Aurae
The Sentinel
Johnny Stone straightened his black tie and checked his reflection in the back dressing room mirror.
“Congrats on the promotion.” A Minnie Mouse-like voice came from behind, startling him.
“Oh! Thanks, Becky.” Johnny smiled into the mirror at the pretty brunette. “Just want to do my part.”
“I hear Jessie is happy with your work these past four weeks, too.”
“I hope so; I’ve been busting my… uh, butt. Any advice before I head out there?”
Before Johnny realized it, Becky was at his side, watching him in the mirror. “Just keep your ears open and be very cautious if the Ukrainians come in tonight. Buy them a round and be the old Johnny I remember.”
Johnny nodded. “So, the Russians and Ukrainians have a war going on with each other here, too, right?”
“More like a cold war. We are neutral, and they both know not to start things here. Just listen and report anything odd you see to me or Jessie.”
“Got it.” He looked into the mirror and Becky was suddenly gone.
He spun around, and there was no sight of her.
It gave him the willies, and he shivered.
He put in his earpiece and checked it for sound, then put a smile on his face and left for the raucous music and flashing lights of the busy club.
Johnny walked around the club and introduced himself to people who looked at him like they recognized him. His story was that he was Club Aurae’s new host. Several times he had to explain to people why he was here rather than back at acting. He was mostly honest about it all.
He heard two beeps in his earpiece and walked toward the long, red-lit bar, where it was quieter. He pressed his earpiece and listened to Jessie’s voice.
“Sugar Man’s VIPs are here for a pre-birthday party. Johnny?”
“Yes, Jessie?”
“You better meet them with me at the VIP entrance.”
“On my way.”
Johnny hurriedly made his way up to Jessie. He saw she was wearing a skin-tight, red mini-dress with a metal-detector wand in her hand. He knew for a fact that she had a butterfly knife strapped secretly to one of her long, sexy thighs.
She leaned over to him. “Be ready.”
“Got… it. Oh, shit,” Johnny suddenly mumbled.
Jessie’s green eyes twinkled at him. “Johnny, you better be good.”
“No shit. I mean, yes.” He watched as Halo, JJ, Xander, and Theo were being escorted toward them.
He saw immediately that Halo recognized him.
He gave her a polite nod and watched as her fiancé, Xander, saw him, too.
Johnny gave Xander a tight-lipped half-smile and a slow nod.
He took a step back and let Jessie greet them.
He was surprised when Halo and Xander hugged Jessie for longer than mere strangers would.
They know each other, he thought to himself.
And of course, when Jessie greeted Theo, they greeted each other like old friends.
Jessie gestured toward him and introduced JJ’s date first. “Johnny, you know Theo.” They shook hands, and he looked at JJ, who glanced impassively at him. “JJ, you know.” JJ barely nodded at him.
Then Jessie gestured to Xander. “I think you recognize Xander Kostinos.”
Johnny was at a loss for what to do. Hold out his hand?
Run? Apologize? Shoot the shit? So, he stood there with what smile he could give.
A long moment went by, and he finally found his voice.
“Uh, Mr. Kostinos… I would like to offer you my hand out of respect. Though I am not sure you would welcome it, due to my past stupidity and what I did to Halo.”
He stood there awkwardly for a moment. Then, Xander stepped forward with his hand out. He gripped it firmly and heard Xander say, “For trying to help Halo and risking yourself for her, I’ll accept your handshake.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Johnny smiled nervously.
He didn’t offer his hand to Halo, only bowed his head. “Good evening, Halo. Thank you for clearing it so I could work with… Sugar Man.”
Halo nodded. “I’m happy to see you working. You missing the film industry?”
“Uh, no, not really… but hey, I got a promotion!” He smiled proudly.
“Good for you, Johnny,” Halo replied.
He stood back as Theo led the way up to the VIP area. Then, as Xander began to follow them, he called out quietly to him.
“Sir?”
Jessie shot Johnny a warning glare, but he continued as Xander turned to him. “Uh, may I have just a moment, please?”
Xander nodded to Halo, and she followed JJ and Theo to their VIP booth.
Jessie eyed Johnny. “Take it over there.” Jessie pointed off behind the twenties-styled ticket booth.
Xander followed Johnny over and watched as the man tried to gather himself. “Mr. Kostinos…”
“Johnny, please just call me Xander.”
“Ah, thanks. I just want to apologize to you personally. I know you must think I am such a… well, a horrible guy, and I was. I am trying to be a better guy… ah, hell, never mind that. I guess I want to thank you for putting Joel away…” He wanted to say he would sleep better if Xander had actually killed Joel, but passed.
“Thank you, Johnny. I am happy Joel is gone for good and that you are trying to make something better of yourself.”
Johnny sighed heavily. “I know this is going to sound so freaking stupid…”
“Yes?” Xander replied skeptically.
Johnny pulled out his personal business card and held it out. “If you or Halo ever need anything at all, please call me. I know it’s all weird and… stuff, but I don’t know how else to make amends. Get me?”
Xander nodded and accepted the card. “I do, thank you. I think seeing you be more than you were is a step in the right direction.” Xander held out his hand, and Johnny warmly accepted it. “Thanks again for trying to protect Halo.”
“Anytime.” Johnny smiled with relief.
Johnny mingled with the crowd and watched as Xander, Halo, JJ, and Theo made their way to the busy dance floor.
He watched Halo’s eyes as she danced with Xander.
She never took them off him. He could see plainly how in love she was.
All Xander could do was watch her in return.
With all he’d heard about what the guy did and risked for her, he realized in his heart that Halo’s love was well returned and that she could have never cared for a washed-up chump like himself…
even before his stupid stunt in Samoa or back in Italy.
He laughed at himself, because before today, he would have been wildly jealous of Xander.
Weirdly, now he felt good for them both.
“Weird for sure,” he said aloud with a chuckle.
“JOHNNY STONE!” A man’s accented voice rang out excitedly. He turned to see a tipsy, Slavic-looking man in an expensive suit gesturing to him.
He put on a smile and made his way over to the man.
“Yes, I am Johnny Stone. And you are?”
“Evan! Not Ivan!” The man laughed. “You must come and meet my boss, Demetri, and my friends!”
Johnny followed the man over and smiled at the group of Ukrainian men and women, then happily introduced himself to everyone, taking time to shake each of their hands.
When the introductions were done, Evan pulled Johnny aside and pointed with his drink toward Halo and Xander slow dancing together. “Hey, I see you over there watching them. You have jealousy in your head?”
Johnny laughed. “Evan, believe it or not, I am really happy for them both.”
“No shit?” Evan laughed. “I hear she put you in hospital…”
Johnny chuckled, remembering her fire before responding out loud. “She sure did! Kicked the shit out of me. Nearly ripped my balls off!”
“Fuck! You lie to Evan now?”
Johnny shook his head. “I wouldn’t lie about that now, would I?”
Evan broke out into a big belly laugh. “No, but I would!” Evan threw his arm around Johnny’s shoulder. “I like you, Johnny!”
“You seem like a great guy, Evan. In fact, let me buy your table a bottle. Vodka? I know we have Ukraine’s best… Nemiroff Ultra?”
“Ah! Johnny Stone, I do like you! I think you and me will be good friends! Go and hurry back, my friend!” Evan laughed heartily.
Here We Go Again
Burn it all down
Jessie sat at Simo’s desk with Johnny standing fidgeting in front her and she was sighing at him. “Fucking hell, just sit already.”
Johnny nodded and glanced back at the door.
“Simo is not in today. Relax already.”
Johnny let out a breath and sat down.
“So?”
“Evan… last night told me something that scared the shit out of me when I started thinking about it.”
“Was it in your report?”
Johnny nodded. “I wrote it up, but when I went home and tried to sleep it kept me awake.”
Jessie flipped open her laptop and scrolled to Johnny’s report. “Fuck, Johnny, your grammar needs help… spelling too. Your context is like way off.” She glanced up at him.
“I… well, Evan was pretty drunk, so I got bits and pieces. Before he left, he said I should speak with Demetri, but he was already gone.”
Jessie watched him carefully and could see his agitation was more than just being in Simo’s office. “Why don’t you just tell me what you feel? Skip the details.”
Johnny swallowed hard. “I… I think someone is going to break Joel out of prison.”
Jessie sat up. “What did Evan say, precisely, that makes you feel that way?”
“He said someone bought guns. Someone they hadn’t ever dealt with.
I pressed him and he said it was enough to outfit a detachment, whatever that means.
Then he said, someone was renting jets and had them on standby.
He said Demetri was looking into it. I mean he was drunk… but it gave me the willies all night.”
Jessie paused and took in a silent deep breath. “Johnny… a detachment in Ukraine is around fifteen to twenty soldiers. That’s a major assault group.” Jessie slammed her laptop shut. “Which airports?”
“I—I dunno! I went to find Demetri… I’m sorry?”
“No need to be. I want you to keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious.”
“D—do you think…”
She held up hand as she made a call. “Demetri?”
“I was just ready to text you.” Came Demetri’s voice over the speaker. “You mind reader now?” He chuckled.
“I heard about the weapons and jets on standby. That’s a lot of money keeping two jets waiting…”