Page 72 of Kept By The Agents

"Again, we both wanted to come thank you." Matvey shook each of our hands, and so did his daughter, but when she got to me, she wrapped her arms around me for a hug.

My heart melted. She was so sweet, and because of her, we found the Raleka much quicker than we would have. That meant we were able to get to Elena in time. It was us who owed her, but at this point there were so many people who'd helped with this mission it was easier just to hug and leave it at that. I watched as father and daughter walked out of the station together, knowing she'd sleep safely in her own bed tonight. So would most of the women who were here. That was the only thing that mattered.

We stayed until only a handful were left. They weren't from Russia and though their families had been contacted it was going to take time for them to get here to pick up their daughters.

"What's going to happen to them in the meantime?" I asked, worry coating my words.

"The local convent is going to take them in," Brandon told me. "Sister Yvette will make sure they're cared for and it will be only women surrounding them."

"Boykov has set up a security team surrounding the grounds," Suave added. "So they'll be completely safe until their families arrive."

"Thank you," I said, looking up at the three of them. "This is only happening because of you."

"And you," Drew added.

I shook my head. "There's no way I would have been able to save them all. I doubt I would've even been able to get to Elena." I frowned. "Why was she still here? Both her friends were sold off almost immediately."

"I've been looking through Semyon's ledgers and records," Drew said. "She was sold, but the buyer fell through. So, he sold her a second time, but the buyer wasn't due to pick her up until next week."

My eyes widened. "Next week?" I whispered. We'd been so close to losing her.

"Must have been meant to be," Suave offered as explanation.

I looked over at Drew. "Is there anything about Yura?" Boris's daughter had been gone for so long. I wasn't sure if it would be possible to find her.

Drew smiled at me. "I found her name. She's in Pakistan."

My eyes widened and I gasped, "Boris is going to be so excited. What about the women who have been shipped to other countries? Or even captured in other countries? How will rescuing them work?" I asked.

"Weaver already has an extensive list made," Brandon answered. "He'll find every last one of them thanks to those ledgers. We're contacting those governments and they'll be sending in teams to find the women and shut down any other parts of the Raleka's organization."

"Will you be going to help?" I asked.

"No," Brandon said. "I've made sure our government is sending in teams to assist. They've got it under control." He smiled down at me and my breath caught in my chest. He was so damn handsome. And usually he was scowling at me. His smile hit me like a ton of bricks. "We're going to be heading home."

My heart leapt in my chest. What would that mean for us?

"But first," Brandon continued, "we're going back to the safe house and sleeping."

All of us had been up all night, so not one of us complained when he led the way out of the SVR station. I could barely keep my eyes open, despite the late morning sunlight. I was ready to lay down and sleep now that my men were back safe and the women were being cared for. Worries about what would happen once we got home would have to wait until later.

CHAPTER 31

Catalina

Ifollowed Drew in through the front door to the safe house, with Brandon and Suave coming in behind me. "Is it safe to stay here?" I asked.

Brandon nodded. "With Semyon and the Raleka out of the way, there shouldn't be any more danger."

That was a relief. We all needed the stress-free sleep. I studied their faces and saw the exhaustion.

"Let's get some sleep," Brandon told us. "Once we're up, I'll work on getting us home."

No one argued as we all piled up the stairs. When Suave and Brandon turned to go into their room, I slowed to a stop. Suave met my gaze, a brow arching upward.

"Um..."

Looking around at them, I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt.