Page 63 of Captive

The words bellowed into the sky as one of the soldiers approached. The asshole…

* * *

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Hissing, I tried to swim up from the horrible haze even as the treacherous pain continued to make everything around me foggy. The taste of blood remained in my mouth, the sweet coppery stench filtering into my nostrils. As I tried to open my eyes, I realized they were swollen, one almost entirely shut. The sound I’d heard was my body being used as a punching bag.

Chloe.

Flashes of her horrified face as the monsters yanked her away from me entered my mind. I was going to kill the bastards for laying a hand on her.

I took several ragged breaths through my mouth and dragged my tongue across my puffy lips, forcing my good eye to blink in an effort to see my surroundings. What the hell was I seeing? After a few seconds, I realized I was in some kind of basement, the odor of gasoline and other chemicals almost as strong as the aroma of my own blood. I managed to turn my head, searching for any sign of her. All I could see were dark figures in the close distance. They were watching me.

Waiting for me to awaken.

Shifting, the slight creaking sound as well as the pull on my wrists indicated I’d been attached to something over my head. My body was swinging from the last punches delivered to my gut as well as my kidney. I was naked from the waist up, my boots removed. I struggled to take a look over my head, realizing the chain had been attached to a wooden beam.

A sudden toss of water rushed over my head and torso. Growling, I struggled with the chains holding me, becoming more aware of my surroundings. The dark space was obviously in someone’s house, the washer and dryer coming into full view. Had the bastards killed the owners? That was likely. Another wave of anguish jetted into my system, forcing me to take scattered breaths.

Hearing footsteps, I managed to lift my head, turning it in the direction of the sound.

The man approaching was the one who’d spoken when the Petrovs had found us. He smiled as he came closer, studying me top to bottom.

“The powerful Sacha. It’s actually a pleasure to meet you. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a way out, there is none.”

I was able to offer a grin just before I spit a string of blood in his direction. “We shall see. I don’t have the pleasure of knowing you.”

As another one of the soldiers rushed forward, ready to beat the hell out of me for my foolish behavior, he threw up his arm, waving them off. He took his time wiping the spittle from his face, taking several deep breaths. I could tell I’d pissed him off.

Like I gave a shit.

Other than the leader, there were four others in the room, which meant Chloe’s shots had taken a toll. Good for her. I noticed a set of stairs as well as gardening tools. Getting out of here would take everything I had.

“You don’t seem to realize the predicament you’re in,” the leader continued as he moved even closer. “First of all, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Dimitri Petrov.”

The beloved only son of Sergei, the Bratva leader and direct advisory to the Federov organization. To allow him to leave Mother Russia meant an imminent war was planned, their intentions to eliminate any possible issues. But why? I hadn’t been involved for long enough that my leadership meant nothing to the Federov Bratva.

I eyed him carefully, darting my gaze toward the others. They were well equipped with weapons as I’d suspected. They were also obviously eager to end their time spent in America. The only reason I wasn’t dead was they needed some kind of information.

“Ah, yes. A true barbarian,” I hissed.

His eyes flashed from anger. He shook his head, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “It’s my understanding that the Federovs eat their next of kin for breakfast, Sacha.”

I resisted laughing, but I kept the crooked smile on my face.

“Well, given youfuckedup my timetable,” he hissed, his anger surfacing, “let’s get this over with.”

I was surprised he was speaking in English. Perhaps he believed I’d forgotten about my country as well as my duties to my family. He was wrong. I remained silent, stretching my hands withouta single one of them noticing. The chains were tight, but they’d been rushed in their actions.

“What do you want?” I asked, more to keep the conversation going. Chloe didn’t appear to be close. Was she upstairs or had they already… I couldn’t allow the thoughts to enter my mind. If they’d hurt her, they would all die.

“A location,” Dimitri said casually. When I didn’t respond, he chuckled. “Of your brother.”

I couldn’t have been more surprised; perhaps Dimitri thought he could kill two birds with one stone. He’d been sent to kill the remaining empire. Where the hell had my brother gone? “I do not know, nor do I care.” I kept my answer succinct, although I realized they wouldn’t appreciate it.