Chapter 21

They killed my father. I still couldn't comprehend that fact. I needed to sort things out myself. I searched through the database and realized that working things out with the mob may not have been such a long shot after all. Ivanka and the mob had had some rough dealings in the past and were apparently constantly running interference on each other's transactions. I smiled. The enemy of my enemy is my friend right?. Maybe, just maybe, there was something I could do. The challenge was how to find the mob and how to make them trust me. We could unite over a common enemy, but the fact that I was C.I.A could completely throw everything off. I had to make them believe me. I would try to convince Morrison to make it seem as if I got their man out of C.I.A custody. If the plan succeeded and if they did let me into their inner circles, we could collaborate in destroying Ivanka and possibly the entire Romanov empire.

I lay in bed trying to formulate the best possible plan in my head. Eventually, sleep came to me and I was once more consumed into a world of nightmares. I woke up early for my morning run with Royce, but I remembered that my training had been cancelled till further notice. I couldn't get back to sleep so I got dressed and continued to work on my plan. I left for H.Q with Royce and we met with Morrison again in the same room. I proposed my plan to him and Royce. Both were nodding their heads but Morrison didn't look sold. " It's simple." I said desperately. " I get in with the mafia, tell them that we have a common enemy and offer to work with them. I will give them their man and voila." He smiled at me. He looked like he might actually be considering me. " we could give them tip off's and info on her dealings and I will work on it with them.

He sat up in his chair ans stared at me. " You know what, this might actually work out." I was glad to hear that. " Now, the only problem is how to get you on the mob's radar." I smiled back at him. An idea had already formed in my head. "We might have a shot,but I'm gonna need a whole lot of cocaine." Morrison raised an eyebrow. " How much are we talking?" I chuckled. " Lets just say fifty kilograms minimum." I paused, enjoying the suspense in the room. My plan could actually work out if Morrison got on board.

Later on in the day, I got an email from Morrison. He gave me the green light. Operation Russian Roulette was a go. With the green light being given, everything had fallen into place. I had to do one essential thing though. It was risky, but worth it. I picked up my phone and after several moments of hesitation, I called a guy I knew in the mob. A year before, I helped him escape from some gang members who seemed to believe in the shoot the messenger system. Literally. He promised me that if I ever needed anything, he would come through for me. I asked him to setup a meeting for me with the highest ranking member possible.

Someway somehow, he managed to get me in with the consigliere that very evening. I was ready, but I was scared. I knew I had to go alone. In order for me to gain their trust, I had to show fearlessness and that I could be trusted. They would probably know that I was C.I.A already, but I would mention it just for the sake of transparency. I sat on my bed for half an hour, trying not to have a full blown mental breakdown, but I gave up. I called in and requested for a backup team of six men led by Royce to be within at least fifty kilometres range in case things went south. Unsurprisingly, I changed my mind again. I couldn't have Royce follow me in as my bodyguard or escort. It was too risky.I was yet to fully uncover the details of the run in he had with the mafia and was concerned that he would be recognized. Instead, I got another agent to fill in that position.

All too soon, the time came for the action to commence. I wore a white t-shirt with black jeans and sneakers. No jewelry or accessories. I decided not to leave my phone in the car when we got there. I took a deep breath and gave myself a curt nod in the mirror before I stepped out and began walking towards the back entrance of the club. I tried my best to put on the character of someone who meant business, keeping my head high and slacking my shoulders like I had the whole world in my back pocket. James did a not too shabby job himself walking behind me with the unmarked black duffel bag which remained somehow important in the lives of crooks and men of the underground. The bouncer stepped aside and bowed his head. No questions asked. It made me feel more confident somehow.

The flashing multicolored lights and loud music overwhelmed me as I made my way steadily to the V.I.P section. When we got there, James remained at the entrance with the other goons and bodyguards whilst I made my way into the room. I didn't have to struggle with identifying my man. There was only one person in the room apart from a stripper dancing on a single pole in the middle of the room. The room itself was bathed in red light, casting shadows in perfect hiding spots. I refused to let my act falter. One sign of weakness could ruin the mission and end my life on the whole. I sat down and locked eyes with the man opposite me. " Mr. Black". Despite the loud music, his voice was clear. " You are much younger than I thought." I smirked. " I get that a lot" He nodded his head, smiling all the time. A waitress came in to serve us. Just to be careful, I pursed my lips when bringing the drink to them. Poison is not below the mafia. Nothing is. "Let's get down to business". He smiled. "Is the C. I. A in need of our help or you are?". The temperature in the room seemed to have gone up a few degrees. " I do, under the C. I. A. I recently got myself into an involuntary entanglement with the Russian mafia and I need your help."

" What's in it for us? " I was finally beginning to relax. "I held out a photograph and he took it. He nodded his head. " His immediate release and cleared records as well as the pleasure of seeing Ivanka squirm." He was obviously starting to ease out. I had to capitalize on it. " The C.I.A has reliable intel on Ivanka and the times and locations of her businesses as well as valuable information about her personal life which could prove useful to you, but I have one personal request. Please leave her daughter out of it." He sipped his drink casually. " Sure. We don't touch kids anyways, but seeing so many benefits for us, I must ask what you want Mr. Black?" My needs are few and simple. All I want is to get the Russians off my back." He smiled cheekily. " Can be arranged." I nodded my head. I felt relieved. It was all going to go away. Finally. As I reached the door, I remembered the cocaine. " By the way" I called out. " Something little for the boys." I dropped the bag in front of one of the goons and made my dramatic exit. Things were going well and I just knew that it wouldn't last.

I knew there was something wrong when we reached the car. I shot an arm out to prevent James from going any closer to the car. I ran a wide circle perimeter search of the car and came to a stop at the hood. There were prints on it. Fingerprints from gloved fingers. Somebody had tampered with the car. I dropped onto my knees and turned on the flashlight on my phone. I shone it under the car. I was right. Someone had planted a bomb under my car in the few minutes I was engaged in the club. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I scrambled away from the car and drew my weapon. James did the same and we stood together with our backs pressed against each other.

I was suddenly aware of several shadows moving and I was just starting to realize the few mistakes made by the Russian mafia soldiers, giving away their otherwise flawless hiding spots. I counted just about a dozen of them just waiting to attack. " Call for backup." I whispered in James' ear. He removed a carefully hidden flare gun and shot it into the air. Wrong choice. All around us, the Russian mafia soldiers began to step out of their places, forming a semi-circle and blocking the only exit. James and I dove for cover as the first array of bullets were sprayed across the alley. I dove for the dumpster on the left, whilst James, probably led by adrenaline dived for cover behind the car. I started to call out, but it was too late. The car went up in a large ball of fire, sending thick columns of smoke into the night sky. I swore loudly. I was on my own till backup arrived and that could be just about ten minutes.'""

There were a dozen of them and one of me. I had one gun and no extra magazines of bullets. The odds were heavily stacked against me and it didn't look good one bit. "Выходи сейчас, и мы можем пощадить твою жизнь" I swore again. He said " come out now and we may spare you life." It wasn't guaranteed. He said "may". My heart began to beat harder and faster in my chest. I shouted back " Я не позволю тебе забрать меня живым " There was no way I was going to let them take me alive. I was trying hard to calm myself down and take in deep, slow breaths. He called out again "Сдайся на счет пять, иначе мы заберем твое тело домой." My heart was ready to explode. He was giving me up to the count of five. "один" Four more to go. "два" Three more. "три" Two more "четыре"

" Fine. fine" I stood up with my hands up. I had given up. Someone gave the order in Russian and four of them began to approach me, weapons out. "оружие". One of them barked. I kicked my gun towards them and he bent over, picked it up and shoved it into his waistband. Once they were close enough, grabbed the nearest one into a chokehold and disarmed him. Before any reactions could take place, the sound of machine guns dominated the area and the mafia soldiers scattered. The cavalry had arrived. I let go of the man was holding and an for safety on the other side. In a matter of minutes, three of them were captured and the rest dead. Just when I was starting to relax, I saw one of the soldiers speaking briefly into a walkie talkie. My heart dropped into tm bowels. Royce. I had to save him.