Page 191 of 5+Us Makes Seven

I complied.

He pushed Alexandra behind him, and she fell to the floor heavily with a thud.

My hands were on my head as he cautiously approached, knife held in his right hand at his waist. He inched forward, incredulous as I stood stock still. His eyes were wide, mixed with anger, adrenaline, and fear. He dropped into a fighting stance, his left arm raised in a guard.

He thrust the knife at my gut, punching it forward from his hips, expelling air powerfully as he did so.

I twisted my body to my left, and the knife slashed through air. Then I reached behind my back to draw my own combat knife, and in one fluid movement, I brought the knife up into his gut, twisting the knife brutally as I yanked it back.

Amazingly, he pivoted as I stabbed him, sending his knife slashing across my chest. He’d swung the blade wildly at my neck in a last-ditch attempt to kill me outright. I’d simply leaned back, the tip of the blade merely grazing skin and ripping my t-shirt open, revealing bulging muscles beneath.

I moved back, sidestepping to put myself between him and Alexandra as I kicked away the gun lying near the big dead Russian as I did so.

The man in front of me struggled to stand, blood pouring from the wound in his gut. Even with immediate medical aid, it would still likely be fatal.

“You fucking bastard. This is my favorite t-shirt,” I said calmly, standing a few meters from him.

He laughed softly. “You Americans think you are so funny. It won’t be funny when my employers find you and kill you! I will be waiting for you in hell!” He began laughing maniacally, blood frothing from his mouth.

It was my turn to laugh, deeply and heartily. He looked up at me, frowning. Blood loss had forced him onto his knees and he held onto a chair behind him for support. “You mean the rogue government agents who hired you?” I said. “I don’t think so. Last I heard, two were dead. And the one you were working for—well, let’s just say someone I know was onto him. He won’t be alive for much longer.” I shrugged. “Probably already dead, actually.”

The man in front of me was a vision of rage and disgust as he stood up through the pain, taking a faltering step towards me. “You… you fucki…”

But before he could finish his words, he collapsed to the floor, still. I kicked the knife away from his hand as I approached. I checked his pulse. He was dead.

Alexandra

Cruz had appeared at the top of the stairs like an avenging angel. He was as calm as ever, steady and motionless as he’d taken measure of my captor. My heart swelled at the sight of him, tears flowing from my eyes unashamed.

I’d managed to see the swift and brutal knife fight from my vantage point on the floor. It was over as soon as it had begun. I began weeping uncontrollably with joy as the evil bastard collapsed to the floor.

Strong hands gently raised me from the ground. Blue eyes locked onto mine with deep concern, scanning my body for injury. Big fingers brushed tears from my cheeks.

“Sorry, Lex. I let my guard down for one second, and…” His voice cracked, raw with emotion.

“Shut up, you big idiot.” I kissed him passionately, my tongue massaging his as we locked each other in an embrace. He winced as I grabbed his arms with my hands. I saw blood on his left sleeve.

“It’s nothing.” He grunted, shrugging. “You should see the other guys.”

I laughed, stress and fear lifting as he held me close. I kissed him again. He grabbed my ass.

“Calm down, Cruz.” I leaned back, my dainty arms small around his massive neck. “Not now. Vladimir is staring at us.” I pointed to the guy who’d stupidly poked his head out the window earlier.

We both burst out laughing, tears of manic joy pouring down our cheeks.

Chapter Eighteen

Cruz

Alexandra briefly ran through the kidnap and the proceeding events, the threats from her captors, and the call with her dad.

I tried to apologize again for leaving her alone in the hotel, but she shook her head, raising a finger to my lips. “I said, it doesn’t matter. How were you to know they were in the room?” she said sweetly. “Plus, I was the one who stormed off anyway. Maybe it's me who should be apologizing.”

I laughed. “Nah, that's all right, Lex. Can’t blame you for falling in love with me so quick. I am pretty amazing.” I flexed my muscles and she slapped me playfully on the chest.

“Dad!” she said suddenly, her eyes wide. “He must be worried sick!”

She ran to the tablet she’d said was used for the call earlier. It had managed to remain undamaged throughout the brief gun battle, other than a slight spray of Russian blood on the screen.

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