War of Hearts

Chapter Thirty-Three - Disdain

Nikolai was ready and waiting. Price, Gaz, and Laswell had packed up their surveillance gear, while Soap and Ghost assembled weapons in case things went sideways. Hex had a duffel bag of equipment that Laswell had prepared for her, and then they were wheels up. They reviewed the plan on the flight over. "We've got no help from the local military, but Nik was able to get us some wheels on the ground. Soap and Ghost will be on standby in a vehicle near the complex. Gaz, Price, and I will be tapping into the apartment and club security feed in a surveillance van, while Hex goes undercover in the club to try to get our targets alone." Laswell looked over to Hex. "You'll be operating with minimal gear, but you'll have your comms and the tranquilizer. Soap and Ghost will RV in the alleyway when you're ready for exfil. If things get too hot..."

"They won't." Hex interjected as Laswell trailed off, looking at her with a firm, unshakable expression. She nodded and sat back.

The ride to St. Petersburg was quiet. Everyone was fiddling with their gear and largely keeping to themselves. The air felt thick with tense, uneasy anticipation as they closed in on their target. Nikolai brought them down a few miles outside the outpost where his vehicles were waiting for them. He kicked the men out of the helo and closed the doors behind him, leaving Laswell and Hex inside. "Nik- " Hex piped up before the door closed fully, and he spun his head around. "Can you do the thing?" He smirked and popped back inside to turn on heavy metal music that blasted through the walls of the aircraft before leaving again. She smiled and opened her bag.

Everything inside was a deliberate choice: A short, red dress that left little to the imagination, and a red lipstick to match. The color was meant to 'draw attention and evoke passion'. There was a pair of sheer, lace topped stockings with a garter to conceal her injector, matched with black, strappy heels that were tall enough to create a delicate shape, but not too tall to prevent her from being able to run if she needed to. She brought her hair down and used it and a large pair of earrings to distract and hide from the small comms device that lodged delicately in her inner ear. She had multiple thick bracelets on her arms to hide the burn scars, as to not raise any eyebrows, and her makeup was minimal, to match the beauty standards of the region. Just enough was dabbed around her eyes and lips, leaving a hazy, smokey finish, and concealer was caked on thick to cover some of her remaining scars and bruises from battle. Laswell gave Hex a final scan of approval, "you ready for this?"

Hex sighed, and nodded.

The cabin door opened, and she carefully stepped down with a gentle hand from Laswell. Gaz and Price were halfway in the surveillance van and glanced over, smiling proudly, but sadly, as Laswell entered behind them. Soap let out a whistle and opened their car door for her, and Ghost wasn't breathing at all as his eyes locked on her. Hex reddened slightly under his gaze as she watched him trace her figure hungrily. She took a few steps towards him, but noticed the strap of her heel was too loose. When she bent down to adjust, Ghost walked the rest of the way over to her and dropped to one knee, slowly. "Here, love."

She grinned and brought her foot up to rest on his knee. He reached for the strap and tightened the buckle, then let his hands wander slightly to graze his fingers on the back of her calf. Her skin bristled in response and shot goosebumps up her leg. "You look..." he started, but no words would be enough to describe the work of art before him.

She smiled softly, trying to accept his half-formed compliment, but dread lingered in her expression, and he swallowed hard as his mind drifted back to why she was here like this in the first place. She brought her foot back down and he stood slowly, gently placing his hands on her arms. Price said they all needed to be strong for her, but he couldn't help but let his fear for her crack through. "...I hate this," he said with a quiet, low voice that was barely above a whisper.