Read Online Madness (Revenge Series Book 3) by M.S. Brannon - Free Book Online
Authors: M.S. Brannon
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the worst Russia can offer—Chechnya.
.*.*.*.
August 18, 2015 8:17 a.m.
We have been riding the train to Moscow for two days now, but in a few hours, we will finally reach our destination.
We had some time to kill before our train was to depart and Josslyn needed to finish securing items for her act. We went to a luggage store and purchased a wheeled carry-on suitcase and a small matching garment bag. Finally, I got her a briefcase of her own. But, instead of all the trinkets I hold in mine, hers is filled with fake documents and other business-related items.
Her identity is simple. She is a woman traveling to Moscow and Chechnya on business. She will wear her suit and present herself with the sophistication and intelligence of a smart, corporate woman. If anyone were to ask her what she does for a living, she will be a consultant for a world-renowned hotel chain. This is the identity we have been working on for the last two days, and I would say she has it down.
She has become very good at being someone she’s not, and if I didn’t know better, I would swear she’s really Amelia at times. However, when we are in the privacy of our secluded sleeper coach, we break character and go over the plan. Again and again, we recite the crucial details to ensure it will go off smoothly.
Going to Chechnya will be a dangerous mission. I have no problem blending in with my surroundings and adapting myself to dire situations, but this is where my skills as an underground killer will be tested. Josslyn will be my weak link.
The human trade in Chechnya is becoming a booming business, and many criminals are willing to kidnap and sell to the highest bidder. Her American heritage and drop-dead beauty will surely flag her if she is seen by the wrong people. I don’t think this has fully set in yet, but she will see it for herself when we pass the border.
Josslyn steps out of the tiny bathroom, dressed for the day, and sits on the bunk beside me. Her arm grazes mine as the railcar teeters slightly and jostles us to the right.
I turn my eyes to hers, logging them into memory as a sickening feeling hits my gut. So much is and will be happening in the not so distant future, and moments like this will cease to exist once we step off this train.
My nerves are starting to fray. I not only have to keep Josslyn and myself alive, but then I have to manage to convince Cubby to agree to meet with me. Normally, I would be amped up for this kind of assignment, but there is so much more at stake here. If she fails, we fail, and Stravinsky is gone. However, if we are pinned down and there is a choice between her and me, it will be my life I’m saving, not hers. That’s what I keep reminding myself—that she’s a mere pawn in all of this—yet the very notion riddles my conscience with immense guilt.
I clear my throat and look out straight ahead. I need to clear my mind of anything else and totally focus on what we are about to do.
I look over at her again and demand, “Go over the plan again.”
Josslyn pulls her feet up and sits cross-legged on the bunk. “When we exit the train in Moscow, I’m to get off ahead of you with my possessions and head to the street area to get a taxi.” She readjusts on the bunk. “Then I’m to go to the Four Season Hotel located near Red Square and secure a suite under my Amelia Night identification.”
“Good. Then what?”
“I sit in the room and wait for you to contact me.” She pulls her legs off the bunk and stands, looking down at me. “Something has been bothering me since you devised this plan.”
I look at her curiously, knowing she may have some valid points.
“Why aren’t we associating with each once we are in Moscow? You know, as a couple?”
“I’m known very well in these parts, and the thieves are everywhere. It all began here. We have to keep ourselves distant because, as far as they know, I solely handle business. If you’re with me, then the surprise of
.*.*.*.
August 18, 2015 8:17 a.m.
We have been riding the train to Moscow for two days now, but in a few hours, we will finally reach our destination.
We had some time to kill before our train was to depart and Josslyn needed to finish securing items for her act. We went to a luggage store and purchased a wheeled carry-on suitcase and a small matching garment bag. Finally, I got her a briefcase of her own. But, instead of all the trinkets I hold in mine, hers is filled with fake documents and other business-related items.
Her identity is simple. She is a woman traveling to Moscow and Chechnya on business. She will wear her suit and present herself with the sophistication and intelligence of a smart, corporate woman. If anyone were to ask her what she does for a living, she will be a consultant for a world-renowned hotel chain. This is the identity we have been working on for the last two days, and I would say she has it down.
She has become very good at being someone she’s not, and if I didn’t know better, I would swear she’s really Amelia at times. However, when we are in the privacy of our secluded sleeper coach, we break character and go over the plan. Again and again, we recite the crucial details to ensure it will go off smoothly.
Going to Chechnya will be a dangerous mission. I have no problem blending in with my surroundings and adapting myself to dire situations, but this is where my skills as an underground killer will be tested. Josslyn will be my weak link.
The human trade in Chechnya is becoming a booming business, and many criminals are willing to kidnap and sell to the highest bidder. Her American heritage and drop-dead beauty will surely flag her if she is seen by the wrong people. I don’t think this has fully set in yet, but she will see it for herself when we pass the border.
Josslyn steps out of the tiny bathroom, dressed for the day, and sits on the bunk beside me. Her arm grazes mine as the railcar teeters slightly and jostles us to the right.
I turn my eyes to hers, logging them into memory as a sickening feeling hits my gut. So much is and will be happening in the not so distant future, and moments like this will cease to exist once we step off this train.
My nerves are starting to fray. I not only have to keep Josslyn and myself alive, but then I have to manage to convince Cubby to agree to meet with me. Normally, I would be amped up for this kind of assignment, but there is so much more at stake here. If she fails, we fail, and Stravinsky is gone. However, if we are pinned down and there is a choice between her and me, it will be my life I’m saving, not hers. That’s what I keep reminding myself—that she’s a mere pawn in all of this—yet the very notion riddles my conscience with immense guilt.
I clear my throat and look out straight ahead. I need to clear my mind of anything else and totally focus on what we are about to do.
I look over at her again and demand, “Go over the plan again.”
Josslyn pulls her feet up and sits cross-legged on the bunk. “When we exit the train in Moscow, I’m to get off ahead of you with my possessions and head to the street area to get a taxi.” She readjusts on the bunk. “Then I’m to go to the Four Season Hotel located near Red Square and secure a suite under my Amelia Night identification.”
“Good. Then what?”
“I sit in the room and wait for you to contact me.” She pulls her legs off the bunk and stands, looking down at me. “Something has been bothering me since you devised this plan.”
I look at her curiously, knowing she may have some valid points.
“Why aren’t we associating with each once we are in Moscow? You know, as a couple?”
“I’m known very well in these parts, and the thieves are everywhere. It all began here. We have to keep ourselves distant because, as far as they know, I solely handle business. If you’re with me, then the surprise of
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