Page 98 of Fire and Ice

"Carbines and semi-automatic pistols from what I've seen."

They both fell silent when they heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

The door to the room swung open and Sergei Reznikov walked in, flanked by two guards.

"Good, you're awake."

"What do you want, Sergei?" Maia asked acidly.

The Russian exploded in anger and walked up to Maia and backhanded her viciously.

Rick tried to lunge at Reznikov but was held back by the barrel of an M4.

"I ask the questions, suka!" Sergei spat out the Russian slang for bitch.

"Where is Peter Coltrane?"

"The DEA has him."

"How did you manage to capture him?"

Maia laughed mockingly even as Rick looked at her like she had lost her mind.

This infuriated Reznikov even more and he hit her again, at the same time kicking her repeatedly.

"You are pathetic, Sergei," Maia sneered. She had collapsed on the floor from the blows and spat out the blood that bubbled up to her mouth. "Didn't you know Gavlik sent some men after you?"

Maia noticed how Reznikov's two guards exchanged uncomfortable, frightened glances.

"Yes, I have to thank them for working Colt over for me so I could wrap him up prettily and hand him over to the DEA," Maia said.

"You are lying. Where are they now?"

"I killed them. But don't worry, I'm sure Gavlik will send some more." Maia looked at the guards. "If I were you, I'd get the hell out of here ..."

"Enough!" Sergei screamed at her, drawing his pistol from its holster.

"No," Rick shouted as he freed himself from the guards to shield Maia with his body.

"Hold him!" Reznikov ordered as his goons pulled a struggling Rick off of Maia. Sergei bent and pointed the muzzle of his gun at Maia's head. He racked the slide, his hand trembling as Maia regarded him mutinously, daring him to pull the trigger.

"I should kill you now and get it over with," he snarled. "But something tells me I still have use for you."

He uncocked his gun and looked at one of the guards. "Stepan, guard the door." And then he left the room.

Rick wiggled over to Maia, an incredulous, pissed-off look on his face.

"You are crazy, you know that?" Rick rasped. "What the hell was that? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"Reznikov is a coward," Maia explained. "He doesn't know how to do his own dirty work."

"Doesn't mean you should try to piss the guy off enough to shoot you."

"Trying to rattle his cage is all," Maia said, but grimaced as she tried to smirk. Sergei had a mean backhand.

"Are you all right?"

"I've been better. My insides are burning," Maia admitted as she started coughing up more blood.

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