Chapter 141: Enemies Unite
A foreboding feeling runs down my spine as I walk towards the car. I know, deep in my gut, that this will end in bloodshed. Just like Derek said, one way or another. I look around, the feeling of being watched sinking into my soul. He’s out there watching me; making sure I’m safe. He can’t stay away from me and I can’t stay away from him. He was right: I need him. I need to know he’s near because his presence reminds me what I’m fighting for.
I make my way north and after several hours I notice a car following me. That gut feeling is back and I’m positive it’s not Derek or Logan in the car. We have obtained so many enemies on this trip I’m not sure which one has located me, but I keep driving. Dusk is approaching and I should stop to rest, but I have no idea what will happen if I do. The gas gauge is dangerously low but I don’t dare pull over to fill the tank.
There is a gun next to me on the seat under my jacket and I have a feeling I will have to use it in the very near future. As the light comes on to signal that I am running out of time, my heart starts to beat faster. I already sent a text to let Derek know there’s trouble and I look in my rear view to see a second car close behind the first. Whoever it is, they have brought the calvary and I swallow nervously.
As I pull into a gas station, I tuck the gun into my waistband and cover it with my shirt. An attendant walks up to the window and I roll it down as little as possible. I can’t trust anyone.
“Fill it up,” I tell him and he nods politely. I see the other cars in my side mirror pull into the gas station and park. Nobody gets out of the cars but it’s only a matter of time. I’m starving but I stay in the car, looking around nervously. As I hand the attendant cash, I see the doors of the cars open and I slam on the gas. They were a little too late.
As I drive like a bat out of hell down the highway, my pursuers pick up speed. Both vehicles flank me on either side. The goons gesture for me to pull over, the guns in their hands obvious, so I lean down low in the driver’s seat and press the pedal as far down as I can. They seem to get angry at my impertinence and one of them drifts into the side of my car. I hear the sound of metal scraping metal.
Suddenly one of them slows down and the other slams into me from the side. My car flips over and I see Anna’s face as I go flying upside down in slow motion. When it lands, I feel a moment of dizziness in my disorientation. I hear shouting and I unbuckle, even though I know escape is futile. As I crawl out of the car, I see five men holding guns on me when I look up.
“Gotcha,” one of them says with a Russian accent. My mind flickers with uncertainty because three of them looked Italian. I don’t get to ponder this for long before I’m knocked out with the butt of one of their guns.
Some time later I come to with a black bag over my head. My head is pounding so hard my stomach clenches, so I focus on breathing slowly. I am in one of their cars heading somewhere. I feel around and I discover they have taken my cell phone and gun. I stay quiet, listening to two different languages warring together. The car suddenly comes to a stop and my heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest.
I am escorted inside somewhere, taken down a flight of stairs and placed on a chair. The bag is ripped off my head and I blink as my eyes adjust to the light. I survey my surroundings and I realize I’m in an unfinished basement. Then two men come into view and my throat closes up as fear nearly cripples me.
Antonio and Ivanov. Together.
I pull myself together quickly and stare them both down defiantly. They each have an evil smirk on their faces. I feel like a prized pig going off to the slaughter.
“You were a difficult woman to track down,” Ivanov says.
“Good thing we decided to pool our resources, bella, or we might never have been reunited,” Antonio adds.
“What do you want with me?” I ask. They both chuckle to each other like they are sharing a private joke. Antonio turns to me with an arrogant grin.
“Just like a woman to think it’s about her. You are simply bait. I want Logan, and my new friend here wants Felix. You are the one thing they have in common and we both have a strong feeling they will come looking for you,” Antonio says.
“Make no mistake, devushka, we have plans for you too. Once we have settled our debts with the men, the fun will begin. You are going to be our entertainment for the evening,” Ivanov sneers and bile rises in my throat. I spit on the ground near him to make my disdain known.
“Just one little problem. They have no idea where you took me. So your efforts will be for nothing,” I reply.
“She thinks us stupid, Ivanov. She doesn’t realize that we know her phone has a GPS in it and once they realize she has been taken, they will follow the signal right to us,” Antonio laughs. I feel a rush of horror in my bones but I don’t want to show my fear to these men.
“You don’t know who you are dealing with, gentlemen. You will be sorry when they get here. Maybe if you let me go now, you won’t lose so many men,” I say confidently. They both laugh uproariously at my statement.
“Now who is stupid? Your men are outmanned 4 to 1. We have brought both of our armies with us; and your friends have no chance of surviving,” Antonio replies and they both laugh maniacally as they leave the room.
I hang my head helplessly and tears fall down my face. I could shift and try to escape, but they have guns and there are too many of them to take on by myself. Derek and the rest of the men are walking right into a trap. I have no way to get them a message and as predicted, I have made a terrible mistake going out on my own.