Deadly Games Read Online Free PDF Page A

her mouth a bit too lush and wide, but she knew she was pretty.
    And men were rarely suspicious of a pretty woman. They saw what they wanted to see.

    And it had aided her enough, she wouldn’t ignore her looks. Without a doubt, she knew her eyes were her best feature, long lashes and the jade color contrasted glaringly with her darkened skin tone. She had aristocratic features, as Nikko had told her time and again. A gentle curve of jaw, high cheekbones, and straight slender nose. She was tall. But pretty or not, she stayed in shape. Her muscles were not because of the latest bloody fashion or health craze that gripped the masses. She’d learned long ago to protect herself. Her stint as a constable and then in MI5 and MI6 only honed her muscles and her skills.
    Knowing she’d do, she grabbed her long coat, made certain she had everything she’d need. Passport, room key, phone, cash and her trusty little tool that would open any new computerized lock or start a car. Lovely little bit of technology and a birthday gift from Nikko.

    19
    Raven left the hotel, deciding to walk a while before hailing a cab. It was important to always know your location. A quick escape had saved her ass more times than she cared to count.
    Prague was a beautiful city. From here she could see the old town square, glowing eerily green in the nightlights aimed at its medieval stone walls. The damp air promised cold and wafted with the smells of people dining at the local restaurants. She heard German as she passed a quaint little café. She thought she discerned Russian at a couple of places as people waited to be seated. English caught her ear time and again. Overall, it was a fairly quiet night with the exception of the two pickpockets who easily made their marks and successfully lifted a purse and a man’s wallet.
    Her phone rang.
    “You taking the job?” asked a male voice, smooth and Italian as a dark rich wine.

    “Nikko, luv, always so articulate.”
    He didn’t answer her.
    She shook her head. “I’m still deciding.”
    The answering silence told her more than his words would. The man knew she didn’t make rash decisions, but neither did she normally take so long to either accept or reject a job.
    “Problems?”
    “Problems?” Hmm... “Not so much problems, no. At least I don’t believe so. Call it more a gut feeling.”
    He muttered something she couldn’t hear. “Tell me of this problem.”
    “It’s not a problem.” Not yet anyway.
    “Tell me, cara”
    She debated. Normally, Nikko knew very little of her jobs unless she wanted him to. Or she at least convinced herself he knew very little. But truth be known, everything she knew, everything she did, most of it, she learned from Nikko.
    “Cara….”
    She sighed. “I just have a feeling the mark isn’t what he appears.”
    “Is anyone?”
    “I get a feeling, just a feeling that it’s deeper than him working for his boss.”
    There she’d said it.
    “What was the name again?”
    “I didn’t give it to you.” Even as much as she trusted Nikko, she never gave him a mark’s name. Who knew how small the world could be and she didn’t want complications. Number one rule--no complications.
    This time he sighed. “You know, you’re supposed to mellow with age.”
    She watched her surroundings, noted the group of college age co-eds in front of her. The guys were watching over the girls closely, except the one joker who seemed to be telling the girls how they could dress sexier. She smiled when the blond turned around and punched Mr. Laughs in the gut.
    “Age? That would be you. Not me. “
    “I’m relieved this is your last assignment. I’m ready for.…”
    “Stop. Not the man and marriage act, Nikko. Grandbabies and the like. I don’t want to hear it.”

    20
    “Who said it was an act?”
    Instead of replying, she hung up on him. The man might know lots of things, but some even Nikko didn’t know and if he did, well… She simply didn’t need the hassle