Make a move

[EMT]

El Paso, TX
May 28th 2017

Careful not to make any noise, a skill he perfected after years of practicing the art of sneaking from someone else's bedroom in the middle of the night,Ethan Thompson walked inside his hotel room in El Paso, Texas. His eyes took a moment to adapt to the darkness engulfing the chamber, only broken by the dimmed moonlight seeping in through the open window. His sister's tiny body, insofar as small, was occupying more than half of the Queen Size bed, as she was laying spread out on the mattress.

He chuckled to himself, remembering how hyper she was after the dinner they had at the Corralito Steak House, how she promised she would have waited for him to accompany Nadja back to her hotel, and how many things she wanted to tell him...

In her defense, he didn't exactly bring the gorgeous Lady Russia to the doorstep of her luxurious hotel room and waved her goodbye. A couple of hours passed since they left the restaurant, maybe more. He didn't really keep track of time.

On top of that, she fought two matches in the same night, not to mention the jet-lag for flying across the country. Those kind of things took their toll on the eighteen years old Thompson, who wouldn't probably woken up for a long time. A rare smile lightened up his always oh so serious face as his eyes lingered on the blissful expression on her face, framed by those messed blue and pink hair.

I am proud of you kiddo. He whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead. And he really was, not only for the outstanding performance she was delivering week after week inside the ring. What was really tickling his pride was the woman she was growing to be.

Smart, unafraid, defiant. A little firecracker.

Heidi was really digging the nickname Lara Chambers gave her. Something clicked between the two girls, since the very first moment they met. Ethan wasn't really happy to entrust his sister to the cares of the former Unleashed Champion, for a couple of different reasons. First, he knew for a fact that dealing with the youngest Thompson could be tricky as all hell. Girls of her age tend to overreact and behave in crazy ways, with mood swings that were beyond Ethan's understanding.

Then obviously, there was Lara and her peculiar character. Similar to Ethan's in so many ways. And God knows how many times he wanted to kick the little one's ass for, constantly, testing the limits of his patience with her brazen and rebellious attitude.

But the British Bombshell had an ace up her sleeve. Something Ethan could never consider, something that never popped up not even in the remote part of his brain, shopping.

The mere idea of wasting an entire day inside a mall, surrounded by all those noisy people, all those emotions, all those colors was making him sick. Not to mention that he hated the concept itself. But Heidi loved the idea, and Lara seemed to enjoy spoiling her little firecracker. She even started training with her, and the results were showing already. Two matches in one night, two wins. Not bad for a rookie who only trained with a handsy old man in a crappy gym in Philly.

On the plus side, Ethan now could always count on someone to watch over his sister while he was handling business in New York City.

Even now that things between him and Lady Chambers went south.

Even now that the nature of his business was what dug a hole so deep that was slowly swallowing their friendship.

Because, despite how well they fronted, despite all their attempts to save the perception of normality, for Heidi's and Nadja's own good, the truth was they haven't talked in a couple of weeks. Since that Niedvjev guy pointed his fat finger at Shawna as the instigator of this hunt after Nadja Ivanov.

Lara could never get over the fact that Ethan believed him. Nor even consider that he may be right. A mix of rage, disappointment, sense of betrayal and fear pushed her away from him and his mission to keep her safe. Their mission.

Truth was, he still considered her as a friend. His best friend. And he couldn't really blame her, leave alone be mad at her, for not following him in this venture, knowing the deep bond that was tying the two women. Nonetheless, he couldn't just ignore such a strong lead because of their past. Objectively, all the evidence was pointing in that direction. How quick they were to track Nadja down after they moved her from her apartment to a, supposedly, secret location. Why Damien, one of Shawna's men, almost killed her and was actually part, along with Niedvjev, of the small crew who approached Leila a month before. Until the most recent admission of the european thug.

Maybe Lara was right, maybe the guy was just feeding them bullshit. Neither Ethan could be sure if he was telling the truth ot no. I'm not a fucking lie detector. His gift, or curse depending on who you ask, didn't turn him into a human polygraph. He could only see someone's emotion,

And the dominant one in that guy's voice was arrogance. Something Ethan wasn't expecting to see to be honest. In his experience, fear was usually the most common feeling in people whose life was being threatened. That kind of fear that would make them giving up their own mother in order to walk out of that situation.

His first days spent observing Shawna's business from a safe distance, seemed to endorse the thesis that Lara's mentor was clean. The last money transfer from her account to Kasper went back a few months ago. No phone calls since then either. Sure, none of those proof would stand in any courtroom during an hypothetical trial to prove her innocence. But they were more than enough to instill the benefit of the doubt in his mind.

Tiredly, dragging his feet on the floor, he walked to the open window. Peeking through the curtain, he spotted that familiar black sedan parked across the street. And John was obviously in, as he could tell by that bright red small spot of his inevitable cigarette.

John obviously wasn't his name. But he was one of the two men who started following Ethan Thompson since the moment he stuck his nose in the Mobster's business. Even in Texas.
For some reason, he was finding the whole idea of having two crooks on his tail 24/7 highly amusing. He was aware that it would only take one call from Shawna to have one of them ending his life, or even harm Heidi. But he also knew that the order was unlikely to come, if anything simply out of respect to Lara.

Spy and get spied. A weird game in which everyone knew everything about the opponent. A game that, he realized, would never have a winner. He could no longer hope for her to make a mistake. Not that he was actually believing someone like Shawna would make any, to be honest. It was a stalemate situation. Something had to be done to shake things up. Someone had to take his chances and make a move. 

New York City
June 1st, 2017

New York was the closest thing to home for Ethan. He still had the apartment in Cocoa Beach with Heidi and Josie, but the amount of time he spent there could be considered irrelevant compared to how long he was staying in New York lately. To keep watching over Nadja, fighting her demons, sure.

To keep an eye on Shawna's business, to see if she was actually involved in this story, obviously.

But also, much more than he would like to admit, because he felt good. The silence of that apartment when Nadja was at work, only interrupted by the pitter-patter of her four dogs was so relaxing. Sure, he was missing Heidi, her imprecations yelled out of the blue at any hour of the day and of the night while playing videogames, her rare, spontaneous and lovely sudden bursts of affection, when, out of the blue, she would wrap her arms around her big brother.

But since their holiday in Hualalai, when he picked her up in the lowest and darkest moment of her life, he started looking at her in a different way. Nothing new, more like a returning feeling, that same vibe that he felt the first time they met. A sensation of peace, a safe harbor he could dock when the storm of his life became unbearable. A remote haven where he could forget, for a while, all his concerns, drop all that burdens he used to carry on his own back.

That's why things were working so well between them. He could, for a change, leave all his problems behind. Until all kind of different shit fell over them. Once again, he felt the need to put her happiness, or search for it, before his. As it happened with Josie Barnes. And Heidi. Story of my fucking life. Putting the weight of all her sufferings on himself, trying to ease her pain.

And if that meant risking his life, burning bridges with friends and drain himself out mentally... Well to hell with it!

Nadja left early that morning. Some important guest just arrived at Four Seasons New York, and her presence was required. So much better, considering Ethan's expectations about his morning. A couple of gangsters entering her apartment and taking him away with them was a scene he'd love to spare her. Especially after last night.

What he wasn't really expecting when he opened them the door, was to see Lara Chambers standing among them.

"I would invite you guys in for a drink, but I think we're in a hurry."

Jack, or whatever his name was, grabbed his arm. Ethan stared at his hands, wrapped around his wrist.

"This is the easiest way to get your face smashed in pal."

The thug pulled Ethan outside the apartment, or at least that was his intention before Lara stopped him. "No need. He will follow."

It was a fifteen minutes ride from Nadja's place to Shawna's mansion outside New York. A heavy, silent ride. There were so many things going through everyone's mind, but no one dared to break that sacred silence. Not until the card stopped right outside the Villa. That was when Ethan noticed the guy he called John's arm bandaged, courtesy of Loki, Nadja's oldest and biggest dog.

Ethan's move to break the impasse.

Twenty-four hours ago, Ethan was walking the dogs in the small park near Lady Russia's apartment, and John was, obviously, following him. To give him credit, he was good at the shadowing game. The only way he got caught was his horrible habit to smoke -a lot- and drop Davidoff Magnum's butts everywhere he stopped while following Ethan's movements. What he failed to notice was that Ethan picked up some, and trained Loki to track the unmistakable Virginia Tobacco smell. It was amusing and surprising for him to see that old, fat drooling fur ball totter towards Shawna's man. Hilarious to see a man in suit chased by a 40 pounds Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Gratifying watching him jogging back after one whistle, with a sleeve of the expensive Armani suit between his teeth.

Grinning, Ethan pulled out the torn and tattered shred of silk while stepping outside the car, handling it to John. "There was this seamstress back in Helena, Montana... She worked miracles, I'm sure she can fix it." He grinned cockily, with that hint of arrogance coming from the certainty that no harm will be done to him.

As expected, John's aggressive reaction was immediately stopped by the former Unleashed Champion, who didn't lose the chance to look at him sideways. As the huge mansions doors opened, Ethan was almost blown away by the splendour of the main hall. A huge central stair covered by a red and gold Iranian carpet and with a golden handrail lead them upstairs, where, as Ethan knew so well, Shawna's office was. The two guards stopped at the foot of the staircase. It was Jack addressing Ethan. "She's waiting in her office upstairs. Turn..."

"I know exactly where it is. That's part of the reason why I am here, isn't it?"

Lara shook his head before following him upstairs. "You better leave this arrogance outside that door."

"Or what? If she really wanted to kill me, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

He had a point. Nonetheless, she was hoping he would show at least some respect to the woman who made Lara Chambers. Or at least, he wouldn't use that word. Scum.

The Impassable was sitting at her massive Baroque desk, from where she handled most of the business as the leader of one of the most powerful and respected crime syndicate.

"Ethan Milo Thompson, born in Helena, Montana on February 10th 1992."

"Did you just google it?"

Lara wanted to slap him for that brash and disrespectful attitude. Shawna didn't flinch.

"The only reason why that sentence doesn't end with an epitaph is the woman standing next to you. It's out of respect for Lara Chambers and the friendship that, somehow, ties her with you that I didn't pull the trigger. But then again what do you know about respect Ethan Milo Thompson?"

"I know that everyone demands it, but only a few are worth it. I doubt you'll make the small list Shawna."

He sat on one of the two elegant chairs in front of her. Leaning his elbow on the armpit, his head resting on his closed fist. He stared at the Mob leader, almost waiting for her to sit down. Which eventually happened after an intense staredown between the two of them. Lara Chambers, marginalized in the unconventional role of a silent bit player, sat next to him, glancing now at Ethan and then at Shawna, uncomfortably stuck in the middle.

Tapping her fingernails on the wooden surface, the woman also known as Bella Mafia was taking her time to study Ethan. His facial features, his body posture, those intense green eyes. Everything on him was suggesting he was absolutely and perfectly calm, almost as if he was in full control. She found this weird, and somewhat destabilizing. Fascinating in a way.

"You spent the last week..."

"Ten days."

"What?" She sounded surprised, and slightly annoyed by the interruption.

"Your guys have been on my tail since a week. You missed three days. Let's say I tested the water. Which reminds me, there's a blind spot your camera circuit doesn't cover  on the north side of your mansion. And I'm only telling you this out of respect of this woman sitting next to me and the friendship that, for some reason, ties the two of you."

Lara once again stared at him, then back at Shawna. Their eyes locked.

"Impressive." Said the Impassable.

Lara didn't reply, but a slight smile appeared on her face.

"So you know that I have nothing to do with all this story. I would never hurt any of Lara's friends. Not even those who stuck their nose in my business."

"I know that he worked for you in the recent past. That's why he had your number. It was... Last month I guess? You paid him 10K, that must have been some important  job. I also know that you decided to help him with his respiratory distress. A 9mm bullet is the panacea for all the troubles, am I right?"

Once again, Shawna was taken aback by his words. How could he know? Sure, she kept track of all her businesses in an encrypted file on her computer, which he, with some skills, could have hacked. But she gave the order to put an end to Niedvjev misery only a day ago, and she personally gave the order to her most trusted hitman, there's no way he could have known this.

Ethan tapped his index on the edge of her computer screen.

"Technology is a real bitch, Shawna. I have this... Friend... Who can do crazy stuff with one of those things. Including giving me a pair of eyes and ears inside your office."

"I told you, he knows his shit." For the first time, Lara spoke. And she was striking a blow in Ethan's favor.

For a long moment there was absolute silence in the office. Shawna almost seemed like a statue, not even her long, blonde waves moved when she was breathing. Her full attention was focused on Ethan. This serious expression pretty much fitting her own.

"You may tell the young Ivanov that if she ever needs a job... I will hire her." She couldn't help but laugh. It was a loud and somewhat dark laughter. "But now to you Mister Thompson, I am highly impressed by your dedication. Consider it flattery with honest intentions when I congratulate you. It is because of your case that I haven't struck you down. We both know I could have. But the truth is, I admire what you do. We, you and me, may will not always see eye to eye... but on that matter, you can count on me."

Lara looked at Shawna with a satisfied grin then looked over at Ethan. His expression still unreadable.

"I know it is not my place to ask but for shits and giggles, right? What job did you send the guy out to do... considering 10K is a lot of money."

Shawna's eyes moved back to Ethan, that knowing smile sitting in the corner of her mouth.

"To bring me the head of a dead man."

Ethan stared at her, confused by her words, unable to grasp the meaning of her words. "I watched you for quite some time Shawna. I have to admit I was wrong. You're not as bad as I initially thought, for a mob leader."

"Just because I didn't kill you Ethan?" She answered with a grin.

"There's much more to it. And I'm sure you know exactly what I am talking about."

The expression on her face changed, the sly grin turning into a soft smile. Before she could reply, her attention shifted to the massive door of her office. Someone was knocking.

"Door closed, do not disturb. Is it that hard to understand?"

The voice from the other side, even though muffled through the still closed heavy wooden door, belonged to the man Ethan christened Jack. "I am sorry ma'am. We just received a small package."

Shawna was hiding the surprise, but clearly, she wasn't expecting a deliver. "And you really couldn't wait, right?"

"Erm... It's from Ethan Thompson.

The two women immediately looked at Ethan, confused. He answered by shrugging his shoulders, his lips curving in a smile. As Jack left the room after handling the small box to his boss, Shawna started looking at if from all angles, with a growing curiosity.

"Well it won't open itself."

The Impassable finally unwrapped the gift. Inside, there was a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue. Scotch.  Her. poison.. With a wide smile, she opened it, taking a sip before passing it to Ethan, who did the same before handing the liquor to Lara, ending the circle.

"We started with the wrong foot Ethan Thompson. Having a wrong opinion of each other, based on a faulty first impression." She raised the bottle, nodding at him. "But something tells me that we're going to be friends."

New York City
May 31st, 2017

He took some sweet time watching Nadja's naked body laying on the bed. The pale moonlight was giving a peculiar glare to her colored skin, almost making it shine in the darkness of her room. Ethan lips slowly curved in a wide smile as his hand moved down her hair, moving them aside and exposing her neck. That horrible scar was really standing out on her perfect skin. A painful memory of a violent ex boyfriend. He couldn't help but lightly rubbing his fingertips over it. She squirmed in her sleep, goosebumps instantly forming on her back. It's like electricity. A shock. He could almost hear her sweet voice repeating those words, like the first time he accidentally touched that spot.

Unable to sleep, he walked back to the living room. Destination: the drinks cabinet. As always, there was an ample choice of booze. Russian Vodka, of course, In so many flavours, some of which he swore to himself he would never taste. Rum, Tequila, even some absinthe... But his eyes were already leaning on one particular bottle. Roughstock Montana Whiskey Black Label. The best thing in the whole state of Montana. The only good thing I got from my father. Nadja always made sure that he would never run out of it despite the scarce availability in New York City, periodically stocking up ordering it straight from the distillery..

With the bottle on his hand, he walked to the table occupying the center of the room. He sat in one of the two chairs left, after an overexcited Loki literally ran through them. In the middle of the table, another victim of the big dog's rush of adrenaline: a porcelain vase.. After taking a long sip straight from the bottle, squeezing his eyes as the liquor flowed down his throat, Ethan pulled it closer, watching him closely. They did quite a good job in gluing the fragments back together, Except for that missing piece that was nowhere to be found.

The memory of that moment played back in his mind. Such a vivid memory, even if it happened almost two weeks ago.

"This is your life now Nadja. Broken, shattered. You may even think that nothing good will ever come out of this."  He picked up a big piece of the once porcelain vase. Moving it close to the one she was holding. The pieces matched perfectly. "I will help you fix it." They both were still holding the fragments close to one another. Ethan kept  staring in her eyes

"Are you part of that life? Or are you one of those splinters over there?" She didn't move. For a moment she probably didn't even breath. Observing those deep green eyes, with the dark spot.

He didn't speak, until the vase was one piece again. Complete for the most part, except for a missing piece right under the superior edge. A small fragment that got lost  "Me. Leila. Lara... We all are part of your life. Each one of us was one of those broken  broken pieces, scattered all around. But once this thing is over, your life will be like this. Perfect."  He gave a satisfied look at the vase, noticing only now the small hole from the missing piece. "Well, almost..."

"I don't really need a perfect life."

As his mind was still reliving those moments, remembering every single word much to his surprise, he found himself running his fingertips all over the cracked lines, just like he used to do with the scar on Nadja's neck. His finger inevitably reaching the missing piece, scratching his skin against the fragmented edge.

That seemed to take him back to reality, breaking the stream of thoughts that was seemingly occupying his whole mind.

He put the vase down on the table. Still staring it, unable to take his eyes away from his ruined surface, jammed by all those irregular lines covering it, he took another long sip of whiskey straight from the bottle.

It's still beautiful. He thought to himself. It's like that japanese tradition, where they use gold to repair broken pottery. It gives the object a new appearance, a new value.

His life, Nadja's life, were much more like that vase. Two solitudes drawing together. Two scarred souls, meeting for a lucky chance. Feelings have never been Ethan's thing. In his experience, everyone he ever loved ended up hurt, and everyone who ever loved him, eventually left him drowning his pain in whiskey.

He couldn't deny that Nadja Ivanov was changing that disheartening perspective he came to have. There was no point in denying it.

And here she was, walking to him with Ethan's shirt on to barely cover her nakedness. Without saying a word, she sat on his lap, snatching the bottle from his hand and bringing it to his lips, smiling at him while taking a long sip, before kissing him softly. He stared in her eyes. The window to her soul. A sweet, gentle soul concealed under a coat of tattoos and her austere figure.

A soul that was made even more precious by all those scars.