Page 68 of Russian Rescue

“Dammit,” Knox growled. “We never should have let him do this. Now you’re both at risk.”

“I’ll be fine,” I responded as I slid toward the vent Wes had left open. “I’ll get us out of this.”

“I know you will, Piper,” Knox said. “Just get in there and save our Pretty Boy. I’ll see if I can restart this program Wes gave me and try to get the cameras back.”

“Roger that.” I went quiet as I approached the vent, my silenced pistol leading the way while I prepared to drop into a room without a visual. My instincts screamed at me that I should reroute, but my desperation to get to Wes and save him pushed me forward. I inched my way to the edge, carefully peering out into the room below.

Clear.

Quietly, I lowered myself out of the vent, flipping to the ground and landing on my stilettos with my pistol sights searching the surrounding space.

“No visual yet,” Knox said. “And still radio silence from Pretty Boy. I have no idea what’s going on in there.”

I didn’t answer, choosing silence to remain safe. I knew Knox would understand. One step at a time, I moved toward the door, ready for anything standing between me and the man I couldn’t live without.

The man I loved.

“Drop it,” a voice commanded in Russian.

I spun toward the sound, and two men stepped into the doorway, guns both trained on me.

I slowed to a stop and smirked when I saw it was the two guards who’d helped me when I’d “fallen.” “Hey guys, good to see you again.”

“Drop it or die,” the tallest man said.

“Pass,” I answered, then flew sideways so quickly their silenced bullets missed. I popped off two shots as I rolled to the ground, dropping them each where they stood.

“I’m fine,” I said to Knox, knowing he was about to ask. “Two hostiles down.”

“Nice work,” he responded.

“Moving up.”

I peeked into the empty hallway and bolted across to the stairway leading to the third floor. With cautious steps, I made my way to the top. When I reached it, I peered out into the hallway. Four guards stood at the doorway, separating me from Wes.

“I’ve got resistance at the door. I have no idea what to expect when I get inside,” I whispered. “Any chance you have cameras yet?”

“Negative,” Knox answered. “The program is restarting, but it may take a few minutes. And I don’t know if it will work again.”

“Roger that,” I answered. “I’m going in.”

Having no idea what to anticipate, and no backup on the way, I made a command decision to take this threat head-on. I pulled out my other silenced pistol and flipped off the safety, then stepped into the hallway.

“Hey, boys,” I said.

They spun to look at me, shocked to see me walking brazenly toward them. I lifted both my guns and fired two shots from each gun before their weapons could swing toward me. They all dropped simultaneously to the ground.

“I’m at the door,” I whispered to Knox as I prepared to breach.

“Be careful,” he responded.

With a nod he couldn’t see, I blew out a breath and twisted the knob. As I stepped into the room glowing with neon colors from the computers, a deep, familiar voice greeted me.

“Welcome,” Petro said.

I spun and pointed my guns at him.

“Piper,” Wes whispered from his chair at the computer. “I’m so sorry.”