The next four days went by with no incident. During the day, Gypsy, Jerry, Raso, Laura, York and Cortez ran several miles and got in a few sparing matches here and there to pass the time. Laura and Raso monitored feeds while they also looked into information on Aleski’s whereabouts and what mercenaries he may have hired to harm Gypsy. At night, Laura video chatted with her fiancé while Gypsy spent the nights with Jerry.

Every night Gypsy and Jerry made love, talked about their pasts, or what little Gypsy would talk about hers, as well as what they wanted in their future. It surprised Gypsy how similar their future dreams seemed to be. They tended to stay away from conversations about them as a couple, and Gypsy was too scared to ask what he wanted. She knew his life was now here in Montana and her life was in Los Angeles, so it would be hard for them to truly have a serious relationship.

On the fifth day of week two, Gypsy knew it had been too much to hope that Aleski had given up on her. Their group had gone for their normal morning run when out of nowhere three SUVs pulled into their paths and several men got out with weapons drawn.

Aleski stepped out of the second SUV. “Ah, my little vixen. I told you that you could never escape me,” he said with a heavy Russian accent.

“Fuck you asshole. I’m not going back with you,” Gypsy said harshly.

“Don’t worry my little hellcat, you will be fucked royally on numerous occasions,” Aleski laughed.

Laura and Raso moved to stand in front of Gypsy with York and Cortez taking the rear positions behind her. Jerry had originally been in front of the women until they changed positions putting him right next to Gypsy. When two of the thugs started to move forward, Raso, Laura, York, and Cortez withdrew their weapons from their holsters, aiming toward the Russians. Jerry was surprised when Gypsy had a gun drawn and pointing down by her side. Jerry’s weapon was also out and ready to fire, making sure Gypsy was behind him.

York and Cortez moved in front of Jerry, with Cortez mumbling to him, “When shit starts flying, get Gypsy the fuck out of here. Hank should on his way since we dialed his number and left the lines open for him to hear what was going on. Get her to safety. Do not worry about us. Got it?”

Jerry was confused as to why they put themselves in the line of fire. He was the trained SEAL, not them, but they were putting themselves in the line of fire to give him and Gypsy a fighting chance. Jerry was beside himself with this development. Joe was going to have his ass if anything happened to Laura.

“Damn it, what are you doing? I can deal with them. You guys need to get her to safety. If Hank’s on his way, I can hold them off until he gets here,” Jerry said through clenched teeth.

“Listen here squishy, just because you’re a SEAL, retried or whatever, don’t mean shit to us. Use your SEAL powers to protect Gypsy and get your asses out of here. We know what we signed up for. Gypsy is our only concern, so get her the fuck out of here,” Cortez demanded.

“You crazy women make no sense,” Jerry mumbled.

York laughed, “Yeah we’ve been told that on occasions. Taz here is still learning how to not speak grunt.”

Jerry shook his head as Cortez flipped York the bird without looking away from Aleski and his thugs. All four women made sure to keep themselves in front of Jerry and Gypsy in case Aleski or his men got any bright ideas. When Aleski or his men moved, one of the women countered that step.

“It seems we have what you Americans call a duel,” Aleski said.

“It’s a standoff, dumbass. A duel is with swords and starts with our backs to each other. If you want to turn your back, be our guest, but I don’t trust your ugly ass,” Raso said.

“Such hurtful words, Detective. If my men let you live, I will have lots of fun with you,” Aleski mused.

“We have no plans to let you live, asshole,” Laura yelled.

All of the sudden there was a loud bang as a shot rang out, kicking up asphalt in front of the women. Being smarter and calmer, they stepped back, keeping Gypsy and Jerry covered. “Give me the fucking girl or I will have my men spray fucking bullets all over this fucking place. She was sold to me, that makes her my property. Right fucking now,” Aleski yelled, clearly losing his patience.

“Hey jerk off, not sure if you know this, but in America, it’s the land of the free. Women are not owned, brought or sold. Go back to Russia for that shit. Gypsy stays with us. We won’t give her up without a fight,” Raso replied coolly.

The girls were ready for Aleski when he shouted for his men to open fire. The women yelled for Jerry and Gypsy to take off into the field next to them and to get to safety. Alpha Squad took shelter in the trees while returning fire at Aleski and his men. They did their best to cover Jerry and Gypsy as they got away.

In the chaos of flying bullets, no one noticed Aleski and one of his men running toward the field of trees after Gypsy and Jerry. Two of Alpha Squad covered Gypsy and Jerry’s escape by opening heavy fire and two others aiming at the thugs to take them out; it was utter chaos.

Fifteen minutes after the shooting started, Hank squealed tires into the line of fire with a second SUV behind him. Within seconds of his arrival, the firefight was over with the bad guys all dead. Alpha Squad proceeded to secure the area, checking to make sure no one had escaped. It was then that York and Cortez yelled out that Aleski and another henchman were missing, sending everyone into action. Raso and Laura took off into the trees looking for Gypsy and Jerry, with Diesel, Hank, York, and Cortez behind them.

* * *

Gypsy and Jerry took off running when the shooting started. They had run for the trees that were standing tall next to the road they had been on. Jerry directed her where to go, keeping her in front of him in case Aleski or any of his men got past Alpha Squad. Jerry had to push Gypsy in front of him at first because she wouldn’t leave her friends behind. They had always been there for her, and she hated leaving them behind.

Gypsy was starting to get a little winded, but she forced herself to keep going where Jerry directed her. After several minutes of running, Gypsy slowed down. Just as she turned around a shot ran out and Jerry fell down onto the ground face first. Gypsy screamed his name as she ran to him, dropping to her knees, rolling him over onto his back.

Before she was able to check on Jerry, Gypsy screamed out in pain as Aleski pulled her to her feet by her hair. She tried to fight her way out of Aleski’s grip until he let her go only to punch her in the face with his fist. Completely stunned by the blow, she fell back onto the ground, not able to move.

“Get up, you fucking whore. You’ve done nothing but cause me a headache. Any other piece of ass would have been handed over to Serige here to punish and bury,” Aleski yelled into Gypsy’s face. Aleski turned to Serige, “Get this bitch up so we can get out of here. Those other bitches should be dead now.”

Serige reached down to grab Gypsy when she screamed out at the same time she kicked at his leg, hitting his knee cap with brute force like Raso and Laura taught her. She smiled when Serige screamed in pain as he fell down, hearing what she hoped was the bones in his leg breaking. Gypsy jumped up, grabbing the knife from her hip and plunged it into Serige’s chest, killing him instantly. Another shot rang out barely missing her. Gypsy looked up into Aleski’s eyes, seeing the anger and hatred there.

“You killed my brother, you bitch!” Aleski screamed at Gypsy.

“You’re right, I did, asshole, and you’re next. I won’t go back without a fight. I’m free, you bastard,” Gypsy yelled back at Aleski.

“You will never be free. I own you. How the fuck do you think I found you? Your own mother told me where you lived in Los Angeles. I’ve been biding my time watching you,” Aleski informed her with a smirk.

“You’re lying. My mother would never do that,” Gypsy declared in shock.

“Oh but my little slut, she did. You see your father favors his brother over you. They believe that you ran away after some hissy fit and that you sold your body so that you could claim your uncle raped you. Your father never even wanted you in the first place. You weren’t a son to carry on the family name. They both told me all of this. Plus I guess now that you’re making money putting makeup on those Hollywood bitches, you won’t even share your new found wealth with mommy and daddy - such a disrespectful child - so they’d rather you be gone and forgotten,” Aleski said with a shrug and a laugh.

“Go fuck yourself!” Gypsy screamed as she jumped up and charged at Aleski.

Gypsy and Aleski fought, hitting each other with their fists, feet, anything, and everything they could use. This was a fight to the death for Gypsy. Aleski was determined to take Gypsy back to his whorehouse after she was properly punished. Gypsy was determined she wasn’t going back to the life of a sex slave.

Several minutes and a few more fists flying later, Aleski got the upper hand and shoved Gypsy hard to the ground, huffing and puffing. He leaned over to pick his gun up off the ground then aimed it at Gypsy. “Enough, you little bitch. I’m done dealing with you. After my men have their way with you, whatever’s left I will dispose of. You’re not worth this much of a damn headache.”

As Aleski took aim, a shot rang out. Gypsy screamed and curled up into a ball waiting for the pain to hit. When it didn’t come, she opened her eyes and saw the shock in Aleski’s eyes as he fell to the ground. Gypsy looked around and saw Jerry on his feet with a gun in his hand and a pissed off expression. Jerry had saved her life by killing Aleski before he could kill her.

“Oh my God, Jerry!” Gypsy got to her feet and ran straight to Jerry.

Gypsy threw her arms around Jerry and hugged him for dear life. She felt Jerry’s hands frame her face as she pulled back to look into his eyes. Neither said a word as their lips melted into each other and they kissed each other senseless. They were both alive and couldn’t believe they managed to survive when all the odds were against them.

“Geez dude, stick your tongue any farther down her throat and she can claim her tonsils were removed,” Diesel snickered.

Gypsy and Jerry broke away with a grin. “Only you, Diesel, can come up with the dumbest shit to say at the most awkward times,” Gypsy said with a laugh.

“For the love of God, please don’t encourage her,” Rameriez begged.

Hank walked up to Jerry, giving a slight head nod. “Are you ok, Jerry?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Glad I had the foresight to wear that new vest you wanted me to test for added weight during the run.”

“Looks like it worked well since you’re still here,” Hank grimaced looking at the damage to the vest.

Jerry laughed, “Yeah, but damn that hit hurt like hell.”