The Bodyguard

13

"I'm surprised more men weren't sent after me. What if Leonid knows that I'm on this plane? What if he knows I'm on way to Russia— if he really is there."

"You wouldn't be on this plane if he did. If Volkov really wanted you dead, then I don't think you'd still be here. Maybe he's got a bomb on the plane." He responds, continuing with his paper.

"Is that a possibility?" I ask, panicked. I begin to look around, scanning the plane.

"I was joking. It was a joke, Ms. Leister. Leonid would never do that, as far as I know. There are children aboard."

I sigh, relieved. "You scared me." I respond, as I hit his arm. "Wake me up when we land Russia, will you?" I ask.

"Of course. Get some rest. We have a lot of work to do." He responds, and I nod at him. I wear my eye fold, and I begin to let myself fall into nothingness.

12 hours later. . .

"Ty seychas na moyey territorii. Welcome to Russia." Nik says, as we exit the airport.

Transl: "You're in my territory now."

"So? Where do we go from here? What do we do?" I ask him, curious. I had followed a total stranger to a strange country, I had to keep my eyes on him every single moment.

"We should get something to eat first."

"Then?"

"Get accommodation."

"Then?" I ask, waiting to hear his answer.

"We get armed, and then, we head to the black market."

I scrunch an eyebrow in confusion, "Black market?"

"Da."

"English, please."

"Yes, Ms. Leister. The black market." He responds. He picks up my duffel bag from the floor. I watch him. He continues, "To beat one's enemy, you must hold hands with his enemy."

"My enemy's enemy, is my friend." I respond, understanding where he was going. "But it's still the same thing. We're using one criminal to catch another one. They should all go down."

He nods, "I agree. Alexeyev Babin. Your target should be Volkov. Babin operates here in Russia. He has no ties with your country, so technically, you have no right over him. You can use him as much as you'd like to."

"So, who exactly is this man?"

"He's the head of the rival cartel. The Babin cartel. Both families have been feuding for God knows how long. The cause of the feud remains unknown."

"So how sure are you, no, are you certain, that this man, Babin, will help us?"

"I'm not. We just have to try. Let's hope he's not big on loyalty."

"We can get to see him tonight, right?"

"Most likely. We might have to put up a fight to be led to him. Usually, Babin's attention is drawn wherever there's a ruckus. It's known that he loves peace and quiet. If we cause a scene, he'll definitely show up."

I nod, ready to get whatever had to be done, done. "Let's do it." I respond.

*****

"Enjoying it?" Nik asks, as he drops his fork.

"What's it called again?" I ask, taking my last bite. The food was good.

"Beef stroganoff." He responds, and I am tempted to ask if I can get another plate, or a takeaway. Shit. It was embarrassing. How could I come to an entirely different country without a single penny? I scratch my head, as I feel my face go red. I could die of shame.

"Hey." I compose myself, as Nik taps my arm.

"It was good." I respond. What do I do? Do I ask him to pay? Do I ask him to borrow me some cash?

"Seems like you're lost in your thoughts. Are you okay? Are you sure we can go see Babin tonight?" He takes out his phone, as it buzzes. "We could go tomorrow, if you're jet lagged." He says, concentrating on his phone.

I nod a no, "No, no, it's fine. I'm okay, we must meet him tonight at all costs." I tell him.

He drops his phone. He nods at me, and brings out his wallet. I look away, embarrassed, as I see a stack of bills in his pocket.

"Could you. . .um, please, lend me some cash?" I ask, avoiding eye contact. "I don't have any money on me, and I have to pay for the food, and accommodation."

He chuckles. I look at him, feeling like disappearing into thin air.

"I was already going to pay the bill, Ms. Leister." He says, and I look down at the table, a bit surprised.

"Oh, I didn't know." I look up again, "Thank you." I tell him, and he gives a small smile. He gets up, dropping a few Russian notes on the table. I get up too.

"As for your accommodation, I have a duplex that's divided into two. I stay upstairs, so you can have the ground floor, if you'd like." He says, ushering me out.

"Ah, really? I don't know what to say, thank you." I say, as I tuck my hair behind my ear.

He nods. "Now, we go to the black market. If we're going to approach Babin, we must be heavily armed, and prepared."

"I've never been more ready. If joining hands with Babin will ensure I get Volkov, then I'm even willing to shake hands with the devil."

"What?"

"I'll do anything to get to Volkov." I respond. "I want him. I need to catch him!"

"Don't you think that's too far? How can you dine with the devil just to get one man? That's odd. Is there more to your story?"

"No." I lie. "Why would there be more to the story? You know what he's done to me. My life's in shambles all because of him."

"I know, but don't you think that's too less of a reason for you to want him so bad? Or, are you just overly devoted to your ex job? Is it ambition?"

"Shall we begin the hunt?" I ask him. I couldn't share too much information with him. I couldn't trust him completely just yet.