Page 70 of Bought By Sin

She didn’t reply, but I wasn’t seeking one this time. I wasn’t desperate for some communication with her. All I needed was to get her out of here. To sprint her to safety and see to her injuries.

“Let’s go,” I told the soldier closest to the door. He’d been standing by as lookout after we’d killed the men in this disgusting hell hole.

He nodded once and we all filed out together. The captives were gagged with the expert and quick work of the Bratva men. They were rushed out, bound and captive to be taken right off their land.

Yusef Antonov wasn’t here. I knew it now, because if anything like this was going down and no central person of authority was rushing in to take charge, it meant no higher-ranking person like a lieutenant was present to rule and command.

I’ve got you.

I ran with her in my arms, flanked by the Bratva men who made sure no one was going to pick us off with snipers or other firearms as we rushed out. We’d killed so many on our way in, like wraiths slipping in and out, mostly undetected in the darkness of the night. The sun could rise and shine on all the dead bodies we were leaving in our wake. I’d kill them all over again if I could. The captives we were forcing to go with us would be dead as well.

Regardless of how efficiently we moved as a team, and how much the Bratva men were experts on task forces like this one, I couldn’t dispel this gnawing fear of losing her. Of her not waking up. Of someone setting a trap and keeping us on this compound where she could be killed faster.

“There.” One of the men pointed at the cut-out point of the fence.

Almost there.

I wouldn’t be able to relax and calm down until I had her in the car. Until we were on our way out of here and en route to making sure she would wake up and be all right.

I’ve got you, Mila.

We’re almost there.

Picking up speed as we approached the fence, I clutched her tightly. This was the final stretch, and the determination to save her this time heightened my emotions even more. My heart thundered so fast, my muscles braced for the run. In a file, we escaped right back through the hole in the fence she’d cut tonight.

Splitting up to the cars as they rushed toward us, I held her and counted down the seconds until I could get Mila in.

The engine revved as Alexei brought the SUV we’d arrived in closer. He braked hard, sending dirt and rocks flying. Behind him, another soldier came in to pick up the other men and one captive. In the distance, Nikolai sped up to retrieve another Bratva man and drive the other captive to keep at the holding cells we owned and maintained.

“Is she hit?” Alexei asked, twisting to watch me climb into the backseat with her.

“Not with a gun,” I replied. I didn’t think she was.

“Fuck.” He uttered it with a twisted grimace as he got a look of her face in the dim light overhead as I pulled her fully onto my lap to hold her on the ride back. I let my anger fire up all over again. The sight of even a single contusion or swollen bump on her smooth skin enraged me. Feeling the rumbles of low moans of pain she emitted even as she remained unconscious spiked my fury.

“I’ve got you,” I murmured to her as the soldier closed the door to shut us in.

I stared down at her face, hating that she’d been hurt at all.

I’ve got you.

Alexei sped off, sending gravel spraying once more.

I’ve got you, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let you go.

I let a hard exhale whoosh out of me, able to relax with the fact that I had her in my arms and could be in control of her safety once more. I could relax with the truth of that declaration ringing so loud and clear in my head too.

I’ve got you, Mila. And I won’t ever let you go.

26

MILA

Don’t panic.

I kept my eyes closed and could only obey that mantra in my head for one reason.

You will survive.