Page 38 of Hostage of the Bratva

We went up and down the streets surrounding the place. The walls were very high, and the presence of guards was very obvious. This is how we knew we were at the right place. As we passed for the fourth time, the guards started noticing us. Hanging back, we waited for the commotion to quiet down.

Once the guards settled back in their place, we parked down the road to decide the best action plan. We decided to wait for it to get darker before we would execute our plan. Ashan and Roman would drive up and demand to see Domique. They would then ask him what he wanted and what he would like in exchange for Skyler.

While they kept their attention at the front of the house, I would sneak in with the rest and rescue her. At the back, wenoticed places where the walls would be accessible. There were also fewer guards at the back. We felt sure the plan was solid. Now, it was a matter of time. While we waited, we grabbed coffee at a corner shop not too far away. I struggled to drink it as my mind kept toiling with all that had passed.

I couldn’t help but wonder how they were treating her. Having her around, getting to know her, and being with her has changed me in many ways. I never thought I would ever recover from the pain I suffered in Russia. Yet, here I was, many years later, but more in love than I could have imagined.

I wanted her, no, I needed her. If anything happened to her, I felt sure it would send me over the top. Not even Ashan would be able to control me this time should things go wrong.

“Penny for your thoughts?” I heard Ashan speak next to me.

I hadn’t realized that I had been staring at the house without moving for quite some time until he spoke. Coming out of my thoughts, I turned to face him. “Sorry, I was just thinking,” I replied.

Ashan grinned and pointed at the huge gates halfway up the block. “Looks like they are changing shifts.”

Looking up at the road, I saw the gate wide open as cars pulled in and out. Something was happening, but we couldn’t be sure what it was. “What if they decide to move her or move in on one of our places while we just sat here?” I said to Ashan as I picked up the radio. “Guys, maybe we should move, we can’t be sure of what is happening?” I spoke out.

“Sure, I think we could move in,” Roman replied. Exiting the car, Ashan leaned over the seat, looking up at me. “Be careful, brother,” he said.

I nodded and stood watching as he pulled up the road and parked on the street. Soon, Roman’s car and two of his guardspulled up as well. They walked to the gate and started talking to the guards.

Sergei pulled in next to me. “You coming?” he asked through the window.

“Just a sec,” I replied still looking at the gate. Once I saw Domique joining them, I got in, and we drove around to the back. There were about thirty guards with us as we first walked the back wall. Once we found a spot, we assisted each other up the walls, building a human ladder. Sitting on top of the wall gave a clear view of the backyard and the house.

Only a couple of lights were on, and one of those rooms held my wife. Tired of sitting around waiting, I scanned the wall to both sides. In the furthest corner, the roof of the house was about a meter from the wall.

I tapped Sergei on the arm and pointed to the corner. He nodded in agreement and showed the guards to move that way.

The wall was a double, so I stood up and slowly walked on it to the other side. Sergei only shook his head as I stood up. He climbed back down and joined the guards in the corner. I didn’t have time to play it safe, I needed to get into that house.

As I took my last step, he came up the side of the wall. We assisted each other over onto the roof before a couple of the guards joined us. Moving with caution, we headed toward the rooms that had lights on.

The first one was on a lower floor, and we decided to leave that one for now. I hoped she wasn’t in there as we would have to go down to the ground to see inside. Moving to the second light, which was a room on the top floor. I lay down on the roof and slowly slid over the side. Leaning over with the men holding my legs I peeked inside.

The room looked like an office, and the door leading to a hallway was open. But she wasn’t in there. Shaking my head, they pulled me back up. There were only three more. One wason the very bottom floor, like the first one, and another on the middle floor. The last one on the other side was again on the top floor.

We decided to move to that one next as we would need longer arms to look at the others. Hanging again from the roof, I glanced inside the room. The light wasn’t as bright as the other one. The room was filled with shadows as the day started turning into night.

My heart skipped a beat and I almost screamed at them as I saw her. Skyler was lying on the small bed in the dark room, tied and gagged. I felt fury shooting through me seeing her that way. Without thinking, I started swinging myself back and forth trying to grab hold of the small balcony just below me.

I heard whispers from the roof as the men protested my swinging. I told myself there was no other option as I swung harder. I felt the hands around my ankles disappear. Glancing down my body up to the roof, I saw the guys above all standing with worried expressions.

As I realized I was about to drop three stories to the ground, likely killing myself, I felt the cold steel passing my fingers. Closing my hands around the bar, I ended up slamming my body into the wall. Pain shot through me, but the relief was greater. I grinned at the men peeking over the roof, mumbling softly.

I hung from the bottom of the balcony. I didn’t make the side, but I did manage to get hold of the balcony.

Feeling my hands slipping as sweat invaded my palms. I started climbing with all the might I had. Gliding onto the balcony, I stood for a second, scanning the room while catching my breath. She was alone, and the door was closed. This was a good sign.

Slowly, I turned the doorknob. But as expected, it was locked. I didn’t know why I thought it would be open. I walkedto the edge of the balcony. Leaning over the side, I looked up. I made a turning motion with my one hand and then shook my head, hoping they would understand.

They shared some glances, and one of the guards lifted his hand. Soon, they were lowering him halfway down. He handed me two pins. I nodded and then returned to the door as they pulled him back up.

It took me a while as I hadn’t done this since my school years. But I did manage to unlock the door. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and put the pins in my pocket.

Softly and slowly, I opened the door and sneaked to bed. Skyler was lying with her back to me. As I came up against the side of the bed, I softly placed one hand on her shoulder and touched her arm as I whispered, “Shhh, it’s me, hun.”

She flung her head back as far as she could. As her eyes fell on me, they seemed to light up. Even with the gag in her mouth, her smile was clear. I untied her and took the gag out so we could get moving. I didn’t want to be caught in here. Skyler threw her arms around my neck, and I moved towards the balcony.

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