Retaliation (The Assassins Book 1) Read online

  “Why do I get the feeling that’s not all you have planned for me?”

  “That’s all I can tell you, for now.”

  “Ah, shocker more secrets. Why am I not surprised?”

  “Trust me on this. When the time is right, everything else will be revealed to you. After that, you might wish you were still in the dark about a few things.”

  I sit back and cross my arms in defiance. Something tells me that I’m not going to like what I find in Texas.

  40

  Aspen – Present Day

  I don’t know if revealing myself to my men was the best decision, but it’s time to move forward with my plan. It’s time to take out Justice and Jules once and for all.

  I knew it would only be a matter of time before Justice summoned me for questioning concerning Clara’s abrupt departure. I just have to keep him distracted until General Blake, and his men arrive.

  Seeing Clara again brought me some joy after living in hell these last few years. I only wish our reunion had been under better circumstances. I promise to myself to make it up to her when I see her again. The thought of seeing her again is what gives me the courage to do what I must.

  I pause outside of Justice’s office door. I take a deep breath and push all thoughts of Clara from my mind. She’s the only person that can create feelings inside of me. I’m a soldier. I’ve always been. It’s in my blood, and I can’t turn it off. I square my shoulders, and enter the office.

  Justice is sitting at his desk. When he sees me enter, he stops what he’s doing, and pushes back in his chair. He looks smug like he’s finally won. He thinks he can trap me into finally giving in to him. I will kill him first, but then again, that’s the plan.

  “I see you’ve yet to learn to knock, dear sister.”

  He mocks me with the term of endearment. He knows I can’t stand being part of this family even though I was adopted.

  “I see you’re still the same smug asshole you were yesterday, dear brother.”

  He smiles at me. He loves the games we play. I hate them.

  “Let’s cut to the chase. I know you had something to do with Clara’s escape last night.”

  “You can’t prove a thing.”

  “Your right, I can’t. However, it seems one of your soldiers is a traitor. It seems Brina has disappeared as well.”

  I don’t say a word. I won’t give him the satisfaction of me trying to defend myself. I don’t really care what he thinks anyway.

  He gets up from his desk and walks over to where I’m standing. I stare defiantly into his eyes.

  “Why can’t you just love me Aspen. Is it too much to ask? If you had just stayed where you belonged, this would have never happened. Now, I have a very unhappy son. He wants your head you know. He blames you for losing Clara.”

  “Do you really think I would let that monster touch my daughter?”

  “That monster, is your nephew.”

  “Not by blood. He’s no nephew of mine.”

  “Well, that’s a shame you feel that way, dear aunt.”

  I had sensed his presence in the room before speaking, because I had wanted him to hear just how much I hate him.

  Jules comes to stand before me. I notice he’s dragging the maid I had assisting Clara by the hair. I don’t react. If I did, it would mean I care, and caring is a weakness. There’s nothing I can do to save the girl now. Jules pulls harder on her hair, and she lets out a wild scream.

  “For your betrayal aunt, I’m going to kill this girl while you watch. I’m going to torture her until she begs me to kill her.

  When I find Clara, I’m going to do the same to her, and again, you’ll watch. I hope you enjoy the preview of what is to become of your precious daughter.”

  Jules drops the girl in front of me. I watch him walk over to retrieve a knife from the weapons case on the other side of the room.

  I look down into the girls eyes. She knows she’s going to die a painful death at Jules hands. She’s pleading with me to kill her.

  Justice leaves me and returns back to his desk. He’s content to watch this play out. I see that Jules has selected his weapon. I have to make a choice. I take a small breathe, pull out my knife, and plunge it deep into the girls’ heart. Her last words to me are, “Thank you.”

  I don’t have time to think about anything else, as Jules tackles me to the ground.

  “You bitch! Why did you do that? I will kill you for that!”

  Jules is strong, but I’m stronger. My years of training and natural instinct can’t be matched. I manage to flip him quickly onto his back. Now, it is I who has a knife to his throat. I’m prepared to slit his throat, but I hear the cock of a gun, and feel the barrel at the back of my head.

  “You never cease to amaze me Aspen. However, I will shoot you if you don’t get off of him, now!”

  I look down into Jules eyes. I see real fear in them. He knows how close he was to dying just now.

  “Fine. He lives, for now.”

  I release Jules. Justice looks down at him.

  “Leave us son.”

  “But father. She almost killed me. Are you going to let her get away with that?”

  “Leave now Jules! Don’t you ever question me again!”

  Jules is pissed. He punches the wall before leaving us alone.

  “Now Aspen, we must discuss your punishment for that little display.”

  “Do whatever you want with me, I don’t care. You have been threatening me for years. If you were going to kill me, you would have tried to do it by now.”

  “Oh, you’re right about that. You know what I want from you.”

  “That is never going to happen.”

  “If you want your daughter to live it will.”

  I’m about to respond when I feel my watch vibrate. It’s time. General Blake is here. It’s time for me to end Justice once and for all. I smile back at Justice catching him off guard.

  “You’re right Justice. It seems that I can’t fight you forever. I grow tired of this game, and for my daughters sake, you win. I’m all yours.”

  “Don’t toy with me Aspen.”

  “I’m not. You promise to keep Jules away from Clara, and I’ll give myself over to you, right here, right now.”

  He doesn’t waste any time as he intensely covers my lips with his. I have to endure his advances just until my watch vibrates again. Then, I will end him.

  αααα

  Jackson

  My team and I have made it to the outside of the capital building safely and without being detected. Aspen has assured me that the soldiers who are loyal to the President are passed

  out in the basement. She had set off a sleeping gas after calling them all in under the pretense of putting together a man hunt for Clara. There will be a few at their posts, but nothing we can’t handle. My men know the mission. They will seek out the remaining soldiers, and silence them. Donavan will set up the bombs, while I seek out Jules. I nod to my men, and they acknowledge that they’re ready. I hope to see them all alive after this.

  As we disperse, I make my way inside the capital building. I hear voices coming from the office that was identified as the President’s. I watch as a very angry Jules exits the office. I stay in the shadows. I want to take him by surprise. I know I’m a better fighter, but he’s crazy, and he’ll do whatever it takes to win in a fight.

  I follow him through a long corridor. He enters another office in the capital. It’s now or never. As I take a step toward the office, I hear Donavan’s voice come over the microphone.

  “The bombs are set. You have ten minutes, and not a minute more before the last bomb goes off.”

  “Good work. Get everyone out of here, especially Aspen.”

  “You get yourself out of there as well.”

  “Don’t worry about me.”

  “Someone has to.”

  “You’re wasting time Donavan. Get out of here.”

  “Whatever you say boss.”

  I send the s
econd message to Aspen, and walk into the room to face off with Jules.

  αααα

  Aspen

  You would think Justice is a virgin the way he’s pawing at me. He’s been trying to get into my bed for years. I’ve been able to keep him at bay, mostly because he’s scared of me. Now that I’ve given him the go ahead, he’s acting like a school boy.

  I feel my watch vibrate again. General Blake has found Jules and the bombs have been set. Time to do what I came in here to do. I push Justice back a bit.

  “Change your mind?”

  “No, it’s just that you’re taking this way too fast.”

  “Well, what do you expect? I’ve waited years for you!”

  “All the better to slow down, and enjoy it.”

  I smile at him and then turn and walk toward the door.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not leaving. I just don’t want us to be disturbed.”

  I lock the door. The truth is, I don’t want to take any chances of being disturbed while killing Justice.

  “Good idea. There’s just one more thing I need you to do.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Hand over your gun, and the knife in your boot.”

  “You know me well. All right then. To show you that I’m serious, you can have them.”

  I take my pistol out of the holster, and toss it on top of his desk. I reach over and pull out the knife I have hidden in my boot. I turn and throw it, and it sticks in the door. I put it there so I can grab it on my way out. It’s my favorite knife, and I can’t bear to leave it behind.

  I turn back toward Justice. He’s practically salivating now. His lust really disgusts me. As I walk toward him, I seductively start to unzip the top of my uniform. I want him caught off guard. It’s working because his eyes are now focused on my breasts.

  “Do you know how beautiful you are Aspen? I have waited so long for this moment.”

  I’m now right in front of him. He reaches a hand out, and lightly caresses my throat. His fingers start to move downward toward my cleavage. I lean over to whisper in his ear.

  “I’m all yours now Justice.”

  I hear him moan. I watch as he closes his eyes. He feels he has finally won. I smile to myself, and lean in for one last whisper.

  “On second thought, why don’t you let me take you?”

  “Oh yes Aspen. Take me.”

  “Are you sure you want me to take you?”

  “Yes please.”

  I kiss him passionately. It disgusts me, but it causes him to fully let his guard down now. I let the knife slide from my sleeve, right into the palm of my hand. I pull my mouth from his, and before he can open his eyes, I plunge the knife right into his heart. I see the shock in his eyes.

  “Oh, I will most certainly take you Justice. I’m going to take you right to hell where you belong.”

  I feel his body starting to go limp. I drive the knife even further into his heart. Blood is now streaming down his mouth. He’s dead before his body hits the floor.

  I pull the knife from his chest, wipe it off, and place it in my other boot. I grab my gun off the desk, and before I unlock the door to leave, I pull my favorite knife from the door.

  I give one last look at Justice’s body, and walk away from a life I’ve hated living these past years. I’m finally free to see my daughter again.

  41

  Clara – Present Day

  “Clara, wake up. Clara, it’s time to go.”

  It takes me a moment to realize that it’s my father’s voice I hear. For a second, I think I’m back at home, and everything has been a dream. However, when I open my eyes, I realize it wasn’t a dream.

  “What time is it?”

  “It’s seven o’clock in the morning. We need to get going.”

  “We’re leaving now?”

  “Yes we are. I’ve already packed some things for you. Here are some clothes for today, and a gun.”

  “A gun. Are you expecting trouble?”

  “It’s possible. I didn’t want to tell you this last night, but the capital is under attack this morning. If the plan goes accordingly, the capital will no longer be standing soon, and Justice and Jules will be dead.”

  I stop in my tracks. Jackson said he was going after Justice and Jules, but he didn’t say when.

  I already know the answer to this, but I ask the question anyway.

  “Who is in charge of attacking the capital?”

  I see my father hesitate, but he can’t lie to me anymore. He turns to look me in the eyes.

  “Your mother’s in charge of this, but she isn’t the only one. General Blake, and his team is in on this as well. I wanted to wait and tell you this later, just in case.”

  “Just in case what?”

  “In case something goes wrong. I don’t want you to have your heart broken again.”

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “I have a plane waiting for us at an undisclosed location. Your mother, General Blake, and his team are supposed to meet us there to evacuate to Texas. Bombing the capital will send a message to the other rebels throughout other parts of America. It will be a signal to begin the full rebellion.”

  My heart skips a beat. I will be reunited with Jackson today. I don’t care at this point that my father chose to keep it from me. I can’t seem to move fast enough now. I grab the clothes from my father, and without another word, I head toward the bathroom to change.

  My father’s voice stops me, but I don’t turn back to face him.

  “Clara. You have to know that there is a chance that not everyone will make it onto that plane today.”

  I know what he’s trying to say to me.

  “I understand. But I know Jackson, and I know he will be there.”

  αααα

  Jackson

  “I know you’re out there. Might as well come in here and show your face. I knew Aspen was up to something, but my father is blinded by her charms.”

  I pull my gun, and turn the corner into his office. As I enter, I hear him cock his gun. Now, we’re facing one another, and our guns are pointed at one other. I really don’t feel like being shot again so soon.

  When he sees me, I see him falter a second. “Jonathan?”

  He shakes his head as if to clear it.

  “I had you killed. I must be dreaming.”

  “This is no dream asshole. Yes, you did order for my brother Jonathan to be killed. What’s the matter, didn’t remember that he had a twin brother?”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’ll kill you, just as I killed him.”

  “Ah, but it wasn’t you who actually killed him was it? No, you were too much of a coward to do it yourself. You sent your goons to do it for you. Well, look where they are today. Six feet in the ground. And, in a few seconds, that’s where you’ll be too.”

  “Hmmm, the way I see it, we’ll both be there. You see, you may take a shot, but I can guarantee you, that I will get a shot off before I die. Are you prepared to take that chance?”

  “Oh, I’m very prepared to take that chance.”

  I feel my watch vibrate. I know I only have less than a minute before the bombs start going off.

  Jules and I are staring one another down, not sure who will pull the trigger first.

  I smile at him, and it unnerves him a bit.

  I can’t resist goading him. “Well, shall we get this over with? I need to get back to Clara.”

  It’s working. I can see that the mention of Clara’s name pisses him off.

  My watch is vibrating nonstop now. Time’s up. I pull the trigger as the sound of the first explosion goes off. The building starts to shake. I see Jules fall to the ground, blood seeping from his side.

  The last image I see in my mind before another explosion rips through the building, is Clara’s beautiful face.

  42

  Clara – Present Day

  “Clara, will you please stop pacing.”

  My father has been way too calm as we wait for
the rest of our group to arrive.

  “I can’t help it. They should have been here by now.”

  “They’ll be here. Now, stop pacing and board the plane.”

  “I won’t board that plane until I see Jackson.”

  “Fine, have it your way. I’m going to go see if Brina needs anything.”

  “Yeah, you do that.”

  I don’t mean to sound snappy, but I’m on edge. I won’t relax until I see Jackson’s face and make sure he’s all right.

  When we had arrived at the abandoned airstrip where we are to take off, I learned that Brina was also going to be our co-pilot. The pilot was in the cockpit getting us ready for takeoff. From what my father told me, the pilot had flown from Texas and hid the plane here to await our arrival.

  My father assured me that with the capital under attack, we would be able to safely take off before anyone realized we were in the air. The only air traffic allowed in the air is that of the leaders from each section of America. It turns out, that the plane bears the mark of the President of South America. It also turns out, that they’re on our side. I have a lot to learn once I reach Texas. The world I grew up knowing, is not the real world. It’s a world created by greedy men. I’m both excited, and terrified to finally learn the truth.

  “Excuse me, Ms. Mitchell?”

  I turn to face the unfamiliar voice. I find a woman about the same age as me. This can’t be our pilot.

  “Hi, so sorry to startle you. Your father thought I should come out here and introduce myself. I’m the pilot for today’s evacuation. The names Meredith Wilson.”

  I watch her stick her hand out for me to take. I guess I was wrong, as she is our pilot. She has such a friendly face. I could use friendly right now.

  “Nice to meet you Meredith. Please call me Clara. Ms. Mitchell is too formal.”

  “You can call me Mer. Don’t worry, you’re in good hands today. I know I’m young for a pilot, but I’ve been flying for a couple of years now. Turns out, I’m a natural at it.”