Nikki Blaze and the Chinese Princess

By Tucker Jackson

Nikki Blaze is at the top of her game and the top of her profession. She's the worlds highest paid assassin. Now she wants out while she's still on top. But she must go on one last mission. To save someone she loves she must find a legendary pearl called the Chinese Princess.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Travane
• Release date: Jun 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393295297

Tucker Jackson

Tucker Jackson is the author of five novels and a book of poetry. He lives with his wife and dog Wyatt in Jacksonville, Florida.

Book preview

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

NIKKI BLAZE AND THE CHINESE PRINCESS

First edition. June 9, 2019.

Copyright © 2019 Tucker Jackson.

ISBN: 978-1393295297

Written by Tucker Jackson.

Table of Contents

Copyright Page

Nikki Blaze and the Chinese Princess

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About the Author

Nikki Blaze

and the

Chinese Princess

A Nikki Blaze Thriller 

Tucker Jackson

Prologue

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The little girl woke from a wonderful sleep. She was a beautiful girl, long straight raven colored hair and almond eyes. Her name was Jia Chang and even though she was only six she knew that she was someone special. She was a Princess, the heir apparent to the Chinese Royal Family.

Someone was coming into her room. Her room, her special place with fairies and magical dragons on the wall.  She had been dreaming about white, flying horses and the Prince that would save her from her imaginary enemies. It was her Grandmother, the Empress Dowager Tzu-hsi. I am sorry to wake you child, how are you feeling?

It’s alright Grandmother, Jia said drowsily, she sat up on some pillows. I’m still not feeling well. She had been sick for several days and the Physicians could not determine the cause. Tzu-hsi was concerned. The Empress sat on the side of her bed; she had a small black box in her hand. She gave it to Jia.

What is it? Jia asked.

It is a Princess, just like you. Open it.

Jia opened the lid on the box. There was a most exquisite pearl on a piece of black velvet. Oh my, she said, her face lit up like a new moon. What is this?

The Empress laughed, It’s a pearl of priceless value. Your great, great grandfather found it by divine provenance in an oyster that was caught in his net. It is an Akoya pearl called The Chinese Princess. When you have reached the appropriate age that you have wisdom it will be yours.

Can I keep it under my pillow, just for tonight? Jia said.

No Precious, Tzu-hsi said, It must be kept in the Royal vaults.

Why? Jia protested, It’s just a pearl.

It contains a secret. Touch it.

Jia hesitated and then touched the pearl with just the tip of her finger. It seemed to glow faintly, or did she just imagine? It’s warm Grandmother, she said delightedly.

She took the box from Jia and got up to leave, You’ll feel better now.  She went out and turned off the light. Jia returned to her enchanted dream world. 

Chapter One

Cabo San Lucas

Nikki dropped the Lear down out of the clouds and locked in on the Cabo San Lucas Airport.  She took out her mobile and speed dialed her house.

This is the Blaze residence, Paulo speaking.

Pappy, I’m on the way home. Nikki said.

That is so good Miss Nikki, I have been concerned.

It’s all good Pappy, see you in little while, I’m coming into Cabo now.

Pappy said, A man has been calling for you.

Who? Nikki asked.

He won’t leave his name until you call him.

Put it on my calendar please, I’ll call him when I get back. she said.

The assignment had been challenging to say the least, short notice and little time with her Jiu Jitsu teacher, the Master Yuan Lu, but it somehow got done. She had to do some things she didn’t like to do but it put another million in her anonymous bank account in Port Au Prince. She thought back, this one had been hard. It was good to be home.

The black Lear came down; the only markings were Angel in white letters on the nose.  She picked up the radio handset, This is Nikki Blaze requesting landing.

Come in on the North bank runway, A1 the voice from the Tower said.

Nikki skid down on the runway and taxied in front of her hanger.

She went back, pulled up the door and jumped down to the tarmac. A man came out to meet her, Miss Nikki, so glad you’re back.

It’s good to be back.

How are you? he asked.

She picked up her flight bag and threw it over her shoulder. I’m tired, ready to go home for awhile.  Is the Bugatti ready?

"Yes Miss, I gave it a tune-up while you were away, it’s more, how do you say, ‘hot’ than before.

Thank you Franco, she gave him a thousand peso note and walked toward the hanger.

He looked at the bill and stuffed it in his shirt, Thank you Miss Angel, anytime.

Nikki walked into the cool, dark hanger where she had left the Bugatti Vitesse. She pulled off the canvas cover and looked at its sleek, black lines. Taking out the remote she beeped it open and got in. Slipping in the key it started to life with a deep, throaty sound. Taking it out of the hanger she left the airport onto the winding road along the coast that led to her beach house. The blue ocean beyond the pure, white sand sparkled at her. After about an hour she pulled off the road into the driveway of a Spanish styled house on the beach.  She parked in the circular driveway and went up to the house. The door opened and Paulo came out to the veranda to greet her. Miss Nikki, it’s so good to have you home.

It’s good to be home, Pappy. she hugged him. Paulo had been with her ever since she was a child.  He had been her parents Houseman until they were killed and then he came to her.  He was fiercely loyal and protective. I’m going to go down to the beach and rest, won’t be gone long.

That man, the one who won’t leave his name, he called again today.

I’ll call him tomorrow. She said.

Paulo said, I will make you your favorite dish, chiles rellenos.

Nikki went up the stairs to the master bedroom and dropping her flight bag walked to the large picture window. She pulled the curtains open, the sun was just going down over the ocean, bright orange. She took off her flight suit and put on a black bikini, took a beach towel from the bathroom and opened a drawer in her dresser. She took out a Beretta Nano 9mm and dropped it into her belly pack. Going down the stairs she could smell Paulo’s cooking, it filled her with wonderful childhood memories. Nikki walked the short distance to the beach and spread out the beach towel. It was like the end of the workday, finally. She sat on the towel and set her phone to play some Salsa music. Before she could even lie down she heard some loud voices coming from down the beach. A man’s voice mostly but then sometimes she heard a woman, distressed. She looked down the beach, getting dark now, and saw a man and a woman in conversation. The man slapped the woman in the face and she fell back in the sand.

Nikki got up quickly and walked toward them.  As she drew near she said, Nice night on the beach for lovers.

The man, a big man, said, Keep walking sister, this is no affair of yours.

I always make big, strong men beating up on little girls my affair.

He turned toward her, I told you, keep moving.

Or? said Nikki.

He started to move toward her, Nikki assumed the Jiu Jitsu fighting stance, fists held up.

So little sister is some kind of fighter? the man said.

Some kind, she said back.

He came at her, she snap kicked him in the groin and he went over double in pain. Pequena perra! he said through clenched teeth.

Nikki said, You haven’t seen ‘bitch’ yet.

He started to come at her again, his hands out.  Nikki spun around for a full roundhouse kick and busted him in the mouth; blood sprayed and stained the sand. The man had a puzzled look on his face for a moment and then fell over hard.

Nikki turned to the girl who had been sitting where she had fallen the whole time. My name is Nikki, don’t be afraid. She put out her hand to the girl to help her up.

The girl took her hand and pulled herself up. I know who you are Senorita, you are well known in Cabo San Lucas. You are the one known as Angel."

How I got that name I’ll never know, Nikki said. Who are you, who is that man?

My name is Elaina, that man is my husband. I have been married to him since I was sixteen, three years. My parents forced me, they thought he was a good man but they did not know. He prostituted me and beat me.

Nikki said, Well, he’s going to have to get himself another meal ticket now so he can pay for his dental work.  Come stay with me at my house till we figure out what to do with you.

I can never thank you enough Miss Angel, you have saved me.

They walked back to where Nikki had left her towel and bag. She picked them up, Didn’t need a nap anyway, she said to herself.

They walked up the sugar white sand until they got to Nikki’s house, crossed through the courtyard and went in by the patio door. Paulo came to meet them.

Pappy, we have a houseguest for a few days. Nikki said. This is Elaina, make her welcome.

Yes Miss Nikki. Come child, I have a room for you. He said to Nikki, He called again while you were at the beach.

Let’s get this done, do you have his number? Paulo gave her a slip of paper. Take her up to her room, I’ll call him.  She pulled her mobile from her bikini bottoms and dialed the number. A man with a low, European accent answered. Yes?

This is Nikki Blaze, you called me.

Yes Miss Blaze, I have tried you several times. I could not discuss this matter over voicemail or with your man servant. I know you by reputation only. I know you are the one for this assignment Lieutenant.

Nikki asked, You know about the SEALS?

Yes, said the voice, I know everything about you. You were one of the few women to ever make it into that elite male society.

What’s the assignment?

I will discuss that after we have come to terms. I believe your fee is one million US dollars?

Normally, yes.  I no longer accept assignments based on money. I have all the money I need. I’m looking to give back now.

He laughed a low, knowing laugh, You’re one of those with noble aspirations trying to change the world, Miss Angel?

Yes, I am.

If you accept this job you will avenge many wrongs, He said.

You have my interest. Let’s meet.

Where and when?

Nikki thought for a second if this might be a set up.  She would take the chance. Tomorrow night, eight o’clock. Meet me in Cabo San Lucas, a place called Los Tres Gallos.

I will be there, my avenging Angel.

Nikki ended the call. She sat and thought for a long time.

***           

Los Tres Gallos was dark and cool, just the way Nikki liked it.  Beach people hanging out, having drinks and dinner.  She was sitting at a small corner table, away from the crowd. When he came in she gestured for him to come over.

Miss Blaze? he asked.

Call me Nikki.

He sat down across from her. The waiter came up, What will it be for you and your friend Miss Nikki?

She said, Assuming we’re friends what will you have?

Margarita.

Two please, Sam.

And you, Sir, are? Nikki asked.

The man looked into her dark eyes over the candle on the table, My name is Hector Alonzo. I’m wealthy, made my money in shipping.

Ok, so you have money, so do I.

Hector said, The first thing I must ask you is how many people have you killed?

I lost count; I’m trying to cut down. Why do you ask? Nikki said.

I must know if you are the right one for this job.

Nikki asked, What’s the job, I’ll tell you if I’m right. Sam came and put the Margarita’s down. Thanks, Sam.

Hector spoke discretely, A man stole 2.8 million dollars from me. His Somali pirates took one of my ships and the gold bars. He is in jail in Belize and I want him, I want to know where the gold is.

Nikki said, Two million dollars is a tip in a nice restaurant for you, there’s something else.

He was hesitant, You must never speak of this to anyone.

You play straight with me, I play straight with you.

There’s more, Hector said. He got the Chinese Princess.

Nikki looked at him with interest, I’m not familiar with that.

No one is, he said, It is a most closely guarded treasure, only those in the right circles would have ever heard about it.

Tell me what it is, she said.

I can’t, he said.

Then there’s no deal. She got up to leave, You either trust me or you don’t.

Wait, Hector said, I’ll tell you.

Nikki sat down. The Chinese Princess is an Akoya pearl of incal- culable worth but it’s so much more.

How so, a pearl’s a pearl.

Hector looked around the cool, pleasant room to make sure that no one was listening. It somehow, miraculously contains the DNA code for the entire human race. If you could stretch it out it would be six feet long.

I’m sorry, you’re losing me, Nikki said.

You have to understand that whoever has the code could create a race of human-like people that would be totally subservient to them. Whoever possesses the Princess would be master of the world.

And you, Mr. Alonzo, is that what you want to be, master of the world?

No, I want to keep it out of the hands of those who would do evil. He looked into her eyes, Will you help me?

Nikki took a long sip of the Margarita. That’s going to be tricky, dealing with a foreign government.

I don’t want to go through diplomatic channels that takes too long. I just want you to go in and get him, said Hector.

And what happens when I deliver him to you?

Hector was reflective, That will be at my discretion, Miss Angel. One more thing.

Yes?

If you take this assignment the world will be in your hands.

That’s a pretty heavy responsibility, she said.

I’ll double your usual fee, Hector said.

That’s two million dollars, she said.

Hector said, Yes, I know. It’s worth it.

She put some pesos on the table and made to leave, I’ll be in touch.

Hector Alonzo smiled. And yet there was one more secret that he kept from her.

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Chapter Two

Nikki Blaze

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Nikki was thirteen. Even then she knew that she was beautiful. She was out walking between the rows of grapes in her grandparents vineyards in Bordeaux.

Paulo came out to meet her, I saw that you came out. Are you taking a break from your studies?

I don’t know who I am Pappy, she said.

What do you mean Angel? he said.

I mean I don’t know who I’m supposed to be, she said.

None of us do really, we’re not born with that knowledge, he said. We have to find out.

How do we find out? she said, How did you know what you were supposed to do Pappy?

He looked around at the vineyard, still moist from the evening rain. I’m meant to be here, he said, That’s all I can say. Our destinies are tied together you and me. You will find yourself someday. Don’t be in such a hurry, the time will go by soon enough.

Maybe I can help people in some way, she said.

Paulo Garcia remembered when he had been her age. He and his family lived in a small farming village in Mexico. The village was very poor. To make matters worse they had yet another poor harvest of crops and not enough hay for the cattle that grew thinner each day. And then there were the Banditos. They came once a month, seemingly at random times, taking what was useful to them without regard for the villagers. One time they took a young girl. She was never heard from again. Her parents still grieved.

The men held a meeting in one of the large barns. What do we do about this? Paulo’s father Raul Garcia addressed them. This has been going on for too long and we have let it happen.

Pepito Hernandez said, We form a militia to go after them before they get to the village.

Yes, Raul said. Good idea Senor. He looked around at the farmers. Who will go with me? Pepito raised his hand and then there was silence.

I will go Father, Paulo said.

Raul smiled, Bless you my son but you are too young.

I’m big for my age, Paulo said.

He looked around at the men. "My son, a thirteen year old boy pleads