Deadly Embrace (Deadly Assassins Series Book 1) Read online

  “Well Jason this isn’t over. Natalia, I hope he doesn’t hurt you.”

  Maurice turned with a disgusted look on his face. Without saying another word, he jumped in his truck and drove off.

  “Well he took that well, I think,” I said.

  “I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.”

  “Maurice will be fine, Natalia. He’s a big boy. Let’s get going so we won’t be late for the ceremony.”

  I kissed Natalia on the forehead and grabbed her hand as we walked out to my Range Rover. Natalia looked back as her dad waved goodbye to us. Her dad was going to meet us later.

  “Okay so we will have to appear with everyone like we are just friends. I know it will be hard but there will be time for us. We need to concentrate on our intensive training that is coming up. There is no one I would rather have by my side than you.”

  “I feel the same way.”

  “Good baby, I love you.” Jason said.

  “I love you too.”

  Chapter 23

  We arrived at Briarwood Academy. As we pulled up the whole team was in the parking lot waiting for us. I pulled up and parked next to Chase’s truck. I got out and went around to the passenger side to open the door for Natalia. I opened the door and grabbed her hand to help her out. Chase, Nick, and Vince walked over to greet us.

  “Happy Graduation Day chaps!” Vince said.

  “Thanks Vince,” I said.

  “Happy Graduation Day guys,” Natalia said.

  “Thanks Natalia. Congrats on Valedictorian,” Nick said.

  “Thanks, well of course Jason had to steal some of the attention.” Natalia joked and smiled.

  “Well I earned it fair and square,” I said.

  “Is everyone ready to go in?” I asked.

  Security was tight today because Vince’s dad was here for the ceremony. British and American Secret Service agents were present. We all lined up to walk into Aber Hall. Since Natalia and I were valedictorian’s, we walked in first side by side. Natalia and I gave our valedictorian speech and were applauded with a standing ovation. After the ceremony we all greeted our family and friends that had been in the audience and had refreshments. Admiral Thompson walked over and asked the six of us to come with him for a short meeting.

  Chase, Vince, Maurice, Nick, Natalia and I followed him into the chapel. We all sat down.

  “Congratulations to you all for your accomplishments. When I presented the idea to form this new team to the President for approval, I had no idea the six of you would excel the way you have. Believe me she had her reservations at first but, all of your hard work thus far is about to pay off. First thing is you all should have received your million-dollar advances by now. There are things about this program that couldn’t be told to you ‘til now. The vitamin supplements you all have been taking are experimental performance enhancing drugs. I know some of you will have questions and I will answer them. The drugs will and should by this time have enhanced your physical stamina, increased your brain function so you can operate on missions for longer periods of time. Also, if any of you are injured during a mission, your body will be able to heal faster from your injuries. Every mission you all go on is classified! If you are ever captured by an enemy, the US government will make no attempts to rescue you and deny all knowledge of your existence.”

  Nick raised his hand.

  “Sir, will there be side effects of these supplements. How were you able to do this to us without our consent?”

  “I don’t know Nick if there will be any side effects. Since you are all minors your parents and guardians gave consent to be in the program and all aspects of the program including drug trials. Since everyone’s body chemistry is different we have been observing you all since this program started.” Admiral Thompson answered.

  “You mean people have been watching us?” Natalia said.

  “Yes Natalia. Our people are always watching.”

  “So how did I get in this program? My father is the part of the British government.” Vince asked.

  “Well Vince, an agreement was made between Madame President and your father. You will complete missions for us with the team, but you will also be working with British intelligence on missions.”

  “Oh, that’s just great mate.” Vince frowned.

  “So, what does this mean as far as us seeing our families and friends?” Chase asked.

  “You will not be able to speak to any of them for the first few months depending on how well each of you are doing with your SEAL training. You each will receive a satellite phone that will work anywhere in the world. Each of you will be implanted with a digital tracker which will be placed under your skin in your right wrist and a second one will be placed under your right rib cage in case you are caught by an enemy. They are undetectable and can only been seen by our satellites.”

  “So, I will not be able to talk to my brother Ryan?”

  “No not for a while.”

  “How is it that you picked each of us for this team?” Maurice asked.

  “This program has been in existence for several decades, but this is the first-time teenagers were used and given experimental drugs in our attempts to make the perfect soldier. Each of you have certain qualities and have faced challenges in your lives that made you perfect candidates. Each of you possess special skills that I was looking for to make this team into the perfect intelligence machine. Nick, your family background in martial arts is especially appealing to us. Chase, your family SEAL background and your firearms training you had growing up peaked our interest. Jason, your natural leadership abilities and the way you killed that bear in the woods of Montana, let me know you have that killer instinct this team needs to be its leader. Maurice, your aunt reached out to me since you were also getting into trouble. I saw a temper in you that I felt I could help you channel into something positive. And Natalia, your background peaked my curiosity and I knew we would need a woman to complete some of the missions. You have to understand we have enemies all around the world that we have not been able to get to in the past, but now I think we will be able to. You will have tonight to say goodbye to your families. Tomorrow morning you all will be flown to Belize for twelve weeks of relaxation and some SEAL training until you report to the Naval Academy. A six-bedroom villa has been set up for everything you will need while you are there. The villa is right on the beach as well.” Admiral Thompson explained.

  “Sir, this is a lot to take in right now,” I said.

  “I’m sure it is, but please believe you will all be doing your country a great service.”

  “Well this isn’t my country now is it chap?” Vince protested.

  “You will all cooperate and do your duties as assigned.”

  “Admiral that sounds like a threat. Just so you know I don’t respond well to threats. You basically just told us we have been drugged for God knows how long, without our consent and that we have to comply and that we have no choice in the matter,” Maurice said.

  “I will take my leave now. Jason, talk to your team. I expect you all to be ready in the morning.”

  Admiral Thompson walked out. In that moment I didn’t know what to say with the silence that just filled the room.

  “Okay guys we have been put in a special situation. Some of us thought this was our dream to serve our country and make a difference. Vince and Maurice, I know this is not what you both signed up for. But this is the direction life has taken us for now. I have a lot invested in this and nobody will fuck it up for me. We have to all have each other’s back no matter what. We are a team now. Does everyone agree?”

  Everyone agreed. We all left Briarwood Academy that night and went home to say goodbye to our families.

  I dropped Natalia off at home and gave her a kiss goodnight. “I will see you in the morning,” I said.

  “Yes, we are all about to embark on a new chapter in our lives. But Jason I have to tell you something,” Natalia said.

  “What is it Natalia?”

/>   “I never took any drugs from my parents.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “That is strange babe. Ryan and I have been on them for a few years and I have definitely noticed changes in my body.”

  “Maybe I should talk to my dad and ask him.”

  “No, Natalia don’t. We don’t know what Admiral Thompson’s motive is for not giving them to you.”

  “You’re right, Jason.”

  I waited for her to walk inside then I pulled off and drove home. It was gonna be hard to explain to Ms. V that I wouldn’t have time to have my graduation party tonight.

  Chapter 24

  As I pulled up the house was all decorated with balloons and Robert was out front cooking on the grill. I could smell the hot dogs and hamburgers as I got out of the car. Brooklyn ran up to me with his toy in his mouth wanting to play. I petted him and threw the toy and watched him chase it. Ms. V and Ryan walked out to greet me.

  “So what time are your friends coming Jason?” Ms. V asked.

  “They not coming.”

  “Well, why not?”

  “They all went home to say goodbye to their families. Admiral Thompson has us all on a plane in the morning to leave for training.”

  Ryan turned and ran in the house and Brooklyn followed him barking.

  “Oh my God Jason. You have to leave already? We won’t have any time to spend with you?

  “I’m sorry and Admiral Thompson said I can’t tell you where I am going and that it will be a long time before I will be able to contact any of you.”

  “I understand Jason, that is the same way I had to leave,” Robert said.

  “Ryan is obviously upset, I’m gonna go talk to him,” I said.

  “Let’s just enjoy the short time we have left with each other,” Ms. V said.

  I ran inside and up to Ryan’s room. He was sitting on the balcony in his room and Brooklyn was laying at his feet. I knocked on the door frame.

  “Can I come in Ry?”

  “NOOOO!”

  Brooklyn started barking.

  “Please Ry?”

  “You promised J, that you would never leave me and now you’re leaving. You broke your promise.”

  Tears began to fall down his cheeks.

  “Ry you knew this day was gonna come, but you know I will be back for you one day.”

  I walked into his room and sat down next to him.

  “You are strong and together no one can break our bond.”

  Brooklyn sat up and placed his paw in my hand and began to whine.

  “How long will it be before I can see or talk to you?”

  “I don’t know dude they didn’t tell me, but I will call you as soon as I can. Just have fun this summer and go back to Briarwood in the fall and be good for Robert and Ms. V and take care of Brooklyn. You’re growing up now and we have been through a lot and I hope you learned a lot from me.”

  “Of course, I did, bro.”

  Brooklyn jumped in my lap and began to lick my face.

  “Come on let’s go downstairs and eat,” I said.

  That night we all sat down and ate and laughed together. Late that night Robert knocked at my door.

  “Hey Jason. Can I come in?”

  “Of course. I was just packing because the car will be here early to pick me up.”

  “I just wanted to talk to you for a minute. When Virginia brought you boys home years ago. I didn’t know I would grow to love you boys like my own, but here we are. Just keep your head down and follow your gut. Remember your training. Admiral Thompson can’t be trusted. The guys in my team are mostly dead now. Many of them under unusual circumstances. Command will always be watching. Did you get the money they put in your account?”

  “Yes, I got it, but I won’t be touching that money unless I need to,” I said.

  “That’s smart.”

  “They put Ryan’s in a trust for him that he will be able to get when he turns eighteen,” Robert said.

  “Ry doesn’t know about the money, does he?”

  “No,” Robert replied.

  “Well, you better get to bed.”

  Robert walked over and hugged me.

  “Goodnight, and good luck.”

  “Thanks Robert.”

  The next morning, I was up early at 5am. I showered and got dressed. I put on a pair of ripped blue jeans and a slim fitting t-shirt and black boots. I walked to Ryan’s room and cracked his bedroom door. Brooklyn raised his head and looked at me. Ryan was sleeping peacefully. I sat next to him on the bed. He was a pain in my butt, but I would die for that kid and now I was leaving him. I rubbed Brooklyn on the head. As I walked out the room, I grabbed my 2 duffle bags and headed down to the living room. I looked outside and two black SUV’s were in my driveway. I walked out as two men in black suits got out and grabbed my bags and threw them in the back of one of the SUV’s. I hopped in the back where Nick and Chase were already sitting.

  “Hey guys, is everyone here?”

  “Yes Jason. The rest of them are in the other SUV,” Chase said.

  “Okay good.”

  As we drove to the Dallas airstrip everyone was quiet. We pulled up on the tarmac and I spotted a large airplane waiting for us. As I jumped out, the two men in black suits grabbed our bags and handed them to us. I walked over to Natalia, Vince and Maurice.

  “Well, I guess there’s no turning back now mates,” Vince said.

  Natalia looked at me and smiled.

  “Let’s go everyone.” I said.

  The plane was nicer on the inside than I expected. Natalia and I sat next to one another. Maurice gave me a funny look as he walked past me. “What’s his problem?”

  “Forget him. He’s probably still mad about what happened at my house on graduation day.” Natalia said.

  “He’ll just have to get over it I guess.” I laughed.

  Everyone settled into their seats for takeoff.

  “I hope it’s not all work. I wanna explore the island.” Natalia said.

  “I’m sure we can find some time to do that,” I assured her.

  I slept for most of the flight. When I woke up we were landing in Belize. As I looked out at the window all I saw was clear blue water surrounding us, as we suddenly landed on solid ground.

  Chapter 25

  The six of us deplaned and jumped in the three-waiting black SUV’s. We drove for about an hour to a remote part of the island. As we pulled up to a massive black gate that secured the compound where we all would be staying, I took note of the heavy security presence. Once we were buzzed in we all got out and grabbed our bags. We all walked into the massive beach front villa.

  “Hello everyone, I am Admiral Jacobson. For the next ten weeks you will be participating in SEAL training in the facility directly behind the villa. For the first month you will not be allowed to have any outside contact with family or friends: also you will be split up into two teams and will be training separately for the first few weeks. Each of you will have your own suite and will be able to come and go as you please while you are not training, but you cannot leave the island. This is Mr. Killian, he will install your digital trackers and see to all your personal needs while you are on the island. These rules here are very specific and must be followed at all time. They are necessary to preserve the integrity of the program. Are there any questions?”

  “Well it sounds like to me we are prisoners,” Maurice said

  “It’s for your own protection.”

  “Well what are the teams, Admiral?” I asked.

  “Well Jason, you, Vincent and Chase will be Team Alpha and Natalia you will lead Team Bravo with Nick and Maurice.”

  I instantly saw a frown on Maurice’s face. I couldn’t believe Natalia and I had to compete against one another again. But I looked over at her and she smirked back at me.

  “Tomorrow Admiral Thompson will be here to work with you, Natalia and Bravo Team. Take the rest of the evening to settle in to your rooms. Training s
tarts tomorrow at 0500. Helen is the cook and will prepare all your meals. Dinner will be out on the beach tonight.”

  Admiral Jacobson left. We all sat down in the living room to talk.

  “Wow Natalia you’re leading our team?” Nick said

  “Looks that way Nick. How do you feel about that Maurice?”

  “I guess I have no choice. We are all here trapped like rats, right?”

  “Look Maurice negativity has no place here. You’ve constantly seen a problem and really, I’m sick of you dude,” Chase said.

  I was surprised to see Chase step up and say something.

  Maurice jumped up suddenly. Chase looked at him with a disgusted look. “Hey mate, I think you should sit down before Chase knocks you on your ass,” Vince said.

  Maurice sat back down in his seat.

  “Maurice, you’re going to have to accept the circumstances you are in right now and make the best of it. We have to be one mind, one team to make this thing work. I will not let anyone here jeopardize any of our lives. For some of us this is what we have dreamed about. I just want to serve my country,” I stated

  “Well said mate,” Vince said

  I looked around and saw everyone bowing their heads in agreement.

  “Okay guys, let’s go check out our rooms.”

  Each of us had assigned rooms. We all went our separate ways down different hallways.

  “Hey Natalia, can I walk you to your room?”

  “Of course,” she said.

  I grabbed Natalia’s bags and we walked to her room. As we opened the door I could tell she liked it. There was a huge king size bed with white linens and big, fluffy pillows. The room was flooded with natural light from the French doors that opened out onto the sandy beach. The walls had tasteful art decorating them. There was a mini fridge and a nice sitting area with a small loveseat. I sat Natalia’s bags down next to her bed. She walked up and hugged me from behind.

  I turned and looked in her eyes and held her close to me.

  “Well Natalia, you’re a team leader huh? This should be interesting.” I leaned in and kissed her hard.