Read Online V Plague (Book 11): Merciless by Dirk Patton - Free Book Online

Rachel asked, sniffing.
    “No.  He was going to shoot me, too.  The general intervened.  Saved me.  Took me with him when he left.  Back to Moscow where I was sworn in to the army and assigned to the GRU.”
    “Why?”  Rachel asked.
    “He was my uncle.  My real uncle.  My mother’s brother.  He was the one responsible for my having been sent to the school.  My parents were alcoholics.  Bad.  It was his way of making sure I had an opportunity at life.”
    They sat for a long time, holding hands and thinking about the men they’d loved and lost.
    “I’m sorry for asking,” Rachel finally broke the silence.  “But I thought you were… um, well… preferred girls.”
    “I do,” Irina answered, releasing Rachel’s hand and wiping her eyes.  “For several years after Vasilly was killed, I was alone.  Finally, at my uncle’s urging, I began to date.  But it never felt right.  Not like it did with Vasilly.  Every man I spent time with was either intimidated by my position in the GRU, or using me in an attempt to curry favor with my uncle.”
    “So you gave up?”
    “I do not know if that is the right way to say it.  I lost interest.  Then, while on assignment in the UK, I met a British journalist.  A woman.  She awakened feelings in me that I had not had since Vasilly.  Our affair was intense, but brief.  Unfortunately, it came to the attention of the embassy in London because of a stupid social media post with a picture of her and I kissing.  I was recalled to Moscow, and once again, my uncle’s intervention saved me.”
    “Saved you?”  Rachel asked.
    “Homosexuality in Russia is a crime,” Irina said with a sad smile.  “Prison.”
    “Are you serious?”
    “Very,” Irina nodded.  “By this time, my uncle was a very powerful man.  He was able to stop the investigation and have me assigned as a sleeper agent in America.  He saved my life.  Again.”
    Rachel was looking at Irina, shifting her eyes when movement on the sand caught her attention.  A single infected male, a hundred yards away, stumbled towards them.  She raised the suppressed rifle and shot him.
    “Nice shot,” Irina said, standing and pulling her shirt over her head.  “Now, I am going to go for a swim in this wonderful water.  If you want to join me, no need to worry.  I am not attracted to you.”
    She smiled and peeled her clothes off before turning and running into the sea.  Rachel laughed in surprise, a moment later shedding hers and following Irina.
    They splashed and swam for twenty minutes.  Refreshed, they returned to the beach and flopped onto the sand to dry in the sun.  Rachel’s heart still ached, but the sharing of Irina’s pain had reminded her of why John had sacrificed himself.  Part of her healed as she lay there, soaking up the late afternoon rays.
    “Ma’am?”  Rachel started when a male voice spoke from behind her. 
    She sat up quickly, crossing her arms across her bare breasts and pulling her knees close to her body.  Irina reacted in the same way, the two of them looking over their shoulders at the intruder.  It was one of the Rangers who had been on the plane with them.  He had come to a stop several yards away and was studiously looking at the top of a tall palm tree.
    “What’s wrong?”  Rachel asked.
    “There’s some news, ma’am.  And we’re getting ready to leave.”
    “Thank you, Sergeant,” Rachel said.  “We’ll be right there.”
    “Yes ma’am,” he said, unable to resist stealing a glance at the two naked women as he turned and headed back to the runway.
    “How long do you think he was standing there before he said anything?”  Irina asked as they began brushing sand off their bodies and pulling clothes on.
    “Probably long enough to have some good dreams tonight,” Rachel laughed.
    Irina looked up and smiled at her.  Moments later they were ready and headed for the plane.  As they walked up, several of the Rangers had to look away