Lilith Cohen Retribution Read online

  Lilith Cohen: Retribution. By William J Manning.

  Chapter 1

  The jet touches down at Omega Airbase, and I grin knowing those tigers are fat and happy with a hearty meal, but that won’t hold them forever, which is why I notified an animal sanctuary that takes in Tigers.

  I do hope Catalina didn’t give the poor things the shits.

  The muggy night air wafts through the hold as the ramp lowers. But compared to Colombia, the humidity is mild. A Black Sedan pulls up, and Dom steps out of the car. “Welcome, home.”

  “Thank you,” I say as we climb into the car and leave the base. “I got a way to find Doctor Conrad.”

  He glances over at me. “Good. Let’s hear it.”

  My face turns grim. “You’re not going to like it at all.” My voice lowers.

  He sighs. “Oh hell, I am just dying to hear this shit.” His voice bitter as a man who lost his ass at the poker tables.

  “Venora. She agreed to help us get the coordinates to his lab.”

  I nearly choked to death using Venora and the word help in the same sentence.

  He glances at me in anger. “Have you lost your fucking mind? Venora is manipulative psychopath! How can we rely on her to help us?”

  I knew Dom would lose his shit over this and with good reason, but it’s the only lead I got at the moment. Tiffany damn sure won’t help us willingly. I won’t put my friend through the Hunter’s Enhanced Interrogation process. That will finish off what’s left of her sanity.

  “Well, I would ask my husband, but he’s dead. Samira can’t remember the lab’s location because they had her doped up, and Tiffany will tell us to eat shit.”

  “Goddamn it. I really don’t like this. She

  manipulated you once before by posing as your contact, and you ended up shot. How do you know she won’t make it a headshot this time or hand you over to Black Reign to make a profit? Or worse, she uses your own nanites against you turning you into her personal meat puppet?” “I don’t. But, trust me on this, okay.”

  “Trust you? I’m already risking my job for you, and now you’re asking me to allow you to risk your life and my entire team. Along with Athena falling into the wrong hands. That’s a tall order, even for you, friend.”

  “I don’t like this any more than you do. Personally, I’d rather shove a fucking blade through her neck and watch her drown on her own blood than ask her for help. That being said she hates Black Reign as much as we do, and that right there is why she may be reliable.”

  I hope this is the right move. Sometimes I don’t know if it’s safe to trust my gut anymore after Karl.

  “So that’s how we’re running ops now, crawling in bed with our enemies?”

  “Sometimes you have to make a deal with the devil.” I glance over at him and grin. “Besides, you already did that when you got married to that control freak,” I reply.

  “Well, I’m not married anymore, but you’re right. I did make a deal with the devil on that one.”

  His wife hates me, and I can’t blame her. Especially considering what Dom and I did to her car on a mission in London chasing Venora’s thugs. I witnessed the wrath of an angry British woman that day when she realized her candy apple red Sedan was used as a bullet shield.

  “You know, aside from my ex-wife being a controlling bitch; she has every right to hate you. You destroyed her car. The very car you’re sitting in by the way.” “Nice. You can’t tell it’s been in a shootout. So your ex just gave you the car?”

  “Huh, give is a strong word. I think she meant it as a fuck you for divorcing her. I inherited the repair costs and a new paint job.” He tightens his jaw and sighs. “Anyway, back to this moronic idea of yours. If we don’t hear from Venora soon, we’re heading to New York with or without the coordinates. The agency wants this scientist dead ASAP he has kidnapped more refugees for testing, Lilith.”

  “Not surprised Black Reign snatched up more lab rats. They’re probably gathering up more test subjects for when they capture me alive.”

  “Which is exactly why we can’t afford to have you captured. It’s also why I hate this plan of yours. Venora could be baiting you with false Intel.”

  “If it makes you feel better, I hate this idea too.”

  “Well thanks, but it doesn’t!” he retorts.

  The car stops at my Tactical Operations Center or TOC. We climb out of the car. He storms around the car and shoves his finger in my face. “All the stuff I taught you. All the training we put you through, and the things you learned over the years, and your instincts lead you to rely on Venora? He scoffs. “I am really disappointed in you, Agent Cohen.” He exhales sharply and throws his hands out to his side. “Look, I only want to be sure you’re not so desperate to destroy Black Reign you kill yourself and take us with you in the process. Promise me you’re of sound mind right now, and you’re not blinded by a red mist.”

  I can understand his concern. Venora is a master at manipulation, but I am completely on the level.

  “Dom, I am focused. I know what I’m doing. She’s using me, and I’m using her right back.”

  He groans and shakes his head. “Fine. I will let this bullshit plan play out, but if I don’t like what I see, we’re scrapping it, understand?”

  “Don’t worry. If I don’t like what I see, I’ll cut the bitch's head off.”

  I hope I’m right about Venora needing me because I am sticking my hand in a viper’s nest.

  “Glad we're on the same page,” he replies, strolling through the door.

  Clare is sleeping on her computer table, her head lying in a puddle of her drool. I guess even energy drink junkies have to sleep at some point. Samira is passed out on her stomach snoring. She may seem like she’s sleeping peacefully, but I don’t want to imagine the nightmares she’s having.

  I head to my bedroom and crawl under the sheets and give in to my body’s’ desire for sleep.

  Sitting at a table in an outdoor Miami bar, my feet resting on Karl’s lap while he is massaging them. Tiffany is wasted and trying to dance with everyone in the bar. “Lily, you going to cut her off or should I?”

  I burst into chuckling. “Cut her off? But, she’s so funny when she’s drunk.”

  “Come on, honey. Go get my sister before she does something embarrassing like dancing on a table topless.”

  “Oh, she is not that hammered.” I pull my feet off his lap and step into my sandals

  “If I recall those were your famous last words at our Christmas party.”

  “Fine, I’ll go get her.” I walk over to her and grab her by the arm. “Tiff, you need to come sit down and have some water.”

  She staggers around and winks at a muscular waiter. “No! Not until he comes back to my room and power fucks me.” She slurs.

  “No, come on. We both know all you’re going to do is puke on him and pass out.”

  “Don’t, you tell me, my b-business, woman, lady.” She smiles and latches on to Karl kissing him on the mouth.

  “No, Tiffany. That’s your brother.”

  She chortles. “Oh shit, sorry, bro.” She loses her balance and falls on a table knocking it over.

  A loud ringing mutes the world. I can’t hear Karl. All I see is his lips moving. Then it hits me, Venora!

  The sun beams through the window, poking my eyes, forcing me to jerk my head away. The dream churned the bile in my stomach which begs the question… what’s wrong with me? The fucker fed me to the wolves. My hand lazily slides across the nightstand until it touches my cell. Scrolling through my text messages, and sure enough, Venora came through with the coordinates. I sit on the edge of the bed slipping on my pants and stand up stretching my arms. After throwing on a black tank t
op, I head over to the armory. Samira is sipping a hot beverage and Clare sucking down probably her third Cosmic Storm. “Lilith, I took the liberty of brewing some of your green tea. I hope you don’t mind?”

  Well, now I got two rats raiding my kitchen cleaning me out.

  I nod and wave my hand dismissively. “I got plenty. Help yourself.”

  Dominic returns to the arsenal with a cup of coffee. “Ah Good. You’re up. I was just bringing you coffee.”

  I take the mug from him. “Thanks.” I sit at the small table which has my lighter; a cheap plastic dirty ashtray filled to the brim with cigarette butts; and my pack of smokes lying next to the astray. My hand reaches into the packet of cigarettes, and I slip one between my lips and light it. Smoke jets from my nose as I sip my coffee. A cigarette with a cup of coffee is like a warm-up for the day. My flask of whiskey is waiting on me like an old friend. I like to give my coffee an extra bite in the morning. I raise the mug to my lips and take a sip. “Venora came through, Dom.”

  Shock washes over his face. “How do we know she is not fixing you up for an ambush?”

  “We don’t. But it’s a chance we have to take.” I key in the coordinates on my cell. “Interesting when I enter the coordinates on my phone’s GPS it looks like it’s in the wilderness in upstate New York.”

  “Hmm. This stinks of an ambush to me, but I’ll trust your gut, Lilith.” He rises from the chair. “Alright, ladies. Looks like the Psycho Ginger came through, so we are relocating to New York,” he says.

  “Samira, you’re still with us okay,” I say.

  She nods with a smile on her face. “I was worried you guys were going to ditch me for a second.”

  “No, we can’t. You’re under our protection until Black Reign is taken care of.”

  “Lilith, I hear it’s snowing in New York,” Clare says with excitement.

  I didn’t share her enthusiasm she thinks of beauty when she hears there is snow. Me, I think of freezing my ass off, frostbite, and wet clothes.

  Finishing up my coffee and cigarette, I head to my bathroom and take a shower to wake up.

  I step out of the shower and slip on a pair of green cargo pants and a black Nine Inch Nails thermal shirt and my dark low cut combat boots. After packing the rest of my clothes, I slip some extra mags down in my leg pockets. I put on my black leather coat and my shoulder holster. Returning to the armory, Clare has her stuff packed and ready to go. “So, Dom. You got a place lined up for TOC?”

  “Yes. It’s a cabin converted into a command center just outside of a small town.”

  “Fully stocked with weapons, I assume?”

  “Yes, it's fully stocked like here. Minus the weapons, you purchased with your own money.”

  “Okay good.”

  “Clare and Samira took the liberty of packing your sword in the SUV along with your wrist blades. You riding with us or you following us on your bike?”

  “I’ll catch up to you guys on my bike. I got to take care of some things. Personal thingsI haven’t got around to yet.”

  “Alright well, don’t get too far behind.”

  I slip on my black helmet. “I won’t.”

  After exiting the safe house, I mount my bike and head to the cemetery where my husband was buried. Storm clouds form on the horizon. In Florida, when it rains in the mornings, it rains all day Florida’s weather is weird like that.

  I arrive at the massive cemetery and shut off the engine. Strolling to my traitorous husband’s grave, passing several rows of tombstones. Glancing at the headstones, It dawns on me I’ve lost so many people I care about because of who I am; Edward, my parents, and my husband. I’ve got a trail of people I care about, dead in my wake.

  Nearing my husband’s grave, I see a young woman doubled over sobbing and digging her hands in the dirt. She’s mourning her twelve-year-old son who died.

  Sad how life forces a parent to bury their child. However, this is not the first time I saw parents wailing over their child’s grave. I saw it a lot in my line of work. Children silenced by gunfire was the norm in the hell holes I’ve been to.

  I wipe my tears on my forearm and continue to Karl’s grave. My muscles constrict with anger as I arrive at his grave. “Hey, asshole.” My voice sharp with strangled rage as tears run down my face. “I should’ve known better. I should’ve seen through your con, but I didn’t. I fell in love with you like a fucking idiot. Catalina said you turned away because you had a sudden attack of conscience, but either way, you were planning to sell me out. I don’t forgive you, prick.”

  I sit down, resting my head up against Karl’s grave and close my eyes. Flashes of his gentle smile flood my mind. The sounds of his laughter drive me into a fiery rage urging me to leap to my feet and kick the headstone, splitting it in half. “Why! Why did you do this to me? I trusted you, and you stabbed me in the fucking back!” I collapse to my knees, gasping for breath. Regaining my composure, I stand up and lumber out of the graveyard.

  When I reach my bike, something pierces the side of my neck. “Ow! What the hell?” I hiss feeling the sensation of a bee sting. My hand moves to the source of the pain and finds a dart sticking from my jugular.

  Son of a bitch!

  I rest my hands on my bike trying to prop myself up as my legs turn to rubber, my vision blurs. My grip loosens, and I collapse to the ground. Hurried footsteps approach along with an American woman barking orders. “Get her in the damn van and hurry up. This bitch has become more trouble than she’s worth!”

  The world sinks into a black void as the drugs take hold.

  Chapter 2

  Faint voices echo in the darkness, discussing things I can’t understand. My eyes open, but my vision is blurry. I try to move my hands, but they won’t budge, they’re tied spread- eagle above my head on a cold steel vertical exam table. My vision returns to normal just in time to see a fist flying toward my face. The fist slams into my jaw jerking my head back.

  Somebody has had boxing lessons. I’m actually spitting blood.

  Wake up, bitch!” A woman growls.

  My eyes trail up her body and stop at her face. It’s Lauren in black military fatigues. “You know, an alarm clock would have sufficed.”

  The mercs brought me to a cavernous lab filled with scientists and mercs armed with AA12 shotguns. The assholes took my clothes and put me in this hospital gown. “Lauren Moretti. I believe I’ve butchered loads of your people. Catalina is the most recent one. I served her up to her pets. It’s a real shame you had to cut and run. You could’ve been dessert for the murder kitties.”

  She smashes me in the jaw with another right hook. “She won’t be missed.” Her nostrils flare as she presses my Karambit against my abdomen. “I’d love nothing more than to gut you with your own damn knife, but Colvin is paying me to play nice. Count your blessings.” She slams another fist in my face.

  A female scientist with short grey hair and glasses marches up behind Lauren. “Mrs. Moretti! She shouts. “I understand your anger towards Mrs. Cohen, but you also have to understand the lab is my turf. I will not stand by and allow your emotions to hinderour progress.”

  She scowls at the scientist and turns to the other lab geeks. “All you lab geeks listen up! We sent our best after Lilith. I’m talking Ex-Special Forces, and she ripped right through them like a damn meat grinder. If she gets loose in here, you assholes will be nothing but a cardio workout. So watch your asses around her.”

  The head scientist exhales. “From what I’ve seen, it is you who needs watching.” Lauren storms out of the lab cussing under her breath.

  The scientist steps closer to me and beams a cordial smile. “Good evening, Mrs. Cohen. My name is Doctor Deirdre Molyneux. Welcome to our underground Nano-Lab. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to meet the future of nanotechnology. Colvin told me to make you as comfortable as you desire. Provided you cooperate with us.”

  “Go fuck yourself.”

  She frowns and starts to speak when a tall, cleanshave
n man enters the lab wearing a tailor-made black pinstripe suit with an Egyptian blue dress shirt underneath. It’s Colvin. “Hold off on telling us to fuck-off till you heard my offer, will ya.” He strolls over to me and leans back, beaming a wolfish smile. “Goddamn, you are a badass bitch. Do you realize the people you killed were ex-Special Forces? You had to have received some high-speed training to pull that kind of shit off.”

  “I wonder, was it my training, or was your men just incompetent?”

  He bites his lower lip and chuckles. “Highly trained and a smart ass. I love it.”

  “Well, ant you sweet.”

  He grins and raises his hands. “Okay, I’ll peel my lips off your ass and get right to it. Listen, you are a walking miracle, and as the doctor told you, you cooperate with me, and I promise you will live like a queen. First order of business, we get you some normal clothes so you can ditch those medical rags. Then, I’ll put you up in a five-star hotel where you will have a 24-7 bar and brothel where you will have your pick of men and women. All I ask in exchange is you donate some of your time to Doctor Molyneux here. Let her take some samples. Think about it. You will never have to kill again. You can earn an easy living without ever having to pick up another gun.”

  The deal did sound nice, but if I betray the Hunters, I won’t live long enough to enjoy the luxuries.

  “That sounds like a sweet deal, but I can’t accept it. I took an oath.”

  His jaw clenches in anger, but he regains his composure. “Keep in mind, one way or another. You will help me, sister.” He forces a smile on his face. “So you have two choices: be a patient or be a guinea pig. Now let me tell you about the different perks each package offers, The Patient Package gets all the testing, and a shit ton of perks whereas The Guinea Pig Package doesn’t get shit, but being poked and prodded to hell and back. And when you’re not being poked and prodded, you will be locked in a glass cell for people to gawk at like a lizard in an aquarium.”

  “Look, even if you did somehow replicate the nanites, there’s no guarantee you can make them universal for everybody.”