Page 123 of Bratva Jewels Box Set
“I’ll try, but?—”
“Good. We need a plan. They’re either taking us to the airport or to the port.”
I nod, listening to Gabriel rabbit on about his theories. In all honesty, I’m not listening at all, my brain is slowing down. The images of what happened last time begin to slip through my defenses and assault my mind. I can’t go through this again. I can’t go back to Dmitri.
Gabriel is still speaking when I tune back in. “When the van stops, I need you to take cover. I’ll start shooting when they open the doors.”
I shrug.
“Grace, do you understand?” Gabriel asks angrily.
“Yes.”
“You need to hide in the bed, okay? Get in now.” He pulls the covers off and I slip in, then he piles the cushions all around me.
I close my eyes and pray this nightmare will end quickly, and I can go home to my family. I send a prayer up to the Gods. If by some chance Gabriel can pull this off, I promise I will get myself cleaned up.
We haven’t been traveling for long when I feel the van slowing down.
“Get ready, Grace. Stay hidden.”
I pull the covers over my head even tighter, hoping it will magically make me disappear from this nightmare. I can hear feet crunching against stones. My heart’s racing so fast I’m probably having a heart attack.Please let me survive, please. The doors creak open, and my dark little bubble lightens, the daylight must be filtering through.
Then Gabriel starts screaming.
I squeeze my eyes closed as the van shakes.
Arms grab me from my cushion fortress.
Gabriel’s slurred screams as I’m hauled out of the van hit my ears.
Instinct kicks in and fuzzy scenes from Brooks’s training kick in and I kick and punch and do what I can against strong arms.
“Easy there, Wildcat. You don’t want to hurt yourself.” The man laughs.
As I’m trashing about in his arms, I look back into the van and see Gabriel convulsing from a Taser. The electrodes sticking out of his back, his body crumpled on the van’s floor. His eyes are wide as he helplessly watches me get dragged away.At least he’s not dead, yet.
Fight, Gracie, Fight.Zoe’s words filter through my fuzziness.
And I do. “Let go of me!” I scream, hoping someone walking around will hear my screams and see a man kidnapping a girl.
“Nice try, sweetheart. But no one can hear you.” The deep voice chuckles.
I scream again and again ignoring his laughter until my voice gives out. Opening my eyes, I look around at where I am and realize why the man sounded so cocky. We’re at a deserted beach. Long stretches of rocky, jagged peaks and white sand stretch as far as the eye can see. This must be the only spotin Ibiza that isn’t crawling with tourists. There’s no chance of anyone saving me or helping me.
It's over.
The fight in me gives up. What’s the point? I can’t win against these men.
“I thought you would have more fight in you, but it’s good to know you’re smart enough to tell when you’re beat.” The man’s strong arms stay tight around me.
My eyes zero in on the van at the beach’s edge and watch as it gets smaller and smaller the further we get from it. With each step of my kidnapper the life I once knew disappears too.
“Move,” the man commands as I feel the cold steel of his gun between my shoulder blades. My feet hit a wooden deck. I look up and notice we are boarding at the back of a luxury boat. If this was any other time, I would be excited about stepping onto a luxurious boat with a man. Spending the day under the sunshine, sipping cocktails.Pretend that’s what’s happening, Grace.
The gun in the back makes the reality of the situation evident no matter how much my mind tries to play it. Stepping into the boat’s interior, the luxurious surrounds of deep brown mahogany, creamy white furniture, the fully stocked bar, and a dining table set up for four with linens and fine China is a stark contrast to what’s happening on board.
“Down the stairs,” the deep voice growls as he pushes me toward them.
