The Assassin - 11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

“Claiming me?” Kian stared at Daven and felt a chuckle bubble out. “Your innocence level is too high for me."

“Scale the damn wall, because I’m serious.”

Kian folded his arms against his chest.

“Okay,” Kian said. “Think two steps ahead. Where do you see us in the next two weeks? Hmm…do you see me in your perfect home in Oakland, making breakfast, running errands, and going out shopping to the mall?”

“That sounds right,” Daven said, with a nod. “I even see us going on a few dates. We can rent a house to start, somewhere close to Naomi. I want us to be part of the kids’ lives. Mostly, Kian, I see you with me.”

Kian nodded. Daven’s dream was beautiful. Yes, a small part of him wanted it, wanted that life Daven so easily painted with his words.

“Here is my reality. I might have killed the guy in charge of your contract. I can’t be sure because my memory is a mess thanks to the sedative. For that alone, Raja Securities will set everything aside to capture me, not that they haven’t already.” Kian scowled. “The thought of it puts me in a bad mood, because unless I dig a hole and hide in it, they will find me. When they do find me, life will get messy, Daven. You can’t be around me because they won’t hesitate to end you.”

Daven perched on the coffee table.

“This is good, we’re having a discussion. That’s what I want from you, Kian. Sensible discussion.”

“Are you listening to me? What part of what I have said is open for discussion?” Kian asked, holding Daven’s gaze. “Maybe my English is not translating. Should I try explaining it in Japanese? Will you get it then?”

“Funny,” Daven shook his head. “I get it, Kian. You’re in trouble. Worse than mine, at least mine has ended.”

“Your sister is on the move because she can’t be in her house. Your original problem still exists.” Kian took Daven’s hand, remembering the Seventh’s comment about Naomi and the kids. “It seems angry assassins are the devil. I need to find a way to keep you safe.”

“What about you?” Daven asked, squeezing his hand. “Kian, do you think of ways to keep you safe?”

Kian stared at their clasped hands.

“I’m the one people have to stay safe from,” Kian answered. “You keep forgetting it.”

“Taewon told me he tried to save you, but couldn’t. He asked me to try. Watching you, seeing you get hurt, I’m inclined to try, Kian.”

Taewon talked too much.

Kian kept his gaze on their clasped hands. Daven’s hold was gentle, yet firm, possessive. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had simply held his hand. The simple connection was a luxury he dared not covet. His grandfather would harm anyone he dared keep.

“When I saved Taewon, he thought I’d go into hiding with him,” Kian said. “I broke his heart when we parted in Tokyo. I couldn’t keep my promises, so I never went back to him. Instead, I asked Lina to watch over him.”

“If you loved him, why didn’t you go back to him?” Daven asked.

“Because…,” Kian closed his eyes. “Raja Securities is in my blood, my life. Taewon gave me a gift that helped me break off for a while, but—

Kian broke off, the realization hitting him so hard he squeezed Daven’s hand.

“Taewon’s gift helped me breathe for a while, but I’m not free of Raja. I was always going to go back,” Kian finished, lifting his head to stare at Daven.

He could not fix Daven’s problems from the outside.

Why hadn’t he seen that?

Why?

Yui finding him, her sending him to look for Daven. She had known he would work to keep Daven safe. Known he would end up at The Hague.

Kian let go of Daven’s hand. He got up and paced away from the couch, hands at his waist. His thoughts on the Seventh standing on the sidelines while he put himself on center stage with the authorities…

Why?

“I—,” Kian frowned. “You said my arrest was on the news. That’s how you knew where to find me?”

Daven shifted on the coffee table to look at him.

“Yeah, major news, dubbed terrorist attack, damn newscasters—

“Where is the phone I gave you?”

“On the bedside table,” Daven said, nodding to the bedroom.

Kian felt a clamp lock over his heart as he forced himself to walk slowly to the bedroom. The white phone was on the bedside table. His hands trembling, Kian took it, sliding his thumb over the screen. He found the app he was using to track Taewon’s progress.

“If you’re worried about Taewon, that red dot has been stationery in Geneva,” Daven said, following him. “I hadn’t checked until this morning when I woke up. They must have stopped for a good rest.”

Kian turned away from Daven and took in a deep breath, fighting to control the panic. They shouldn’t have stopped. Lina knew the protocol, keep moving, until they heard from him. Geneva was too close, tapping the red dot, Kian bit his lip. Taewon’s car had stopped at the airport in Geneva.

“Kian,” Daven touched his left arm. “Everything alright?”

No, he wanted to say. ‘They shouldn’t have stopped at all.’

“Yes, all is fine.”

Clearing his throat, Kian closed his hand over the phone and turned to Daven. He forced a smile, and leaned up to kiss Daven’s jaw, then his lips.

“Hey, will you do me a favor?” Kian asked, keeping his tone light.

“Anything,” Daven said. “As long as you don’t ask me to leave you.”

Kian nodded, worry stabbing through him. He held up the keys he’d taken up earlier.

“Fine,” Kian said. “I left a change of clothes in the trunk.”

“I checked,” Daven frowned. “There wasn’t anything—

“The trunk has a false bottom,” Kian said, with a small smile.

Daven grinned. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Lift the carpet, you’ll find a compartment stashed with stuff. I just need the clothes.”

“Alright,” Daven nodded. “I have some cash; I’ll pick up toiletries from the shops downstairs. Don’t disappear on me, Kian. I’ll be really upset.”

“Not going anywhere,” Kian said, his grip on the phone tightening.

“Ten minutes, and I’ll be back,” Daven said, giving him a worried frown. “Take a shower, and then we can plan our next move.”

Kian nodded and watched Daven hurry out of the bedroom. He waited until the outer door closed, then brought the phone up. Hitting one on the dial pad, he called Lina. One ring, two rings, she was supposed to pick on the third.

She didn’t.

Kian started pacing the length of the bed.

Four rings, five, six, seven…Kian closed his eyes, unable to breathe.

“Kian Raja,” Yui answered the call. “It’s taken you too long to realize my game.”

Fire red heat swept through him.

“I want to talk to him.”

“Kim Taewon is safe with your grandfather,” Yui said, a smile in her tone. “Picked him right off the line as he tried to board a flight to The Netherlands. Your dramatics at The Hague made quite an impression on him. He wanted to get to you.”

“If you hurt him—

“I will remind you that legally, Kim Taewon is dead. What can you threaten me with, Kian?”

“I’ll burn it down,” Kian said, meaning every word.

“Burn what down?” Yui sighed. “Raja Securities? That’s ambitious, isn’t it, Kian? Enough chitchat. Your grandfather is anxious to see you. I’ve worked so hard to bring you back, but you made it impossible. If it weren’t for your grandfather, I might never have found the key.”

“The key?” Kian frowned…of course. This was his grandfather’s game. “He knew, the only way for me to come in is to get Taewon.”

“Taewon has three days to live from this moment. You’ve taken out all my top agents, so think of Taewon as insurance. I’ll have a plane waiting to pick you in Schiphol in twelve hours. Don’t disappoint your ex-boyfriend.”

Yui ended the call first.

Kian stopped, staring at the phone. He started to throw it down, to destroy it, to stop Yui from tracking him, but he stopped. What was the point? Yui knew he would meet her team. Taewon was in his grandfather’s hands. Kian had no choice but to return now, if only to save Taewon.

Putting the phone in his pocket, Kian’s gaze shifted to the bed. His thoughts on Daven and the dreams the man painted. Oh what dreams, he’d wanted to believe they would come true.

Kian wiped a hand down his face, replaying Yui’s conversation. She’d said, ‘picked him’ not them.

What about Lina?

Kian got the phone fast and logged on to the email he used to contact Taewon. A soft breath escaped when he found a message from Lina.

‘Taewon in trouble. Raja has him. Heading to the Netherlands to find you. Please tell me where to meet. Worried.’

Kian rubbed his forehead, and resumed his pacing. Going back into Raja, meant he needed to find a place to keep both Lina and Daven safe. If he told Daven about Taewon, Daven would insist on wanting to help. Lina would also insist on helping.

Not good, both of them would only hamper his efforts.

Kian threw the phone on the bed, and walked to the windows. Pulling back the blinds, he stared out into a sunny morning. As though to mock his bad fortune, Kian scowled at the scenery. In another lifetime, he would have wanted to walk with Daven along the streets of this charming city, taste flavors and breath in the scents.

Turning back to look at the phone on the bed, Kian thought about Yui’s warning. He had twelve hours to get to the airport. Twelve hours…a sort of truce, he supposed. A windfall before hell descended.

Looking out at the city, Kian made his decision.

***

Daven worked fast, getting Kian’s change of clothes from the car, barely batting an eyelash when he found two guns and a set of knives hidden with the clothes. Leaving the weapons in place, Daven locked the car and headed back into the hotel. On the first floor, he detoured a shop where he could buy deodorant and a shaving kit for Kian. Black caps with the Amsterdam logo captured his attention. Kian liked wearing caps. Maybe from habit, or trying to stay unnoticed, the caps were a part of Kian.

Daven touched the closest one, checking the price tag.

“Your dreadlocks are hard to forget.”

Daven’s hand dropped away from the cap, and he turned to find Winston standing a few feet away.

“Guess no need to ask how you found me,” Daven said, his fingers tightening on the paper bag he held.

Winston flashed him a short grin, looking around the quiet shop. Daven spotted the two men who had been discussing with Winston the afternoon he left Winston’s office. They stood guard outside the shop, their gazes restless.

“Afraid I’ll bolt?” Daven asked.

“Daven.”

Daven gave a small sigh shifting closer to the caps. He took a black one checking the size.

“He’s with you, isn’t he?”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

“Don’t do that, Daven. You and I have seen too much.” Winston scowled at him. “There’s a Europol taskforce on his trail. Hard to avoid after the show he did at The Hague. Raja Securities is done, we need him—

“It’s not fair,” Daven said, refusing to meet Winston’s gaze. “He is a victim.”

“People like him always are at the start,” Winston shrugged. “Then they learn to survive, and turn dangerous. He trusts you.”

“So?”

“I need your help.”

“I’m not going to help you arrest him,” Daven said, shaking his head.

“I don’t want to arrest him,” Winston smiled. “I don’t have the authority anyway. How long do you think he will stay by your side, Daven?”

Daven frowned at his friend. Winston was playing on his doubts, and they were many. Remembering Kian’s comments about them being together, how skeptical Kian was about the idea, Daven worried Winston judged right.

“I know you like him—

“It’s more than like,” Daven said, staring at the cap. “I can’t explain it to you in a way you would understand.”

“You met a man who saved your life multiple times. He is handsome, and dangerous, of course you fancy yourself in love with him.”

Daven scoffed. “You make it sound so simple.”

“Isn’t it?”

“No.” Daven looked at the two men still standing outside. “This is not going to work. I’m not going to help you.”

“The only reason we found him is because of you,” Winston stated. “He walked through a police station, not one camera caught him. If you hadn’t appeared at the front of the police station steps, and taken him to your car, he would have gone unnoticed.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“He will leave you,” Winston said, his gaze enough to tell Daven that Winston was certain. “He probably fancies himself in love with you too. And to protect you, he will leave you.”

Daven closed his eyes, refusing to believe Winston. The man was a skilled diplomat. He could convince a sultan to sell oil to his enemies.

“No.” Daven started to step back, but Winston grabbed his elbow, stopping him.

“I need you to tag him. That’s all, Daven. You can thank me later.”

“Why would I thank you for betraying my boyfriend?”

“When he disappears, which he will,” Winston reached into his pocket, pulled out a small clear paper with a small brown pill inside and held it out to Daven. “This will be the only way to find him.”

Daven stared at the tracker, not taking it. He refused to do this to Kian. Shaking his head, he took the cap to checkout. When he was done paying, he started to leave the shop but Winston stopped him.

“I’ll slip this into your pocket,” Winston said, pushing the little paper into Daven's jeans pocket. “Trust me, Daven. I’m really on your side, and if he is a victim as you say, then his too.”

Daven moved away from Winston, and hurried out of the shop. His thoughts in a jumble, he hurried upstairs to their hotel room. He slammed in to the room, and headed straight to the bedroom, searching—

Kian emerged from the bathroom, rubbing his damp hair with a towel.

The relief that flooded through Daven had him dropping his bags and moving to wrap Kian in a tight hug.

“Hey,” Kian said, his hands still up. “Everything okay?”

Daven closed his eyes and breathed in Kian’s clean scent.

“I worried you’d leave.”

Kian dropped his towel, and brought his arms around Daven’s shoulders.

“I’m here.”

“Yes.”

Kian patted his back, and then leaned back to look at Daven.

“Wanna go walking with me?” Kian smiled, that devastating smile that left Daven stunned. “It’s a beautiful day, and we’re in Amsterdam, a city I’ve never visited. We should make memories.”

Daven studied Kian, confused.

“What about Raja—?”

“We left them at The Hague.” Kian waved his hand with a shrug. “We have a few more days before they think to look elsewhere. Come on, Daven. I heard the pancakes are delicious here. Should we find out for ourselves?”

Daven thought of Winston and his men downstairs. They wouldn’t arrest Kian, would they? Winston had said they wanted to follow Kian. Glancing at the open curtains, Daven frowned.

“I don’t know, Kian.”

“I thought you trusted me,” Kian said, cupping Daven’s face in his cool hands. He leaned up and kissed him. “We need to have more to remember about this place than fights and gunshots.”

“True,” Daven nodded, Kian kissed him again.

“You talked about dates, I got curious.” Kian smiled. “I’ve never been on one.”

“Ever?” Daven frowned. “Come on…”

“None that mattered to me,” Kian said. “None I’ve wanted.”

Well, when Kian put it that way, how could he say no?

“I got you a present,” Daven said, remembering that Kian said he never got a present in his life.

Kian glanced at the bags on the floor. Moving out of Daven’s arms, he hurried to them.

“Toothpaste?” Kian asked a minute later, holding up the toiletries Daven had bought.

“No dummy,” Daven laughed and took the bag with the cap. He pulled it out with slight dramatic flair. “You’re always wearing caps. I thought you would like this one.”

Kian sat on the edge of the bed, and took the cap with a grin. He touched the ‘I Amsterdam’ logo, and looked up at Daven with a wide grin.

“Thank you.”

Daven decided then to give Kian a gift everyday.

After Kian dressed, they left their hotel room in a jovial mood. To Daven’s surprise, Kian left the cap behind. Hair held back in a low ponytail, Kian looked relaxed, an excited mood clung to him like a cloak. Daven smiled when Kian took his hand and led him out the front door, and into the sunny day.

They explored the city with abandon, taking boat rides on the canal, getting off at different spots to taste wine, eat pancakes, and pastries. They explored two museums, and bought ice cream, arguing over flavors.

The evening came too fast, finding them on a boat ride back to where they started. They sat on a bench in the open air. Daven had his arm over Kian’s shoulders as they watched the sun paint the sky over the water.

“Hours turn magical with you,” Kian murmured, turning to press his face into Daven’s shoulder. “You make me wish for unattainable things like futures.”

Daven rubbed Kian’s arm.

“Anything is possible, Kian.”

Kian sighed, and reached up to poke Daven’s chest.

“Who taught you to stay so positive?”

“My Dad,” Daven said, pressing his chin on the top of Kian’s head. “I wasn’t always an easy kid growing up. Got bullied a lot when I was young.”

“Give me names of those who would dare bully you,” Kian said, his tone a tad too serious.

“Are you going to go after them?”

“Yes.”

Daven glanced down at Kian, and found him smiling. “Are you pulling a joke on me?”

“No,” Kian shrugged. “I really would go after them and show them what bullying looks like.”

Daven sighed and squeezed Kian’s arm.

“My father beat you to it, but after he got me to stand up to them alone. He taught me to change circumstances,” Daven smiled, thinking of his father. “Encouraged me to go into the MSF when I couldn’t handle my brother’s death.”

“Naomi’s husband,” Kian said.

“Yes. I loved him, and couldn’t imagine him gone. For a longtime, the souls I saved in those lost places kept my mind away from the numbing grief. The harder it was the better to keep my thoughts occupied. Like a fool, I worked my way into the mess in Somalia.” Daven sighed. “Then again, if I hadn’t done that, I suppose I would never have met you, Kian.”

Kian remained silent, then asked, “Your father is Killian Noland, right?”

“Yes.”

“What does he do?” Kian asked, his tone thoughtful.

“Businessman,” Daven chuckled. “One who is eternally aggrieved by the fact that none of his sons are going to take over the fortune he’s amassed. I became a doctor, and my brother is now gone. Maybe we can hold it in trust for the kids.”

“Nothing wrong with a doctor running a business,” Kian said, stretching his legs. He shifted on the bench, until he laid his head on Daven’s lap, his eyes closed. Daven brushed back strands of hair that had escaped Kian’s messy ponytail.

“What about you, Kian?” Daven asked, studying Kian at rest, committing every little detail to memory.

“What about me?”

“Who is your father?”

“Don’t know,” Kian answered with a small shrug. “Nor my mother. There’s only my grandfather.”

“Why would he train you to take over Raja Securities?”

Kian opened one eye to look at him. “Do you really want to discuss that?”

Daven bit his lower lip, looking at the gorgeous scenery. The peaceful nature of their evening. He didn’t want to ruin it with talk of Raja Securities. Still—

“There will be plenty of time to tell you,” Kian said, reaching up to rub the frown on Daven’s forehead.

“Promise?” Daven asked.

“I promise,” Kian said with a slight smile.

“You said you never lie,” Daven reminded him. “When we first met.”

“I know,” Kian held his gaze.

“Alright,” Daven nodded. “We’re almost there, what do you want to do after this?”

“Hmm…,” Kian smiled. “A dinner date?”

“You want to have a dinner date.”

“Yes.”

“Formal or informal?”

“Which one is more romantic?” Kian asked.

“Formal,” Daven answered. “Even more so, when there is dancing involved.”

“You just want to see me in a suit.”

“Or we could stay in our hotel room and you can wear no suit, no clothes at all.”

“Insatiable lover,” Kian teased. “I’ll wear the suit and dance.”

Daven laughed, delighted by the idea of Kian in formal wear. Leaning down to kiss Kian’s forehead, he knew that this day was one to remember a lifetime.

They bought suits from a shop close by. Getting ready took longer, because Daven delayed the process in the bathroom. There was nothing sexier than making love in that huge shower stall. Kian in the throes of passion was beautiful to watch, beautiful to kiss, and take. Daven loved every inch of him, and the needy moans he gave right before he came.

Their dinner date was fun. They ate fish, fancied up by the hotel chef. Talking about their adventures, and cities they could visit together one day. After dessert was cleared away, they sat at the small table set in their hotel room living area, enjoying the night.

“More wine?” Kian asked, already tipping the bottle to Daven’s glass.

Daven took the wine glass and sipped.

“I think you’re trying to get me drank.”

Kian took his glass, touched it to Daven’s.

“We haven’t danced,” Kian said.

“There’s no music,” Daven sighed. “They really couldn’t bring the orchestra into our hotel room.”

Kian chuckled.

“Just as well. I don’t really like dancing, Daven.”

“Then why did you want to go on a formal date, and dance?”

“Lovers dance,” Kian answered, placing his glass on the table. He reached out to take Daven’s left hand, across the small table. “I thought we should do what everyone else does.”

“Why do you say it like that?”

Daven turned his hand so that Kian locked their fingers together.

Kian’s gaze remained on their clasped hands.

“Because, you’re a healer,” Kian rubbed his thumb over Daven’s knuckles. “I’m a death dealer. Anyone looking at us would surely think we don’t fit.”

“We fit,” Daven said, tightening his hold on Kian’s hand. “We fit, Kian.”

Kian looked up, finally meeting Daven’s gaze.

“Yes, to my surprise,” Kian said, his tone full of longing. “This is why I need you safe, Daven, safer than anything I’ve ever valued in my life.”

Daven blinked when for a second it seemed like there were two Kians. Shaking his head, he wondered if he really hadn’t drunk too much. Only two glasses—

“I’m sorry,” Kian murmured.

Daven’s vision blurred again, and he gasped.

“You drugged me.”

Kian let go of his hand and stood. It took some effort, but Kian managed to get Daven out of his seat, and into the bedroom. Daven felt groggy, and it was a relief to lie down. His heart beating too fast, Daven clung to Kian’s arm, his fingers digging into the suit jacket.

“Don’t leave me,” Daven slurred. “Stay, Kian.”

“I’m going to protect you.” Kian kissed his forehead, then his eyes, then his lips. “You have my heart, Daven Noland. Always will, no matter where I go.”

Tears stung the back of Daven’s eyes, because he couldn’t say the words back. Couldn’t tell Kian he loved him because the drug made him forget how to speak.

“You won’t be alone too long,” Kian continued in a gentle tone. “Someone will come help you. Go home to Naomi.”

Taking a chain from around his neck, Kian lifted Daven’s head, and slipped the chain around Daven’s neck.

“When you are awake, and can think clearly,” Kian said, his voice a whisper. “Take what’s on this chain to your father. He will know what to do.”

Daven tried to fight the fog, tried to speak out his protests and reach out to hold on to Kian. But…his muscles were too tired and numb, his eyes started to close. Kian didn’t move, simply sat on the side of the bed, waiting…so Daven fought hard to keep his eyes open. Until oblivion took control and pulled him under.

***

Kian bent to kiss the tear sliding down into Daven’s hair. Wiping the rest with his fingers, he made sure Daven was comfortable, and then changed out of the suit they’d bought together.

Back in his t-shirt and jeans, Kian stood watching Daven for a moment, hoping to God this wasn’t the last time he was seeing this man. He left the car keys on the bedside table. The only thing he took was the cap Daven gifted him. Pulling it over his head, he stole one last kiss and left the hotel room.

***