Black Pawn (Michael Cailen Book 1) Read online

  “Oh my God! It is you!” a masculine voice shouted right next to them.

  They all turned to see a young guy standing there with a look of shocked surprise on his face. Attractive and muscular, he was average height with blonde hair and blue eyes and was wearing a pair of fashionably worn blue jeans and an un-tucked light blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled halfway up his forearm. The last few buttons were left undone and a masculine leather necklace showed through.

  “Oh my God, Justin!” Michael exclaimed as he reached out to shake the guy's hand over the rope that separated the line from the sidewalk.

  Justin grabbed Michael's hand and pulled him into a guy hug. They slapped each other's shoulder, then stepped apart.

  “God, how long has it been?” said Justin.

  “It's been a while. What are you doing here?” Michael asked.

  He laughed. “I was just trying to get in the club. I guess there's too many single guys, they turned me away.”

  “Come in with us,” Michael suggested. He turned to the girls. “This is Brook, and you remember my sister Melanie?” he said, pointing to Jessica.

  “Of course,” Justin replied. “This is so exciting!” He had a huge smile on his face as he crawled under the rope and joined them. He introduced himself to Brook then gave Jessica a hug and told her it was good to see her again.

  Jessica had never seen this guy before in her life. She had no idea what was going on, but she played along. Michael didn't seem concerned at all. He was all smiles and seemed genuinely excited to see this guy, Justin. At least his presence seemed to put an end to Brook molesting Michael. They reached the front of the line and were waved right in.

  The club was jam packed. The dance floor was sunk in the middle of the club. Black tables and chairs wrapped around the outer edge surrounding the dance floor. Chrome bar stools surrounded a shiny black bar off to the left. It had a very modern look. Strategically placed lighting along the walls and hanging from the ceiling illuminated the club just enough so that it wasn't too dark or too bright. Dance music poured out of everywhere.

  “Why don't you girls get us a table. Justin and I will grab the drinks,” Michael suggested.

  “Okay babe,” Brook replied as she planted a wet kiss on Michael's lips and told him she wanted a Long Island Iced Tea. Brook walked ahead while Jessica gave Michael a look reinforcing what he already knew. She wasn't happy.

  “Margarita,” she demanded and then walked away following Brook.

  “So what should I call you?” Justin asked after the girls left.

  “Jake,” he said as they walked to the bar.

  “What's going on?”

  “I'm in some serious trouble. I saw something I wasn't supposed to and now I got someone from the CIA hunting me like a dog.”

  “Damn. That's a tight spot.” Justin shook his head.

  “Yeah, well I thought so myself before tonight.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Brook is a lead I'm working to try and get to her brother. Melanie ... Melanie you could say is like my girlfriend. Her real name is Jessica.”

  “Wow, Michael. You really know how to get yourself in trouble don't you? I was gonna ask you about her. I knew she wasn't your sister. Why did you take her on your date?”

  “I had no choice. They're after her, too, and I don't feel safe leaving her anywhere.”

  Michael ordered the girls' drinks and got himself a beer. Justin also ordered a beer.

  “What can I do to help?” Justin asked.

  “You live far? I might have you take Jessica home.”

  “Anything you need, man.”

  “How long you been in Boston? Last I heard you were in Seattle.”

  “I moved a year ago. My sister went through a bad divorce. The guy was threatening her, and she didn't feel safe. I just got my own place about a month ago.”

  “I can't believe you're here,” Michael smiled.

  Their drinks materialized on the bar and they walked them to the girls who had found a table in the back. Jessica had been gritting her teeth listening to how adorable her brother was and being peppered with questions about his previous girlfriends. She simply replied that it wasn't her place to discuss that with her. The guys showed with the drinks just in time. Jessica snatched hers and downed half of it in twenty seconds. Michael became concerned. He had told her she could get drunk, but he didn't think she would do it in the first ten minutes. Justin gave Michael a look as Jessica guzzled her drink. He was as worried as Michael that she wouldn't be able to cope.

  “I want to dance!” Brook stood up and grabbed Michael's hand, dragging him out to the dance floor. Apparently it didn't matter what he wanted.

  Justin sat with Jessica as she downed the rest of her margarita. “You should probably slow down,” he suggested.

  “You feel like getting me another one?” she asked.

  “How about we hold off for a few minutes.” He took a sip of his beer.

  Jessica looked out at the dance floor. It was a mistake. She saw Michael and Brook dancing. Her arms were around his neck and she was rubbing her body against him. He had his hands on her hips and was moving with her rhythm. The image was burned into her brain. She looked away, but it was still there. She closed her eyes and put her head down.

  Justin could tell she was on the edge. He got the attention of a passing waitress and ordered another margarita for her. “Michael told me what's going on,” he said after a few more minutes of silence. He thought if she had someone to talk to maybe she wouldn't feel so alone.

  She looked up at him. “Told you what exactly?”

  “That Brook is a lead he's working and you're really his girlfriend.”

  “Who are you?”

  “A friend of Michael's,” he replied as the waitress placed Jessica's drink on the table.

  She held it, but didn't drink it. She was confused and wanted Michael to tell her what was going on. She looked back at the dance floor and saw Michael and Brook still dancing. She drank a third of her margarita.

  “You look like you're having a rough time,” Justin said.

  She gave him a mock smile. She wanted to numb her feelings with alcohol. She almost finished her second drink. Justin regretted getting it for her. He didn't know what to say to her and she wasn't being very talkative.

  Michael saw her get the second drink. He had been keeping an eye on her and watched her condition deteriorating. He had to get her out of there.

  “I have to talk to my sister. I'll be right back,” Michael said to Brook as he broke off dancing.

  She frowned. “I'll go freshen up.” She headed off towards the bathroom.

  Jessica had finished her second drink by the time Michael got to the table and had started drinking his beer.

  “I'm going to have Josh take you home,” he said to her.

  “Who the hell is Josh?” she asked, the alcohol already affecting her.

  “Justin's real name is Josh,” he explained. “We worked black ops together, his cover name was Justin.”

  “So that's why he played along,” she slurred, realizing that when Michael called him Justin he was letting him know not to blow his cover.

  “You'll be safe with him. He's going to take you to his place. I'll pick you up later.”

  “You're sanding me off wish some stranger?” she slurred, obviously not used to drinking that much that quickly. She was toasted.

  “He's not a stranger. He's like a brother to me. I trust him with my life. You'll be safe.” He turned to Josh. “Get her out of here.”

  “You got it.”

  Michael committed Josh's phone number and address to memory. Josh grabbed Jessica's arm and tried to help her up.

  “I don't want to go with him,” she said loudly.

  Michael could see the situation spinning out of control. He grabbed Jessica and started walking her to the door with her while Josh followed behind. When he was halfway to the door, he passed her off to Josh who conti
nued with her outside. She eventually realized it was Josh with her and not Michael and tried to go back inside. He held her firmly, forcing her towards his car. She began crying saying she wanted Michael. He quickly put her in his car and buckled her in. He took off before she could figure out how to unbuckle herself and get out.

  Michael watched Josh escort Jessica out of the club. He breathed a heavy sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. He was quickly joined by Brook who had returned from the ladies room. He didn't want to be there. He wanted to be with Jessica. He was worried about her. But he had a job to do. He smiled and asked if she wanted to dance.

  Chapter 21

  Jessica wept inconsolably as Josh drove her to his apartment. He was desperately trying to think of something to say to calm her down.

  “He cares about you,” he finally said.

  “Then why are you here and not him.”

  “Michael always made the tough decisions. He did what had to be done no matter how much he didn't want to do it. I know Michael very well. I could tell he didn't want to leave you. He must believe this is the only way,” he assured her.

  She stopped crying and just watched out the window as they drove. Her head was spinning and she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, the car was parked, her door was open and Josh was trying to get her out. She leaned out of the car and Josh picked her up. He helped her out to the sidewalk and shut the door. She could barely stand. He helped her up a few stairs to the front door of his apartment complex. Luckily, his apartment was on the first floor and his door was just a few steps from the entrance.

  The front door of Josh's apartment brought you into the living room. There was a large flatscreen TV against the wall to the left. A black leather couch sat in the center of the room facing the TV. A matching loveseat was placed perpendicular to the couch facing the front door. A few steps to the left of the TV was an archway leading to the kitchen and dining area. The kitchen was small compared to the spacious living room. A few feet behind the couch was a hallway that lead to the bathroom and two bedrooms. It was decorated in contemporary style and it was apparent Josh liked blue because whatever wasn't black was blue. He sat Jessica down on the couch just as his cell phone rang.

  “Hello ... Yeah, we're here ... She's fine. A little inebriated ... Don't worry, I'll take care of her ... Okay, see you later then.” He hung up. “That was Michael. He says he'll be by in a couple of hours to get you.” He looked at Jessica. She was slumped over on the couch and he couldn't tell if she was even still awake. “Jessica?” He walked over to her. “Do you want to lie down?”

  She moaned, but that was about it. He slid his arms under her and carried her to the guest room. He laid her on the bed and covered her with a blanket. She moaned again, but was pretty out of it.

  He stopped at a closet in the hallway on the way back to the living room and pulled out a handgun and magazine. He loaded the gun and cocked it. He didn't think he would need it, but he didn't want to get caught without it if he did.

  He sat on the couch, placing the gun on the coffee table and turned on the TV. It wasn't how he had planned on spending his night, but for Michael he would do anything. Michael had saved his life more than once. On top of him being a good friend, he felt indebted to him.

  BACK AT the club Michael had about all he could take of Brook. It didn't help that he was worried about Jessica. His patience was wearing thin and he figured he'd better end the date before he lost it. She was bossy and demanding. She flirted with other guys right in front of him, yet demanded his full attention. He tried to steer the conversation towards family using Melanie as an opening. She was vague and didn't seem to want to talk about her family. He asked if she was close with her brother and she just replied “Not really,” and changed the subject. Feeling like he was wasting his time with her, he entertained the thought of skipping ahead and just drugging her to see what she knew. No, not yet, he decided.

  “I hate to do this, but I have to bring my sister home.” He tried to look disappointed.

  “Oh,” she pouted. She moved in close and pressed her body against his, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I was kinda hoping you would come to my place after.”

  “Mmmm.” He kissed her. “Maybe next time we'll leave my sister home.”

  “Why can't your friend take her home?” She pressed her hips into him in a not-so-subtle way.

  I'd rather die, Michael thought to himself. “I'd never hear the end of it if I did that.” He smiled and kissed her again. “Next time.” He could tell Brook was unhappy, but there was no way he was going to go home with her, at least not that night. He couldn't stop thinking about Jessica and all he wanted to do was to get back to her.

  JOSH GOT up a few times to check on Jessica, who was sound asleep in the guest room. He had just sat back down on the couch when he heard a knock at the door. Grabbing his gun, he looked out the peep hole. It was Michael. He opened the door and invited him in. Michael saw the gun in his hand and was relieved that Josh was taking the situation seriously.

  “How is she?” Michael asked.

  “Sleeping. She threw up once.”

  Michael sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Why don't you hang for a while,” Josh offered. “You want a beer?”

  “Yeah, okay.” He sat on the couch while Josh retrieved a couple of beers from the fridge.

  Josh handed him one and then sat on the loveseat with the other one. “I tried to find you a couple years ago, but you were off grid. I figured you were on a mission. How long you been running?”

  “Almost four years.”

  “So, what happened?”

  Michael gave Josh a rundown of all the events that lead up to the club. China, the assassination attempts, everything up to running into him outside Celsius. He left out some of the details about Jessica. He didn't tell Josh about the near drowning. He just alluded to some romantic interactions but didn't go into specifics. He didn't have to. Josh could tell from Jessica's reactions that there was something between them.

  “She's uhhh ... pretty emotional,” Josh remarked.

  “Tell me about it,” he chuckled. “You haven't even seen the worst of it.”

  “What's her story?”

  Michael got somber. “She's been through hell and back.” He looked down.

  “You always were a sucker for a damsel in distress.”

  Michael shook his head. “It's more than that.”

  “You've only known her a week, Michael. What else could it be?”

  Michael grew defensive at Josh's insinuation. “I've learned more about her in the past week than I've learned about most of my ex's,” he said defiantly. “She's smart, funny, well-liked and a good friend. She's a survivor. She's innocent and shy ... loving ... emotional...”

  Josh just sat grinning at him. Michael realized then that Josh was trying to spark a reaction from him with his question and he had fallen for it hook, line and sinker. He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “You baited me, didn't you?”

  “Yeah, it was pretty easy,” Josh laughed. “You're in trouble, bro. You're not going to be thinking straight when it comes to her.”

  Michael didn't say anything. He knew Josh was right. He should have gone home with Brook and used the opportunity to snoop around her place. That's what he would have done if Jessica wasn't in the picture.

  “Why don't you stay here tonight,” Josh suggested. “You can stay with Jessica in the guest room. It's late, and you've been drinking.”

  Michael nodded.

  Chapter 22

  Rick held a folder in his hands and anxiously paced the hall in front of Morgan's office. His face lit up when Morgan appeared at the end of the hall.

  “I think I've found something!” he exclaimed.

  “Wait until we get in my office,” Morgan replied as he dug the key to his door out of his pocket.

  Rick practically bounced up and down behind Morgan as he unlocked the door. Morgan plopped his briefca
se on the floor by his desk and sat down. “What do you have?”

  Rick pulled some photos from the folder and laid them out in front of Morgan.

  “Okay, what am I looking at?” Morgan asked.

  “Those are satellite photos.”

  Morgan gave Rick a look of sheer disgust. “I know they're satellite photos; I'm not retarded.”

  “Sorry, these are satellite photos of the cafe and Jessica Nickoli's apartment block. I pulled footage from the time of the shooting at the cafe, the time our agents were arrested and during the time Evan said someone slipped into her apartment.” Rick grinned from ear to ear. “You notice anything?”

  “This vehicle.” Morgan remarked as he scanned the photos. “Could just be coincidence.”

  Rick pulled a final satellite image from the folder and stuck it down in front of Morgan.

  A smile crept across Morgan's face. “I want a team on it now.”

  “I'm already on it, sir.” Beaming with pride, Rick looked like it was his wedding day or something.

  “You did good, Rick.” Morgan smiled. “This time, make it happen.”

  “I won't let you down sir.”

  Rick left with a bounce in his step and a huge grin on his face. Morgan leaned back in his chair and sneered at the photo on his desk. “I got you, now,” he muttered.

  Chapter 23

  Jessica woke to an intense throbbing pain in her head. It took a few minutes before she remembered where she was. She had only vague recollections of the night before. She rolled over and saw Michael sleeping next to her. At least he looked like he was sleeping. She wondered if he was pretending. The aroma of fresh coffee stirred her to get out of bed. She stumbled to the door and wandered toward the smell.

  Josh was sitting at the kitchen table sipping a coffee and reading the paper. He looked up at Jessica in the doorway and smiled. “How are you feeling? You want some coffee?”