As I reached the top landing, she shoved me forward. Falling, I stretched out my hands to block the fall. “How did you get in? What do you want?” She hollered.
Turning to face her, I noticed the crazy look in her eyes. “Melody, what’s happened to you?” I asked softly.
Leaning in, she grabbed my top and pulled. Using my legs, I assisted so she wouldn’t tear my clothing. This time, she placed the gun against my forehead. “What do you want?” she breathed out heavily.
Closing my eyes, I felt my emotions bubbling. The wall had crumbled, and there was no stopping the showers. I tried to swallow back the flood, but it was hard. “Please,” I begged. “Please let me explain.”
Shoving the gun at me, she gave me her orders. “Move back, back into the room.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the open door. I turned and did what she asked. This was it, I thought, seeing my life flash before me. She was going to kill me, and no one would even know.
Melody closed the door and moved around me to look out the window. She was paranoid. I wondered who she was actually afraid of. There was something different about her as she turned her attention back to me. She was going to kill me.
I thought my heart had stopped as the door flung open. It collided with the wall, sending a hollow echo through the room. Glancing back, I saw Kolya standing there in the doorway. For a moment, I was unsure if I should be happy or afraid. His gun was drawn. He stood there pointing it at Melody.
His tone was aggressive and strong as he stepped inside. “You will give me Sophia. She has betrayed me. She owes me her life.”
I felt confused by his words. My mind raced to figure out what he was playing at. I knew he’d be upset, but saying I betrayed him was a step too far.
Melody suddenly moved closer, pulling me into her arms. She held the gun against my head. “No!” she screamed. “I need her to tell me the truth first.”
Kolya came at us with a speed I didn’t expect. He took hold of my arm as he responded. “You harm a hair on her head, and I swear, Melody, it will be the last thing you ever do!”
As he pulled softly on my arm, it hit me. I had to bite back the laugh that was bubbling inside of me. He was doing this deliberately. Telling her these things to get me out of here. He had to make Melody believe he hated my guts.
“She has a debt to repay. I’ll be damned if she doesn’t. Now let go of her,” he roared.
The shock on Melody’s face was amusing. She was utterly confused. It was a sight to see. One I knew I’d never see again. Kolya pulled on my arm again. This time, Melody let go. Her mouth opened. It looked like she wanted to speak. But she closed it again as Kolya pulled me through the door.
“There’s no time,” he whispered. “Stay close.”
I moved with Kolya as he headed down the first set of stairs. Shots rang out as we ran to the next set. Kolya turned, pulling me to the side as he shot back. I didn’t dare look. It wasn’t a sight I wanted to see.
Kolya picked up the pace as we moved down the second set of stairs. I felt a shiver of fear running down the small hairson the back of my neck. But instinctively, I followed him. We had gone about halfway down the last stairs when I heard the guards' footsteps as they came running towards us.
Kolya pulled me down the last two steps and through the foyer into the kitchen. I was sure this was the way he came in. Another couple of shots filled the air with a deafening sound. It was coming from both sides now. Kolya ducked behind a counter. Dragging me to the floor, I could feel him shoot over me.
Tears welled up in my eyes. I had to rub them vigorously just so I could see. My heart was beating a million miles an hour. Kolya jumped up, grabbed my wrist, and pulled. I almost lost my balance as I stood. Luckily, I didn’t tumble.
We were out the door and running across the back yard. Before I knew it, we were in the street jumping into his car. Kolya sped off, flooring the car.
Once we were out of immediate danger, I relaxed a little. All of this now confirms Melody’s participation. She’s been on it all. I felt betrayed, and my heart was heavy. I couldn’t believe she had done this to me, that she was a criminal.
Chapter 23 - Kolya
As soon as we came to a stop, I inhaled hard. My lungs were on fire, but my anger burned hotter. Before I knew what was happening, Sophia was slamming her tiny fists into my arm.
“How dare you?” Sophia huffed at me. She looked frustrated and angry, her face scrunched up.
For a moment, I was confused. I thought she would be glad if I rescued her.
Then she continued. “After everything I tried to do. I only wanted to get proof. Then you come in and go off like a bomb. Telling her that I owe you, you own me, what the hell? You chased me away, remember? You didn’t want anything to do with me. So, why did you actually come?”
I knew her so well by now that I could see the anger was a façade to mask her pain. Pain, I had caused her. Turning, I grabbed her wrists gently. “Sophia,” I said. “I am so sorry for hurting you by not listening to your side when you tried to explain. I realized that things aren’t as black and white as they appeared. Yes…”
I grinned at her as I continued. “Yes, I admit it. I’ve always told you not to see the world in black and white. Then here I go and do it. I’m sorry, my dear.”
A tiny smile pulled at the corners of her mouth as she started to relax. Her beautiful smile is like a ray of sunshine. Leaning closer, I kissed her cheek as I whispered. “I am truly sorry.”
