Chapter 5 #2
She coughed and sputtered, ducking her face from the hammering jet. Without the use of her arms, she could barely keep her mouth away from the ferocious water. The wound on her head pulsed from the pressure.
As quickly as it had started, the spray stopped.
Haggard grunts tore from her throat and her body shook. A draft blew over her skin, puckering her nipples and drawing her flesh into goosebumps.
Squelching footsteps approached. His warm fingers came to her cheek, pushing her hair away from her eyes and face. “Just say the name, woman.”
“D-Don’t c-call me th-that,” she sputtered.
His mouth worked into a sardonic smirk. “What should I call you then?”
Her temper sizzled.
“All right. I don’t care to know your name, but tell me who paid you.”
“You’re really that dumb, aren’t you?” It took effort to keep the shivering out of her voice.
He tsked. Another blast of water rushed over her.
She wanted to scream, to lunge for his face, but she couldn’t do anything but curl into a ball.
It stopped.
She shook, her teeth and bones chattering. Movement shuffled around her. Dread pulled at her bravery as though it were a thread on a poorly knitted sweater. Summoning her grit, she watched him through slits as he set up two industrial-sized fans around her.
He approached again, this time with a towel. Part of her almost moaned at the idea of having the warm, dry material on her skin. Using the corner, he mopped the droplets around her mouth and then a fresh strip of tape was pressed over her lips.
“It’s gonna get chilly in here, honey. I’ll be back to check on you soon. Don’t bother tryin’ to get off the tape to scream. We’re alone on this mountain.”
A second later, he switched on the fans. Wind hit every inch of her body. She pulled her knees into her chest and braced for hypothermia.
***
Nineteen Years Earlier
Mila sprinted through the field as the alarm she’d tripped squealed behind her. Tall grass scraped against her arms and legs as she ran over the uneven ground.
Shouts erupted behind her. Alexei’s men who patrolled the property ran after her. She pumped her muscles.
If they caught her, they’d punish her.
Emotion clogged in her throat. It’d been over a year since she was taken. A year of callouses and blisters, intense training, and burning muscles. But her muscles didn’t burn now.
No, they were hungry for freedom.
Mama. Papa. Igor. I’m coming.
She’d never left the property, but she’d learned their approximate whereabouts. She’d overheard Alexei speak to his men about Kaluga, the nearest town. She wasn’t familiar with its location, but she’d committed the name to memory.
One of the many books Alexei had brought her included a map of Russia. She’d spent hours studying it and learned that Irinia and Alexei’s compound was almost three hours from Moscow.
But a road was close. She could hear the whizzing of vehicles. If she could flag someone down, maybe they’d help.
The shouting grew closer, followed by the sound of piercing barks. Alexei’s Dobermans.
Fear swirled up the back of her neck. Part of her wanted to stop running. To give up and promise never to flee again. But her mother’s bright smile shone in her mind.
I have to see them again... before I forget them.
As she darted through the woods to the west, her chest ached but not from exertion. She ran two miles every day. This was nothing. The terror of being caught was what made her heart hammer.
She broke through the trees and reached the road. Headlights splashed across the dark asphalt and relief made her sob. She waved her hands in the air and jumped up and down, not daring to scream and alert the dogs or the guards.
The vehicle slowed and an older man stepped out. “Child, are you hurt?”
“Please,” she cried, running toward them. “I need help. I’ve been kidnapped.”
He blinked and looked bewildered as he glanced inside the car at a woman whose blond hair framed her friendly, worried face.
“Let her in, Alek. We’ll take you—”
A low whistling made Mila flinch. She spun around and spotted the guards near the side of the road.
Splat
The woman’s frantic screams brought Mila’s attention back to the old man. A bullet hole ate through the center of his head.
Another whistling sound followed by the shattering of glass. A bullet smacked into the woman’s chest. Blood blossomed on her blouse.
Ice-cold terror rushed through her body. Mila screamed, cupping her hands over her ears as she dropped to the pavement.
Her gaze landed on the old man’s wide, empty eyes. Blood trickled down his face. She squeezed her eyes shut and rocked back and forth, keening.
Rough hands seized her elbows, and she was hauled over one of the guard’s shoulders. “Clean up this mess!” he shouted to the other guard as he stormed back through the forest.
The cool fall wind stirred her hair. Mila kept her hands over her ears, wishing she could disappear. Tears soaked her cheeks.
They died because of me.
Back at the compound, she was carried past the house and into the barn. Her room was tucked at the back, near a small bathroom. Boris tossed her onto the thin mattress and she nearly bounced to the floor.
He threw her a withering look then left, leaving the door open. A beat later, Alexei entered.
His weathered face was creased with disappointment.
He snagged a chair from the corner and sat across from her.
“Tell me, Malyshka. Why? We’ve given you very much to be thankful for.
” He gestured to the bookshelf against the wall.
It was fully stocked with literature, as well as markers, paper, beads, and string—enough things to occupy her when she wasn’t training or doing schoolwork.
Lifting her chin, she met his gaze. After a year with Alexei and Irinia, she’d learned he wasn’t the one who’d strike her.
He trained her hard, ruthlessly at times, but he’d also shown her kindness.
Often he brought her treats and new books—almost anything she asked for.
If Irinia knew he’d grown soft toward her, she didn’t let on.
“I want my family, Alexei. I miss them.” She sniffed and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the long sleeve of her track suit. “I’ll never stop. I’ll find them one day.”
He shook his head. “You can’t say that.” He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Never say that to Irinia, understand me?”
“Why?”
His mouth hardened. “She will take everything from you.” He tapped the side of his head with a finger. “Your hope. Your love. Even your memories.”
Mila scrunched her face. “How? That doesn’t—”
“Mila, if you want them safe, you must forget them.”
“No,” she sobbed, shaking her head wildly. “I won’t.”
“Two people were killed today.” His voice was heavy. “I wish I could hide this from Irinia, but because of the couple,” he said, nodding toward the window, “she’ll find out. I must tell her. She will be angry. Brace yourself.”
Tension wound around her chest. “Alexei, why?” she said, her voice a wail. “Why can’t you let me go? Just tell her I ran! I’ll never say it was you. I’ll never tell the police.”
He stood abruptly, flinging the chair back. “ No. ” His hand sliced the air. “Enough.” He stalked to the door. “Good night.” He shut it, and a moment later the lock clicked.