When in Tallinn (Short Story)

My knees hit the gravel hard as they hauled me out of the car boot. I felt the skin of my knees reopen on the jagged rocks. I hoped there wouldn’t be much blood. I liked these jeans.

‘They’ (since I still had no idea who had taken me) had been rough, their fists bruising and breaking as they grabbed me from outside the hotel. One particularly cruel man whose face resembled an angry badger had stabbed me a number of times, clearly hoping that the blood loss would make me easier to handle.

If not for my immortality, I knew I would have died by now.

Their guns were ex-military, their accents Eastern European, and I made no move to show that I understood what they were saying.

“Check the bag.” My messenger bag was ripped away, its contents spilling out onto the ground.

They quickly realised that what they were looking for wasn’t there.

“Fuck. The crystal’s not here.”

“Might be hidden on him.” Angry badger said, brandishing his knife like he would be happy to cut me open to find it.

This would be the last time we took a job in Tallinn. But, oh, the way Joe’s eyes had lit up as we’d walked through Old Town at sunset; his fingers itching to sketch everything.

I’d tasted sugar and wine on Joe’s lips as we’d kissed in the open air.

It was a great birthday.

I’d been sneaking a cigarette when they’d found me. Joe was going to be even more insufferable about convincing me to quit now.

Another man, tall and defined, patted me down. He wouldn’t find it. We’d already palmed it off to Cooper this morning.

“Nothing, boss.”

“Fuck.” A fist gripped my shirt. “Where is it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Pain flared sharply when his fist made contact with my nose, the bone breaking immediately. I spat out blood and ignored the ache of the bone shifting back into place beneath the skin.

There was only three of them. Hardly a fair fight.

Boss man was within reach, and I had his gun in hand and a bullet between his eyes before he’d seen me move. Tall and defined was next, a quick double tap to heart and head.

Angry badger scrambled with his own gun, getting a clean shot through my stomach before I turned and got my own off in his throat. Let him die slowly.

His eyes were wide as he watched my wound knit itself back together.

My lips pinched. This shirt, a gift from Joe, was decidedly ruined.

Great fucking birthday.

Gathering my things, I dialled my husband, knowing that Joe would be halfway to a rampage by now.

He screamed through the phone. “Finally! Where are you?”

“Not far. Just outside of the city as far as I can tell.”

“It was the crystal, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. I don’t know who they worked for but we should get moving tomorrow.”

“I’m not waiting that long. As soon as you get back, we’re out of here. Just get here as quick as you can.”

“I will.”

There was a long sigh, and I pictured the tension seeping out of his broad shoulders. Then, because this was Joe, my Joe, a little humour shaded his voice. “I told you smoking was a stupid habit.”

I couldn’t hold back my smile. I adored this man. “Yes, love. I know that.”

THE END