There was something that was persistently nagging the back of my mind. I couldn't seem to let go of it.
How, exactly, had Li found me. My ego took a major hit today. Not only had that female assassin been able to track me but Li had as well.
Oh, and the other two assassins Li bested. I almost forgot about them. Almost.
'And I thought I was some great master of disguise.' I berated myself. So much for my so called spy skills.
I wanted to ask, but at the same time, I was afraid of the answer.
Li, of course, picked up on my agitation.
"Just ask if you want to ask." He had the gall to smirk. "After all, how else will you get the answer?"
"Obviously." I eyerolled so far under my breath, I questioned if he heard it.
He did.
"Alright, I will ask." But than paused. I didn't know how to word it so as not to affend his intelligence and to keep my dignity intact.
"Out of curiosity, …how …how is it that you managed to find me?" That could have been put a little more diplimaticly. Or said a little more delicately.
He smiled. He actually smiled. An honest one. I was floored. I had to consciously close my gaping mouth.
"To tell the truth, I don't think I would ever been able to."
That made me smile. I mentally patted my head a stroked my ego all at the same time. I've always been good at multitasking.
"I knew if I tracked the assassins, they would lead me to you. And out of the ones I knew were hired, Orion, the woman, seemed to be the most capable."
So, If Orion (obviously a code name) hadn't found me, …..neither would Li.
That was something to think about. Why was I almost relieved she had. I was so confused.
I would have to think about it later. I heard the choppers. They were still far out but it wouldn't take them long to get here.
Li looked like he was gearing up for another fight.
It was time to talk Angie through what was about to happen. He had bought her an hour of peace. Now it was time for some hard truths.
"The choppers will land but the pilots will be on standby. A total of six people will vacate and enter our building. I know them all by sight, mannerisms and code words"
He would leave nothing out. Angie would do best with as much information as he could provide. The more information she had the calmer she'd feel.
Now for the bad part.
"There is more than likely a sniper out there by now. Timing couldn't be helped. It allowed the assassins to regroup and track us again. It wouldn't have been too hard to work out strategically where we would have gone."
Li paused. he had been closely watching her the whole time. She was processing, but not panicking. Good.
'That's my girl'
He couldn't help but be impressed by her.
"There will be three men in similar size and appearance to myself, and equally skilled in combat. There will be three women close to you in size and appearance but they will also be skilled in combat."
He saw when she understood what it all meant. "You are using them as decoys? Are you insane?"
"They signed up for this Angie. They are not being sacrificed. They know what they are doing." He new very well what her concern was.
"It's purely for distraction. To confuse the enemy, nothing more."
He didn't know what else to do to reassure her. This is how things had to be. She was the priority.
She couldn't know it, but those men and women; we would all gladly die for her.
She couldn't be told the reason. She wouldn't understand or approve even if she was told. It was too soon for her to know certain things. Everything had its time and place. This wasn't it.
"The sniper won't shoot unless they are sure of their target. Think about where we are."
He had a fair point. International legalities aside, what self respecting assassin would risk their paycheck by shooting the wrong person. 'Shooting someone and not getting paid for it? Unheard of.' Yes, the sarcasm was thick.
He saw when she resigned herself to it. Li just nodded to acknowledge it.
"You will have to change very quickly when they arrive. Clothes will be provided."
Li brassed himself.
"You have to completely strip. Nothing, absolutely nothing, you have now comes with us on that chopper." He was brutal here.
She had to understand this point without long explanations. Somehow she was being tracked and this would eliminate anything external from the equation.
Li didn't know how she eluded them for as long as she did. But it wasn't until Orion found her that she showed up on the radar.
He had to wipe her trail completely and make her disappear. And this was the only way.
She was embarrassed but she nodded in agreement.
Li would have to do the same. He hoped to preserve her modesty as delicately as he could. She had always been sheltered. But, as she said herself, she was also pragmatic.
He was slightly amused that had come back to bite her.
"The third chopper is our target. It will be the furthest out. It's a psychological choice."
Li knew she would understand. They were up against human minds, who would think a certain way. The assassins would make assumptions. Assumptions about Angie. About Li's protective instinct. Thinking they knew how a person being hunted would feel and react.
That is what they would use to their advantage.
He would protect her. He would get her to safety. And than he would go after her enemies.