Chapter 11 #3
“My friend from Waltham, the one who’s keeping watch on Bratva activities just called. He said two words before he was cut off. ‘Get out.’”
My body slow to react, I finally managed to jerk the covers away, trying to refocus and remember where my jeans were.
“I’m not fucking around here, Chloe.” He yanked his clothes from the floor, struggling into them.
“I know. I’ll be right there.” I hadn’t packed anything like he’d requested, but clothes didn’t matter to me any longer.
Getting away from the continuing danger we’d been exposed to did.
I was aware he’d stormed out of the room, but I found it difficult to move quickly, my heart racing until I felt the pulse in my throat.
Move. Get it going.
I managed to slide into my jeans, yanking on the same sweater then finding my boots. There was nothing I’d purchased that mattered. I grabbed the jacket, fumbling to get into it as I raced down the stairs.
The bags he’d brought in were in the living room.
He nodded as I approached then moved toward the front of the cabin, standing to the side then peering out the blinds.
While there was no outward indication that the area had been breached, I could tell within seconds that his anger was off the charts.
“Fuck. This isn’t good, Chloe. I’m not going to lie to you.” Advancing, when he was finally only a few inches away, my fear elevated to utter terror. “We’re taking these bags and heading into the forest for the boat. Do you understand me?”
“Uh-huh.” Did I? Could I manage to do this?
He jerked one of the bags, yanking the zipper then handing me a flashlight. “Do not turn this on until I tell you. You can’t make any noise at all. Stay low and focused. We have one shot at this. There won’t be another.”
“Okay. I can do that.” Although a whimper had already formed in my throat, I shut my mouth and took several deep breaths.
Nodding, he squeezed my arm before tossing the bags over one shoulder and heading for the back door. My eyes accustomed to the darkness, I could clearly see the gun in his hand. He peered outside, hissing before unlocking and opening the door, motioning to me after a few seconds.
I moved toward him, determined to find the kind of strength that would allow me to get through this.
He led me outside, constantly swinging his head from one side of the yard to the other as he headed for the trees. Even though there was a slender moon, the darkness was oppressive, keeping my nerves on edge.
We moved quickly, heading into the dense forest. Within seconds, I almost tripped over the underbrush, but managed to keep from falling. At least I hadn’t made a single sound, although I had to wonder whether my hammering heart could be heard from a distance.
Nikolai kept us going in the dark for several minutes, finally stopping. After a few seconds, he shifted in my direction. “Okay. Keep the flashlight pointed ahead of us. If you hear anything, turn it off immediately. Got it?”
“Got it.” My hand shaking, I flipped the switch, grateful for a warm glow of light guiding our way.
We continued forward and I struggled to avoid the fallen limbs, constantly listening for any sounds indicating they’d found us.
We had to be approaching the clearing. It seemed like we’d been trekking through the woods for a full half hour.
When the light caught an opening, I breathed a sigh of relief. We might make it after all.
Without breaking his stride, he headed for the stored boat, immediately starting to drag it away from the clump of trees where he’d hidden it.
Refusing to allow him to perform the task alone, I sucked in my breath and raced to help him.
Together, we managed to drag it toward the edge of the river.
Now, the rushing sound of water seemed more oppressive than it had been before.
“Take one of the bags and climb inside,” he commanded in a hoarse whisper.
I did as he asked, navigating the rocks more difficult than I’d thought.
When I was finally inside, he handed me the other two bags then shoved the boat further into the water.
Almost immediately the current caught it, pulling the boat away from the area quickly.
Panic rushed into my system, a cry threatening to bubble to the surface.
There was no hesitation. Nikolai slipped into the water, managing to snag the rim of the vessel within seconds and hoisting himself on board.
That’s the exact moment it seemed all hell broke loose.
Voices.
They were close, the words clearly said in Russian. Then there was light, several powerful flashlights shifting from one side to the other.
“Damn it,” Nikolai hissed then struggled to unfasten the oars.
The first gunshot rang out before he was finished.
The second just as he slapped them both in the water.
The third, fourth, and fifth popped into the water only inches from us.
I suddenly couldn’t breathe, my entire body shaking. He started rowing, using his powerful torso muscles to swiftly take us several yards away.
But the gunshots continued, several men yelling in Russian.
“Stay down,” Nikolai commanded, grunting as he picked up the pace in his actions.
The assholes refused to stop, the crackling sound of limbs indicating they were racing along the shoreline in an effort to get to us. I kept the light in both hands, the direction allowing me to see Nikolai’s pained face as he fought to get us out of harm’s way. I felt helpless.
“Take the gun, Chloe.”
“Why?”
“If they get too close, you’re going to need to fire the weapon. Can you do that?”
My body stiffening, I bit back a cry and crawled forward, reaching for the gun. My actions almost tipped the boat over.
“Slow and easy.”
Pop! Pop!
The whooshing sound from the two shots was followed by the realization that the bullets entered the water only inches from the boat. My determination on overdrive, I pushed forward, managing to grab the weapon with a single hand.
“Use both hands. You can do this.”
While his encouraging words would normally help, I was scared out of my mind, but I followed his orders, placing the flashlight down and with two hands, aiming the gun toward the trees.
“Listen for the crackle of trees before firing.”
His words echoed in my mind, but I managed to concentrate, shutting everything else down but the sounds of the forest. Within a few seconds, I took a deep breath and fired, not one shot but several, unaware of how I would react.
I’d heard about recoil and my first reaction was jerking back. I regrouped and stiffened my hold.
“That’s it. Good girl.”
Within seconds, another popping sound went off and I fired, getting off at least three shots. I almost shouted in glee as I heard two distinct voices, both in pain.
The current seemed swifter, pulling the boat forward.
I was in a vacuum, perspiration beading across my upper lip, my arms shaking to the point I was terrified I couldn’t take another shot.
I had no idea how much time had passed, but I didn’t hear the sound of their voices any longer.
Were we free? Did we manage to get away from them?
“You did good, baby. Now, you need to hold on. The water is getting a hell of a lot rougher.”
His words were solid, his voice holding no fear as he continued rowing.
I gripped one edge of the boat, saying a silent prayer that we’d get out of this. Sadly, I knew there would be another time.
And another.
Until they hunted us down.
There was no sound for several minutes with the exception of the rushing water.
Then I heard something else. “What is that?” I grabbed the flashlight, no doubt pissing him off as I swung the beam in front of the boat.
Although I was unable to see anything, I knew there was danger ahead. I could feel it in my bones.
“You’re going to need to listen to me carefully,” he stated in his authoritative voice.
I shifted the flashlight toward him, watching as he dragged the oars back into the boat, wrapping his arms around the bags. “What’s happening?”
“A waterfall. Hold on to both sides. Do as I say.”
“What about the flashlight and the gun?”
He chuckled. “I have more. Do as I say.”
The rushing sound was more intense. Shaking violently, I obeyed him, keeping the flashlight on and trying to stare into his eyes. Water. I heard it. I felt it spraying the back of me. Oh, my God. We weren’t going to make it.
The pull of the current increased, the world around us seeming to flash by.
“Get ready to hold your breath,” he instructed.
No. No. No!
Water lapped against the sides, spilling into the boat. Then there was an entirely different sensation that reminded me just before a rollercoaster made a hard drop.
As the boat tipped, all I could think about was Nikolai and the fact I was falling in love with him.
God help us both.