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 world's highest paid assassin. Now she wants out while she's still on top. But not until she goes on one last mission. To save someone she loves, she must find a legendary pearl called the Chinese Princess.

• Language: English
• Publisher: World Castle Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Sep 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958336656

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.

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Nikki Blaze and the Chinese Princess

by

Tucker Jackson

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

WCP Logo 7

World Castle Publishing, LLC

Pensacola, Florida

Copyright © Tucker Jackson 2022

Smashwords Edition

Paperback ISBN: 9781958336649

eBook ISBN: 9781958336656

First Edition World Castle Publishing, LLC, September 5, 2022

http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com

Smashwords Licensing Notes

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews.

Cover: Karen Fuller

Editor: Maxine Bringenberg

To all the free spirits in the world.

Prologue

The little girl woke from a wonderful sleep. She was beautiful, with long straight raven colored hair and almond eyes. Her name was Jia Chang, and even though she was only six, she knew 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, Empress Dowager Tzu-hsi, who entered. I am sorry to wake you, child. How are you feeling?

It’s all right, Grandmother, Jia said drowsily, sitting 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 Jia’s bed with 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 providence 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 to 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 said. It’s just a pearl.

It has 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?

It’s warm, Grandmother, she said delightedly.

The old woman 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

She sat at an old, beat-up metal desk, wearing black, and her shaggy, black hair fell casually to her shoulders. She didn’t spend much time on her looks—she didn’t need to.

The man across from her put a file on the desk labeled Nikki Blaze. He opened it and began to read. Nicole ‘Nikki’ Blaze, age twenty-nine, born in Bordeaux, France. That’s an unusual name.

I changed it from ‘Blaise’ to Blaze, she said. Easier for the clients to remember.

When did you come to the States?

We came here when I was sixteen. My parents had been working at my grandfather’s vineyards. They were young and wanted to see the world, so they came here and opened a little wine shop.

What did you do? asked the man.

Nikki said, You know, grew up, went to school, had friends.

Something happened to you when you were seventeen.

She looked at him. I don’t want to talk about that.

We have to, he said.

She hesitated and then finally gave in. Some punks came into my father’s store and robbed him. They killed my parents and a customer.

What did you do then?

You just don’t stop, do you? said Nikki. After that, I got a real bad attitude. One of my teachers gave me a hard time, and I busted his nose and got kicked out of school.

The man looked at the file. That’s when you went into the navy?

Yes, I was in the SEALS for four years. I was one of only three women to do that. The other two are dead.

What do you do now?

I’m a professional assassin. My fee is one million US dollars.

He saw something interesting in the file. Why do they call you ‘Angel’?

Nikki looked straight at him and smiled. I only kill the ones that deserve to be killed.

And who makes that decision?

I do.

The man closed the file, Thank you, Miss Blaze.

She got up to leave.

Can you come back next week?

She thought for a moment. Yes.

***

Nikki dropped the Lear down out of the clouds and locked in on the Cabo San Lucas Airport. She took out her mobile phone and speed-dialed her beach 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. I’m coming into Cabo now. See you in a little while.

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.

The assignment had been challenging to say the least, with little time for preparation, but she had been able to fly to Taiwan for a last-minute lesson with her jujitsu instructor Master Yuan Lu. There had been some unpleasant aspects of the hit, but it had put another million in her anonymous bank account in Port Au Prince. That would be the last assignment just for the money. From now on, she would be more selective about what jobs she took. But for now, it was good to be home.

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.

The black Lear came down for the landing approach. The only markings on the plane were Angel in white letters on the nose. Nikki skidded down on the runway and taxied to her private hangar. She went back, pulled up the door, and jumped down to the tarmac.

A man came out to meet her. Señorita Nikki, so glad you’re back.

It’s good to be back, Franco.

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 a while. Is the Bugatti ready?

"Yes. 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 hangar.

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

Nikki walked into the cool, dark hangar 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 hangar, 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-style 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 said as 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, 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, and 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 to the sand.

Nikki started walking quickly 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, so Nikki assumed the jujitsu fighting stance, fists held up.

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

Some kind, she said back.

As he came at her, she snap-kicked him in the groin, and he doubled over 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, señorita—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, and 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 via 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 manservant. 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.

You have my interest. Let’s meet.

Where and when?

Nikki wondered for a second if this might be a setup. 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. A man came in and started looking through the crowd. Nikki gestured him over to her table.

Miss Blaze? he asked.

Call me Nikki.

As 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.

That doesn’t impress me, Nikki said.

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.

The waiter came and put the margaritas down.

Thanks, Sam, Nikki said.

Hector spoke discreetly. 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.

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 incalculable worth, but it’s so much more.

How so? A pearl’s a pearl.

Hector looked around the cool, pleasant room to make sure no one was listening. Besides its intrinsic value, the pearl is said to have amazing curative powers.

Do you believe that, Mr. Alonzo?

That’s not the point, Hector said, a tinge of anger in his voice. The pearl is mine, and I want it back. Will you help me or not?

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 Blaze. One more thing.

Yes?

If you take this assignment, the world’s future will be in your hands.

"That’s a pretty heavy