Chapter 21

“Nikita! Nikita!” He shouted, going to her. His hand caressed her soft cheek, and she moaned softly. “Nikita, wake up; I have to get you to a hospital!”

She moaned some more as he checked her wounds. The bandage was soaking through, so he placed a second one over top.

She became more aware, then jolted. “It’s okay; Anton can’t hurt you anymore.”

“Is he dead?”

“Yes, and you were almost the same. He was going to stab you. We’ve got to get out of here now! No doubt someone heard the flash grenades and has called the police!”

“You’re alive? I heard him shoot you in the chest.”

“Luckily for me, I wore my bulletproof vest. Anton didn’t wear one.”

“My arm hurts like hell, from what I can feel of it. At least he missed my tit, and I wouldn’t be able to feed our baby any milk.”

David paused, looking at her. “You’re delusional.”

“You should just leave me and save yourself.”

“Never leave a soldier behind! You’re coming with me! You saved my life. Thank you.”

David was about to help Nikita to her feet. “Jason!” She shouted.

He felt a stinging sensation across his left shoulder blade, then the instant thwack of a bullet hitting the container Nikita was sitting against. Another asset appeared from the shadows and fired again, hitting him near same place in the chest. He let out a grunt and fell from the impact.

“So much for working as a lone wolf.”

David eyed his attacker and faced the largest foe in his life. Previous assets were slender and quick. This one looked to be six feet five and close to 250 pounds.

“Where’s Anton?” The Russian asked.

“You can join him!”

“I’m sure that I hit you twice.”

“I guess you’re a lousy shot.”

“A shot to the head should take care of you and reap me my rewards for killing the famous Jason Bourne,” the Russian said with a heavy accent. He motioned for David to raise his hands. He cautiously approached them, with David noting his massive size.

He noticed Nakita. “Whose side are you on?”

“Not your side, that’s for sure!” She had just enough energy to distract him by throwing her knife at him.

It didn’t hit its mark, but it gave David his opportunity. He grasped his knife from its sheath, and with a lightning-quick flick, his knife did find its target. The asset fired his pistol in reflex, missing them as the sharp blade buried deep in his chest. He pulled the knife out, seemingly unhurt, and attacked David with it. He had a only moment to remove his pouch, using it to fend off his attacker. Several rapid kicks to his side didn’t phase him.

The pouch absorbed several stabs and slashes. He winced in pain from the shots to his chest as they fought. David stumbled, falling to the ground. The asset attacked him as he stood, and they grunted, exchanging rapid blows. Nikita managed to stand, training her gun on them. They were moving too quickly; she couldn’t get a clear shot at the asset.

The Russian used David’s injury with a hard punch to the chest. They werstled to the ground, the Russian putting him in a soon-to-be fatal choke hold. He clutched at his massive arms, trying to break his grasp. Sharp blows from his elbows had now effect on him. He flailed, trying to kick him. Even biting his arm couldn’t stop his determination. He jabbed his thumb over his shoulder, hoping to poke him in the eye. David continued to struggle, trying to reach the pouch just out of his finger’s grasp. Nikita crawled closer, pushing the pouch within his reach.

David fumbled in the bag, grabbing a stun grenade. “Pull the pin!” He gasped in a weakening voice.

Nikita pulled the pin, David elbowed his attacker in his chest wound. Using the strength of his legs to roll him to one side, he shoved the grenade under him, then lay back.

Seconds later, the assassin’s body absorbed the blast, which broke several ribs. His attacker grunted in pain, and though weakened, still had a firm grip around his throat. Nikita took a second grenade from the pouch, handing it to David. He held it as she pulled the pin. He rolled again, shoving the grenade under him. Seconds later the pressure of the shock wave ruptured his heart. David felt his grip relax, and he pushed him off him. He could see blood pooling from his fatal wound.

“He wasn’t the quickest one I ever fought, but he sure was the strongest. Did you know about him being partnered with Anton?” He caughed several times from the choking, regaining his composure.

“No, I didn’t. You have to believe me.”

“You saved my life twice. That counts for something.”

“If I wanted you dead, I could have easily killed you several times. I broke the first rule of an assassin; I got romantically involved.”

“I know what you’re saying. We’ve got to get out of here!”