After another brutal punch, Vissarian called from the other side of the building. “Time’s up. Clean the roof.”
Ah, fuck. I couldn’t have any fun. With three bullets shot, I turned and spun in a circle, catching what should be the last two soldiers before they had a chance to fire. Then I rushed to where the rope was hanging, swinging over the roofline and sliding down.
With the power cut, the entire building and grounds were in darkness. With the night vision goggles in place we made our way to one of several doors.
Just before we entered, I glanced at Mikhail and the others.
Maybe the training our fathers had insisted we take meant something after all.
Five minutes before…
Lainey
“Put this on.”
The gruff sound of the voice of a man I’d never seen pissed me off. He leered at me as every other guard had done over the last week. Or however long we’d been here. Nina was beginning to lose hope, not even bothering to look up when the bastard had burst into the room.
He tossed a bag onto the floor, sneering as he did.
“What is it?” At least he was speaking English. I glanced at the open door. Since the earlier incident when I’d nearly made my way out, two guards had been assigned. Tonight there was only one.
Or at least I assumed it was nighttime.
“A dress. You’re being sold.”
Sold. The word shackled me with terror. However, I had no intention of backing down to the monsters or showing any fear. “Like hell I am.”
He laughed and took a quick glance toward Nina. “You’re going to do what I say. Get the kid ready as well. We have an audience in an hour.”
“You’re going to leave that little girl alone.” As if on cue, Nina started sobbing. While she was a little fighter, I had to believe she wasn’t playing for effect. We were both exhausted and I’d started to believe no one was coming to save us.
When he took a step forward and toward her, I moved in front, fisting both hands. “You dare try and touch her and I will kill you.”
His look became even more heated and he licked his lips in an exaggerated way that made me sick to my stomach. “I’d love to see you try.” He meant what he said, pushing me by growling like some wild animal while tilting his body forward quickly.
Instead of jerking back, I threw a punch, catching him in the mouth. Shocked, he tumbled backward into the doorway. I lunged toward him, issuing a brutal shove. He tumbled against the railing of the stairs and I could tell within seconds he was going to retaliate in a way I couldn’t handle.
“Lainey!” Nina screamed from behind me.
While he became distracted, I acted on a plan I’d concocted in my brain. I’d managed to save a portion of the broken lampand with no time to waste, I slipped the thick cord against the bottom of the door.
Suddenly, the lights went out.
“Lainey,” she said so softly a knife was driven into my heart.
“It’s okay.”
A loud rumble vibrated the floor beneath us, which drew the soldier’s attention. He righted himself and turned toward the stairs, almost immediately snapping his head back in my direction.
Loud shouts could be heard coming from everywhere. He rushed closer, slamming the door.
Fuck. Exasperated, I glanced at the piece of the lamp. It was still wedged in place. Please, God. Whatever was going on, this might be the only chance I had of breaking free.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The sound was muffled, but I would never be able to forget it after the couple of shots I’d heard at the birthday party. Something was going on. With my hand shaking, I tried the door. Oh, my God. As the handle turned, I took a deep breath then closed it again, rushing toward Nina.
“Hey, girlie. Do you think you can walk?”
