Page 10 of Gage

“We live in Southern California, too. What town?”

“Oceanside.”

“We’re in Carlsbad.” I shook my head, incredulous. “What a small world. But can we get back to the matter at hand? Ivan, are you seriously considering arresting her now?”

Ivan tilted his head, his lips curling into a smirk again. “I’m debating it. Can you give me one reason not to, Lieutenant Laura?”

“I’m not in the service anymore,” she replied, her tone steady. “I’m here as a civilian to get Pastor Brian out. You can’t arrest every American who enters Russia. I’m surprised to see you here. You were in the Army the last time I saw you.”

“I left the service and came home, and I don’t arrest every American,” Ivan said, his tone flippant. “Only the ones I don’t trust. What’s his brother’s name?”

“Matthew Smith,” Lori answered without hesitation.

Ivan raised an eyebrow, his grin returning. “I’m still trying to process the fact that all of you actually go to church,” he said with a laugh.

“Are you mocking us?” Lori shot back, her tone sharp.

“Not you, Laura. I can imagine you going to church. I was talking about the other two.”

“Why wouldn’t you think I go to church?” Gideon asked, bristling. “I have a family, and we all go to church. My wife, Laney, insists on it.”

“And what about you, Gage?” Ivan asked, turning his attention to me. “Do you go to church?”

I shrugged. “I’ve been a few times. That’s how I met Brian. I should probably go more often.”

Ivan held up a hand, cutting me off. “Stop. I don’t need to hear confessions. Fine, I’ll let Brian go, but I want all of you out of Russia by nightfall.”

“Done,” we all said in unison.

6

Lori

My heartnearly stopped when I saw Gage and Gideon in Russia. It was surreal—seeing them here, of all places. But that moment of disbelief turned to rage when I saw Ivan hit Gage while he was restrained. The sight made my blood boil. If I hadn’t been trying to keep the situation from spiraling, I might have jumped on Ivan’s back right then and there.

The tension didn’t ease after we got out of there. Ivan was unpredictable, and I knew better than to trust that he wouldn’t spring an unexpected visit on us.

When I reached the hotel, I knocked before unlocking the door. Inside, Brian rushed to his brother’s side, his face pale with concern.

“What did they do to you?” Brian asked, his voice shaking.

“Brian, what does it look like? They beat the hell out of me,” Matthew groaned, his voice hoarse. “If Lori hadn’t found me, they would’ve come back to finish the job. Thank you, Lori. I know God showed you the way to me—I was praying so hard.”

“I’m just glad I found you,” I said, my voice softening. “But we need to leave. The Russians ordered us to be out of thecountry tonight, or we’ll all end up in jail. And I know you won’t like this, but I have to disguise you as a woman.”

Matthew’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What? Haven’t I been through enough? Do I really need to be humiliated, too?”

“It’s just until we’re on the plane,” I said gently. “I have a wig and a sweater—that’s all you’ll need unless Gage or Gideon has spare pants for you.”

“They’re here too?” Matthew asked, incredulous. “Jeez, I don’t want them to see me in a wig.”

I held back a laugh as I adjusted the wig on his head and tied it into a ponytail. “There, not bad. You’re still too manly, though,” I teased with a grin.

“Let me see,” Matthew said, heading to the bathroom. When he reappeared, we couldn’t help it—we all burst out laughing at the sight of him.

The laughter was interrupted by a knock at the door. Brian cautiously cracked it open, then swung it wider. Gage and Gideon walked in, their expressions curious.

“Do either of you have a pinkish shirt Matthew can wear?” Brian asked, still chuckling.

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