Chapter 23 The return to America

Emerlda stood on the porch, the warm South African sun washing over her face. The sounds of birdsong and the distant laughter of her workers filled the air. It was everything she'd ever dreamed of – a peaceful life, surrounded by love and nature. Yet, a nagging unease gnawed at her.The nightmares still came, vivid reminders of her past life. The ghosts of violence haunted her dreams, a stark contrast to the idyllic life she now led. She yearned to share this burden with Leo, to confide in him completely, but the fear of rejection held her back.Was this all there was? Emerlda couldn't help but wonder. A part of her, the part honed by years of violence, craved a challenge, a purpose. Could she ever truly reconcile the woman she was with the woman she'd become?As she gazed out at the vast expanse of their land, a flicker of an idea sparked within her. Perhaps, she thought, there was a way to bridge the gap. Maybe she could use her skills, her enhanced abilities, to protect this sanctuary, this haven she'd built. A way to find peace, not by forgetting the past, but by using it for goodLeo leaned in, his lips brushing against Emerlda's forehead. "Breakfast of champions?" he asked, his voice laced with affection.Emerlda forced a smile, the warmth of his touch failing to penetrate the sudden chill that had gripped her. Her phone, usually silent on the table beside her plate, vibrated insistently. With a frown, she glanced at the caller ID, a flicker of something akin to dread crossing her features. The screen flashed with a relentless barrage of missed calls, all from the same number.Picking up the phone, she answered with a clipped, "Yes?"The voice on the other end was distorted, a low rasp that sent shivers down her spine. A single word, laced with menace, hung heavy in the air – "Remember."Emerlda's jaw clenched, knuckles white around the phone. "Hanging up means I want nothing to do with you, bastard!" she spat, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.Leo, alerted by her sudden outburst, turned towards her, concern etched on his face. But before he could ask anything, the phone slipped from Emerlda's grasp, clattering to the floor.She met his gaze, her eyes a storm of conflicting emotions – fear, defiance, and a deep-seated longing for the peaceful life they had built. "I...I need to go away for a while," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "There's something I have to deal with."Leo frowned, an unsettling silence descending upon them. "Who was that?" he asked, his voice firm. "What's going on, Emerlda?"The workers, accustomed to Emerlda's calm demeanor, exchanged startled glances. Their boss, their leader, stood frozen, her phone clutched in a white-knuckled grip. A single word, laced with raw fury, escaped her lips – "Gates."The anger in her voice chilled the air. She slammed the phone down, her eyes blazing. "We're leaving for America," she declared, her voice tight with barely suppressed rage."America?" Leo echoed, bewildered. "But why so sudden? What happened?"Emerlda met his gaze, her usual warmth replaced by a steely resolve. "He has her," she rasped, her voice catching. "My niece."Leo's eyes widened in understanding. They hadn't spoken much of Emerlda's past, but they both knew enough to understand the threat Gates posed. He wrapped his arm around her, a silent show of support, yet a sliver of doubt flickered in his eyes.Gates, holding a little girl with wide, terrified eyes on his lap, chuckled coldly. "Don't make me repeat myself, Master Borstov. You need to be here. Now."Emerlda's fist clenched around the phone, the urge to strangle him a physical ache. She knew Gates, knew his ruthless tactics. Using a child as leverage was a low blow, even for him. But a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just control.A desperate plan started to form in her mind. Could she outmaneuver him? Could she use this trip to America to her advantage, perhaps even find a way to turn the tables on Gates?With a deep breath, she forced her voice to remain steady. "Alright, Gates. We're coming. But don't you dare…" she began, a threat hanging heavy in the air.The line went dead. Emerlda glared at the phone, a storm of emotions swirling within her – fear for her niece, anger at Gates' manipulation, and a flicker of something else, a spark of defiance that promised a dangerous game was about to unfold.As they hurried to pack, the weight of the unknown hung heavy over them. Were they heading into a trap? Or could Emerlda use this desperate journey to America as a chance to reclaim her past, and most importantly, her niece, from the clutches of the enigmatic Gates? Only time would tell.Emerlda stormed through the airport terminal, her strides purposeful, her jaw clenched tight. Leo trailed behind her, his brow furrowed in concern. The events of the past few hours had left him reeling. A niece he never knew existed. Gates, the enigmatic figure from her past, back to ensnare her in some unknown game.Emerlda booked the first flight out to America, a desperate urgency fueling her movements. Anger, hot and fierce, burned within her. How dare Gates dangle her innocent niece like a puppet, forcing her back into the world she'd so desperately tried to escape?The guilt gnawed at her. Their peaceful life in Africa, built with so much love and sacrifice, lay shattered. But the fiercer emotion, the one that propelled her forward, was the fierce protectiveness that surged through her veins. No one, not even Gates, would harm her family."Honey, are you alright?" Leo asked tentatively as they boarded the plane. Marina, sensing the tension, paced restlessly beside Emerlda, her low growls rumbling ominously.Emerlda forced a smile, her voice strained. "I'll be fine, Leo. We'll handle this." But the doubt that flickered in her eyes betrayed her words.Leo reached for her hand, his touch a grounding presence amidst the chaos. "Whatever it is, Emerlda, we'll face it together."She squeezed his hand back, a flicker of warmth battling the storm within her. He deserved better than this, a life free from the shadows of her past. But there was no turning back now. Gates had played his hand, and Emerlda, fueled by a potent mix of anger and fear, was determined to win this deadly game.As the plane roared down the runway, Emerlda stole a glance at Marina, the hulking lioness beside her. An idea, a desperate gamble, sparked in her mind. Could Marina, more than just a pet, be the unexpected ally she needed in the fight to come? The lioness met her gaze with an intelligence that sent a shiver down Emerlda's spine. Whether Marina would be a help or a hindrance remained to be seen, but one thing was certain – their quiet life in Africa was over. Their journey to America was not just about rescuing her niece, but about confronting the ghosts of her past, and perhaps, rediscovering the woman she was meant to be.Leo stared out the window, the fluffy white clouds a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within him. A heavy sigh escaped his lips. "All those years poured down the drain," he muttered, his voice laced with a weary resignation. The life they had built, their peaceful sanctuary, felt like a distant dream.Emerlda sat beside him, her brow furrowed in concentration. She had tried reaching Daniel and his husband, both key figures in her past, but all calls had gone to voicemail. A sense of foreboding, a dark aura she couldn't quite shake, clung to her. Was this just Gates' manipulation, or was something far more sinister at play?Across the Atlantic, in the hallowed halls of the White House, a tense silence hung in the air. Gates, his face an unreadable mask, stood before the assembled members of the President's cabinet. "Five hundred men," he began, his voice low and cold. "Five hundred of our best, sent in to neutralize Viktor Azović, the Butcher of Belgrade. All…brutally murdered."Murmurs of shock rippled through the room. Azović, a notorious arms dealer and human trafficker, had been a thorn in the side of governments worldwide for years. To lose such a large task force in a single operation was a devastating blow."This wasn't just a defeat, gentlemen," Gates continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "This was a message. A brutal display of power from a force we clearly underestimated."One of the cabinet members, a weathered veteran with a sharp gaze, cleared his throat. "With all due respect, Mr. Gates, who exactly are 'we' in this scenario?"Gates' smile was a chilling thing, devoid of humor. "We," he replied, his voice dripping with a hint of something akin to respect, "are those who operate in the shadows. Those who take care of the problems the world doesn't even know exist."He paused, his gaze flickering for a brief moment towards a picture frame on the wall – a picture of a young man with an arm slung around a smiling Daniel. A flicker of something unreadable crossed Gates' face before he continued."And it seems," he concluded, his voice low and dangerous, "we have a new player on the board. And finding out who they are, and why they decided to challenge the status quo, is our top priority."As Emerlda's plane soared towards America, a world away from the White House meeting, she couldn't shake the feeling that her world, once so peaceful, had collided with a far darker reality. And Gates, despite his enigmatic persona, might be the only one who held the key to unraveling the mysteryEmerlda stepped off the plane, her gaze sweeping across the tarmac with practiced efficiency. Leo trailed behind her, his apprehension growing with each passing moment. The sight of heavily armed guards surrounding the presidential limousine did little to ease his nerves."Wait for me here, Leo," Emerlda said, her voice firm. "Marina, watch over Daddy." The lioness rumbled softly, a low growl that sent shivers down the spines of the nearby guards.Emerlda moved with a casual grace that belied her lethal intent. Her eyes, narrowed slightly, scanned the security detail, taking in every detail of their positioning, their weaponry. It was a dance she knew well, a silent assessment that spoke volumes of her experience.A tense silence hung in the air as Emerlda approached the lead agent, a burly man with a stern expression. Before he could utter a word, she held up a hand, a single gold band flashing on her finger. It was a simple gesture, yet the guards visibly flinched."Tell Mr. Gates," she said, her voice laced with a cool indifference, "that Emerlda Borstov has arrived. And unlike some," her gaze flickered towards the limousine, "I know how to handle myself in polite company."The lead agent stared at her for a long moment, his eyes wide with surprise. Then, with a curt nod, he relayed the message through his earpiece. A tense silence descended once more, broken only by the low growl of Marina and the distant hum of the airplane engines.Leo shifted uncomfortably, the weight of Emerlda's past pressing down on him. He knew she and Gates had a history, a dark and violent one. The thought of them face-to-face, particularly inside the White House, filled him with a dread he couldn't shake.Across the tarmac, a figure emerged from the limousine. Gates, his face an unreadable mask, approached Emerlda. There was a spark of something, perhaps grudging respect, in his gaze as he met hers. This wasn't just a reunion, it was the prelude to a dangerous game, a game where Emerlda's skills, both honed and hidden, would be put to the ultimate testEmerlda moved with the silent efficiency of a predator. One by one, the guards crumpled to the floor, their groans muffled by swift strikes to pressure points. No blood was shed, but there was no mistaking the finality in each takedown. With the gateway clear, she signaled Leo, a flicker of worry flashing across his face.The sound of the heavy oak doors bursting open echoed through the room. Guards inside whirled around, fingers tightening on triggers. Emerlda stood at the forefront, a storm brewing in her eyes."What the f**k, Gates?!" she roared, her voice vibrating with fury. "Kidnapping my niece? Have you gone completely insane?!"Before anyone could react, a guard lunged at her, a wild glint in his eyes. Emerlda didn't flinch. Her arm whipped out, a blur of motion. The guard's surprised cry was cut short as he crumpled to the floor, unconscious.The room held its breath. Gates, who had been seated calmly with his hands folded, looked up at Emerlda, a flicker of something akin to surprise crossing his face."I knew you would make it," he began, his voice surprisingly calm. "But time was of the essence."Emerlda's entire body tensed. "Time for what?" she spat, her voice laced with suspicion.Before Gates could answer, a new tremor ran through the room. A low, guttural growl emanated from the doorway behind Emerlda. Leo, his face pale, stepped aside as Marina, the lioness, padded into the room, her amber eyes scanning the scene with a predatory intensity.The guards instinctively aimed their weapons at the massive feline, but an unspoken command hung in the air. Emerlda, despite her rage, hadn't ordered the attack. Yet, her presence, and Marina's imposing figure, shifted the power dynamic in the room irreversibly.Gates, his eyes flitting between the guards, Emerlda, and the lioness, finally spoke again. His voice was laced with a desperate urgency."There's more to this than you understand, Emerlda," he rasped. "Azović…he's back. And this time, he's not just after power. He's after something far more dangerous. Something you might be the only one who can stop."Emerlda stared at him, her mind reeling. Azović, the ruthless arms dealer, was back? And Gates, the enigmatic figure from her past, was claiming he needed her help? The situation had taken a horrifying turn, and Emerlda, caught between fury and a chilling sense of dread, knew this was just the beginning of a much larger, and far more dangerous, game.

Chaos erupted as Leo and Marina entered the room. The presidential party, having scrambled onto tables for safety at the sight of the lioness, erupted in panicked shouts. Leo, bewildered, scanned the scene, his gaze landing on Emerlda. "What the f…" he began, but the words died on his lips.

"Marina, sit," Emerlda commanded, her voice surprisingly calm amidst the pandemonium. The lioness obeyed instantly, settling beside Emerlda with a low rumble. "Where is she?" Emerlda's voice cut through the noise, her gaze fixed on Gates.

Gates, who had been the picture of composure moments before, seemed flustered. He cleared his throat, his eyes darting between Emerlda and Leo. "You…you have some nerve showing up here, Leo, after the crimes you committed."

Leo's face drained of color. "Crimes? What are you talking about?"

Gates smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. "One word from me," he started, his voice dripping with menace, "and those comfortable years in Africa can be a distant memory."

Before Leo could retort, Emerlda stepped forward, her voice laced with icy fury. "One blow from me," she snarled, her features contorting into a mask of rage, "will send you straight to hell if you even think of touching my husband."

A horrified gasp escaped Lily, who had been hiding behind a table. She peeked out, her wide eyes taking in the scene – the snarling lioness, the shouting officials, and the frightening intensity radiating from her aunt. Emerlda hadn't looked anything like the kind, gentle woman in the pictures Lily had seen. But then, spotting her aunt's fierce protectiveness towards Leo, a small smile tugged at Lily's lips.

Emerlda, her anger momentarily forgotten, followed Lily's gaze. There, standing hesitantly on the other side of the room, was a small girl with bright, curious eyes. The girl, Lily, took a tentative step forward, her voice barely a whisper.

"Aunty?" she questioned, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and hope.

Emerlda's gaze softened, the tension momentarily dissipating. In that moment, amidst the chaos and confusion, a connection sparked between the hardened warrior and the innocent child

Lily was adopted by Daniel and Michel after they got married, each day they reminded her of her great Aunty. A huge portrait of her was in her room, Emerlda on a regular basis received pictures from Daniel.

Emerlda scooped Lily into a tight hug, showering her face with kisses. "You are even bigger in person," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "Where is your Papa?"Lily, overwhelmed by the sudden affection, clung to her aunt. "He's…" she began, but before she could finish, a pointed cough from Gates cut her off. A maid materialized at his side, ushering Lily and a bewildered Leo towards a guest room.Emerlda turned her steely gaze on Gates, her hand hovering over Marina's head in a calming gesture. The President extended a hand towards her, a tentative smile on his face."It is an honor to have you here, Ms. Borstov," he began. "I hope you are well…"Emerlda cut him short, her voice a low growl. "Screw your half-assed welcome. Why is my niece here?" she spat, her anger burning through the room like wildfire.Gates, unfazed by her outburst, tapped a tablet screen. A holographic map flickered to life, depicting a remote island in the middle of a vast ocean. "I'm sure you are aware," he began, his voice surprisingly calm, "that there's a deadly situation unfolding. A new virus, some sort of drug-laced contagion. Touch it, inhale it, and you're dead within seconds. Internal bleeding, agonizing. We lost five thousand in a single day in a major city. And that's just the tip of the iceberg."Emerlda stared at the holographic map, her anger momentarily forgotten. "No survivors?" she rasped, her voice tight.Gates shook his head. "We sent in troops, our best. No contact. Not a single one returned."He paused, his gaze locking with hers. "We tracked the source to this island three months ago. This is why your niece was…brought here. We believe she might hold the key."Emerlda's stomach churned as she scrolled through the images on the tablet. The faces, contorted in pain, the bloodstaining clothes – the sheer brutality of the virus took her breath away. Yet, even amidst the horror, a single question echoed in her mind."This doesn't explain why you have my niece here," she demanded, her voice a tight knot of anger and fear.The room held its breath. The tension between Emerlda and Gates crackled like electricity. "After seeing all those dead people, you're still asking about the girl?" Gates finally spat, his facade cracking under the strain."She's my niece," Emerlda shot back, her voice trembling slightly despite her defiance. "And you will tell me why she's involved in this mess."The President, his face etched with worry, cleared his throat. "Ms. Borstov," he began, his voice surprisingly calm, "we understand this is a lot to take in. But we were hoping… with your help, you can save America."Emerlda scoffed. "Save America?" A bitter laugh escaped her lips. She glanced at Marina, the lioness by her side, a silent guardian in this storm. Was this what Gates meant by her skills? Was she supposed to unleash Marina on a bioweapon?"There has to be more to this," Emerlda pressed, her gaze flickering to Gates. "Why Lily? What makes you think she's the key?"Gates remained silent, his jaw clenched tight. Finally, he met her gaze, a flicker of something akin to desperation crossing his face."We…we intercepted a transmission," he began, his voice low. "A coded message mentioning a 'Lily' and a specific genetic sequence. It originated from the island."Emerlda's blood ran cold. A genetic sequence? Lily? A horrifying realization dawned on her. Could it be that Lily wasn't just the key to stopping the virus – could she somehow be connected to its origin? The thought was monstrous, yet a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that their peaceful life in Africa had been shattered by a twist of fate far more sinister than she could have ever imagined.The room fell silent once more, the weight of the situation pressing down on them all. Emerlda, caught between protecting her niece and the terrifying responsibility thrust upon her, knew one thing for certain – their journey to America was no longer just about rescuing Lily. It was about unraveling a deadly secret and confronting a past that refused to stay buried. And in the face of this new reality, the question of who to trust – Gates, the enigmatic figure from her past, or the desperate President – remained a dangerously open one.Emerlda rose from her chair, her movements fluid and threatening. "You thought wrong," she stated, her voice laced with ice. "What happens in America is your problem. I came here for one reason only – to get my family back to Africa."Gates slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing through the room. "Don't you care about all these people dying?!" he roared. "Thousands are dead, Emerlda! Don't you have a shred of humanity left?"Emerlda met his gaze with cold, unyielding eyes. "If they cared about themselves," she spat, "maybe they shouldn't have been so quick to take those damn drugs in the first place."A tense silence descended upon the room. The President watched the exchange, his face pale with worry. This wasn't going as planned."I won't let you leave," Gates gritted out, his voice trembling. "I can have your husband arrested. Your past crimes alone could see you executed. Don't you understand? You're...special, Emerlda. You're the only one who can stop this."The room seemed to shrink as Emerlda focused on Gates. Her anger slowly morphed into a deep sadness that flickered across her face. "Special?" she scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "There's nothing special about me. Just a broken woman, a shell of my former self, pieced back together by a lunatic scientist." She touched her face, a phantom pain rippling through her. "Every scar, every enhanced ability, it's a constant reminder of all I've lost."A flicker of something akin to regret crossed Gates' face. He opened his mouth to speak, but Emerlda cut him off."Maybe I am stronger, faster," she continued, her voice low and dangerous. "But that doesn't make me your attack dog, Gates. I won't be bullied into risking my life, or my family's, for some fabricated crisis."She paused, her gaze locking with his. There was a flicker of something in her eyes – a hint of a possible solution."But…" she stated, her voice barely a whisper, "there might be another way. A way for me to help without putting them in danger."Gates stared at her, a sliver of hope replacing the earlier desperation in his eyes. "Another way?" he questioned, his voice cautious.Emerlda nodded, a steely glint returning to her eyes. "If you want my help," she stated, her voice leaving no room for argument, "you'll do it on my terms." A ghost of a smile played on her lips. "And maybe, just maybe, while we're at it, you can finally tell me the truth about what they did to me all those years ago."The room remained hushed, but a new dynamic had settled in. The fight was far from over, but with Emerlda setting the terms, Gates knew their battle against the deadly virus had just taken a dangerous, yet potentially life-saving, turn

Gates clenching his fists threatened, "I will blow up Africa if thats what it takes for you to listen to me!" Emerlda looking straight in his eyes replied, "You wouldn't dare...how heartless can you to blow such a peaceful place." Looking around the room she asked, "Where is Daniel? Now that l think about it...he hasn't paid his respects."

Gates ran a hand through his hair, his face etched with frustration. "Look, I understand you're angry," he sighed. "But listen – her parents are alive. They went to that island three months ago."Emerlda's anger intensified. "Alive?" she roared, slamming her fist on the table. "And you just casually drop that information now?"Gates flinched at the force of her blow. "They went there…" he stammered, "to try and bargain. Stop the distribution of this…this Maku drug." He stumbled over the name, as if surprised to utter it aloud.Emerlda lunged forward, her eyes blazing. "Maku drug?!" she screamed. "You're telling me you knew about this deadly virus the whole time and you never said a word? You sent my brother as bait, didn't you?"Gates held up his hands in a placating gesture. "No, no, it wasn't like that. We received a signal three days ago, from Doctor…" He stopped himself, realizing his mistake.Emerlda cut him off, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Doctor who, Gates?" Her voice was a low growl. "Who is this doctor and what do they have to do with my family?"Gates hesitated, his gaze flickering to the President. A muscle in his jaw clenched, betraying the internal struggle. Finally, he met Emerlda's gaze."Doctor Anya Petrova," he admitted. "She's the one who developed the Maku virus. And believe it or not, Emerlda, she might be the key to stopping it."Emerlda stared at him, a flicker of something other than rage flickering across her face – perhaps suspicion, or maybe a spark of a desperate hope. "The doctor who created this weapon of mass destruction is the key to stopping it?" she questioned, her voice laced with disbelief.Gates nodded grimly. "She defected. She sent a distress signal from the island a few days ago. We believe she's trying to help. But getting to her… that's where you come in."The room remained tense, but a shift had occurred. Emerlda's rage had been tempered by the news of her family' survival and the possibility of a solution.The President bristled at Emerlda's outburst. "Protecting our citizens is an honor, Ms. Borstov," he retorted, his voice tight with offended dignity. "It's not a matter of convenience."Emerlda's laugh echoed through the room, a chilling sound devoid of humor. When it subsided, her voice was low and dangerous. "Bullshit," she spat. "You play politicians, chess with human lives. You send good men to die cleaning up the messes you make."There was a tense silence, broken only by the rasping breaths of Marina, the lioness, at Emerlda's side. The President stared at Emerlda, his face a mask of conflicting emotions. He saw the raw grief, the desperate anger, and a steely resolve that couldn't be ignored.Emerlda turned her gaze to Gates, her eyes burning with a dangerous intensity. "You, Gates," she said, her voice clipped, "you know the ins and outs of that damned island. You know the dangers better than anyone in this room."A flicker of surprise crossed Gates' face. Was she…?"So, here's the deal," Emerlda continued, her voice hardening. "You will get me and my husband onto that island. You will provide the resources and the intel. And in return, I will use every enhanced ability in my body to bring back my family, and maybe, just maybe, stop this virus from spreading further."The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. This wasn't a request, it was a challenge, a dare. The President cleared his throat, his voice heavy with worry."Ms. Borstov," he began cautiously, "that island is a death trap. Even with your skills, the risks…"Emerlda cut him off with a withering look. "Don't insult my intelligence, Mr. President. I know the risks. But I also know one thing for certain – my family isn't coming home in a body bag."