Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(23)
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CHAPTER
EIGHT
Sasha: Summer
Agra, India
As the private jet took off, Sasha still didn’t know where they were going—only south to Tamil Nadu. It made her nervous, but she forced a bored expression on her face, tapping her foot irritably against the pale gray leather seat. The jet was definitely impressive, with a long, sleek sofa on one side and four luxurious reclining seats on the other. She’d caught a glimpse of a conference room in the back when she stowed her bow and arrow in the overhead compartment with her carry-on. That was after Jayesh’s team searched them from head to toe. Imogen’s concealment gift was way more impressive than Sasha had ever realized. It was fascinating to watch the guard’s hands slide right through the weapons at her hip like they were made of vapor. It gave her comfort knowing she was prepared for anything—at least physically. Mentally, she wasn’t prepared at all for what lay ahead of her.
Sasha watched Jayesh sitting opposite her now, poring over a stack of documents and speaking softly to the two soldiers sitting with him. The huge African men had joined them at the airport. They were both heavily scarred Immortals and spoke a dialect of French she had difficulty following. It was similar to Haitian French and called to her roots. She wondered if the two men were from Haiti. Or perhaps Africa? African French would explain her struggle to follow their conversation.
Sasha’s eyes widened in alarm as she realized what that could mean. Jayesh led a “special forces” team that they wanted her to become a part of in the future. He was overseeing her training to become an assassin. Sloane said he was “the best at what he did.” He’s some kind of world-class assassin. And his team was probably active on the African continent. Her family feared that Sasha would not be returned to them as promised when this was over.
Oh my God, are they going to take me to Africa? Her mind whirled with thoughts of warlords, jungles, drug smuggling and blood diamonds.
Sasha leaned over and whispered her suspicions to her sister.
“You could be right,” Gen said. If it was possible, she looked even more uptight than when they’d boarded the plane.
Sasha watched Jayesh now. The moment they parted ways with Lieutenant Governor Sloane at the airport, his tune had changed. Apparently, he’d been on his best behavior for her parents. Now he was a smug son of a bitch, barking orders and ignoring Sasha and Imogen completely. Dressed in faded black fatigues, he was certainly handsome and every inch a soldier, but his attitude ruined any chance of them getting along the minute he opened his mouth.
Sasha concentrated on their hushed conversation, trying to decipher enough of their French to get the gist of what they were discussing. She continued gazing out the window, feigning boredom, catching bits and pieces as they spoke. It was mostly about Jay’s low opinion of the “brat” he was forced to babysit. But they seemed to be discussing a contingency plan for after this was all over.
Sasha just wanted this thing done as quickly as possible. She was determined to get back to her plans and if that meant learning the subtle art of killing people, then she would do it. It didn’t mean she actually had to implement those skills.
She had an insane desire to prove herself worthy of the task they were giving her. A desire to prove herself to the prick sitting opposite her now. But she didn’t want the Senate to come for her again anytime soon. She had to botch this somehow. She had to dance along the razor’s edge of good, but not good enough. She had to convince Jayesh that she was too young, too immature and too inexperienced for this.
“Come, let’s get this over with,” Jayesh said, standing and motioning for Sasha and Imogen to follow him to the conference room at the back of the plane. Sasha followed quietly, unsure of what to expect from his sudden summons.
“Sit,” he commanded. His tone was one of a superior officer addressing the lowest of his soldiers.
Sasha took her seat beside Gen in one of the black leather chairs at the obsidian conference table.
Jayesh leaned over her. “We have a few things to get straight,” he said. “The Senate wants you here. I do not. They want you trained to become a member of my team. I do not. They want you to be the Senate’s representative on my team. I do not.” He slipped into the seat opposite her, keeping his gaze level with hers.
“Then we can agree all around.” Sasha leaned forward, not dropping her gaze from his. “I don’t want to be here either, but it looks as if neither of us has a choice. So I don’t know what you expect me to do about it.”
“I expect you to do what you’re told, complete the training to the best of your ability and stay out of my way. I am not your babysitter. I am not your mentor. I am only here because the Senate would place you on my team and under my protection. I can’t stop it, but I can make damned sure you won’t be a liability to the rest of my team, if and when you do join us.”
“I assure you I will not need babysitting,” Sasha said calmly.
“Whatever, angel.” His lip curled into a sneer. “Call it whatever you want. I’m not your handler. For either of you.” Jay gave Imogen a look of equal disdain.
My sister could fry you on the spot, dude. Don’t be an ass. Sasha gave him a withering glare.
“Please,” Imogen interjected. “My sister is young. I’ll ask that you show her a little respect since she’s been asked to do something no one her age should ever have to do. I would suggest that you give her an explanation of what to expect next.”