Bloodlust (John Wick) *COMPLETED*

Chapter Five

LYDIA

I assumed John was driving us back to The Continental, but after a couple of sharp turns and quite questionable driving, I came to the realisation that we were being followed. I glance over my shoulder to see a silver BMW zigzagging through traffic seemingly mirroring our every move.

'You can't blame me for these guys following us. Yes I was slack in letting you follow me, but really Jonathan you should know better and watch your back,' I retort, facing forwards in the seat.

He grumbles something incoherent under his breath and clenches the steering wheel tighter until his knuckles pale. I ready my gun just in case they decide to pull up alongside and get a couple of shots off. I feel John's eyes on me watching as I check the gun over as I didn't use to this model in the past, but I was a quick learner.

'Eyes on the road, Jonathan,' I chuckle, and he looks back towards the road.

'Alright that's enough sass from you Lydia, I am a great driver, you just like playing the backseat driver card,' he snaps, no annoyance in his tone, maybe even a slight bit of humour which was very rare indeed.

The BMW weaves its way around some cars, getting a little too close for comfort on my side, so I roll down the window, 'shoot the wheel!' John shouts.

I shoot at the front tyre and land the perfect shot, making the car swerve as the driver didn't expect it until they collide with the curb and flip the car. I roll up the window and put the safety on, 'all in a nights work, brings back memories.'

'I see you haven't lost your aim, Lydia. We should be at The Continental soon,' he says, keeping emotion out of his voice.

I was a little hurt he didn't reminisce about the good old days, him behind the wheel driving crazy while I shot bad guys out of the window like a pro. Three years away had made him even colder than before, he must really have loved Helen and that puppy. I couldn't wait to get back to The Continental and get away from John, his whole body language draining the fun out of something which was kind of cool.

The rest of the car ride is silent. I practically jump out of the car as we stop outside the hotel and dash inside before John can even hand the key to the valet.

I walk straight to the lifts and get in the first one, watching as John all but jogs towards me looking confused, 'Lydia—' he calls out but is cut off by the doors shutting in his face.

I lean against the back wall and close my eyes, 'why did I come back? The sooner I find Viggo and kill him, the sooner I can get back to my life.'

Once inside my suite, I strip out of my tactical work attire and into something more comfortable, my favourite pair of sweats and an oversized knitted jumper because it was cold in New York and I liked to bundle up when I had a lot on my mind.

JOHN

'Lydia—' I call out, but the lift doors shut in front of me, and the last glimpse I get of her face is one of complete upset. I couldn't have done anything on the way over.

'Jonathan, we need to talk,' Winston speaks up, appearing next to me like a ninja.

I stare at the older man and incline my head, 'what else do we need to talk about?'

He shakes his head, 'you really are oblivious boy,' and walks away.

I follow after him, and we make our way around reception where I feel Charon's eyes on me. Everyone in the hotel seemed to have a soft spot for Lydia. We head into Winston's office, not his main one, but he did have a few scattered around the place. He sits down behind a wooden desk and stares blankly at me, and I knew I was going to get some sort of lecture or life lesson.

'I think you've forgotten what made you and Lydia quite formidable back in the day Jonathan.'

I lean against the wall close to the door, 'what made us formidable?'

Winston taps his fingers on the desk, 'connection. You two could read one another like a book, you two didn't need to communicate with words because it all took was looks to know what the other was thinking. But it's clear from tonight you two don't quite connect like the old days.'

That was utter nonsense, Lydia and I still had a connection. Sure, a few years had passed between us, but we worked pretty well when being trailed.

'What do you really want to say Winston?' I ask.

'You're not the only one in the wrong Jonathan; Lydia is equal parts to blame. To a degree you both got out, you had a normal life while Lydia moved abroad away from New York. But you were both thrust back into this world by two shared emotions, grief and the need for vengeance. However, Lydia wears her emotions on her sleeve a little better than you, who came back colder if I may add. When the two of you find that connection again, you might just be able to get this job done with minimal damage to your relationship.'

There was something else underlying in his words, but Winston was very proud of the fact he didn't intervene in people's personal lives. I guess Lydia and I did share a lot of similarities, and yes she did show her emotion more than I did. Maybe I had been too focused on my own means; Lydia had just as much as a claim to Viggo's life as I did. I would never tell Winston he was right to his face, but the simple smile he gave me told me I didn't have to say anything.

'Thank you for the talk Winston, I shall take it into account,' I say, clearing my throat and leaving the room.

Winston doesn't respond as I shut the door behind me. I was Baba Yaga, the man you sent to kill the bogeyman. I was cold and calculated, emotionless until I got the job done. No one feared a man who smiled. No one knew the effect Lydia had on me all those years ago, she was the only person apart from Helen I let my guard down for. I had a mysterious reputation to uphold, but if I had to break that to get Lydia back on side I was willing to give anything a go.