Fated Marks

Tony’s jet dropped me off in London at noon the next day. I literally got off the jet, cleared customs, and walked into the airport to meet Rebekah before getting on another plane to Barcelona. I was dead.

“You look like shit.” Rebekah said.

“I hate sleeping on planes.” I said.

“For someone who got some quality time with their soulmate you’re in a mood.” Rebekah stated.

“Well my weekend visit turned into a six hour visit. Our make out session which was about to be moved to the bedroom got interrupted by both of our separate missions. And as it turns out I didn’t get to the jet to myself, I spent it listening to Daniel and Pepper bicker about wedding plans before they made up. If I ever end up getting married I’m eloping in Asgard.” I said.

“Just sit back and relax. Barcelona is only a few minutes away. We’ll meet, talk, figure out our next moved and go relax on a beach.” She said.

“Beach does sound nice.” I agreed.

“That’s the spirit. We are going to have to stop by and get some clothes for tonight.” Rebekah said.

“What’s wrong with this?” I asked.

“Our contact doesn’t actually know we’re meeting.” Rebekah said.

“Huh?” I asked.

“He was taking too long and my contact said he had a habit of flaking so he suggested we show up at his dinner meeting and get his attention.” Rebekah said.

“We’re honey potting him aren’t we?” I said.

“We’re also getting him drunk.” She said.

“Are we at least going to a good tapas place?” I asked.

“Not sure.” She said looking at her phone.

Oh yeah, so much better than a weekend in bed with Steve.

A Few Hours Later-

After an impromptu shopping trip we wound up at the hotel Rebekah had booked for us and we got ready for a night out.

“I don’t think I can do this.” I said.

“Hayley it’s easy, we just go in there, bat our eyelashes let him buy us a few drinks and the booze will do all the work.” Rebekah said.

“I’m taking about this dress. Why the hell did I pay so much? There isn’t even that much of a dress.” I said.

“Oh stop it you prude you look great.” Rebekah said.

“I feel like I’m going to slip out.” I said.

“Oh shut up and smile.” Rebekah said holding my phone out to take a picture.

“No I’m exposed.” I said as she snapped a picture. Rebekah typed in a few things and handed my phone to me.

“They don’t think so.” She said. I looked down and saw that she had started a group chat with my soulmates. That’s when my phone started ringing.

“Hello.” I answered.

“Have I ever told you how hot you are?” Tony greeted.

“Uh no you’ve given me validation that isn’t based on my looks which I do appreciate.” I said.

“So why are you all dressed up?” Tony asked.

“Oh we’re about to wine and dine our contact into spilling the beans about my brother’s wife.” I said.

“So you dressed up like that for a complete stranger?” He said and I could feel a bit of jealousy from his mark.

“Why are you jealous?” I teased.

“Not at all.” He said.

“uhuh, well I have to get going. Have a good day, also I sent you some cookies in the mail you should have gotten them by now. Bye.” I said.

“I’m guessing he liked the dress I picked out for you?” Rebekah said.

“Think so, ready?” I asked.

“Yeah let’s go.” Rebekah said.

One short taxi ride later we made it to the bar. There was a line to get in and I was just about to get in line when the bouncer saw us and started checking us out.

“Hayley smile and follow my lead.” Rebekah said.

“But there’s a line.” I said.

“SH!” She shushed. “Hello there my friend and I are meeting a friend here is this the line to get in?” Rebekah asked in perfect Spanish.

“Yes but beautiful ladies such as yourself shouldn’t be waiting out here in the cold.” He said opening the door for us.

“Thank you.” We said giggling as we walked in.

“I can’t believe that worked.” I said as we walked in.

“Funny what showing off the right amount of skin will get you.” Rebekah said giving me a knowing look.

“There is nothing wrong with the way I dress, I just try to maintain a low profile and multiple soulmarks tend to draw attention. Not everyone is as okay with someone having multiple marks as you are.” I said.

“I’ll admit I am a bit curious as to how your relationship works.” Rebekah said.

“We actually call it a courtship and as to how it works… we’re still figuring it out.” I said.

“You seem happy.” Rebekah said.

“I’ll be happier once we find the bitch and I can go back to them without Satan breathing down my neck.” I said.

“Let’s hope this is enough to finally make him bugger off.” Rebekah said. “Two shots please.”

“So who’s our guy?” I said.

“Guy in his fifties with the boater hat who can’t make eye contact with any woman.” Rebekah said.

“You just described half the guys sitting down.” I said.

“The one that that not so subtly passed an envelope full of money to.” Rebekah said.

“What’s his name?” I asked.

“Jacque.” Rebekah said.

“Seriously? French?” I said.

“He’s the middleman to our guy at the port, he gets our foot in the door.” Rebekah said.

“So he’s the guy that knows the guy who knows the guy we actually want to talk to?” I asked.

“In a nutshell.” Rebekah said downing her shot.

“And we couldn’t have waited?” I asked.

“You really want to waste another month lying around waiting for your phone to ring?” Rebekah said.

“Good point, so old pervert, how we doing this?” I asked.

“He has a type and it’s you so I’m going to walk you through how to do this.” Rebekah said taking out an earpiece.

“You carry around earpiece coms with you?” I asked as she put one in my ear before brushing my hair so it looked natural.

“You never know when you get a called for a job. Now I’m going to make it look like I’m going to the powder room. I’m going to be watching you and telling you exactly what to do. Take your shot and loosen up.” She said before walking away.

“This is a horrible idea.” I said.

“No this is a good idea he’s into voluptuous brunettes, you’re perfect for this.” She reassured me.

“You and Kol have a thing for throwing me into the arms of old perverts without a heads up.” I said.

“Oh lighten up, I need you to look over your shoulder at the wall behind him and smile.” Rebekah said.

“What?” I asked.

“Flip your hair back and throw a flirty smile.” She said.

“Rebekah that is not…” I said.

“He’s staring at your ass now shut up and flirt.” She said.

“I hate you.” I said tilting my head to the side and flipping my hair over my shoulder and smiling.

“You call that a smile? Looks like you went to the dentist and half your face was paralyzed.” Rebekah said.

“I don’t flirt well under pressure.” I said. “Hell I don’t flirt period.”

“Of course you flirt, don’t think I miss the looks you threw Natasha.” Rebekah said.

“That’s different, I actually care about Nat, it came natural.” I said.

“Okay order a drink, I have an idea.” Rebekah said.

“I hate your ideas, this dress is giving me a murph.” I said but then I heard a laugh that wasn’t Rebekah’s on the comm.

“I’m guessing there isn’t any food?” Natasha asked.

“Nat?” I asked.

“Rebekah called, something about the stick up your ass getting in the way of getting intel.” She said.

“I’m wearing a really tight showy dress, I’m hungry, and she wants me to flirt with some old perve.” I said.

“Sounds like most of my missions. Baby, listen to me. You want to know the moment I knew you were it for me?” Natasha said in her sultry panty dropping tone.

“When you helped me pick a dress for my first date with Nate?” I said.

“No that was when I realized I had feelings for you. It was a few weeks after Valentine’s Day when I took you to the shooting range. You of course spent it watching me the entire time. You looked at me with your beautiful green eyes. You had this smile on your face and when I turned to look at you, you started blushing. That’s when I knew that you were it for me. That there was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep you safe and smiling.” She said and I couldn’t help but smile. “Try again.” She said.

I looked over my shoulder and threw Jacque a smile before the bartender came and left my mojito in front of me.

“That was perfect.” Rebekah said.

“Thank you Nat.” I said. “When you come visitI’m going to tie you to my bed and show you how much I appreciate you doing this for me.” I said in Russian.

“I’m holding you to that.” She said before hanging up.

“He’s getting up and walking to the bar, finish your drink but don’t look like your chugging it.” Rebekah said.

I picked it up and started sipping my drink. I looked in the mirror and watched as he walked up to the bar. Now that I had a closer look I noticed that Jacque looked really familiar.

“I’ll have a Jack Daniels on the rocks and whatever this beautiful lady is having.” He said in heavily accented Spanish. I could tell he was not a native but it wasn’t the accent of someone that spoke French speaking Spanish as a second language. He sounded American. I took a closer look at him and notices the dark eyes and he wolf like smirk. He seemed so familiar from somewhere but from where?

“What a gentleman Thank you.” I answered in spanish.

“Perfect keep that up. Let him think he has a chance of getting into your pants.” Rebekah said making me gag.

“My name is Jack.” He said switching to English when he said his name. He held out his hand to shake and that’s when I saw the family crest tattooed on his forearm.

“Lizbeth.” I said quickly taking his hand while I tried not to freak out.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful lady.” He said kissing my hand. Ew Ew Ew, he was practically drooling on me and I’m sure that’s the same line he used on my mom.

“For fucks sake Hayley smile and stop looking like you want to stab him.” Rebekah said.

“You have no idea what you’re saying.” I muttered.

“Where are you from? Your Spanish is perfect.” Asshole Jack said.

“New York.” I said. “I’m traveling through with some friends.”

“Well Barcelona is a beautiful city, you picked a great time of the year to visit.” Jack said putting an arm on the back rest of my chair.

“Really? What do you do? You’re obviously not from here.” I said.

“Observant, my accent is not the best.” He said switching to English.

“I wouldn’t say that.” I said through a polite smile.

“I work at the docks taking inventory and registering everything that comes in and out.” Jack said proudly.

“Must meet a lot of interesting people.” I said.

“A few mostly sailors.” He said.

“Isn’t the port where most of the cruises take off from?” I asked.

“A few, why are you interested?” Jack asked.

“I have a friend, moved here after a really bad breakup. She took a ship out of the docks from I forgot I think it was Ibiza or Malaga.” I said.

“I know a few guys from up there, I can give you their numbers just need to go out and get them from my address book in my car.” He said. “Then maybe we can move this party somewhere a little more quiet.”

Uh my gag reflex was acting up.

“Actually I’m here with a friend.” I said.

“Lizzy!” Rebekah cheered.

“Beks.” I said.

“This place is amazing.” Rebekah said.

“Actually this place is getting a bit too crowded. I know a good Tapas place closeby. We can walk there.” Jack said. Something was off. I turned to give Rebekah a look but she just nodded.

“That sounds great, I’m starving.” Rebekah said.

“We did want to hit some local spots.” I said going along with it.

“Let’s go then.” Jack said dropping some money on the bar before leading the way out.

“This is a horrible idea.” I muttered in French.

“Shut up and just act normal.” Rebekah answered.

“It’s this way, but I should probably stop by my car to get you those phone numbers.” Jack said.

“I would appreciate that so much.” I said.

“Of course.” He said giving me a smirk. What a fucking creep.

We followed him around the corner of the block and he took out his keys to unlock his car.

“Your friend, what was her name again?” Jack said.

“Delilah.” I said.

“Interesting name for a Romanian.” Jack said.

“We never said she was Romanian.” Rebekah said.

“You didn’t have to.” He said pointing a gun at us. “Drop the bags and get in the car.”

“Still a douche.” I said dropping my clutch.

“Do I know you?” Jack asked but before he could answer a van drove up and a group of armed masked men got out.

“On your knees now!” They shouted as they pointed their guns at us.

“Oh fuck.” Rebekah said.

“Did not see this coming.” I said getting on my knees. The men put black hoods on our head before zip tying our hand behind us and throwing us in the van.

“The girl in black is hot. I’m so taking a turn with her” One of them said.

“No I’ll stick to the blonde.” Another said.

“Can both of you idiots shut up?” The driver said.

“You know when I pictured myself dying, this is not how I saw it going.” I said.

“No one is dying.” Rebekah said.

“It sure looks that way.” I said.

“Stay quiet and stay close.” Rebekah said.

“If you say so.” I said.

“Both of you quiet!” One of the goons said.

“Felipe has been looking for you Jack.” One of them said. “You’re late with our money.”

Some things never change. I don’t know how long we were driving but when we finally stopped and were dragged out of the van I could smell farmland.

“Walk!” They said pushing us forward. We walked a couple of yards before we walked inside and then they sat us down. They yanked the hoods off our head and all I could see was that we were in some sort of wine cells. There were barrels of wine lined up along the walls and the place was dimly lit. I could see a table with a glass of scotch and a man sitting behind the table smoking a cigar.

“Felipe, my friend how are you?” Jack started groveling I felt Rebekah kick me and then look to the side. I noticed Nik and Elijah standing in the shadows. Leave it to Rebekah to not make any moves without having a back up escape route already planned out.

“I’m not your friend. Where’s my money Jack?” Felipe requested.

“About that I know I’m late…” Jack started.

“Kill him.” Felipe said.

“But I can get it for you, there’s a business. The heroine trade I know a guy.” Jack started.

“You’re pathetic.” Felipe said.

“How about a trade, these two must be worth a fortune if we sell them.” Jack started.

“Wow just when my opinion of you couldn’t get any lower.” I said.

“Shut up.” One of the guys said nudging my head with his gun.

“His address book with all his contacts is in his car.” I said. “He’s useless to you but that book takes away any reasons you still need him alive.”

“How do you know that?” Felipe said.

“He’s too dumb to be a big fish, he just acts like it. He’s always been that way. Take the book and track down every guy he knows in customs and the ports turn them over or replace them and your distribution is secure.” I said.

“You have a mind for business.” Felipe said.

“Felipe you haven’t taken your blood pressure medication.” A middle aged woman said walking in. I’m guessing she was his wife.

“Eva I’m in a meeting.” Felipe said.

“You know what the doctor said.” Eva chastised. “It doesn’t matter if you kill him now or in a minute.” She said turning to look at us. “Allison?” She said looking at me.

“No I think you’re mistaking me with someone else.” I said politely.

“Eva you know she’d dead.” Felipe said.

“But she looks just like her.” She said stepping closer. “How old are you?”

“Eighteen.” I answered.

“It can’t be…” She said moving a lock of my hair behind me looking right into my eyes. “Calliope?”

“How did you know my name?” I asked.

“You’re Calliope?” Felipe asked.

“I haven’t gone by that name in years but yeah.” I said.

“No fucking way you’re that brat!” Jack shouted and someone hit him with their gun.

“Felipe untie the poor girl.” Eva said. He turned to his men and nodded. They untied Rebekah and I.

“Thank you.” I said.

“Look at you, so grown up. Last time I saw you, you were barely learning how to walk.” Eva said.

“I’m sorry I really don’t remember you at all.” I said.

“She’s right Eva she must’ve been two the last time we saw her.” Felipe said. “We used to do business with your mother. She brought you along once, along with your brother. Eva watched you while we handled matters elsewhere. You must’ve stayed here about six months.”

“You mean she ditched me for six months? Why am I not surprised?” I said.

“Why are you here?” Felipe asked.

“I’m looking for someone, I thought he might have seen her considering his port contacts.” I said.

“Who are you looking for?” Felipe asked.

“Delilah Roman.” I said.

“That bitch.” Everyone in the room muttered.

“Yeah I’m not her biggest fan either but my life and that of people I care about kind of depends on me finding her. She was spotted in Ibiza and Malaga a few months ago.” I said.

“She was there.” One of the goons said. “She went to see a forger friend of mine before leaving to pay her respects.”

“Pay her respects? Romania?” Rebekah asked.

“It’s the only thing that makes sense. She was always superstitious.” I said.

“Or that’s what she wants us to think.” Rebekah said.

“You think it’s a false lead.” I said.

“Wouldn’t that be the first place Hadrian looked for her?” Rebekah said.

“I’ll look into it.” I said. “I’m sorry about all of this. We thought he was a lead but he obviously is not. He’s a real piece of work.”

“More like a shit stain on the face of the earth, Sebastian.” Felipe said before one of the grunts came over and shot him in the head. I was splattered with blood and some of Jack’s brain splattered onto my shoes. “Clean this up will you?”

“Will you be joining us for dinner?” Eva asked. I couldn’t answer from the shock.

“Actually I think it’ll be best if we head our separate ways now.” Rebekah said noticing how much I was freaking out.

“Of course, can you please give these ladies their belongings back?” Felipe said.

“Yes sir.” One of the grunts said.

“Take care of yourself sweetheart.” Eva said giving me a catholic blessing.

Everything from there was a blur. I remember us being in a car with Elijah and Nik yelling at Rebekah and I about being reckless. Of course they noticed how I wasn’t responding and how pale I was and stopped the car long enough for me open the door and throw up on the side of the road.

They dropped us off at our hotel with the promise that we were going to discuss our horrible decision making in the morning. Rebekah led me to our room and I went straight to the shower. No matter how much I scrubbed I felt like it wasn’t enough to get the blood off of me. My skin was red and the water had gone cold by the time I finally got out. I got into some pajamas before going to bed.

The next morning I got dressed into some olive jogger slacks and a white tank top with some tan sandals before going downstairs for breakfast.

Elijah and Nik were busy dealing with some business deal on the phone to yell at Rebekah and I. There was going to be a family dinner to discuss everything or at the very least I was expecting an angry phone call from Marcel telling me how bad I had screwed the pooch.

The plane ride back to London was quiet. I couldn’t even focus long enough on hacking into Hadrian’s phone so I just stared out the window of the jet.

“I’ll drop Rebekah off.” Nik said.

“I’ll take Hayley, I have a meeting in that part of town.” Elijah said giving Nik a look.

“Right, we’ll see you both tomorrow for breakfast.” Nik said.

“Yeah.” I said getting in the car.

Elijah followed after and we drove out of the airport. We were about halfway to the penthouse before any of us said anything.

“You were right.” I said. “I wasn’t ready for… that.”

“You didn’t have it easy growing up and you’ve been out of the business for years Hayley. No one could have expected things to go the way they did.” Elijah said.

“He was a horrible person but I didn’t expect… that.” I said.

“It was a long time coming from what Felipe told us. You two shouldn’t have gotten involved the way you did, that is mostly on Rebekah.” Elijah said.

“She knows how bad I need this to work out, she was just trying to help.” I said.

“How are you doing really?” Elijah said.

“I can still feel his blood on me.” I said. “It doesn’t matter how hard I scrub I still feel it.”

“Take some time before you go after her again.” Elijah said. “Focus on school.”

“Online classes aren’t really a great distraction. This needs to end before things get worse.” I said.

“You’re going after a Romanian Assassin, this is just the beginning.” Elijah said.

“How do you do it?” I ask.

“There are people I care about who depend on me to do what needs to be done. I do it for them so they won’t have to.” He said. “Get some rest, we’ll call you later.” He said as he parked in front of my building.

“Thanks.” I said getting out of the car with my thinks. I walked into the building and swiped my keycard in the elevator to get upstairs. I walked into the penthouse and left my things on the ground. I heard some noise coming from the living room and I was on guard. I slowly walked down the hallway to the kitchen and noticed a lily and hydrangea flower arrangement on the counter.

“I know you said no flowers but lilies are your favorite.” Tony said. “You should really answer your phone.”

I walked over and pulled him into a hug.

“Does this mean you’re happy to see me?” He said.

I leaned over and kissed him. “I missed you too.” I said burying my face into his shoulder, trying to hold back the tears.

“You didn’t answer your phone so I came to check up on you. Which by the way, what the hell?” Tony said.

“Tony shut up and hug me please.” I said as my voice cracked. He didn’t ask any questions he just did what I told him and held me.

‘I’m doing it for them’ I thought to myself. ‘They’re all that matters.’