The Bad Ones

V E N T U N O

"I win again." I laugh, unclipping the seltbelt and sauntering out of the car - leaving an angry Luke in the passenger's seat. He could go throw a tantrum somewhere else, I'm done trying to talk to him. If he had his way I'd be at home all the time and not do anything. I wouldn't put myself in a situation that I couldn't control... he had a point about the money. And the Rome job.

But he couldn't use me being pregnant as an excuse for everything. I am who I am - and it's not hurting me. I like driving, and I like fighting, and I like sharpshooting, and I like drinking, and I like danger. Everything that might cause harm the baby - I've already stopped.

"How do you do it?" Oliver pouts with his green eyes looking even greener today. "She's just a better driver, admit it Oli." Linds sticks out her tongue, moving beside me. "Makes you reconsider the driver, right Lulu?" Linds says pointedly and I giggle.
"No, it's okay. I'll just go to the hospital for Cain. You were right Luke, I was being stubborn." I sigh.

"Do mine ears deceive me? Raina actually admitting she was wrong." I shoot a glare at Oliver. "Don't start." I warn and he winks. Oliver Woods was still as gorgeous as ever, a few tired circles under his eyes didn't change that. Kat went back to her dad's, her mom was sick and didn't have long - it's clearly taking a toll on him as well. "Ollie, you and I'll clear everything with the pilot and the airport." Lindsay murmurs, pulling Oliver away as Luke and I watch them leave in silence.

Forsyth looks at me, a sigh escaping his lips as I try to avoid looking at him. "Raina, we have to talk about the Renatonan-"
"Nope, we don't have to - they gave the job to you and Rafe. I'm no longer involved." I speak, interrupting whatever Luke was planning to say. "This was never my idea. Cain and Rafe was commissioned by the Council to do that. It was never me, okay? It's none of my business."
Luke chuckles mirthlessly, "That's cold - even for you."

"I already told you everything I know. They call their leader Guruji and there's probably fourteen recruits from the Organization alone. The people I can remember is Israh Hasan, Xia Kyoto, Ethan York, Blanca James, Jack Madden, William Chase and Lacy Ritters. They all probably have the tattoo as well, you just need to check. I don't know anything else." Luke opens his mouth to speak and I hold a hand in front of my face. The universal sign for stop. Not that Skywalker wants to- he'd needle me about this decision incessantly if I can't convince him I don't want anything to do anything resembling work on the Renatonan.

"My dad's involved, York was involved before I killed him, the Romero family is involved and Jason's probably also involved." I sigh, "I don't want to get caught up in that if I can help it. I have someone to protect now, I can't act selfishly." I grin ruefully. "You and I both know if I get involved there's a chance I might not survive. I can't mess up being a mother before I even become one."
Luke smiles. "I won't bring it up again."

"Everything's ready!" Oliver shouts and Luke slings his arm over my shoulder, kissing my cheek. "I'm proud of you Rain."
Lindsay smiles and waves at us as she boards the plane behind Oliver.

I miss them, Rafe and Sakura and Cameron and Astrid. I miss that world because its been so long since I've heard from them. I sigh as we takeoff for Italy, I've always wanted to be a mom. I'm not gonna screw it up - like I've screwed up everything else.

I dream of living with my baby - girl or boy - it doesn't matter. I'd give up being an assassin and retire somewhere in the country with a sizeable sum of money and move back to Lakeview, England once my baby was old enough to go to school. Then maybe I'd go back to being a dancer...

I scoff as the Luke argues with the pilot in the background. Who was I kidding? That was never going to happen. My dream just had to stay a dream. Bad guys never retire quietly and disappear. There would always be someone wanting my head.
The stupid mistakes I made as vengeful teen was the reason I could never go back into anonymity.

"We're here," Lindsay murmurs, shaking me from my thoughts. I blink with a sheepish smile forming on my lips. "Sorry." I murmur and Oliver laughs. For some reason I miss Rafe even more. And then I scowl - I've never liked Rafe, what's wrong with me.

The gang escort me to the hospital and one of the nurses, Jessa, recognises me as I step out of the elevator on the VIP floor. "Back again Ms Chase?" She laughs and I grin lopsidedly. "As always Jessa. Is there someone in his room?" I ask and she shakes her head. "There were two people earlier but they should be gone by now."

I nod, walking into Cain's room and closing the door. "Afternoon Cain," I murmur, hanging my jacket and purse up. I've made it a habit to unarm myself when I get into Cain's room. He always made me remove my weapons when I got into his apartment.

"You look handsome as always." I murmur - they really don't shirk their duties at this hospital. He's cleanly shaven everytime I see him and his hair is growing out again after being shaved for a brain inspection two months ago. "But I still miss you and your honey gold eyes. I'm sure I'm not the only one." I unstrap my harness - placing the two guns in the cupboard. "It's been a long two days since I last saw you." I pull my knives out next. The one in each braid, the shuriken at the bottom of my boots, the arm length tanto in its sheath on my back. "I finally gave in to Luke and Lindsay - all the money is back in my account. I took the money Nick left me too but I stuck it in a Swiss account. The jellybean is bigger according to Dr Gerber - the size of an actual jellybean now." I take out the two hand grenades from my bra. Finally sitting down.

"I quit my job at Lakeview, I'm going to be responsible from now on - I want to be better for her. Or him." I say with my face resting on my hands, perched atop his bed. "I really miss you asshole. Please wake up soon, everytime I see you I have to remind you." Tears rolls from my eyes and I sniff, wiping them away. "You really have so much to do - please explain to your family that I really am your girlfriend. Because I'm pretty sure Mason and your mother hate me. Speaking of mother, why didn't you ever tell me you got your eyes from her? I love your eyes - if only you could open them." I muse, threading my hand through his silky soft hair.

"What are you doing here?" A voice snarls and I snap around, my eyes growing at the familiar figure.

*
Hi everyone
This is just to inform everyone that I will be changing Kaden's (Cain's brother) name to Mason due to personal reasons (a.k.a my cousin named her baby Kaden and now the name's really weird because I keep picturing my nephew whenever I use the name. I've tried to get over it because I used the name in this book first... But it's not working.)

So yes, Kaden is now Mason.

Thank you for reading my TMI rant.