DELTA - BAD BLOOD a specterverse short story [book D]

Chapter SEVEN

★★★★★★★★

AGENT COVER FILE
CLASSIFIED : CIA
OPERATION : MOSCOW
AGENT: HUNTER PAXTON
CODENAME : VIKING
HANDLER : RED
IDENTITY: AXE HUNT
AFFILIATES: LEGACY (FATHER VIKTOR NOVA)
ASSOCIATION: ATTICA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (NY)
POSITION: ENFORCER
TRAINING: USMC
SPECIALITY: TRACKING, DECEPTION, HEAVY ARTILLERY

★★★★★★★★

Axe Hunt
(Hunter Paxton)

-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK-

I smile to myself and shake my head at the sound of tapping on my door..
This irresistibly insatiable girl just can't seem to get enough, and if I'm honest with myself, neither can I..

She's so fucking sweet.. So soft and sensitive.. I enjoy spending time with her more than I should and every time we say goodbye I feel the heavy guilt of my deception pulling me down..
Katya is the most perfect girl, and she deserves so much more than a lowlife scumbag like Oska Romanov..

Hell.. She deserves better than me..

But that's the way I've always been.. Selfish.. Greedy.. Wanting all the things I can't have..
The less available it is, the more I desire it..

I don't know what the fuck is wrong with me..

After tightening the drawstring of my sweats i scoop up the rumpled t-shirt that is discarded by the foot of the bed and pull it on.. I sigh to myself with self loathing regret as I pace across the bedroom floor, expecting to find the pretty little Serbian princess Katya, but when I pull open the door I am instead greeted by a solid, unforgiving punch in the gut..

-THWACK-

Stabbing pain swells deep in my stomach and the threat of bile rises in my throat as all the breath is knocked from my lungs and a surge of nausea hits me so hard I could puke..

"Oh fuck.." I groan breathlessly, doubled over and gasping for air..

"Mudak!" A silver studded volatile fist collides hard with the side of my jaw to snap my neck sideways so that I see stars and spots circling my vision.. "You fuck my daughter? I fucking kill you!"

Sure, I could try to fight back, but I've seen Konstantin Ivanov brawl and there is no chance I would walk away from it with all my teeth..

And I really like my teeth..

"Wai-wait!" I wheeze, holding up my hands to block another blow and defend my face.. "Stop-"

"Why for I should wait? You do love her?" The Sovietnik snarls, taking a confrontational hold of my shirt collar to rattle me hard, as if he could shake the answers out of me.. "You do wish to take Oska's place, to marry her? Piz'duk svoloch'!"

I shake my head, tasting a sharp metallic tang on my tongue as blood pools in my mouth.. "Nyet-no.. It isn't like that-" I lift my hazy gaze to see the calloused criminal glaring down at me, his wrath apparent and his condemnation clear.. "She came to me for help while you were gone-"

"Ty pokoynik." He warns darkly and narrows his merciless amber eyes, pushing me back as he walks us both further into the room before kicking the door closed behind him.. "I know who you are- Hunter Paxton.. You are CIA spy who fucks his information from a sweet little devushka, Da? Oska will carve you from incompetent cock to treasonous tongue, and I will know happiness to watch you die vury slowly.."

Shit, shit, shit..

My cover is blown and there isn't a hope in hell of salvaging the mission.. Red is going to fucking kill me for this clusterfuck..
Months of hard-work have gone down the drain, and it's all time that I can't get back.. Time I could have spent with my sister, helping her study to get into med school..
Time I could have spent with my dying mother before the cancer took her..

I've missed so much to be here and now it all feels like a pointless waste..

"Nyet.." Regaining my breath I draw back my shoulders.. As seriously as I take his threat it is just as easy to dismiss.. Konstantin can't hand me over to the pakhan without convicting his precious Katya to the same fate and that is my one saving grace.. She is my unknowing salvation, my angel of mercy.. "I'm not here for you or Katya- I'm here for Oska.. Whatever he's paying you, I can pay more-"

"Typical Amerikanskiy.." The Sovietnik scoffs and spits spitefully at my boots, utterly unimpressed by my failed attempt at bribery.. "I do not want your Pindos money, it iz more filthy than the blood rubles Oska payz with.."

My gaze tracks the motion of his tattooed knuckles as his hand slides to the side of his hip, moving towards the concealed Makarov pistol that I know he carries at all times..

I could try and reach for the Sig Sauer that is strapped beneath my desk, but chances are he'd get several shots off before I even got close.. Negotiation is my only option and judging by the look on Konstantin's face my odds of survival are falling fast..

Death is quickly becoming a certainty, The Grim Reaper himself stands before me and while unfiltered dread pumps through my veins, I play the only card I have remaining..

Katya..

"Then what about Katya?" I bargain on a desperate breath.. "What if I can take her away from this place.. What if I get her out of Russia and put her in witness protection?"

I know he cares about her, hell, he loves her as though she were his own daughter and she better it worse Katya cares about me.. My only hope is that it is somehow enough to invoke his mercy..

"Ekaterina?" His hand stills at his side as he cocks his head to appraise my honesty, slowly and carefully considering the offer that would save my life.. "You can keep her safe? Take her Amerika?"

"Yeah.. Yes.. I can do that.." I swallow the lump of consternation I'd been choking on and nod in confirmation.. "But- you gotta let her go, Comrade.. You gotta let her live her life, away from all this Bratva bullshit.. I can protect her.. But nothing can save you, you're in too deep.."

"Tonight.. You go tonight.." He snaps out a barking order, commanding my compliance with no room for negotiation..

I think this is as close to kindness as the man gets.. Still, I try to reason with him.. "Not tonight- I have to check in with Red and tick boxes.."

In one easy swift and fluid motion his Makarov is out of its holster and aimed at my head.. "You leave tonight.. Or you never leave.. You are understanding me, Comrade?"

"Da.." I nod.. "Tonight.. I understand.."