Page 16 of My Russian Protector

I get out of my chair and move to the windows. Unsurprisingly, they don’t open. At least I can take in the view while I wait to see what happens next. As I watch the swans swim and dive in the pond, movement from the edge catches my eye. I adjust my gaze and my jaw drops.

A little boy and girl are holding hands and skipping in the direction of the house. I watch as they get closer and consider banging on the window to get their attention. Maybe they’ll run home and tell their parents. Maybe their parents will be concerned and call the police. I raise my hand and prepare to start banging and screaming, but I realize that they’re talking to someone I can’t see. I decide to watch for a bit longer and my father steps into view.

He holds his arms out, and the two children rush to him. He’s had another family, and I now officially hate him.

9

OPERATION RETRIEVE ANNA

ALEX

Iwait at the Mayor’s office until I see Dimitri exit the building and climb into the back of a black sedan. They pull onto the street and I pull out behind them, following at a safe distance. I’m certain I’ll find Anna at the other end of this drive, and when I do, nothing is going to stop me from getting her back. I look down at my pistol and take a deep breath. I may have to break my promise and kill her father. I hope she’ll forgive me.

We leave the village and take a small, winding road for about twenty miles before the sedan slows down and turns onto a private drive. I stop about a mile back and look for somewhere to ditch my car. I cross the road and pull off behind some bushes and kill the engine.

I check my ammo and pick up my pistol then slide out and gently close the door. I slip to the trunk and raise the lid, retrieving the semi-automatic rifle stored under the spare tire and slinging the strap over my shoulder. Armed and ready, I scurry across the street and move toward the house using the trees for cover.

Two armed men are guarding the front door and another on the roof of the house walking back and forth, surveying the perimeter with binoculars. He’s expecting me. That means Anna is definitely inside. I don’t know if there are any other guards or dogs on the property, so I hunker down to observe the activity in the yard. I’ll be here for a while then make my move when the sun goes down.

I lean against the tree and do my best to combat the panic that’s been plaguing me since the moment I realized Anna was gone. This feeling is new to me. I’ve always been calculating and confident when it comes to the job. I’ve never feared failure because I never had anything to lose.

As much as I like to storm the house and kill anyone who got in my way, I need to use my head. I’ll have to get inside unnoticed so I can confirm her whereabouts and make sure she’s out of the line of fire. This little girl has tied me in knots without even trying. I wonder if she knows how obsessed I’ve become.

The sun fades and the sky takes on a pinkish hue. There’s been no additional movement on this side of the house. No dogs, no additional men, nothing. I guess Dimitri thinks that three men will be enough to take me down.

Clearly, he hasn’t heard enough about my past. I may be a little past my prime but three men is still a walk in the park for me. Just a bit longer. When the light fades, I’ll make my move.

I wonder if Anna has spoken to her father, and I try to imagine how that conversation would go. Did he pretend to care for her in hopes of turning her against me? More likely, he showed his true colors by tossing threats at her so he can boost his fragile ego. I’m sure she’s devastated and that thought reignites my rage.

The moon rises and I get to my feet. It’s time to begin my ascent up the hill and into the house. I veer left to avoid the two guards posted at the front and duck down. When the guard on the roof turns his back, I move about ten feet closer and take cover again.

I’ve memorized his pattern and know that he’ll make another pass in about two minutes. Then, I’ll have about three minutes to make another move. I shake off the anxiety that’s building inside me. The closer I get, the more I have to resist the urge to rush the place with guns blazing.

The guard returns then walks away again, and I make it all the way to the house. I press my body against the bricks and under the eave, making myself invisible to the man above. I scoot sideways to the nearest window and pull on the sash. It’s locked so I move on to the next. This one is locked as well. The man takes his security seriously enough that I suspect he might have glass-break sensors on the windows, so I continue toward the back of the house.

There appears to be one more window on this side of the house, and I inch my way to it. It’s a large bay window so it likely doesn’t open, but I can peer inside to get a feel for the layout of the house. I get low and peek through the bottom of the window pane and come face-to-face with Anna.

Her eyes grow wide, and she places her hand on the glass. I lift mine and place it on top of hers. I need to move on but I don’t want to take my eyes off of her. She looks frightened and helpless, and I want to throw my body through the window so that I can take her in my arms.

I hold my finger to my lips and she nods, then I continue to the corner of the house and poke my head around the side. There are motion-sensor lights on the back patio. If I trigger them, the man on the roof will take notice. I crouch down to consider my next move and realize that I’m positioned right next to the basement door.

Lucky for me, the door is secured with a chain and padlock. I pull my lock-picking kit from my jacket and quickly open the lock. I open the door and slip inside, using my penlight to illuminate the dirt-floored underbelly of the home.

It looks like no one has been down here for years. I find the staircase that leads to the first floor and climb the steps carefully, fearing they may creak under my weight. The door at the top opens up to a large pantry where I step out and grab a large knife from the butcher block holder.

I enter the empty kitchen and take a right into the living room. Anna should be behind the first door on the left. There’s a guard posted there, and I need to distract him so I tap the knife on the sofa table and watch as he perks up and looks in my direction. He doesn’t move so I tap it again.

This time, he begins his approach and I prepare my plan of attack. I creep back into the kitchen and wait for him to turn his back to me. I leap at him, covering his mouth with my hand as I use my other arm to choke him out. I lay him on the floor and step over his body.

I rush to the door and turn the knob, but it’s locked and the keyhole is empty. I groan and pull out my kit again. This one is a bit trickier, but I hear the bolt click and open the door.

Anna is standing stiffly against the wall but quickly realizes it’s me and rushes into my arms. I press my body against the closed door and take in the scent of her. My perfect little girl.

“We have to go out through the basement. If we’re lucky, we can make it to the road without being noticed, but you have to do everything that I say. Clear?”

“Yes. I can’t believe you’re really here. Thank you for coming for me,” she whispers.

“Like there was any other option? I told you that you’re mine.”

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