Madame

Chapter 16

Elizabeth's POV

I walk out of my room feeling less than refreshed. My thoughts ran wild last night after hearing Ari in her room. I tried everything to try and fall asleep but as soon as my eyes would close her face would be right there, like it was painted on the back of my eyelids.

I kept checking my phone, hoping she'd keep the little banter going but she didn't. I told myself she had fallen asleep or simply had forgotten to write back, not that my message prompted any response.

Did I take it too far? Have I made her uncomfortable? All I can think about is how I'm going to make it right when I don't even know if I've done anything wrong.

Either way, now is not the time to think about anything but the trip to Romania. Reagen is unfortunately not allowed to come as he has had some past issues with the government. He opted to stay back and watch for activity here in France.

Everyone else will be joining me though. Men from Italy have been sent for and should arrive in Romania any day now to properly set up the manor and operations over there. When I land all I should have to do is sit back and watch the killing unfold.

Except, I won't be doing that. Unlike other missions, I will be in the action, ready to move onto the target as soon as the coast is clear. Ricky has highly advised me not to do this but I frankly don't trust what Andrew will do when he knows he has something that I more or less would like.

On top of that, Andrew's little brother, Yousef, will be there, so I doubt he'll be light on any type of security he will have.

Anyways, the operation should go something like this: Him and Ari go out. She brings him to a rather secluded area such as a park or woods, whatever she prefers it won't matter anyways. Jihoon prepares any nearby cameras for a blackout. Ricky, Cairo, and the rest of my team settle around Ari and the target, ready to move when the signal is given. Cheasney and his team scout out the area continuously, reporting any suspicious activity/people, neutralizing anyone who could compromise the operation. And lastly put down the target.

I don't want to kill him just yet, he'll need to give me information on what exactly is going on, who's involved, and where is everything going/coming from. Then after he will have little to no use for me so I guess whether he lives will depend on the answers he gives me.

I'm sure it links back to America, I mean how could it not. Over the last few years, I've noticed a trend that everytime I have a big bust, it links to the people with big money in America. Yeah sure, sometimes it's in the middle east and Asia but coming out on top is definitely the Americans.

And I'm sure this provides zero shock, but it's always the fat old men. They love everything that is young and lively. Unfortunately they're too old to cover it up well, unless they have younger people who work for them, then that's when it gets trickier, but doable nonetheless.

I let my thoughts leave my brain when I hear commotion coming from the kitchen as I descend the steps. My daughter's laughter and squeal makes my ears perk up to attention, my feet moving a little bit faster.

I round the corner and take in the scene before me. Lili is propped up on the counter, a small dot of what looks like batter on the tip of her nose, her pajamas still on and covered in flour. Tomma is beside my daughter, but unlike her he is in his usual day to day attire. He laughs at my daughter's surprised look and he goes to wipe his batter covered finger on her again but she pushes him away with her feet.

Dev is leaning over the counter, her arm stirring something vigorously. She scolds Tomma for sticking his finger in the batter and threatens to beat him with a spoon if he does it again, taking the wooden spoon out of the batter to show him her potential weapon.