Chapter 9 - Anton

I had overslept; this was the first time since I had left college. The painkillers Joyce gave me last night had really done a number on me. Jumping out of bed, I looked around. I was in her room.

Next to the bed lay my jeans. I wondered how she managed to get them off. I pulled on my jeans and went to my room for a clean shirt. I had to check on Joyce as I didn’t see her in either room.

She was so kind and gentle last night. After cleaning my wounds, she patched me up, and I felt like a million dollars this morning. Yes, it wasn’t a professional job, and I may need stitches, but she stopped the blood at least.

I had to thank her and tell her what a good job she did. If her plans at the current company didn’t work out, she could always study to become a nurse.

Grinning, I walked to the living room, but my mood fell instantly. She wasn’t there. “Joyce,” I called out. There was no answer. I checked both bathrooms, but they were empty as well. My heart started racing as angst peeked into the last room.

Walking through the house room by room, I found nothing. There was no sign of her anywhere. I felt anger pushing up inside, mixing with fear. My emotions were competing as I started to worry. My mind flooded with ideas of what had happened.

Would she just have left, or was she taken? I checked all the rooms again. There was no indication of a struggle. Why would she have left? She took such good care of me last night; I thought I could trust her. Not knowing where she was or what had happened, I felt off balance. My mind went to places it shouldn’t go. It was driving me insane.

I collected my phone from the kitchen counter where I had left it, dialing Tasha. She answered quickly. “Hey, how are you, I heard about last night.” I could hear the concern in her voice, but I had bigger issues to deal with.

“I’m fine,” I replied sharply and a bit too harshly. Hearing her gasp on the other side, I realized I sounded upset. Even though I was, I had no right to take it out on her. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my racing mind. “Sorry, Tasha, I’m good. But I need your help.”

“Anything, brother, you know it. What can I do?” Tasha asked.

“Can you check the safe house surveillance for Joyce’s movements during the morning hours? I can’t find her. Also, please check the laptop and her phone for any red flags.” My heart was beating in my throat. I felt out of breath, as if my chest was closing in on me.

After last night, who knew what had happened? I just hoped that Jason’s men didn’t get to her. The line was silent, but I could hear Tasha’s fingers working overtime on her keyboard.

“Okay,” she finally stated. “There were no activities on any of the devices, but I see she left around five this morning.”

“She left?” I breathed out. “She wasn’t taken. Are you sure?”

“Yes, why? What do you think happened?” Tasha enquired, sounding worried.

“Nothing,” I replied, not wanting her to reach out to the other yet. I had to first find out more before making any conclusions. “I’ll get to the bottom of this. Just keep it between us for now, okay?”

“Sure, but make sure to call if you need help,” Tasha said.

“I will,” was my last words to her before hanging up and grabbing my keys. I headed to the door. My need to find Joyce increased with every step I took. Reaching out to open the door, I was astounded at it opening before I could touch it.

Taking a step back, I lifted my hands to defend myself should it be needed. “Slow down,” Joyce spat at me as she stepped in. She stood in the doorway holding a pile of files in her arms. Yet, at that moment, I didn’t care about the files. I felt angry and relieved. My mind and emotions were taking a rollercoaster ride as I stared at her in disbelief.

Reaching out, I grabbed her arm and pulled her in through the door. I stuck my head out, scanning the area. Once I felt sure we were alone, and the area was safe, I closed the door and turned to her. Clenching my fists by my sides, I tried to reign in my anger.

“What the hell were you thinking?” I screamed at Joyce. “Didn’t I make it clear enough that you weren’t allowed to leave the house under any circumstances?”

Looking into her eyes as she gazed at me was like looking into the fires of hell. She was a burning bush suddenly as she shoved the files into my chest. “Here, this is what you wanted,” she spat with a ferociousness present in her tone. “I went in early to get what you wanted, as this has to end now. I can’t stay here any longer.”

My mouth hung open as she pushed past me, heading to the room. I was in awe. I had not known such a side existed inside of her. I turned and watched as she stomped off. Joyce stopped at the room door, turning back to me as she continued. “This is over. Now, keep your end of the deal and let me go. I don’t want to see you ever again.”

My legs felt like lead as I forced them to move. I wasn’t sure whether to be angry or soft as my emotions bounced around like a wound-up rubber band. I was a man of my word and if these files contained everything, I knew I would have to let her go. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to keep her.

I wanted to get to know this little sparkplug. Breathing in deeply, I spoke softly. “Joyce, let me just go through the files. If everything is here, I will keep my word.”

She turned and walked to the couch. Flopping down, she looked intently at me as she continued. “Look it over then, I’ll wait.”

Sitting down opposite her, I placed the files in my lap. I took my time going through them, making sure it was all there. The files contained everything I had wanted. I felt a lump growing in my throat, realizing I had no reason to keep her. There was no excuse I could think of to make her stay longer.

With a deep sigh, I looked up at her. “Joyce,” I said softly. “Thank you so much. You can collect your things. I’ll drop you off at home. You delivered, and I’ll keep my promise.”

She stood and practically ran to the room. I watched as she disappeared into it, my heart feeling heavy. After a few minutes, she returned with her bag in hand. “I’m ready,” she declared.

Rising from the couch, my feet and legs moved slowly as if being held back by some invisible force. “I’m sorry for any inconvenience,” I said as I passed her. She just nodded at me as we got into my truck.

I drove slower, wanting to prolong the inevitable. I wanted her to stay. No, I desired to keep her locked up. I wanted her for myself. Yet, it wasn’t how we did things. As we got closer to her place, I felt my mood drifting deep down into a black pit of despair. I was fighting a war within me.

Pulling up, I stopped in the street. “Joyce,” I said, turning to her as she opened the door. She glanced back at me, smiling. Her features lit up like a summer morning. “Thank you for assisting me.”

Joyce jumped out. Joyce turned to close the door. She looked at me as she replied. Her voice filled with a calmness. “I hope it helps, good luck.” The door slammed closed, and I sat watching as she headed up the driveway to her door. Once she was inside, I drove back to the safe house.

Sitting in my truck staring at the house, I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t just sit there. Pulling my phone from my pant pocket, I looked at the screen. Dialing Tasha, I knew I was overstepping, but I had to. This time, as she answered, she sounded slightly irritated. “Tasha, you good?” I asked.

“Yes, what can I do for you, Anton?” Tasha replied curtly.

I shook my head. I knew I had been bothering her quite a bit lately, but this morning, I wasn’t the friendliest. But I needed this. “Can you tap into her phone for me and link the calls to my laptop? She has delivered what we wanted. I have let her go. I just want to ensure she doesn’t speak to anyone about our deal.”

This was only partially a lie. I actually only wanted to hear her voice and learn more about her. I couldn’t just let go of her.

Tasha sighed as she replied. “Okay, it’s done. Anything else?”

“No, thank you,” I replied, feeling strangely relieved. Opening my laptop and placing it on the passage seat, I logged into the line. As soon as there is activity, I will be able to hear it. Starting my truck again, I headed to see Alexandr. I had the files on me. We need to get the information to the Morozovs.

Once the intel had been passed on, I could put all my focus into something else. Over the weekend, I caught up with Abram on our operations. Early Monday morning, I headed out. I went back to the coffee shop across from her work. I sat there monitoring her movements.

She came in before everyone else like she used to. Most of her morning was spent on emails, filing, and writing reports. Just before lunch, she received a call. I listened intently as she discussed some work issues. Her voice was like a fresh spring breeze to my beating heart.

I waited until dusk to see her leave. I knew this struggle wasn’t good for me. I had to let her go, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I followed this insane routine for the rest of the week.

Between breakfast and lunch, I would check in with Abram to ensure our business didn’t suffer under my newfound hobby. What I was doing was wrong in every sense of the word. My heart and mind were fighting a constant battle.

I tried a variety of methods, including meditation, focusing on work, and excessive training sessions at night. But nothing cleared my mind. By Friday, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to see her and speak to her.