Blurring the Line (The Line Series Book 2)

by Nikki Rose

  “Chris. Stop. You’re going to blow us all up.” Hunter grabbed me and shook until I snapped out of it.

  I found Mason and called out to him. “Contact the heli, tell them we need another thermal scan of the surrounding area. Get me another location. And get these guys in custody.”

  I stormed back up stairs and out of the house. Caroline had to be around here somewhere. I pushed passed the teams of men leaving the house, ready to punch anyone who got in my way. She has to be here somewhere. This has to be the right spot.

  I made it down the front porch steps and Hunter came running after me. “Chris. Chris, stop. Wait.”

  “What?”

  “They think they found them. Thermal picked up a heat signature at a big farm house nearby. Locals went to check it out and found three cars hidden in an old barn outside.”

  “Have they breached the house yet?”

  “They are waiting on us.”

  “Then what are we waiting for?” We ran for the car and jumped inside.

  While we drove, I checked the live stream again. Caroline was dressed again, bound and sitting in an old metal chair but the rope was still around her neck. She was okay for now and knowing that allowed me to relax enough that I was able to let out a small sigh. The ticker under her image showed the auction only had another fifteen minutes before it would conclude and they would have their winner.

  I kept my eyes focused on the screen the whole drive, watching over Caroline even if I was too far away to do anything for her. We had only been on the road for about ten minutes but it felt like hours as the minutes of the auction tick away.

  “How far out are we?”

  “About four minutes.” The driver, I hadn’t even taken the time to learn his name answered.

  “Perfect. The auction will be ending in five then they will be moving her.”

  We barely slowed down as we rounded a blind curve in the mountain road. Just as we round the corner, the road disappeared in front of us. The driver slammed on breaks as the car’s tires screamed. The back end of the car fishtailed coming within a foot of toppling over the edge.

  The bridge was out. Not just out, but destroyed. A quick glance down into the ravine showed rubble and broken asphalt crumbled below.

  “Shit.” Hunter muttered from the backseat.

  “Everyone okay?”

  “Yeah, but what the hell? How are we going to get across this?”

  “I’m looking up alternative routes but the only one I can find adds an extra forty-five minutes.” Mason punched the buttons on his phone.

  Hunter pulled out his phone and dialed the team behind us. “Hey. Slow down around the sharp turn coming up. Yeah, the bridge is out. We are looking up alts now.”

  I got out of the car to see if there was a way around through the woods but everything dropped off into the ravine on either side. It would take longer than the forty-five minutes to drive the new route.

  “The auction is going to be over in one minute.”

  “It will take a little time before they move her, though. Just keep an eye on the live stream.”

  I headed back for the truck. Mason was crouched down near the edge of what used to be a bridge examining a piece of the rubble.

  “Hey Mason, let's get a move on.”

  “The bridge didn't collapse. It was blown up.”

  “What?”

  Mason climbed in the car and continued to explain. “I found evidence of an explosion. Looks like they used C4.”

  “Shit. So they took counter measures. How do we know they didn't do the same on the other route?”

  “I'm calling to get our eyes in the sky to see if they can tell it's clear.”

  “Good thinking.”

  The driver turned us around with precision moves and we were soon back on track.

  My eyes never left Caroline on the screen. The bidding stopped and the winner’s screen name flashed at the bottom of the screen. Seventy-five thousand dollars. That’s how much the love of my life was sold for.

  I froze when I looked down at the screen again. A man with his face covered, pulled Caroline up by her bicep and drug her closer to the camera so that her face was the only thing in the frame.

  “Say goodbye to your father, little otrod'ye. Your new owner awaits.”

  The pained look on Caroline’s face was the worst thing I’d ever experienced in my life. Worse than any torture I’d ever endured. She opened her mouth to speak and her raspy voice cracked while she fought back her tears. “I know you did the best you could. I love you, dad and if you are out there, I love you, Chris. I know I didn’t —.” Her voice gave out as a sob tore from her voice and the Russian pulled her away.

  “Enjoy living the rest of your life knowing she is out there somewhere, but you can’t save her. Just like I couldn’t save my son when you shot him down.”

  With that, the feed went dead. Shock gave way to panic and I looked up toward the guys getting in their car. “They’re moving her. We need to get to them. Now.”

  Chapter 28

  Petrov waltzed down the ricketty basement stairs like he was the king descending the palace steps. “Congratulations, little otrod'ye. You have a new owner.”

  “What?”

  “The bidding is done. Your owner has transferred the money into my account and has arranged for transport for you.”

  “Transport?” I fought my bonds but it was no use.

  “Yes. You are a lucky girl. You’re new owner is actually an old acquaintance of mine from back in Russia. You will be delivered to him as soon as we can get you on the plane.”

  “No, no. Please? You can’t do this. You’ve gotten your revenge. You’ve put me through hell, my father has suffered having to watch all this. Please, I just want to go home.”

  “You will be going to your new home. There is a cargo plane waiting for you to arrive.”

  Petrov nodded to Lev and Misha. They untied me from the chair, lifting me up by both arms. I struggled but they bound my wrists in front of me. If there was ever a time to fight it was then. I thrashed around, kicking, and using my core to jerk my shoulders out of their hands. Their grips slipped and I darted toward the stairs but Petrov grabbed me by my hair.

  I stumbled back, gripping his hand in my hair with my bound hands. The position felt very familiar and a flash of my training with Chris came to mind. I’d practiced so many times, my body knew what to do even though through my panic, my brain hadn’t caught up. I pinched my elbows together in front of my head to protect my face and twisted around behind Petrov until it forced his hand to release my hair. I shoved his arm up until I felt a thud and he yelled out a string of Russian words I didn’t know but could tell had to be cuss words as his shoulder popped out of socket.

  I released his arm and tried to run again but by this time the other two were back. Misha threw me to the concrete. His heavy boot struck me just under my ribs, knocking the breath from my lungs. I gasped for breath and curled into a ball to protect myself from another blow that came just as hard and just as fast.

  He struck me in my side and I cried out again as blinding pain shot through me and my body flung to my other side.

  Lev joined in, each of them taking turns kicking me and hitting me. They paused at one point and I tried to crawl away. Misha’s fist came down on the side of my head with such force that my vision blurred and darkness crept in from the outer edges of my vision. The room spun and I felt weightless for a moment before colliding with cold concrete. I couldn’t move, couldn’t shield myself as I felt my mind drifting off.

  I could vaguely hear a new strong and commanding voice, “What are you doing? Stop.” Finally. Help.

  I was somewhat aware of the man coming close to me. He crouched down, brushing a strand of damp hair from my tear soaked cheeks.

  “There, there. You’re alright now. Let me get you up.” His voice was soft and soothing. I barely managed to open my eyes to see the handsome man dressed in his charcoal gray suit with black s
hirt and tie. But, my eyelids felt too heavy to stay open for long.

  He wrapped his arms around me and I winced as he cradled me against his chest. “Now, come. Let’s get you out of here.”

  We were making our way toward the stairs when darkness finally closed in on my vision and unconsciousness consumed me.

  I woke up in the backseat of a luxury sedan. The man in the gray suit was driving and another man I didn’t recognize sat in the passenger seat. I didn’t know who he was, but he had stopped Lev and Misha from hurting me more so he had to be a better alternative.

  I struggled to sit up in the soft leather seat. My body ached and the motion was made more challenging with my bound wrists. “Thank you, for saving me.” I croaked out. My voice was raspy in my scratchy throat.

  “I was only acting to protect my boss’s investment.”

  “Investment?”

  “He sent me to retrieve you and see that you are delivered to him. Unharmed.” The man emphasized the last word by glaring at the man beside him.

  A chill ran up my spine and a sickening feeling settled into my stomach as my suspicions came to light.

  “Who is your boss?”

  “I do not know what he will wish for you to call him yet so for now just know him as your new owner.”

  “Owner? You're not here to save me?” I sat up straighter, the grogginess from before was replaced by sheer panic. . “But, you're not even Russian.”

  “An American couple traveling to Russia is less conspicuous than a Russian taking an American girl.”

  I swallowed hard and fought back the urge to fight again. I was outnumbered and in a confined space. . My chances weren't good. I had to be smart about this. No more acting irrationally. Once I got on that plane and was out of the country, my chances would drop dramatically of ever making it home.

  The man taking me away had put himself in the role of my protector when he stopped Lev and Misha from beating me. I could use that to my advantage. If I treated him like a protector, he won’t see me as a threat and should let his guard down. Just like Chris had taught me but, I’d need to pick the right moment.

  If he was taking me to a cargo plane then there would have to be other people around there. They would be on his side and I would be outnumbered again. I didn’t need to do it too soon when Petrov was so close or the Russians could catch me. The trip to the hanger would be the best opportunity when there would be the least amount of opposition.

  “What can I call you?”

  “Patrick. And this is Oleg, one of Petrov’s men who offered to escort us to the hanger.”

  “Okay, Patrick. Could you...could you tell me about the man who bought me?” I spoke as timidly as I could manage. He just glanced up at me in the rear view mirror so I kept talking. “Is he...kind? Like you?”

  He nodded but remained quiet.

  After a few more minutes on the road, he pulled out his cell phone and hit send.

  “Sir. I’ve got the girl and we are on our way to the hanger. ETA in roughly ten minutes. Oh yes they were very hospitable. Petrov sent along one of his men to escort us to the hanger...no, sir...Of course. See you soon.”

  I wouldn’t have long. I needed to make my escape within the next few minutes. Jumping from a moving car wouldn’t be easy, especially with my hands still bound but it was the best option I had. I needed to wait for just the right moment. I looked out the window, studying the road ahead. I had to get out. I reached my bound hands over and grabbed hold of the handle but when I pulled it, nothing happened. Child safety locks. They wouldn’t let the back doors open while the car was in drive. Damn it. I had to do something. Panic sent my heart racing. I was out of ideas and out of hope. I yanked on the door, leaning to the side and kicking at it with my feet.

  “Hey, what are you doing back there? Stop. You're going to hurt yourself.”

  He sped up and before I could do any real damage to myself or the car, he pulled over onto a gravel drive.

  The minute he opened the door, I pounced, knocking him to the ground with a shoulder to his midsection. I fumbled for a moment but got back up. I ran down the gravel drive back toward the road to hopefully find some help.

  Behind me in the distance, Patrick was frantically talking to someone on the phone, running with Oleg just ahead of him. “She's gotten out of the car...running down the drive toward the road.”

  Just before I got to the road, a black sedan turned in, heading straight toward me. I panicked, ready to dive off into the woods when I recognized the passenger in the car. Chris.

  The car stopped and he jumped out before the driver could even turn off the ignition.

  “Chris? I was so afraid you were dead. I saw the explosion...”

  “I'm okay.”

  “There are guys after me. One works for whoever won the auction.”

  “Patrick?”“How'd you know?

  A gun fired in the distance and dirt flew up beside us. I screamed and glanced toward the sound to see Oleg with a gun aimed our way. Chris pulled me around the side of the car, crouching low.

  “It was a ruse to get you out of there before the team took down Petrov and his men.”

  Chris peeked from behind the car and took a shot just as another bullet shattered the side window. He dodged and then peeked out again, firing a shot and retreating.

  “I think I got him.”

  “What about the other guy?”

  “We’re clear.” I recognized Patrick’s voice calling out from the other side of the car.

  “He’s with us. We’re clear.” We stood up and looked over to see Oleg laying motionless on the gravel.

  I turned to Chris, so confused and needing more explanation, “It was all a plan?”

  “It was a back up plan, in case I couldn't get to you before the auction was over. Damn it, watching what those guys did to you... “ Chris grabbed me and crushed me against his chest. I wrapped my arms around him and cried tears of relief. I was safe.

  “I’m okay. I'm gonna be a little sore once this adrenaline wears off but I'm okay.”

  “I will never let you out of my sight again.”

  Patrick approached us, huffing, out of breath, “Sir, I'm sorry. She got the jump on me.”

  “Its okay, Patrick. She has a habit of doing that.” Chris gave me a look and I flushed.

  “You must be exhausted. Let's go sit in the hanger while we wait for the others to meet us here.”

  Chapter 29

  “Come on. Let’s find somewhere you can sit down.” I led Caroline into the hanger. Spotting a few crates in the corner, we walked to them and I guided her to sit.

  “Chris, I’m fine. Really. I’ve been sitting too much as it is.” She gave a timid smile and I couldn’t resist grabbing her and pulling her to me again. I just needed her in my arms.

  “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine. Thanks to you.” Her voice was slightly pained and I noted the way she tensed when I held her.

  “You’re hurt.”

  “It's just some bruises. I’ll be fine.”

  “Let me see.”

  “Chris...”

  “Let me see.”

  She let out a sigh and lifted her shirt just enough to show her midsection. Angry purple and blue bruises riddled her stomach and side, wrapping partly around her back.

  “Damn it, Caroline.”

  “It doesn’t hurt that bad.”

  “It doesn’t...you should have never had to go through any of this. If I hadn’t...” I looked down at the ground. Looking at her was just too painful.

  “Hey, listen...” She lifted my face to look into her eyes. “I’m okay, thanks to you.”

  I ran my hand through her hair and cupped the side of her face, lightly brushing my thumb over her split lip. A magnetic pull drew me to her as I honed in on her lips. I kissed her softly, just a whisper on her lips before Hunter, Mason, and the other guys joined us in the hanger.

  “Whoa, didn’t mean to interrupt again.”
Mason smirked at me as they walked in.

  “Does someone want to explain how you pulled this off?” Hunter came up to me and Caroline with the other men close behind.

  I smiled at them, took out my phone, and dialed Mikey again, this time putting it on speaker phone.

  “Hey, Mikey. You're on speaker. I got Caroline, Hunter, Mason, and the rest of the guys here wanting to know how we pulled this off. I thought you'd be the best one to explain.”

  “Hey! Yeah sure. Well, when Chris called me earlier to confirm the Director had canceled our dig into the Russian’s server to find a location on them, Chris and I came up with an idea.”

  “The Russians were mainly protecting their location. How can I explain this? They had set up digital tripwires to alert them if we got too close. What they weren’t monitoring was their communication between them and their buyers and their guard went down even more after the money was wire transfered into their account.”

  “All we had to do was wait for them to determine the winner, then intercept communication. We told the winner a location about fifty miles south of here. Some of our guys were dispatched there to pick him up. Then we told Petrov that the winner would be sending one of his guys to pick up the girl so that he could transport her to Russia. So that he would know it was the right guy, we gave him a detailed description of one of our operatives and even went so far as to come up with an agreed upon phrase for security purposes. After that it was a piece of cake. Our guy walked right out of there with the girl.”

  “Genius.” Caroline exclaimed more to herself than to any of us.

  “Yes, yes I am.” Mikey, always the modest one, replied and I laughed.

  “Thanks for everything, Mikey. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Anytime. Oh, and Caroline...”

  “Yes?”

  “Glad to know you are safe.”

  “Thanks, Mikey.”

  I hung up the phone and gazed into Caroline’s eyes, brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek. “I’m glad you’re safe too. I would have never forgiven myself if something happened to you.”