Nikolai carried his luggage to the waiting plane, still indecisive as to whether he should call Merri.
The pilot walked into the cabin as Nikolai stepped into the luxurious private plane, "We can't take off yet, Mr. Long said two other passengers will be arriving within the hour."
Nikolai nodded and put his suitcase in an overhead bin. He sat down and opened a laptop then put in a flash drive. It contained a set of blueprints and a security report from Sydney. He shook his head, hmmph, just as I figured,the compound is heavily guarded and the security system uses advanced technology. Luc Zaranski is not to be underestimated.
A beautiful woman in a long black sable coat seductively swayed her full hips entering the plane and Nikolai growled, "Why the hell are you here?"
LingLing put her finger on his chest, "I am going to verify the authenticity of course."
He swatted away her hand, "You better stay out of my way if you want to return alive."
"Tsk..tsk...I warned Sydney you wouldn't be happy so he is sending an insurance package to ensure my safety."
He sneered, "Get off the plane. I have a man in Moscow who is an expert."
LingLing twisted the diamond and ruby ring on her finger."Malcolm? He's dead."
LingLing smiled, it isn't often Nikolai shows his temper, I can see the emotionless man looks flustered, "Sweetie, can you put my luggage in the compartment?"
"You had him killed?"
"No. Do you think my husband is the only one who wants the artifact?"
LingLing teased, "Look out the window, it looks like my insurance package has arrived."
Nikolai's heart stopped for a moment when he glanced out the window. He grabbed LingLing's arm in an iron grip and his eyes were blazing red with rage. "Are you fucking insane!"
Laughing, she playfully pulled his tie as she taunted him. "Do you think Sydney is stupid? Since when did you care about any woman Alexi fucked? Or any woman for that matter...haha. The little idiot is coming to ensure my safety and to make sure you complete the task."
Nikolai put his hand on LingLing's throat, "Call Sydney now! Meredith Winslow is not coming to Russia!"
She put her hand on his, "You better control your temper or she will die before this plane takes off."
"You think your man is faster than my hand?"
"The girl is poisoned. I have the antidote. Need I say more?"
"You fucking bitch!" Nikolai's eyes were cold and full of ruthlessness. "Do you think Alexi will sit still when he hears Sydney sent the girl with me on a deadly mission. He considers the little pano player his property."
"Alexi will never disobey Sydney." She ran her slender finger down his cheek, "Darling Niko, why can't you see that I am repaying you for Budapest. If you can successfully steal the Black Jade Dragon you can have the girl. You want her don't you? If Sydney says the word she is yours."
He doesn't trust LingLing. "You are wrong. I have no interest in Miss Winslow other than to use her connection to Karl Wu."
LingLing narrowed her eyes studying his facial expression, unable to see any duplicity she was deep in thought, could Sydney and I have misjudged the situation?
Merri stepped inside the plane then rushed over to Nikolai. "I am so happy!" She looked up at him, her beautiful amber eyes sparkling, "At first when your assistant told me you wanted me to come I was surprised and hesitated, I really never do anything impulsively. But then I thought why not! I left a note for Myles, grabbed my passport and threw some clothes in a bag and here I am!"
I hope you realized you like me too...why else would you invite me suddenly. I decided to seize this opportunity to get closer to you.
Nikolai looked over Merri's shoulder at LingLing who had a sly smile while watching Merri affectionately gaze at him.
"Give me your bag." He put it in a compartment. "We should sit, the plane will be taking off soon."
LingLing reached out her hand, "Miss Winslow, I'm LingLing Sun."
Merri was too excited to notice their adversarial interaction and smiled as she shook her hand. She blurted out, "You are so beautiful!" My God what a gorgeous woman! Is she his assistant?
LingLing graciously smiled and sat down across from Nikolai ignoring his pitch black eyes smoldering with rage.
He adjusted his expression when he turned to Merri sitting next to him. He buckled her seatbelt, "We will be taking off soon."
Merri put her hand on his arm and she smiled brightly, "Thank you for bringing me with you."
Her eyes were filled with adoration and seemed to burn into his soul. Gazing at her clear and pure eyes he hated Sydney for putting the innocent little angel in such a dangerous situation. Why? Why did he send her? To keep me in check? I have never given him any reason to doubt my ability or loyalty. To restrain Alexi and let him know his life is under his control?
Nikolai's phone rang and he walked into the rear cabin. When he answered Alexi sounded furious, "What did you tell Sydney? Why is the little mouse going to Russia with you?"
"I have no idea. LingLing showed up and then Miss Winslow. I can delay the plane. Convince Sydney it is a bad idea."
"LingLing is on the plane?"
"Yes."
Alexi abruptly hung up and Nikolai tightened his grip on the phone. What the hell is going on!
He walked back to his seat and Merri was reading a magazine then she looked up. When she saw his worried expression she wrinkled her eyebrows, "Is everything alright?"
" It was the office, there was a small problem with a shipment. Nothing important."
"..." You look quite upset.
After the plane was in the air, Nikolai told Merri he had something to discuss with LingLing and stood up. He walked over and sat next to LingLing speaking Chinese in a low and threatening voice, he insisted she give him the antidote for Merri.
LingLing smiled and refused, replying that the poison would remain dormant in Merri's body for seventy two hours. After he was in possession of the Black Jade Dragon she would give it to him.
Nikolai's eyes were dyed red and filled with killing intent. "How about I kill you now and take the antidote."
She replied in Mandarin, "Do you want your naive little doll to see you kill someone?"
Nikolai's suit coat was unbuttoned and she seductively ran her finger down the black silk shirt he was wearing. "Don't worry, she won't feel any pain or discomfort. I'm sure you will succeed and there won't be any problem."
His eyes darkened as he removed her hand roaming down towards his pants. "I don't understand, I have never failed. Why would you bring an innocent girl? Her presence will only complicates matters. There is no logical reason, so why?"
"You will see she serves a purpose."
He growled, "What the fuck does that mean!"
She leaned over and whispered in his ear, "She is the bait."
He could barely contain the urge to strangle LingLing, "No. Absolutely fucking not."
"Do you think you can easily break into Luc Zaranski's heavily guarded compound? Why not walk in the front door? Once he sees the little fairy and listens to her play the piano, he will invite us to his mansion."
"No! I have a plan. You are not sending the little girl into such a dangerous place."
"You will see it is the best...and safest plan. We can discuss more when we arrive."
Nikolai noticed Merri glancing in their direction and angrily warned. "I will get the fucking Black Jade Dragon. Do not think about endangering her life."
He walked to the back to his seat disturbed by Sydney involving Merri.
Merri witnessed LingLing's intimate gesture and suppressed the urge to ask about their relationship. She smiled at Nikolai, "Wow..you speak Chinese too. I only know a little Italian."
"When I was young I lived in China."
Suddenly the plane began to shake and Merri anxiously clutched his hand.
Seeing her panicked expression he gently squeezed her warm soft hand. In a comforting tone he reassured the nervous little girl. "We should pass through the storm soon. Don't worry."
Her eyes were widened in fear and she was quivering, "Are you sure?"
"Once we get over the mountains there should be less turbulence." He pressed a button, "Bring a cup of herbal tea."
Merri was embarrassed and her face reddened. "I..I always get nervous when I fly."
A thin man brought a cup of tea and handed it to Merri, "Thank you."
"The tea should help you relax."
Merri took a sip, "Oh..this tea is delicious."
"Are you hungry?"
Merri wrinkled her delicate eyebrows together. "No..my stomach feels a little queasy."
"As soon as the plane stabilizes, there is a bed in the back cabin. You can lay down, we won't arrive for several more hours."
"I will be okay."
Merri drank the tea and felt more relaxed. She took out her hairpin then leaned back in the seat and in no time drifted off to sleep.
He had a faint smile on his face as she changed position and rested her head on his shoulder.He could smell her unique sweet fragrance as her silky long hair brushed against his neck.
Nikolai didn't want LingLing to get any ideas so he gently moved Merri back onto her seat. He was unaware LingLing had already noticed the unconcealed tenderness in his eyes when he gazed at Merri.
When Merri's soft body fell onto him again he lifted her up and carried her to the sleeping cabin. He laid the sleeping girl on the bed and took off her shoes. After he pulled the cover over her thin body, he sat on the edge of the bed staring at her delicate face with deeply focused eyes.
Merri's tangled golden hair spread on the pristine white pillow created a beautiful picture. He tenderly brushed her messy hair back and caressed her cheek. So perfect...so mesmerizing.
He was filled with desire and a deep longing wanting to lie down next to the sleeping beauty.
Nikolai could hear his own heartbeat as he gazed lovingly at the woman he adored. He clenched his fists, Bastard! Why did you drag the little angel into this! One of these days I am going to kill you Old Man!
He knew if he stayed any longer he might not be able to control himself so he lightly kissed Merri's forehead then left the cabin.