Two Faced: Two Faced, #1

By Alexis Kennedy

In a world of espionage and organized crime, do you know whom you can trust?

 

Scarlett Vanderwall is confident, beautiful, fearless, and holds the conviction that she will always get what she wants.

 

Ivan Stanislovsky is handsome, charismatic, dangerous, and ready to face any challenge in an assignment, but this one might be more than the contract killer is prepared for.

 

In a web of theft, deceit, and peril—involving the world of organized crime—two missions collide when a covert CIA operative and an Icelandic hitman are after the same targets, causing a treacherous game of cat and mouse to ensue across Europe.

 

Scarlett doesn't want the notorious man known as "the Wolf" getting in her way, but lines become blurred when passion—and DEA agent Aiden Bradley—get involved. Now she must decide how far she is willing to go and if infatuation or her duty to her job and country will win out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Title Wave Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Nov 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781946212092

Alexis Kennedy

Alexis Kennedy writes across multiple genres, delivering suspenseful stories categorized as paranormal romance, historical romance, crime/mystery, psychological thriller, organized crime thrillers, fantasy, horror, and spy thrillers. Alexis’s novels are populated with immersive characters navigating plot twists that keep you guessing. Her descriptive narratives develop movies in your mind, transporting you inside the stories where you can experience love, suspense, intrigue, mystery, and magic. Alexis resides in Missouri with her beloved dog. She began writing poetry in her early teens and short stories for her son when he was little before turning to novels. She has been fascinated with creating suspenseful stories and riveting characters ever since. Her novels reflect her vivid imagination and lifelong love for books. She enjoys reading novels by Karin Slaughter, James Patterson, and Shannon Drake. Alexis says, "When you write, you escape into another world and another you that you once knew nothing about.”

Book preview

Prologue

SHE DUCKED AROUND THE corner while returning a flirtatious nod to the oblivious security guard. Her heart was pounding with excitement—this was the biggest heist in months. Scarlett walked with her head full of long, wavy auburn hair—the reason for her name—held high. The statue ensconced in her over-size handbag was going to bring her millions, while the cheap replica left in its place was going to bring the British Museum shame. Making sure that her badge and sidearm were both visible, she passed the security guards by the exit, without any problems, and hailed a cab.

Monday

Chapter 1

Nov. 10, 2014

BACK AT THE LONDON Marriott Hotel, Scarlett checked her messages at the front desk before heading to her room. She had one message to read and plenty of voicemails and emails too, so she settled down at the small desk to go through them. The handwritten message was from the hotel's clothing shop; her new dress and pant suit were tailored to fit her slim figure and would be delivered to her room by 2:00, which, she noticed, was in about fifteen minutes. She fumbled through her purse and found some pounds for a tip. She smiled when her hand grazed the statue—snatching the Moctezuma II piece from the Aztec display had not been easy. First, she'd hacked the museum's security system to put the cameras on a time loop. Then, she'd disabled the alarms on the emergency exits in case she needed to make a quick break for it, but, in truth, her ego preferred to go out the front door. The third obstacle was getting people out of the room; however, her gun and badge usually did that without much trouble. Today wasn't much of an exception aside from a portly gentleman who had taken an interest in her. He was reluctant to take his eyes off her until she gave him a hard, cold stare.

Just as she opened up her laptop to go through her emails, there was a soft knock on the door. She grabbed her 9mm before looking through the peephole—she could never be too careful. Seeing that it was a bellhop with her clothes, she tucked the gun into the back of her skirt and grabbed the tip money. Then, after hanging up her new clothes, she sat down to address the emails demanding her attention. She first opened her alternate account to compose a message to her Italian associate, Serafina Accosi. The message, written in perfect Italian, read,

Hi, my trip is going great! I got you the souvenir you wanted, and I'll bring it over soon. We have a lot to catch up on.

Soon,

Raven

Scarlett took every precaution known—and unknown—to man to protect her information. She wouldn't dare use her real name or forget to speak in code to her contacts, just in case.

The next email was going to her Russian contact, Afanasil Baranovsky—who also happened to be the Russian crime lord she was here to take down. Well, he was one of the crime bosses she was going to take down. Before composing the email, she protected herself by encrypting her connection, and then she rerouted her IP through a hidden proxy server to protect herself further. Afanasil was known to his troops and business associates as General Kodiak, but Scarlett knew him by both, which of course, he didn't know. In perfect Russian, she wrote,

General Kodiak,

I have received your invitation for the cocktail party this coming Friday evening, and I graciously accept. It will be nice to finally meet in person. Shall I expect snow? I'd like to know how to dress.

Cordially,

Vivica Laituri

Scarlett knew General Kodiak was expecting snow—in the form of cocaine—from his German associate, Baron Reichart, who was really Vlad Abrakopf. She knew this because she'd low-jacked the Baron's compound when she was recently there. Her clandestine operation was well aware of the crime boss's cocaine trade with Russia—and with the Mafia in Italy and the United States. It wasn't actually the cocaine that initiated her assignment; it was the suspected illegal trafficking of military weapons that the government most cared about. That is why they sent their best agent, and she had a hunch that the one was going to lead her to the other.

Chapter 2

HER PHONE CHIMED TO remind her that she had unheard voicemails—six unheard messages to be exact. Four of the messages were from Collin Kincaid—head of the Counterterrorism Center—and he wanted an update on her operation. He was also concerned about her well-being; they'd had a brief fling before, and he hadn't let go yet. Scarlett had ended the relationship because Collin's overwhelming concern for her was suffocating. He'd actually suggested, on multiple occasions, that she give up field work and work inside the headquarters at a desk job instead, and there was no way in hell that would ever happen. She had trained way too hard and worked too hard to get where she was. And, in truth, she loved what she did.

The next message was from Sasha Kovac, who's the head of the Counterintelligence Center. She, too, wanted an update. Scarlett saved time by composing one short text to both of them.

All is going according to plan. No need to worry; I'll be in touch as things develop.

Of course, they had no idea about her side trip to the museum. She shut her laptop and dug around in her suitcase until she found her shower bag. She opened the bag and removed a small black device—it was an alarm, which she placed beside the room entrance. An invisible beam would be tripped if anyone came in and would alert her. She then took her shower bag and 9mm and headed to the bathroom for a relaxing bubble bath.

She sank into the hot water and sipped slowly on a glass of wine. "This is the life," she thought. She also thought about her next move—more so, her next heist.

She got out of the bathtub and dressed in comfortable travel clothes. Then she got online and booked a charter flight to France—she had an item to pick up at the Louvre.

Chapter 3

Paris, France

SETTLED INTO HER ROOM at the Four Seasons, Scarlett looked at the menu to decide on her dinner. Normally, she would just order room service, but she was feeling restless tonight, so she donned a slinky black dress and heels and went downstairs to the hotel restaurant, Le Cinq. She ordered a dirty martini while perusing the dinner menu.

Suddenly, a man sat down across from her at the table. Can I help you, she asked in articulate French—she was fluent in all of the romance languages.

The snobby looking Frenchman replied with a coy smile, You are a tourist, no? Perhaps you need someone to show you around Paris. He gave her a slow wink.

No, it's not my first time here, she replied in an annoyed tone so he'd take the hint, but he didn't.

Ah, yes, but Paris has much to offer—especially the nightlife. I imagine you have yet to taste all that she has to offer. Are you here alone? A beautiful woman such as you should not be spending the evening alone.

And a complete stranger, such as you, should not be concerned with how I spend my evening, she retorted with a smirk. So if you would please excuse me so that I can get back to it, it would be much appreciated.

He put his hands up in surrender and rose from the chair. Pardon me then, he said with a smile and left.

Her waiter had returned, and she ordered the roasted blue lobster salad. When he moved away, she noticed a man at the bar. He wasn't any random man, though, he was Ivan Stanislovsky—a notorious hitman from Iceland. She wondered what the handsome rogue was doing in Paris. His reputation preceded him with the CIA and FBI because he'd been in the U.S. on more than one occasion. He was, in fact, on the FBI's ten most wanted list. She laughed to herself as she wondered if that was only because he did a better job than them; he'd been able to take out crime lords that they couldn't touch.

He turned in her direction, and their eyes met. He gave her a nod and a sexy half-smile and then lifted his glass to her. He had no idea who she was; he was just flirting, so she raised her glass up, too, in the silent toast.

Her salad arrived, and she ate in slow bites while keeping an eye on Ivan. Every now and then, he would casually glance over his shoulder at her, and he'd even sent over another dirty martini. She raised the glass as a thank you gesture, and he smiled in response. I bet he makes the panties drop with those dimples. She tossed the drink back and got up to leave. She knew he was watching her the whole time, too.

She made sure no one was following her and went up to her room.

Tuesday

Chapter 4

SCARLETT WOKE UP AT 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday and logged into her email accounts. She had a response from General Kodiak.

Vivica,

Yes, there will be plenty of snow, and I cannot wait until I have the gracious presence of your company. Travel Well.

GK

The email self-destructed a few seconds after she read it, just as hers always did. She also had a message from Baron Reichart, which was written in German.

Madame Laituri,

It was so nice to have the pleasure of your company recently, and I look forward to seeing you again soon. Hopefully you will bring me a souvenir from your travels.

Regards,

Reichart

A souvenir? She wondered what he wanted. She had seen artwork gracefully displayed in the compound, and she was going to the Louvre anyway... She would just have to go before opening to get the items. Not a problem.

She dressed in all black and took a ski mask with her. Outside of the guarded museum, she used an intermediary machine to hack anonymously into the security system. She strung multiple proxies in a chain to make it harder to detect the IP address and then sent a virus to the system to corrupt the alarm. She slinked around to the back of the building and found a window, but it was on the second floor. She'd anticipated this obstacle though and brought a grappling hook and rope. She was able to get a secure hold on the ledge and climb up the wall. She used a laser to cut the glass and a suction cup to remove it. She climbed through the window, undetected, and made her way to the Sully wing. Inside the Salle des Bronzes room, was a medallion with the coin bearing the portrait of Emperor Constantine. She used the laser and suction cup again to cut open the glass case and removed the item. A buyer in the United States was going to be very happy.

She had to duck behind a statue, as a guard passed by, when she exited the wing. Then, when the coast was clear, she found her way to the Denon wing and located a painting that the Baron would definitely enjoy—it was the Mona Lisa. That would certainly win her favor with the crime lord and would also earn her a hefty payment in return. There was no reason she couldn't earn a living on the side. Of course, there was now the matter of getting the painting out of the building. Even though it is only 2' 6 by 1' 9, she couldn't exactly drop it through the window she had climbed through, so she needed to find an alternate route. She looked around and decided she was either going to have to go out the front door or an emergency exit. Since the sun was rising, she decided to take an emergency exit. She ran into a problem though—a security guard—and he saw her. The guard had grabbed his pistol, but she had already fired her dart gun, and he dropped to the ground. Luckily for him, it wasn't the usual poisonous dart loaded in the gun; it was a tranquilizer. She stepped around him and exited the museum. Staying in the shadows, she crept her way back to her rental car. She hid the painting under a tarp in the backseat and headed back to the hotel. In the parking garage, she put the painting into an empty suitcase and locked it up in the trunk of the rental. Then she headed back up to her room and boxed up the medallion for shipping. It was going to Mallory Whitman, who is one of her best buyers in the U.S. She required payment before shipping though, so she sent an invoice along with a photograph of the medallion that she had taken before boxing it up. She invoiced her for $1.5 million, and the money would go directly into an offshore account she had in the Grand Caymans. For now, she packed the small box into her suitcase along with all of her belongings, including the Aztec statue, and got ready to leave. Her suitcases were lined with carbon paper to avoid detection in x-ray machines at airports and train stations. She could have used lead lining, but it was too heavy and would probably prompt a manual search of the suitcase. The carbon paper just blurred the images enough to not cause concern.

She had more voicemails from Collin, but that would have to wait. She had a long trip to Italy. Instead of driving, she traveled by rail in a first class car. She was on her way to see Serafina Accosi to deliver the statue, and she wasn't the only one on