“Mishka?” Dimitri asked, equal parts nonplussed and astounded.
Obviously, he hadn’t been expecting to see me walking around anytime soon, if ever at all again, after leaving me to the wolves. To be honest, I hadn’t thought I would either, but when push came to shove and I realized neither Hazel or I would live to see another day if I didn’t react, I channeled my inner-Lioness and used every bit of strength I could muster to fight back. Until I found the gun. Then the cards really turned in my favor. You'd be surprised how quickly even the most powerful man would cower to his knees when a pistol was aimed at him, which is exactly what happened as I held the gun in place and retreated to the door, promptly locking them all inside. They could rot in there, for all I cared. I had bigger things to worry about, like finding out where the hell Maksim had taken my sister.
But that was before I'd heard Dimitri’s voice carrying through the hall. I knew had to put him down first before I could search every room on this ship, a task that didn't seem so simple when four men came barreling toward me. Unlike the other lot, though, I didn't spare them… I shot them, every last one, without a single ounce of hesitation or remorse. Their lifeless bodies didn't frighten me either; in fact, they fueled me all the more. Regardless of what was coming, I was going to face Dimitri head on, once and for all.
So now here I was, with a gun aimed right him, the look on his face priceless. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I realized I was just as shocked to see Knox as he was to see me, in one piece, but I didn't miss the relief that washed over his features too.
“Don’t look so surprised to see me,” I hissed at my husband. “Or should you, since you left me die with those animals you call friends?”
“We had company, love.” He motioned toward Knox by way of explanation.
“Oh please, you knew they’d kill me, which leads me to wonder... Is that why you left? Because they’d handle the dirty work for you? What's wrong, Dimitri, not man enough to kill your own wife,” I cooed tauntingly, driven by the weapon in my hands.
A ferocious growl resonated within his chest as his brows cinched together and he pulled a gun from the inside pocket of his blazer, aiming it Knox’s head. Somehow, I figured that was coming, but still I gasped, praying to the Heavens above I was playing this right. Just a few more minutes...
“Let him go,” I gritted out.
“I'm afraid I cannot do that. He is too valuable.”
“Then put the gun down and back away from him.”
“Drop yours and I will,” he challenged, but I shook my head, holding the gun steadier than ever; my resolve too.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. He’s too valuable,” I said, mirroring his words, my gaze darting to Knox, who stood tall. If he was afraid right in that moment, you’d never know, except in the way he mouthed “Hazel.”
Oh my God.
My blood ran ice cold. What had he done to her?
“Where's Hazel?” I blurted out, trying my damndest to remain calm.
“I believe Maksim tossed her back into the hold, which would be okay, if she didn't have a bomb strapped to her body,” he sneered, though his tone was more amused than anything else as he pulled a little black box from his pocket, an atomic red button glowing right in the center.
My eyes widened in horror and Knox nodded as subtly as possible, throwing my heart into overdrive.
Stay strong, Maya. Breathe...
“Disarm it,” I demanded in the most confident voice I could rally.
“I will, once Mr. Carr sees through to his end of our deal.”
“No deals, not with them. Disarm it now and let them go.”
“I don't think you heard me, Mishka,” he growled. “Mr. Carr is of great value to me at the moment, and his little pet is my leverage. I have no intention of hurting her; unless, of course, he fails, then she won't fare so well.”
“It’ll be you that doesn’t fare so well if you don’t let them go,” I retorted, taking several steps further.
Obviously, that was a bad move on my part, but I didn't realize it until Dimitri pressed the tip of the gun to Knox’s head.
“Don't do it, Mishka. I will shoot him and obliterate your little friend.”
“You're bluffing.” I knew it damn well. “If you press that button, we all go. Drop the gun, Dimitri.”
“Damn it, Maya,” he roared furiously. “Do as I say or you'll regret it the next time we’re alone!”
“There is no next time for you,” I corrected, because salvation had arrived...
Thunderous stomps abruptly sounded off from overhead, furrowing Dimitri’s brow in confusion. I smiled triumphantly, waiting the final seconds as help came barreling down the hallway, help I'd called for after locking those men in that room. Stealing a peek at Knox, I nodded to assure him this nightmare would be over in three…
Two…
One…
“U.S. Coast Guard! Everybody, hands up!”
Letting the handgun fall to the ground, I lifted my arms as they whipped right past me in their protective gear, with weapons drawn, and stormed into the room at lightning speed, knocking Dimitri right onto his ass.
“Don't you move, don't move!” one of them barked as he struggled, but his efforts were futile. Outnumbered and caught off guard, they disarmed him with ease and slapped the cuffs on his wrists, yanking him back onto his feet to escort him up to the top of the ship. And when I say escort, I mean more like dragged. The sight was extremely satisfying despite the malignant glare he shot my way as they exited the room.
“And the other woman?” one of the Coasties asked as a few more dispersed into the hallway for the men who remained alive.
“He's locked her up somewhere on board with a bomb strapped to her body. Before you guys came in, he had a-”
The Coastie held up the small box. “We snatched it the second he hit the ground. It's weightless, though, which leads me to believe it was all for show.”
“Are you positive?” Knox questioned beside me, desperation clear in his blue eyes, and the Coast Guard nodded.
“These trigger buttons usually weigh more than this. I'd say all that's in here is the wiring to light up the button itself, again for show. Chances are, there's nothing to worry about, other than finding her; but when we do, we’ll check her thoroughly.”
“They took my buddy too,” Knox added, forcing an audible gasp to slip past my lips.
“Manny?”
He nodded. “The second they brought us in here, they took him right back out. I was so dazed I didn't hear where.”
“We’ll find them,” the Coastie assured us. “You two just make your way up top. We’ll be finished here soon.”