Page 20

I’d counted thirteen days, which meant it had to be well over two weeks. Two weeks of not knowing what was happening. Two weeks of men leering at me. Two weeks of worrying.

No more.

“You do realize every one of you is going to be tortured before you’re killed. Don’t you?” I even managed to laugh after offering my thoughts. “I suggest you let us go.”

The two looked at each other and while I could only see their eyes and mouths because of the ski masks they were wearing, I could sense their damn amusement.

I don’t know why I reacted the way I did. I’d kept myself from attacking them for fear of them lashing out at Mina. But I’d been asking for everything from more blankets to better food since I’d awakened in this hellhole and no one had given a damn.

While she shrieked, I threw myself at one of them. Instead of acting irrationally, I remembered every move I’d learned in karate. And I used them.

The asshole standing in front was shocked as hell and I managed two brutal kicks to his groin, sending him against the wall.

Obviously, I’d shocked both, the second man finally lunging to try to stop me. I noticed he hadn’t reached for his weapon, which told me they were under orders not to shoot. Information I’d store in the back of my mind.

They also didn’t go for the little girl, which allowed me to get in a savage jab to the second man’s neck. I heard Mina panting behind me. Maybe my different reaction inspired her since she rushed forward.

Almost immediately the first asshole found an opportunity, grabbing her around the throat and lifting her into the air.

“Stop or she will suffer.” I’d heard maybe fifteen words from one or another of them since being captured. There were no accents, nothing that would help me remember them. Before I backed away, I grabbed his mask, able to rip it halfway off.

“Fuck.” He raised his hand as if ready to punch me when the other guy stopped him. At least he lost his grip on Mina.

I pulled her away, pushing her behind me again. “If you don’t let me out of here, you will die. It’s as simple as that.”

The second soldier approached. “You need to keep your mouth shut. Now, come with us.”

“Where?”

“You have questions. To get answers.”

Whether or not this was a ploy didn’t matter at this point. Getting out of this room would give me a better idea of where we were being kept. For all I knew, we’d been flown halfway across the world.

“Fine. No touching.” I pulled Mina with me and the jerk shook his head.

“Alone.”

“Not a chance.” I held my ground, defying them as I used to do with Maxsim. “She stays with me.”

“Then you don’t get any answers.”

“Fuck you.”

The other soldier turned toward the one with the mouth, pulling him outside into the hallway. That allowed me a better view of the corridor and several boxes haphazardly placed in a room across the hall. If I could find anything of use as a weapon or something to pick the lock from the other side, maybe I could get us out of here.

When the second man returned to the room, he locked eyes with mine before turning his attention to the terrified little girl.

“If you touch her, it will be the last goddamn thing you do on this earth.” My words were strangled, but I’d meant them. I’d die before I’d allow the bastards to lift a finger against her.

He huffed in full amusement. “Come with us. Bring the girl.”

Mina whimpered from behind me. “Give me a second.” I turned, bending to her level and pushing matted hair from her face. “It’s okay, honey. I’ll be with you. You’re coming with me and we’re going to figure out what’s going on. Can you be brave for me?”

She couldn’t even look at me, so I slipped my finger under her chin, lifting her head. “Izzy. Where is Papa?”

“He’ll come save us. I know he will. Come on. Let’s see if we can figure a few things out together.” I slowly grasped her hand as I stood. At least she didn’t fight me.

We were led out of the room as I concentrated on every box, every doorway, every object I could see while trying not to make it obvious what I was doing. I even trembled on purpose to try to disguise that I was scanning very crevice. I was right in that we were in an industrial setting, but wherever it was wasn’t but so old. Just empty rooms with the same look until we reached a set of double doors.