Chapter 11 #2
I flop onto the hotel bed, arms wide with the bags still attached.
It’s nice to have a normal sized room compared to the one at base.
It has a dark grey carpet, large bay windows with matching grey floor length curtains - a bare minimum feel, but a luxury nonetheless.
The walls are a migraine welding white but make the place feel spacious.
It has a dressing table, large black wardrobes that sit on either side of the ensuite door.
The bed is a king size also adorned in white bedding.
The first thing I did when I arrived was lie on it and stare into the ceiling.
Waiting to see if the mattress would swallow me whole as I sank into it.
My body is still filtered with the lingering feelings of unease.
Anytime an unwelcome thought about Noc’s motives comes to set me alight, it’s counteracted by my memories of him.
I need to nail the lid on these feelings, otherwise I might do something utterly stupid - like get us all killed.
I summon my old, familiar companion of cold-heartedness, and request it consume me.
Tonight, I have a role to play, a mask to wear, and nothing will pull my focus from the mission.
I get up and head to turn the shower on, letting the room fill with steam before I step in, the boiling water washing away any remains of the emotions that are threatening to break through the walls I've placed around myself.
I step out and wrap myself in a towel. I start with my makeup, my eyes done with a light brown palette and I managed to get a hold off.
I'm a tad out of touch in the eyeshadow game - it's usually someone's blood I wear on my face. I watch a video on the internet of someone doing contour, feeling like an absolute dinosaur with my movements. I can't remember the last time I hit a club, it’s usually a bar when we aren’t covert.
This isn't even a proper night out. And I get more of a kick going into danger than any dancefloor could bring me.
Satisfied with this version of war paint, I dry off my hair and pin it up, taking the red wig out of its packaging and brushing it down.
I slip it over my head and secure it into place, it's so good it looks like my own hair - well worth the $600. Thank you, government funding. Grabbing my dress and heels, I slip them on and head over to the floor length mirror to assess the final product. I take a step back, I don’t even recognize myself.
I’m usually covered in someone’s blood, or have a knife in my hand rather than a purse.
It’s giving Jessica Rabbit vibes with the hair; the dress is poured with curves.
I’m not the skinniest of girls, but my body shows that I've worked hard for it. Little would anyone know it’s got 10 years' worth of elite tactical training.
For the first time in a long time, I look feminine - dark feminine energy at that.
That’s because you secretly want Noc to see you.
Nope. I visibly bat that one back over the walls it's escaped from.
I head out the door and rattle my knuckles in the signal to let Hawk know it’s one of us.
Phantom opens the door, his imposing six-foot-one height blocking the doorway, and he remains in my way when I try to enter, letting out a low whistle as his eyes rake over me from head to toe.
“Well damn Nyx, you brush up well.” I roll my eyes, pushing past him with a pat to the chest. “Cute outfits by the way.” I say, my head nodding between him and Adam.
Phantoms in a black t-shirt which strains against his muscles, black jeans and matching overshirt which lays folded on the bed - it blends in well with his dark hair and equally tanned skin.
Adams basically went for the same, except he's tried to add a little diversity with a grey t-shirt instead.
Phantom rolls his eyes. “I told him to get something different, but he wouldn't listen.” he shoves Adam who nearly rolls off the bed with force.
“Phantom! Get your paws off my date you snake.” Blitz waltzes in from the bathroom, she looks completely unrecognizable.
She’s got a long black wig on, dark brown contacts which are a stark difference compared to her big blue ones.
She wears a red midi one shoulder dress and black sandals and matching handbag.
The three of us stare at her, mouths open and eyes wide.
She comes to a complete halt in the middle of the room “What?” that’s when Hawk finally takes notice of us and looks up “Blitz? Fucking hell. You look ... You look like a regular person?” Going by his tone, I know he was worried what she'd turn up like.
“Ugh, I know. I feel horrible.” She pulls at the dress and adjusts her bra, like she can't wait to claw the whole thing off.
Adam gets up and takes her hand, spinning her around as she giggles “Well you look perfect to me Blitz.” She lets out a little smile when she looks at him, a small blush creeping up on her cheeks.
“Okay, devils, you've had your fun. Time to get down to business.” Hawk’s lets us have our laughs and fun when we can afford them, hell he even starts it most of the time.
This kind of work can drain a person's soul. We don’t really have much of a life out with our unit, we've only really got each other - and we make it work, we keep each other sane.
“You know the drill already. I want you all to keep safe.
And with Blitz getting you into VIP, there's a possibility you're going to see Volokov. Try to stay out of his way as much as you can, observe his inner circle. Get pictures with each other and try to get important layouts or people in the background. But most importantly, make sure you all come back.”
We've all worked together as a unit for almost three years now - never losing anyone. This is likely one of the most dangerous missions to date, going into enemy territory with no defenses. Everything from here on out is going to have the heat turned up once we identify Volokov’s inner circle.
With that, we head out the room and take the elevator down into the main entrance, two black taxis wait outside for us, each giving us a nod as we split into our fake couples for tonight and go play with danger.