Chapter 22 - Leon

"Great job," Piotr said as they came closer.

"Yeah, it was, and I was phenomenal, wasn't I?" I said, grinning as I looked at Cindy. She stood next to me soaked but seemingly happy. I was high on completing the task and saving her. "Has everything been handed over to the Morozovs?" I added as we went inside.

"Yes, they have all the files and will let us know what's next," Mila replied, walking out before us.

As I requested, the table was set for a party in the living room. "And all this?" Cindy asked, raising her brows at Mila.

Placing an arm around her shoulder, I spoke up. "Well, I knew we would come out at the top, so I asked Mila to throw together some celebratory foods and drinks. Don't you like it?"

Pulling out a chair, I held it for Cindy to sit. "No, no, this is nice," she replied. "But can I take a shower and change before we start?"

"Of course, sweety," I said as she started up the stairs.

While we waited, I explained the entire evening step by step. I was relieved it was finally over, but I felt better knowing I had saved the damsel in distress. Cindy returned about half an hour later dressed snuggly in a warm tracksuit.

Standing, I held her chair as she sat down. "Now we can celebrate," I said, handing her a cocktail. Holding my glass in the air, I continued. "To Cindy, who got us access."

Cindy tapped my leg, grinning. "It wasn't all me," she said, glancing around. "We all had a part to play. Without everyone's help, we wouldn't have got it done."

"Yes," my three companions said in unison. They developed that habit a couple of years back while teasing me about another job. At times, it wasn't enjoyable, but tonight, it was suitable for the evening.

As we finished our first round of cocktails, Piotr's phone rang. He looked at the screen and walked out to the back. After a while, he came back grinning.

"And that smile?" I inquired, wondering who had called.

"Well, we did it!" he said. "That was Ashan; the family had decided to destroy everything. All the notes, formulas, and any files even remotely noting the bioweapons."

"Wow," Mila said, placing down the vodka she was pouring. "Everything?" She sounded genuinely stunned.

"Yes, they said they don't believe anyone should ever have such weapons," Piotr added, picking up a glass. "Salute. To us."

Mila handed us each a glass. We raised our glasses, toasted, and then took a swallow. The taste of vodka without mix must have been new to Cindy as her face pulled up into a knot. She was gasping for breath, waving her hand before her mouth as if it were on fire.

Laughter filled the room as I pulled her into a tight hug. I tried to speak in a soothing tone. "It's okay; just breathe normally. It will pass now."

She tried to smile as she handed me her glass. She pushed it to Mila and added orange juice and ice before returning it. "Here, drink some with mix."

Cindy took a sip and breathed out loudly. "Wow, that was hot," she exclaimed. We were about five drinks strong, and who knew how much food when Konstantin suddenly rose and held up his glass.

"Well," he said, holding his glass in the air and looking at Cindy. "Now you have no reason to stick around anymore. You're off the hook, Cindy. You're free."

Caught off guard, I didn't know how to reply. Looking at Cindy, I could tell she was stunned as well.

"Um, yes, I suppose," she uttered.

"Come now, it's what you dreamed of, isn't it?" Konstantin asked.

Smiling at him, Cindy didn't answer. I haven't considered what it meant now that the job was done. Konstantin walked up to me and pushed me lightly as he spoke again. "Come on, Leon, tell her. There's no reason to keep her back. She is free now, right?"

Glancing from Leon to Cindy, I wasn't sure how to answer. "Yes, yes, of course," I said. "There is no reason for her to stay." As the words left my mouth, they felt strange. It was like someone else was talking, and I had no control.

If she wanted to go, I wouldn't stop her, though. But I hoped she would stay. Cindy got up and excused herself as Konstantin poured us another round. My instinct was to follow her up, but Konstantin grabbed my arm.

"Come now, one more, you can't go to bed sober. Not after success, you know how it works." He said, pulling me back to the table.

I watched as Cindy went upstairs and let her go. We had a tradition, and he was right. After every successful job, we would drink until one of us dropped. It seemed silly now, but I loved my family, and there was always tomorrow.

I woke up the following day on the couch downstairs. I rubbed my aching head, trying to remember who fell first, me or Konstantin. The house was quiet, and I headed upstairs. Cindy wasn't in my bedroom, but I remembered seeing the spare room door closed. I hoped she wasn't too angry at me.

Taking a quick shower, I decided to wake her with breakfast in bed. Mila was in the kitchen when I returned. The island was set for four, and I stared at her as I spoke. "I see there are only four plates. Who's not having breakfast?"

Mila glanced at me with a light smile. "She left early this morning," she said.

"What?" I asked, sitting down. "She left?"

Placing the eggs on the plates, she continued. "You did say she could."

Rubbing my head, I tried to make sense of it all. "Yes, but…"

"No, buts Leon, you said she didn't need to stay, and she left. Simple as that."

My insides suddenly twisted and I felt sick. "Excuse me," I said, standing from the table. "I'm not feeling too well."

Moving back to the stairs, I heard Mila calling after me. "Breakfast will make you feel better," she said.

As I headed to my room, I wished I hadn't followed Konstantin's suggestion. I didn't want her to leave. I only meant if she wanted to go back to her place, she could. I would have taken her today to collect some of her things, but now she was gone.