The Black Sparrow

LP: Chapter 3

TORONTO

The depth of your love for someone and the impact they have on you personally have nothing to do with how long you have known them.

Lucian was already asleep by the time Georgina came home. For a brief moment, she took the opportunity to watch the man she loved, feeling a rush of anticipation for the day when she could finally put her service behind her. The amount of money she had saved while overseas was enough to last for ten generations. Georgina didn’t need to work if she didn’t want to; she could focus all her time and energy on starting a family.

As she shifted her weight, a stab of pain shot through her hip, and she couldn’t help but wince. Trouble had found her during her recent trip to Ukraine, where the Hope Diamond was currently being kept. Every six months, the gems were moved to a different country, and she had been waiting for this moment. She had purposely left the back security door open to send a message to whoever had sent the men after her.

Flashback, Ukraine

“Vy znayete parol’?” One of the men asked the others in their language, inquiring if anyone knew the passcode. They were close enough that she could hear them clearly. There were about four of them, heavily armed, and Georgina didn’t recognize them, which meant this was likely their first encounter.

“Their f*****g IT changes the code every ten seconds.”

Oh yeah, the f*****g IT is listening to you right now, morons.

Georgina stifled a laugh, dressed in all black with only her eyes visible. She had trained to see clearly in the dark. Her time spent in a marine-style boot camp had equipped her with the skills needed to handle situations like this. She had endured 90 days of rigorous training, meeting both mental and physical requirements, including physical fitness, swimming skills, rifle marksmanship, close-order drill, and teamwork.

Every gambit had to be proficient with an M-16 rifle. She had learned how to use the weapon from various distances and firing positions: prone, kneeling, sitting, and standing.

After boot camp, she returned to the Vanguard Triad’s training grounds to continue her education in martial arts. She had studied the arsenal of high-quality firearms, knives, and other weapons at her team’s disposal. Being a gambit was both prestigious and thrilling—not to mention the pay was mind-blowing. She loved the adventure and the opportunity to learn new things.

For example, combat training focused heavily on Kali Eskrima, emphasizing triangle-based geometric footwork. They were instructed to take angled steps away from the middle line. Since actual cold steel fighting was a tempest of uncertainty, the attacks would be at an angle rather than slashes.

And that was why these men were no match for her. Numbers didn’t mean anything—she wasn’t a gambit for nothing.

The gem is currently housed in Khortyn Fortress, located on the right bank of the Dniester River in western Ukraine. The fortress had been rebuilt numerous times to ensure it was impenetrable to outsiders.

The Hope Diamond rested twenty feet below ground, secured by full security measures, including moving laser beams that would slice anyone attempting to steal it. No one had breached the security she had set since she started her service, and it would remain that way until she retired.

“So how are we going to get it in?” one of the men asked.

Before the leader could respond, Georgina moved like a phantom, shooting one man with a tranquilizer dart to the neck. He reached for his weapon before collapsing onto the cold floor. Her first instinct was to keep him alive so she could send him back, but she might change her mind later.

“Shcho za—” (What the—)

Georgina smirked at the surprise on the men’s faces as they saw their comrade sleeping on the floor.

“Hambit tut.” Yes, the gambit is here. Georgina moved so quickly that the men didn’t know what was coming for them.

The Triad preferred clean operations. Guns were only used if the enemy drew theirs first; otherwise, a gambit like her would fight strategically or engage in hand-to-hand combat.

Georgina received excellent commendations in Jiu-Jitsu and Taekwondo. Gauging her opponents, she noticed they were much taller than her, making Taekwondo the better option. She had to disarm them first.

She leaped into the midst of the men from the ceiling and whirled around rapidly to throw them off guard. Georgina snapped one man’s neck and hurled a blade at another, striking him right in the eye. The last man standing managed to grab his weapon and take a shot, but Georgina dodged the bullet and accidentally landed on her hip.

Motherfucker. She winced in pain, but there was no time to dwell on it.

With no choice left, she reached for her Glock 19 and shot the man between the eyes. He dropped dead, leaving a small pool of blood on the ground. It was time to finish the mission; she couldn’t miss her flight. She stood up and walked towards the man who was still napping on the floor. Without hesitation, she fired once more, hitting him between the eyes.

After arming the stronghold, she mounted her motorbike and rode off to the airport.

End of flashback

Georgina sat on the edge of the bed, gently caressing Lucian’s cheek. He stirred in his sleep, a small smile forming on his lips even with his eyes still closed.

“Hey, baby.” His voice was soft, still heavy with sleep.

She leaned over to kiss his cheek, wrapping her arms around him. Georgina felt a wave of happiness wash over her, grateful to be home and in his embrace.

“What time is it?” Lucian asked, struggling to open his eyes. The dim lighting in the bedroom, with only the glow from the bathroom, added to the cozy atmosphere. They had deliberately left the bathroom door ajar when they went to sleep. Georgina knew that her eyes had adjusted to the darkness.

“Late. Go back to sleep. I just need to change.”

But Lucian wouldn’t let her go. He missed her too much. He reached for the hem of her shirt, and she helped him pull it off, not even realizing that he had also unhooked her bra in the process. He was her first, and she felt a mix of pride and nostalgia thinking about how she had resisted him on their first date and for the following ones after that.

But Lucian was persistent, charming in his own funny way, and no amount of teasing from her could deter him. He always found a way to make her laugh, and for once in her life, she felt truly happy. Overwhelmed with joy, she couldn’t find the words to express how she felt. She had jumped headfirst, despite her uncertainty about balancing her job and her relationship with him. It was hard, but somehow, she managed to have both. Soon, it would just be the two of them, and she wouldn’t be burdened by her duty any longer. They would enjoy their time together without any trouble.

Both of them were naked, exchanging kisses as Georgina found herself on top of Lucian, giggling as his lips trailed along the side of her ear, her most sensitive spot. He kissed the corners of her lips a few times, igniting a warmth within her.

“Did you miss me?”

“So much,” she replied, her heart racing. That was why she had hurried to finish her mission—so she could come home to him.

“Show me.”