Kill Order by Jack McSporran

Author:Jack McSporran [Jack McSporran]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Maggie sat with folded legs on top of a small wall in Red Square. She wrapped her fingers around a steaming cup of tea and savored the warmth. Beside her, Leon and Ashton sat with their long legs hanging off the edge as they watched people discover the sights of Moscow for the first time while others seemed to return to the city as if they were visiting an old friend.

The number of selfie-sticks was quite disconcerting.

It always seemed odd to Maggie that people were more concerned about taking pictures than enjoying the experience of being there. She followed the sightseers as they took in the magnificence of the square through a camera lens, barely looking up from their phones.

She said as much out loud. Leon tended to agree, but Ashton just rolled his eyes.

“You sound like an old grouch.” Ashton yanked her close until she fit in the frame of his camera phone and snapped a photo.

“I look like a Bond villain,” she said, peeking at the screen.

“Hey, stop hogging the goods.” Leon reached out for the half-eaten box of cakes. The Abramov Brother’s bakery may partake in some shady extracurricular activities, but the bakery was still legit. The Russian pastries were unbelievably good.

Leon took the box from between her and Ashton, and dug into one of the choux swans.

Maggie laughed.

“What?” he asked.

“You’ve got cream on your nose.” Without thinking, she reached over and wiped it off with her finger.

He shot her a smile, and she found the edges of her lips tugging upwards despite herself.

Maggie cleared her throat and changed the subject. “I haven’t been in Moscow for about three years.” Her last assignment in Russia had led her to Saint Petersburg. Even then, that was almost two years ago. “I forgot how beautiful it was.”

Moscow was one of those cities where the past lived and breathed on every corner, almost like a presence. It could be felt when walking down the very same streets as people from centuries ago, or staring at the dark red walls of the Kremlin, its bold color like a symbol of its proud and bloody history.

Leon dusted his hands free of icing sugar. “I prefer Vegas.”

“Now there’s a place I haven’t been to in forever,” said Ashton.

It struck Maggie how different the two places were, one ancient with a macabre air to it, the other a synthetic pleasure resort. “I haven’t been back since the time Bishop took us.”

Ashton snorted and almost spat out his tea. “You mean the time you broke his nose? Oh man, that was the best.”

Maggie’s temper had always been a problem, particularly in her younger years as an agent. “I’m lucky he never broke my neck for that one,” she said with a grin, the moment replaying in her mind.

Leon nudged her with his arm. “Well, you get away with a lot when you’re the favorite.”

“Bishop doesn’t have favorites,” she retorted, not for the first time.

The men laughed, sharing a look like they used to back at the academy, usually when they teased her for excelling in their training.

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