Page 24 of The Echelon (Spy Girl 7)
When we finally reach the top, he opens the door and carries me inside.
“Consider that one very long walk across the threshold,” he says.
After a very heated and passionate kiss, he sets me on my feet and waves his hand out at the room. “The renovation in your honor is complete.”
I take in my surroundings. The turret is no longer cold and sparse, having been turned into a sumptuous suite. There is a king-size bed with what is probably a custom-padded headboard, curved to fit perfectly on the stone wall. The bed is tall and plush, stairs rising up to it so that, while lying in bed, you have a panoramic view. Off to one side is a seating area with a deep green velvet couch and coordinating chairs. On the other is a table with two chairs, brought up here from Lorenzo’s study. On it sits the chess board he gave me for my birthday, both queens standing in their respective assigned locations, but neither of which is ensconced by my engagement ring.
“It’s incredible,” I say to Lorenzo. “I can’t imagine how beautiful waking up to this view would be.”
“I hope to enjoy that view with you for a very long time,” he says, dropping down to one knee and holding out the Arcadian engagement ring.
“Get up,” I tell him.
“But I was going to propose,” he argues as he stands.
I wrap my arms around his neck. “Lorenzo, you already proposed. And it was the most magnificent proposal in the history of proposals. You will write about it yourself in the journal that goes with this ring, so future generations will know of our love.”
He grins at me. “I already have written about the woman who not only captured my heart, but also saved my country. You, my love, will be forever remembered in Montrovia.”
“And I only want to be remembered here,” I say, patting his chest above his heart.
Then we kiss.
It’s an everlasting, epic kiss.
One I know that I will write about someday.
MISSION COMPLETE:DAY FIVE
On the fifth day, we wake up to the beautiful view of the sun rising over the sea. Lorenzo pulls me closer to him as he eyes our clothing, littered on the floor around the table.
“Probably best not to tell our future son about strip chess when you give him that board on his sixteenth birthday,” he teases before pulling me back under the covers with him.
MISSION COMPLETE:DAY EIGHT
On the eighth day, rumors spread of a celebration happening soon in Montrovia, spurred by the landing of a cargo jet bearing roses from around the world.
Word from the palace is mum, but it’s clear that their country will be having a parade, at the very least, as the path to the castle is currently being decorated with thousands of red roses—the queen’s favorite color.
And all Montrovians agree. They certainly have good reason to celebrate.
MISSION COMPLETE:DAY NINE
On the ninth day, after the entire treasure is safely back in Montrovia, Ares Von Allister, Malcolm Prescott, and Aleksandr Nikolaevich meet in private with Lorenzo and tell him of their plan to fly to Italy today.
The men have a fairly heated discussion over how to handle the situation. Most want the ultimate revenge, but Lorenzo has a different idea.
Something he knows Huntley would fully approve of.
He gathers the necessary objects, gives them to Ares, and then offers up some additional assistance.
The group travels to Florence via private jet and then is shuttled to the Basilica di San Lorenzo.
As they are approaching the door to the secret room with the round table and ten chairs, ready to interrupt The Echelon’s meeting, they hear a gun fire.
Ares Von Allister is the first to run into the room, followed by Malcolm and Aleksandr.
“You’re alive?” Maximillian says, looking at Ares like he’s seeing a ghost.
Ares uses the element of surprise to disarm the man.
“Why did you shoot Sergey?” Ares asks, waving the gun in the man’s face.
“Because he wanted to quit,” Maximillian says, pushing his shoulders back and standing up tall. “You know as well as I do, that is not allowed in this group. I still don’t understand why Hillford allowed you to give back your ring.”
“Because he trusted me,” Ares states in a tone that implies he didn’t trust Max.
“Well, you were the only exception in the group’s history. And, clearly, that was a mistake,” the man says calmly. “I was sure when you passed suddenly that Hillford had finally caught up to you.”
“No such luck,” Ares says as he hands the gun to William Gallagher, who, along with Henri Durand and Gabriel Lavon, has moved into the background. You don’t have to see their weapons to know they are armed and dangerous.
“Why don’t you all take a seat?” Malcolm orders as Aleksandr bends down next to Sergey to check for a pulse.
Aleksandr stands up and shakes his head. “Dead.”
“When I was invited to join The Echelon,” Ares says to the three remaining Echelon members, “I was honored to be part of a historic group of leaders whose intentions were to guide the world toward goodness and peace. But you took my plan and twisted both it and Lorenzo the Magnificent’s intentions for your own benefit in an attempt to control the world.”
“Not to mention, conspired to kill a whole lot of innocent people,” Malcolm adds.
“It is a well-known rule of this group that you are never allowed to do anything to hurt another member’s family—the consequences being death,” Ares says. “What I would like instead is for you to surrender your rings.”
Ares moves around the table to the three seated men.
“Why should we do that?” Rutherford Elingston asks. “We swore to be members for life.”
“Just like Sergey,” he says, glancing in the direction of the man’s body.
“You are a pacifist, Ares. A dreamer,” Maximillian Olivier says. “Brilliant, is what Hillford called you. But he felt your plan lacked execution.”
“Execution is an interesting word choice, don’t you think, Ares?” Aleksandr says with a chuckle.
“You’re not going to kill us,” Rutherford Elingston scoffs, rolling his eyes. “We’re too important and much too powerful.”
“And don’t forget who controls The Echelon treasure,” Zayn Kipling adds with a cocky smirk.
“Funny you should mention the treasure,” Ares replies. “We should probably discuss that. In case you were wondering, it was my daughter, Huntley, who recently accessed the vault at the Sphere.”
“That’s not possible!” Maximillian exclaims. “We have had your ring since you gave it back six years ago!”
“She didn’t use mine, Max,” Ares says. “She used Dupree’s ring. After she took it off his dead body. I bet you’d like to know why she was involved. And I’m going to tell you. The CIA agent Hillford ordered the hit on six years ago after your failed coup attempt with Alessandro Vallenta was her mother and the love of my life. When you kill people, their children will seek revenge.”
“So, she saw the treasure,” Rutherford says with a chuckle. “Big deal. What’s she going to do, steal it from us?”
“Yes,” Ares answers. “In fact, she already has. You should also be aware that it was Huntley who tracked down Sophie Andersen, stopped the administration of the vaccines, and found the antidote to save those who had attended the opening ceremonies. I know you think your precious treasure is still safe in the desert, but it is not because you don’t own it. You never have. The entire treasure is back in Montrovia, where it belongs.”
“Which will make Montrovia ripe for takeover,” Rutherford argues. “That’s why Hillford moved it to begin with. To help protect Montrovia.”
Ares snarls at him. “No. Hillford stole it from the Vallenta family, plain and simple. Regardless of his power and influence, Hillford was nothing more than a common thief.”
