and Ivo on either side picking out tiny slivers of broken shotgun slugs. Aleksei was slouched down in the front row chair breathing heavily as he jerked the straps free for his bullet proof vest. Tiny, smashed bullets twinkled as they rolled loose from their embedded place within the Kevlar.
"Boss I won't be able to fly us out of here…" Aleksei sucked in air as he removed the vest to show several miniscule puncture wounds. The side injury looked to have been caused by a knife, while the others appeared to be from the bullets being caught as best they could in the vest. He swallowed thickly and shut his eyes as blood slowly dripped from his injuries, "Sergei- stich me up. I can co-pilot then."
"Nonsense. I will fly us out. Niko come finish with…?" Darko didn't look up from the tweezers in his hand and agonizingly jerked a large piece out, "What is your name captain?" His dark brown eyes flicked up to the man sitting across from him also wielding tweezers and gauze pads.
"Oh! I'm not-"
"That is my recently promoted officer Ivo. He is now a captain, as well as Sergei," Niko pointed to where Sergei was opening a medical bag knelt in front of Aleksei. "They will follow my word over anything else. So don't get any ideas-!"
"I get you and I have zero trust. But it doesn't take an idiot to recognize Kenny's ring on your finger! Who the fuck do you think saved Kate in the graveyard?!" Darko shoved to his feet and drew his pistol from his own vest and aimed at Niko, "I shot the asshole who was getting too close for comfort. I was planning on making my own rescue of Kenny when I got word and saw her there when I pulled up on my bike!"
Everyone on the plane lifted their weapons and took aim at Darko, disbelief in their eyes at what was being said. Anton lifted his knife and placed it against Darko's thigh in warning.
"You?!" Niko scoffed and did his best to ignore the shock and anger that always rose up when in Darko's presence. They were always going to have this simmering level of contempt toward one another that resembled a nuclear reaction. 'He would be the one to save Kate. Has a knack for it apparently…'
"Yes me! What kind of shitshow are you running to have everyone singled out and attacked?! Florian is lucky I got to him when I did. Wasn't sure how much water he had inhaled when I dove in after him! So spare me the bullshit warnings. For I AM NOT YOUR ENEMY!" Darko slapped the knife away from his leg, stepped over Anton's prone body and got in Niko's face, "What more must I do to get you to see that I am on your side?"
No one dared to move. Their boss was inches away from someone who they didn't know and had some rather large truth bombs dropped at their feet. The similarity between them was baffling. They could be cousins or even half brothers with the way they identically narrowed their eyes and shifted to be in a defensive position. Fingers thumbing knives loose from their hidden positions.
"Pakhan. He saved Karen and I. Karen joined in the fight to give me a chance to catch my breath… But I am beginning to believe he was the third sniper in the area. Picking off those wishing to kill me. Then you. I failed Pakhan in your protection…" Aleksei grabbed Sergei's wrist to stop him from cleaning one of his wounds, "That should be enough to at least wait till we are at a safe altitude to settle the differences yes?"
"Ја ћу ићи лево. (Ja ću ići levo)" Darko whispered the words he had rushed out when lining up a shot to save Niko's life in the tiny rundown shack.
"I will take the left…" Niko sighed and nodded his head, "Want a ride to Liberty?" He smirked halfway as he realized Darko had been around for more close calls than he could count. Just how long has he been watching his back? 'All along it seems…'
"Always the left. And I think you need a pilot to fly you to LC, so yes. I will gladly get us in the sky and pointed back home." Darko patted Niko's shoulder and shook his head as he moved around him to enter the cockpit, "Strap in folks, going to be one hell of a takeoff."
"Give- Give Karen a chance to board." Niko didn't bother to look back at Darko and simply lowered down at Aleksei's side and took his hand, kissing the back of it, "Do not apologize. You gave it your all. I am forever grateful. Rest now. We will be home before you know it."
Aleksei let a single tear fall pretending it was from his injuries and not the absolute relief at being given forgiveness for the presumed failure. It should have been him watching Niko's back. Not some random stranger. A mix of emotions filled his chest, and he closed his eyes to center himself and focus on getting better so he could keep watching his boss' back.
Niko claimed Darko's old spot next to Anton and carefully removed the knife from his second's hand, "You have done your job to the fullest and deserve rest now. Let us help you. Thank you Captain." He repeated the gesture he had given Aleksei, and kissed the back of Anton's hand, "Lova will be so upset if I don't bring you home to him."
Anton let out a surprised bark of laughter before it turned into a coughing fit, "And I think Kate would be highly upset if I didn't bring you home to her."
"AVA One, RUS 1406 is ready for takeoff. ETA?" Darko clicked a couple of buttons and flipped some overhead switches. His sharp eyes scanned the area outside the windows and waved down to Trevor and Johnny to let them know to vacate the immediate area. It was going to be like he said- One difficult and hard takeoff.
"RUS1406 two minutes. Take off now. I will fly under belly."
"Laser lock. Headed for the plane." Karen's voice cut through the comms and Darko watched as she jammed the laser pointer in place and began to hobble in their direction.
"Niko! Close the hatch as soon as she is on the steps. We don't have much of a window!" Darko yelled over his shoulder, and he started to steer the plane out of the hangar and in the direction of the runway. He watched as the red truck and four door sedan floored it down the runway and cut behind a different hangar for cover and give them the best chance of escaping the blast radius.
"On it!" Niko called back and lowered Anton's hand to the carpeted floors, "Give me a minute and I'll be back to help clean you up."
"Bratva above all else. You should have Sergei or Ivo catch Karen. I don't trust her to not yank you off the plane. I also don't exactly trust her when it comes to you. She crossed a line-"
"A line I also crossed when in an unstable headspace. There is much to discuss before we land back in Liberty. Rest." Niko rose from his crouched position and rushed to the open hatch, "Get movin' Darko!" He yelled over the roar of the engines as they powered on.
"Romeo Uniform Sierra 1406, flight plan activated at 1300 Zulu, Liberty City altimeter 30.02." Darko's voice called out over the radio waves, "Clear the skies AVA One."
The plan jolted with forward momentum and began to crawl out of the shade from the hangar. The engines whined and kicked up dust and sand as they slowly emerged into the midday sun forcing Niko to squint to find Karen limping her way toward him. Bullets dinged and ricocheted off the metal of the blockade they had initially set up as well as the wings of the plane as it turned to be facing the longest stretch of dirt covered runway. Still Niko gripped the metal cable and took a step down out of the plane and held his hand out for Karen.
As much as his inner demons scolded him.
He should be leaving her to whatever fate rested in the desert.
But the soft spot that was slowly dying in his heart refused to leave her behind to fight off what was left of his enemies.
Johnny wheeled his bike around and scooped up Karen and charged for the speeding up plane, "I gotcha. Come on! Reach out when we get close!" He yelled over the wind and plane noise as he charged to run along side the plane and the open hatch.
"Take my hand Karen. I'll pull you!-"
An explosion at the back of Jonny's bike caused him to swerve erratically causing Karen's grip to loosen from the metal frame of the first step, "We won't make it!" She shouted at Niko when Johnny recovered and edged closer to the opening steps.
"Yes you will! Trust me!" Niko took the next two steps down and changed his grip on the cable. He would get as close as he could to the bike to give her the best chance at climbing aboard. The wind was picking up as the plane kicked into overdrive, racing down the pavement to reach liftoff speed. Their fingers brushed each other as they both grabbed for one another.
Another explosion rocked the bike and slammed them into the edge of the hatch- Karen bunched her hand into Niko's town dress shirt and yanked him down to her lips, laying one last goodbye kiss to his lips, "It's more than trust. I love you…" She kicked with all her strength to get the bike unhooked from the plane. The motorcycle whined at the speed and sporadic driving.
"I can't keep up! Get in the sky NB!" Johnny yelled at the top of his lungs and jerked the bike further away and then under the rising plane. He would get Karen someplace safe and give Niko the best chance to escape.
"Michelle!" Niko screamed as they moved out of the line of sight.
"Kill box confirmed. Laser lock! Safe travels!"
The roar of a fighter jet rapidly approaching flooded the airfield and forced Niko to roll back inside the plane, hauling the hatch up behind him. He furiously wiped at his mouth and sputtered on the floor not caring that Sergei stepped over him to secure the airlocks. Her words kept bouncing around in his head like a metronome. She loved him. And it did weird things to his soul and mind. Twisted thoughts darkly and dangerously. Flashes of their time in bed corroded in his flesh. She had found his weakness, exposed it, and then left him mortally wounded and grasping at straws.
How was he ever going to look Kate in the eye ever again?
"HOLD ON EVERYONE!" Darko's strong voice echoed down the interior of the plane as the nose titled skyward and launched them up into the sunny, cloudless sky. There was nowhere to hide from the blinding light. Everything was out in the open for all to see. The plane bumped upward with the wind force of the jet skimming under their belly and letting two missile guided rockets loose.
There was no victory here in San Andreas.
None.
And he would return worse off than when he left for this dreadful place.
aaaaaa
Bye, bye for now LS! Back to the good ol' Liberty City! Things just got to the tipping point and are bound to spill over into our beloved characters' lives. So much transpired while Niko and Kate were apart. How will they ever get back to common ground and back to the blissful state of their relationship? Find out next time!
I am truly enjoying all the feedback on this story and my others! It's given me the courage to post my first story to Wattpad. Never used it before, so here goes nothing. Maybe it will reach a new audience or even some of y'all? Either way! I have some exciting and epic chapters left to go before I let this story finish. So don't worry. Everyone will get their fill.
One Love!