Russian Assassins Kiss: A Deadly Game of Love and Betrayal I strolled up to the receptionist at the airport check out. “Hello, may I see your papers?” she asked me in Russian. I handed her my passport and admired the old imperial art while she typed on her computer. “Everything checks out Mr. Thorne. Welcome to Russia.” she exclaimed with a wink. It made the blood rush to my face, but I mustered out a thank you before I turned to walk away. She was beautiful in the way all Russian girls are. Her green eyes stood out from her olive skin and brown hair. Maybe I'd try to find her again on my way back. I turned around to get another glance but she was gone. Disappointed, I walked outside and took in the cold Russian air. Just a single night I reminded myself, and I can go home. I waved a taxi down and headed to the hotel. Supposedly my contact was in the Petrinko hotel, room 53. He was a Russian defector giving up valuable information to the US government. As a splinter unit all I had to do was meet Mr. Adenski and exchange Russian currency for a briefcase of classified information. I remembered laughing at my boss when he offered me the job. Fly to Russia and pick up classified information from a double agent? Yea...right! Why don't you get James Bond? But here I am. Walking up the red carpet stairs of the Petrinko. The walls were the same white as the marble floors. They spared no expense here and after gawking my way through a few more floors I made it. I stared at the golden 53 nailed into the marble. I reached for the door knob and stopped. Partly frozen with fear, I forced myself to adjust. …and then things took a turn
