Page 8 of Wicked Deceptions
She has asked on several occasions to use my family background as a draw, but I have refused. I told her my background, hoping it would help in her hiring me, but I personally do not want the fact that I am a Romanov to be public knowledge. Thankfully, she respects my wishes. I think it is really not needed, since her clientele has doubled since I started taking clients.
I actually have acquired regulars, and they shower me with very expensive and valuable jewels, many of which I sell. I do make good money, but the extra income from the jewels gives me a little extra to set aside in the event of another life-altering catastrophe, which I fully expect to happen considering my life so far. You would think I would be quite used to them by now, but the fear of more change is always right there in the back of my mind, reminding me that whatever I may have now can easily be gone tomorrow.
Leonid was livid when he learned of my plan and tried on several occasions to stop me. But when it came down it, the fact remained that if one of us did not provide an income, we would starve. Leonid was older, and although he tried, he was not a good candidate for the jobs available to him. I tried as well, and it was the same as before, no qualifications. When I reminded him he is not my father nor my brother and that I will do what I want with my life, he backed down, giving me a very disappointed look. The money I earn every week ensures the rent is paid on the flat and there is enough to have food on the table. I have also paid back Gabriella and Jonathan. I know my family would be disappointed in me, but one must do what they must to survive, and I think they could understand.
Tonight, I am entertaining Malcolm Jager. This will be our third appointment. He is a member of Abteilung Mobile Division III b, and his work fascinates me. The Abteilung is Germany’s intelligence organization, and Malcolm’s division centers around counterintelligence and foreign defense capabilities focusing on, of course, France, England, and Russia. He deals with counterintelligence in operational and occupied territories, which means he recruits, trains, and works with war spies. I find his work intriguing. I hate that he is German and everything he stands for, but honestly, I really enjoy his company and believe he just may be my salvation.
December 1915
Paris, France
I still work for Madame LaRue, and I still believe I made the right decision taking this path. Malcolm has become more than a regular. He has become a friend. I’ve told him a little more than I probably should have about myself, but I feel I can trust him. He doesn’t know I am a Romanov and that I am also related to Queen Victoria, but he does know I have come from a privileged family and am educated. He knows I speak four languages: Russian, German, French, and English. I have been very selective on what I tell him and feel that is all he needs to know for now.
I live at Madame LaRue’s now. When Leonid came down with the Spanish Flu, it took all the life out of him and he could no longer fight. He passed away three months ago, and I moved in here. Gabriella and Jonathan wanted me to move in with them, but they did not need the extra burden, and living here affords me to take on more clients, which means more money. I’ve never been one to want money, but now that I have lived without it, I realize money is the most important thing in the world, and I intend to never be without it ever again.
One afternoon while we are sharing a drink in my boudoir at Madame LaRue’s, Malcolm totally surprises me when he says, “Katerina, have you ever thought about supporting the war effort?”
I laugh. “Malcolm, you know I am not a big fan of this war. Why on earth would I support it?”
“Just hear me out, please. I think I have something that could get you more respectable work. You would no longer have to sell yourself to eat.”
I have to admit, he has piqued my interest. “Oh?” I do not detest what I do, but if I could acquire something more respectable and still earn a decent living, of course I want to know more.
“Well, love, you know I work in intelligence. We are always looking for good people who can help us gain information. The fact that you speak several languages makes you a perfect candidate for what I have in mind.”
“And what is that?” I walk to the table and pour myself a cup of tea. “Would you like some?” I ask.
“No, thank you.” He walks toward me and rests his hands on my shoulders. “I would like you to spy for Germany.”
“A spy!” I scoff. “Have you lost your mind?”
“No, darling, I think you would perfect.”
I turn and step away from him. “I do not know anything about being a spy, Malcolm. I’m educated, but I don’t have the proper training for a position like that. You know that.”
He turns me around to face him. “We have people who will train you.”
I think about what he is asking of me and try my hardest to envision myself as a spy. And then I realize something. This is exactly what I have been looking for. If I become a spy for Germany, I will learn things about their efforts in the war, and hopefully someday, I will find a way to use it against them. They will think I am helping them, and I will have to do so for a time, but then I won’t and my vow will satisfied. My naïve little mind did not bother with all of the ramifications, and I find myself quickly agreeing to do it.
“I’ll do it!” I say to him confidently.
“Wonderful!” he exclaims. “You won’t be sorry, I promise you.”
No, love, you will be sorry,I think to myself and then it occurs to me. Taking this position will put my life in danger.Are you sure this is something you want, Yekaterina?I look around my boudoir and realize my life is not worth anything without my family, my heritage, and my self-respect. But I have to ask… “Malcolm, will I be in danger?”
“Honestly, yes, but I plan to make you so damn good at being a spy, you will be able to handle your missions expertly and without any risk to your well-being.” He pulls me into a hug. “Of that, I promise.”
I nod. “So what’s next?”
“Well, first, you will have to give Madame notice. Then we will make preparations for you to come to Germany for your training. You will need to leave Paris for some time.” He turns my chin, causing me to look him directly in the eye. “Katerina, I am not going to sugarcoat this for you. Your training will be gruesome. You will learn how to survive in very dangerous situations.
How to endure torture and harden your heart. How to fight and have extensive physical training. You will learn to use your body and sex to get information. You’ll learn just about everything you will need to survive, but there will be times when you will be in situations where you will have to rely on your instincts.” He caresses my cheek. “Are you ready for all that?”
I know this won’t be easy, but what else do I have? I can continue working for Madame LaRue, entertaining man after man and getting further away from a stable life, or I can accept his offer and find some purpose for myself. I have survived all of this for a reason, and I’m sure it is not to spend the rest of my life as a courtesan. I would have to leave my friends, but really, other than Gabriella, Jonathan, and Madame LaRue, I have nothing here. Germany has taken everything from me. This is my chance, and I will not let him scare me away. “I’m ready.”
“You have made me very happy, dear. You are going to be a great asset to Germany and its efforts in the war.”
You keep thinking that.I have grown very fond of Malcolm. I am not in love with him, but he has always been kind to me, and I do not want to hurt him. But he is just a pawn in the bigger picture, and like he said, I will need to learn to harden my heart. And that starts now.
