Phoenix

Chapter 9

                    Calm before the storm

Phoenix's POV
I wake up in the comfort of a snug bed, the fragrance of earthy coffee filling the cabin. The place was by now warm, even too hot if you asked me. Ready to kick off the day, I get up and make the bed so that it looks somewhat unused. Essence was kind enough to let me sleep here, and she was right, I really needed this nap. I make my way to the kitchen living room fusion that this cottage holds, ready for some breakfast.
As soon as I walked in, I took in the boys sitting at the table shoving their faces with scrambled eggs and drinking their coffees. Essence on the other hand, stood at the stove, making yet another plate of omelette. Her raven black hair was wet and gracefully draped over her shoulders. The oversized grey hoodie that looked like it could of been mine, covered the little black shorts she wore underneath. And the long socks she wore accentuated her perfectly tone long legs.

_ "Good morning" I take a seat by Grayson and Marino.

_ "Morning" said Essence placing my breakfast before me. "How'd you sleep? Ready for tonight?" She asks.

_ "I slept well. Thanks." I say and she just nods. "Where'd you get the eggs from?"

_ "They were the only things I found in the fridge. Don't worry the box said they haven't expired yet, I'm not trying to kill you. But if we're going to be stranded here for two weeks, we might as well go to the grocery store and buy some food I can cook with." She explains.

_ "Sure we'll go, we still got all day before the mission."

_ "Why are we staying here for two weeks if the mission starts and ends tonight?" queries Marino.

_ "Well you see, we're not only here to crash the black market auction, but we're here to take down the whole Russian mafia, and send the American and Italian one a warning. Doing that won't be easy since the Russian mafia has currently been underground for a while. Sources say they suspect a rat, and they believe it is one sent by the American mafia. Only we, don't agree. This my friend is were shit is about to go down. We suspect there will be something more to this auction. And guess who the suspected rat is..." I look around at them.

_ "The Italians" says Essence, sitting down.

_ "Precisely" I point at her as I continue my explanation. "The Russians and Italians are allies, the Americans and Italians are allies as well. Thus, Italy bringing America to Russia will lead to the two leaders hunting each other down, while the Italian capo watches as everything unravels before him. What is his motive for this? We don't know yet. That's all I could find out during my mission in Italy. Let's just say this is a 'part 2' of my first mission in Italy."

_ "And why are we just being told that now?" Grayson arches his eyebrows.

_ "My father didn't want to really burden you with the details so you won't panic. It is your first mission after all. But I thought you should know, so here we go." I state dryly.

Essence's POV
Phoenix stands up from the table, washes his dish and thanks me for breakfast. He then heads into the room once again, and comes out a few minutes later in warm clothes and walks out the door saying: "I'll be outside if you need me."

It amazes me how a man can be so cold yet so kind at the same time.

After drying my hair and throwing on many layers of clothes, I follow him out, interested in what he might be doing out there. Once I step foot into the snow, it was as if I was transported to another world, one filled with purity and peace. The sun was now shining a bit brighter than earlier this morning, through the obnubilate of clouds, and the snow with all it's whiteness was now blinding as it reflected the tepid sunlight. I look around, nothing but bare birches enshrouded in a white crystalline blanket, no sign of Phoenix. The car was still in place, so he must be around here somewhere. Having miles and miles of trees surrounding me from every direction I didn't know where to start looking. Taking a few steps forward, I pick up my ears and listen attentively to my surroundings. A gun shot was fired and a gasp escaped my lips...