The Bodyguard

16

For numerous reasons, I'm unable to sleep. A million thoughts are running through my mind. How could I have been so blinded that for once, I never suspected the fact that an insider could've been manipulating things, and sabotaging my attempts to find Volkov. No matter how much thought I gave it, something just wasn't adding up.

"No one knows Volkov's identity. Not what he looks like, what he sounds like. For all I know. . . This mysterious drug dealer might be a woman. "What if all along, I'd been going in circles? What if Volkov wasn't a man, but a woman?" I ask myself, analyzing the possibility. It was very possible. If the Chief was indeed, Volkov's dog, then she could've misled us— misled me.

*****

I can feel breathing on my neck. I'm alert. Stealthy, I grab the gun under my pillow, and in a matter of seconds, my gun is positioned on his throat. I gasp.

"You startled me." I state, as I blink, somewhat uncomfortable. I remove my gun.

He chuckles. "I thought I should offer you some breakfast, since I got some."

"What time is it? Your ordered in?"

"It's almost eleven, and I didn't. A friend sent it to me."

"I see." I respond, getting up. My stomach grumbles. I chuckle, embarrassed.

"It's American food. If you need anything, Ms. Leister, I'll be upstairs."

I lick my lips, an instant surge of greed filling me. "Waffles, eggs, salmon, a burger and. . . Is this Dalgona?" I ask, almost drilling. Nik nods a yes to me, and I exhale, a feeling of contentment engulfing me. I'm about to dig in, when I get a hold of myself. Manners, Andrea. This would be his second time feeding me. The least I could do was show my gratitude. I bend my head, and take a bow. "Thank you."

He looks at me confused. He raises an eyebrow. He does the same, and I can't help but laugh.

"But why are you doing that?"

"Because you did it. Is that something Americans do?" He asks.

"No, no. I just thought to say thank you respectfully. I thought bowing would be common here, but apparently it isn't. Besides, how do you have an American accent but know little about the country? Americans don't bow. We shake hands, or hug."

"Russians don't do that either. Well, if you'll excuse me now." He says, and he leaves. I scoff.

"That was amazing." I say out loud to myself, as throw in the last piece of waffle into my mouth. "It tastes just as amazing." I say, rubbing my stomach. I pause, as I hear a loud horn. I get up, and rush to the window. I peep through the blinds. It's a black Maybach. I gasp, as the car drives in. The car stops, and the gate closes behind the car.

"Does he have a visitor?"

A tall, fair skinned woman comes out of the vehicle. My jaw drops, as I take in her features. She's dressed in a fancy turquoise skirt decorated with a huge pocket in front, and Ostrich feathers around it, along with a light turquoise turtleneck bow tie top. She takes of her black sunglasses, revealing her sharply lined eyes. Her hair is packed in a ponytail, that drops down to her waist. I see Nik approaching her. She has on a stern face, but smiles as soon as he gets closer to her. They begin to talk, but I can't make out what they're conversation is about. Why am I spying on them? I close the blinds, and I head back to the tiny table where the empty plates are. I begin to tidy up the place, when I hear the doorbell ring. I turn around, and sigh, as I take in my appearance.

"Come in." I respond. Nik comes in, alongside the woman.

"Ms. Leister, this is Irina. Irina, Ms. Leister from America." He introduces.

"Hello," I say, extending my hand. "It's nice to meet you. You can call me Andrea." I tell her. She doesn't take my hand, and looks at me coldly. I look at Nik, and drop my hand, embarrassed. I chuckle nervously.

"Are you sure you made the right choice, Andrea?" Irina asks me.

"Right choice? I don't think I understand what you mean."

"Irina will help us with information from time to time, and all things tech. She knows about everything." Right. She must be his girlfriend.

"Ah." I respond. "Well, yes. Catching Volkov is my life's goal right now."

"Volkov? You call him by his last name?"

"Is this an interrogation?" Nik asks her.

"You think I can't catch Volkov?" I ask her.

"Yes. It's been nine years, and no one has been able to catch him." She responds.

"How are you so sure Volkov's a man? You act like you've seen him, or you know him."

"If I knew him, you wouldn't be standing here, especially not alive."

"Ms. Leister, did you enjoy breakfast? It'll be lunchtime soon, please do let me know if you'd like to try something." Nik says, as Irina walks out. Nik follows shortly after, as I look on.

Leonid's POV

"What was that about?" I ask Irina, as soon as we enter my house. She throws her bag on the couch and sits.

"She pushes me off already. Did you hear how proud and boastful she was?"

"And why are you getting so worked up about it?" I ask her, sitting down. Our eyes are fixated on one another.

"She's nothing but trouble. I don't think it's wise to keep her by your sid— "Irina." I state.

She goes mute. She exhales. "Yes."

"You shouldn't try to tell me what to do. It might get me really upset." I warn her.

"I'm only looking out for you. I'm worried about you, Leo."

"Don't call me that when you're here. Don't underestimate that woman. She's a very dangerous one."

"Why are you keeping her beside you then?" Irina asks.

"Because it's fun, and you, of all people should know that I like to play with my prey, before I devour. She'll meet the same fate, as every other person has. In due time."

She nods. Irina was more than my employee. She was family, like Sasha. Irina and Sasha, the only two people in the world, who knew that I was Leonid Volkov. Irina handled the business whenever I was away in America or Italy. She was my most skilled assassin too.

"You killed Babin, didn't you?" She asks.

I nod a yes. "Why?" She asks.

"He knew something, and it was to let Andrea know that I'm aware of her presence. She seems to have gotten the message too."

"Is that the only reason?"

"I don't like that you're asking so many questions, Irina. Report to me what I need to know."

"Well, the deal with the pirates and the Italians remains. They've each deposited a total of fifteen million dollars. The bankers are getting the money cleaned as we speak."

"What about the winery? The factory?" I ask.

"Going smoothly. There's no cause for concern."

"You may leave. I'd like to rest." I begin to walk into my bedroom when I pause.

"Do me a favor and please ask what she'd like to have for lunch and dinner, and have it delivered to her." I say, and walk off.

I enter my bedroom. I think back to Andrea's words. "How are you so sure Volkov's a man? You act like you've seen him, or you know him." What could that possibly mean? Had she begun to suspect me already, or was she beginning to paint a new picture entirely?

"What exactly is going through your mind, Ms. Leister?"