The Mission

Chapter 17

Moving to Switzerland wasn't an easy pick. It was a place that was different from everything I knew. But, it was everything I needed right now. I had settled in nicely, and as months passed, I had become a regular at some local shops.

"Sofia! Sembri assolutamente radiosa oggi! Vuoi ritirare i tuoi fiori per la settimana?" (Sofia! You look absolutely radiant today! Care to pick up your flowers for the week?) I smiled as I walked past the flower shop. I had a routine with each shop owner.

"Passerò a prenderli questa sera. Si prega di includere alcune rose bianche questa volta." ( I'll stop by to pick them up this evening. Please include some white roses this time.) He nodded and smiled broadly. My life here was calm. I would do all my shopping, go skiing, cook, clean and sleep. All this without the lurking ghost of my past. In everything, I missed very little of my former life. But the part I missed greatly was Karrion.

I never told him where I was going, or even that I was leaving. I thought it was the best choice. A part of me wants him to find me, and a small part doesn't. If he finds me here, I don't think he would let me stay. And considering my current calm state of mind, I don't think I would fight him on that.

I got back home soon enough, and I went straight to my room to take a hot bath. It really was cold out here. I stayed in the tub for quite sometime before stepping out with a towel around my body.

"Switzerland huh? Would've never guessed." I turned and the shock almost made me drop my towel. "You're a hard woman to find, Sophie. Or should I say Sofia? Getting hard to know which one."

"How did you find me?"

"I made some calls. Running? Really?"

"I didn't run. And even if I did, that is none of your business."

"It is."

"I don't see how. But, what do you want?"

"You need to come back with me."

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "Why? Because you asked so nicely?"

"I don't have time to explain it all to you, but we need to leave."

"I'm not going anywhere with you! And if Karrion sent you to drag me back, call him and tell him that he has to try harder."

"Karrion didn't send me. I came here because I have strong intel that Leo's people at The Organisation have tracked you here. They got in a few hours ago, and they're coming tonight. We need to leave."

"Sion, make this make sense. First, you leave me to die, now, you fly all the way over here to save me. Why?"

"Because I messed up. I realise that, and we're going to have hours on a flight to discuss that, but we need to leave."

"I'm a trained assassin, I can handle myself."

"He always did complain about your stubbornness. Listen, I'm not leaving this place without you."

"Then you're not leaving. I'm not going anywhere." I could see how frustrated he was. Was I worried about what he just told me? Yes. I knew what would happen to me if I was captured by The Organisation. Surely, it wouldn't be a friendly conversation between two old colleagues. And death would be what I would beg for.

He sat down on the bed with his face buried in his palms. "I don't even want to do this for Karrion. I want to do this because I owe you a lifetime of apologies. I can't just say it, I have to show it. And I thought coming down here would be a step in the right direction."

I let my pride fly away and I sat down next to him. "I really thought I could get away from everything. I really did. But, I guess that until I'm ready to face the consequences, I have to take all the help I can get."