by Laura Acton
Panin glared at the swaggering, overconfident dog. He wanted to put a bullet in his skull. He would sell Magic Mike again because he brought this blond bastard to his place and the condescending piece of dog crap insulted him. Panin would also sell the woman. The hulking guard he might offer employment to, as he did many of his acquired security men, depending on how he behaved when he killed his boss.
As much as Panin craved to kill him this second, his finger remained still. Greed seeped in. Killing him now would not be profitable. The mongrel would learn who was top dog another way. Panin decided to follow his original plan. An extremely profitable plan hatched as he read the magazine this afternoon.
This egotistical mutt would pay for his insolence and insults … both in cash and pain. He needed him biddable first. With his gun still aimed at Maks and speaking Russian, Panin instructed, “Ivan, keep your weapon on him. Vadim, Fyodor, hold him still. Grigori, drug him. I want him compliant but not out.”
Grigori lowered his weapon, letting it hang from a strap. From the inside pocket of his uniform jacket, he withdrew a syringe and uncapped it.
Muscles contracting and going absolutely rigid at sight of the syringe, Dan’s body began to shake uncontrollably as his breath came in short gasps. His eyes honed in on the long, thin metal spike and the rest of the world faded into the background. Visions of The One and glowing red-hot needles filled his mind. No. No. Oh God no! Not again.
Unable to stop the gut reaction, Dan’s stomach twisted and heaved as he forcefully expelled the remnants of his excessive meal. One he consumed during the planning session at Blaze’s behest to prevent Patch from harping on him about eating.
Vadim and Fyodor released Maks and stepped back not wanting vomit splashing on them. Dan dropped to his knees as Panin’s laughter rang in his ears. It mixed with malevolent laughter from his head and the words ‘my favorite plaything.’
Transported back there, a place full of darkness, pain, despair, and depravity … he was once again in Hell on earth. He didn’t want to be there again. Never again. His body continued to heave and shake.
Anastasia’s heart raced. Dan told her he was tortured with burning needles for three months. His scars were still so fresh, and his reaction told her Dan was not with them at the moment, he was back where he had been tortured.
She desired to go to him, but they would shoot her for sure if she did. The kids had scurried to the corner in fear, so Anastasia went to them and used her body to shield them from what was happening in the room. She whispered to them to turn away to prevent them from viewing whatever might come. Though she had no clue if they had witnessed someone being killed before, her motherly instinct ramped up to protect them from the possibility.
Mike’s eyes widened at Dan’s instant change of demeanor from cocky bravado to terrified shaking when shown the hypodermic. Within moments Dan fell to his knees puking his guts out. Can this get any fucking worse?!
The chortling made Mike sick to his stomach. He recalled the same malicious laughter from Panin as he was drugged and dragged away to be sold as a sex slave. He almost joined Dan in retching, but his attention was redirected when Mason made a move on Savelievich.
Mason’s breath caught in his chest witnessing the terror enter Blondie’s eyes. Blondie’s labored breathing and shaking brought everything their little brother told them about the needle torture to mind. When Blondie dropped to the floor and lost his dinner, Mason growled as deep-seated fury at being unable to stop the animals who tortured him fueled his rage at Panin.
When Panin started cackling, Mason lunged at the bastard, gripped his neck, and began squeezing, intent on killing the animal with his bare hands. As long as he possessed an ounce of life, no one would ever hurt Blondie again. As Mason tightened his hold around the thick neck, Panin’s face turned red.
Mike rushed toward them. As much as he wanted Savelievich dead, they could not do it yet. They must rescue Dom’s girls first. Mike tugged on Mason’s arms endeavoring to make him release the oily snake. He yanked, but the massive six-foot-ten auburn-haired bear would not budge. At a loss for only a moment, Mike remembered pressure points on the wrists and pushed on both of the massive wrists to dislodge Mason’s hands from Panin’s neck.
Grigori dropped the hypodermic filled with diazepam, and the syringe rolled under the bed out of sight as he lifted his weapon, pointing it at the man attacking Panin as did Fyodor, Ivan, and Vadim. However, with Panin in the way, none could fire. Grigori shouted in Russian to release his boss.
Somehow Mike stayed in character and yelled back at Grigori that Maks’ guard didn’t understand Russian and then shouted at Mason in French trying to break through the soldier’s fog as Panin’s lips began to go blue.
As Dan finished retching, the real world started to come into focus and there crawled back into the dark recesses of his mind. French and Russian words registered, the meaning of both clear as he set eyes on Mason choking the life out of Panin. Mike succeeded in getting one of Mason’s hands off, but Mason fought Mike to hang on to Panin.
Aware Mason switched into what they termed highland warrior mode, and that not much ever penetrated when his brute force and raw fighting skill mixed with a no rules of engagement mindset, Dan’s voice rose above all the others as he bellowed in Gaelic, “Release him now! I’m okay. Do it now, Gorgeous!”
The sound of Gaelic breached Mason’s red haze. Who is speaking Gaelic? The name Gorgeous hit him. Mason pivoted his head and saw Blondie peering up at him with pleading eyes. His grip slackened.
Continuing to speak Gaelic, Dan said, “Good. Now relinquish your hold completely and let’s see if I can salvage my screw up.”
Mason pushed away from Panin and stepped back. Shocked by two things. One, he lost total control. All his training flew right out the friggin’ window. His hands fisted realizing his lack of self-discipline could’ve cost Dom’s daughter’s their lives. His eyes shifted to Blondie, the second item staggered him … Blondie had the Gaelic. Mason knew the kid spoke many languages but never once considered he might speak Scottish Gaelic.
Mike held on to Mason wondering what language Dan spoke and how the hell he cut through the killing fog which had enveloped the leviathan. Whatever it was, Mike was damned glad it worked. He took a shuddering breath in, unsure what would happen next.
Panin gasped for breath after being freed from the massive vice grip. He backpedaled swiftly, putting distance between him and the giant, moving behind Grigori. He knew his guards would never fire without his orders, but he needed his breath back to tell them to kill them all. Profits be damned!
Dan rose, still unsteady and thoroughly humiliated by his reaction to the needle, but for Dom’s girls and the other kids, he must pull himself together. He spat out the foul taste in his mouth, drew in a deep breath, and haughtily said, “Damned seafood. I should never have eaten the salmon. It was not of the first quality. I should’ve sent the food back and demanded better.”
Taking a step away from his puke and closer to Savelievich, Dan ran a hand through his hair to cover the residual shaking. “I’m sure you have someone who will clean up the mess. Perhaps one of your wimpy guards can lick it up. They are certainly useless for anything else.”
His voice resumed an arrogant tone. “So, where were we? Oh, that’s right. You were gonna drug me because I insulted you.” Dropping his hands, Dan shoved them into his pockets assuming a languid expression. “Well, you insulted me first.”
Glancing over at the frightened children, Dan was glad they wouldn’t understand his words. Returning his eyes to Panin, he allowed flint to show. “If you think I’ll drop my pants and do it with any of those used and abused things, you can go fuck yourself. I possess refined tastes, and I’m willing to pay exceedingly well for verified virgins for a reason. I refuse to take anyone’s seconds. I am Maksim Gennadiyevich Ivanov. Sullied goods are beneath me.”
Panin stared in disbelief at the egotism of the man brazenly standing before him act
ing as if he did nothing wrong. He swallowed causing his throat to burn, but managed to croak out, “Why did you knock out Josef?”
“Are you seriously asking me?” Dan’s expression was one incredulity. “Your stupid guard would’ve killed your asset. One blow from him and you can kiss any profits goodbye. She’s a pretty little thing. There are people I know who would pay a huge sum for a girl like her. Those who don’t mind seconds of course. Her fear would bring you top dollar. Some of my friends are into the fear aspect.”
Dan continued in a conceited and superior manner. “Me, I prefer them drugged, docile, and quiet. I sweet talk them first then pop their cherries. They will never have anyone like me. After I’m finished with them, they will always think of me when with someone else and wish he was me.”
Panin listened. Maks may be full of himself, but he made sound business sense. Although, there must be repercussions. He would lose control if he allowed a buyer pull a stunt like Maks and his behemoth guard did, especially in front of his bodyguards. “I cannot allow the giant one to get away with choking me. Nor you after insulting me.”
“Five thousand should more than soothe your wounded ego.” Dan shrugged and eyed Panin.
Needing to regain the upper hand, Panin said, “No I think not. I kill your bodyguard, and you pay me ten thousand for your insults.”
Dan laughed. “No fucking way! My bodyguard stays with me, and I’ll pay six thousand. Too hard to find reliable help.”
Taken aback by the condescending laughter and pompous statement Panin stood still a moment. Remembering the strange language and still needing time to decide on a direction Panin stalled, “I thought you said your guards only spoke French. What language did you speak to him in?”
Chuckling Dan shook his head. “No, I never said that. Mike did. I spoke to my highland warrior in Gaelic. It is the only thing which will stop him when he is in a killing frame of mind. You’re only alive because I told him to stop.”
Leveling his gun at Galloway, Panin growled, “You lied to me.”
Mike stepped back, putting his hands up in defense allowing distress to reflect in his expression. Wow, things might just be back on track. “I didn’t know. I only heard him talking French.”
A grin started to form on Panin’s face as the fear appeared on Magic Mike. Wiping the grin from his face as he made his decision. Panin shifted his gaze back to Maks. “Here’s the final deal if you want to walk out of my club alive. The woman and Mike are mine to do with as I please, and you pay me ten thousand also.”
“We have a deal.” Dan grinned and arched a brow at Mike. “Sorry, old buddy but your life or mine and I’m gonna choose mine. No hard feelings.”
Mike lunged for Dan and Mason grabbed him and held him back. Mike raged at Dan. “Maks, you bastard! You fucking bastard. If I ever see you again, you’re a dead man.”
Lifting his hand, Dan waved a couple of times. “Bye-bye, Mikie. Don’t think I need to worry about seeing you again.” Turning towards Panin, he asked, “Now, with that settled, do you have any items which would interest me?”
Dan rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms, his muscles tight from locking up and heaving. He resumed a nonchalant manner. “After all this unpleasantness, a little release with something fresh and untouched would be welcome. If you possess anything which meets my standards, this could be the beginning of a long partnership. You are ruthless in going after what you want, just like me. I like that about you.”
Panin laughed but stopped as his throat burned. He rubbed his neck and smiled. “Maks, you’re one cocky SOB.” Switching to a business tone, Panin said. “I recently acquired two such pieces of merchandise, a pair of sisters, eleven and thirteen. They are untouched and docile as they come. Several buyers are interested so they will cost you a fortune.”
Directing his gaze to Vadim, Panin firmly ordered in Russian, “You and Ivan take the woman, Magic Mike, and the kids back to the holding area. Make sure those two are added to the auction tonight. I don’t want to keep them around here. Drug them if you need to, but I recall Mike here was scared of his own shadow so he should be no trouble. Then return here and make Josef clean up this shit when he regains his senses.”
As the guards dragged Mike through the hidden door along with Anastasia, Mike yelled, “You are a dead man, Maks. You hear me? Dead!”
Mason stared at Blondie. Holy hell his outrageous plan worked. The kid pulled it off. Anastasia and Mike are on their way to where the children are held, and we are going to Nicolette and Anna-Marie.
Panin escorted them out of the room. Mason noted Blondie wobbled and reached out for the wall to steady himself. Using Gaelic, he asked, “You alright, Sunshine?”
Dan glanced over his shoulder at Mason and replied in the Celtic language, “Yes, Gorgeous. Can’t believe that worked. I hope Ripsaw is successful ‘cause the exfil is gonna be a bitch if he isn’t.”
“What did you say to him?” Panin glowered at Maks.
Lying without compunction, Dan said, “I told him job well done, but he must learn restraint and not attack you again. He’s good help, but he can be such a heathen sometimes.”
Mason clenched his jaw to keep from laughing his ass off. Heathen, huh? Little brother is full of surprises. As Mason followed Blondie, he realized there might be a use for their mutual linguistic ability with a rather uncommon language. It would make communicating in this situation secure.
As they approached the guarded elevator, Mason noted the man who had held the needle spoke into a headset, and two more guards appeared behind them as they waited for the lift doors to open. Intel was right … this place is crawling with armed men. Had Dom come in by himself, it is unlikely he would’ve succeeded in rescuing his children. Odds are against us getting out with our lives, even though somehow Blondie’s daft plan managed to procure us an invite to the fifth-floor auction. We only need a little more luck tonight.
Dan stepped into the small metal box, pushing his dislike of elevators to the background. He glanced at Mason. At least we aren’t in a Humvee, and I’m not trying to stop him from pulling out shrapnel. He raked one hand through his long hair, wanting again to cut it off and shed the sickening persona of Maks the pedophile.
Stealth and Surprises
31
May 29
Cherry Club – Back Stairway and Hall
Winds and Blaze, armed with the weapons obtained from the Jackals, slipped out of the kitchen. They moved towards Panin’s office on the second floor using the stairway Natia revealed to them. On point, Winds took out the sentry at the ground-level stairway entrance with a precise throw of the Shaitan-M. Nicely balanced knife, though I still prefer my Grohmann steak knife. He wiped the blood on the man’s shirt after dragging him inside the stairwell.
Blaze assumed point up the steps as Winds covered their six. Sneaking behind the inattentive second-floor guard, Blaze killed him with a swift snap of the neck and expeditiously pulled the corpse inside, dropping him on the landing. Two guards stood outside the office, and after checking both directions, Blaze noted armed men in the rooms at each end of the hall. “We need to make this fast. I got the closest guard. You go for the other.”
After timing their intervals, Winds nodded and again raised the Russian-made dagger, preparing for another throw. Once the sentries in both rooms turned, Winds flicked his wrist, embedding the blade in the sentry’s throat. Swiftly, Blaze crossed the fifteen-foot span between the stairs and office entrance and dispatched the one closest to them before he sounded an alarm.
Winds joined him and retrieved his blade as Blaze withdrew his from its sheath. Using hand signals, Blaze communicated he would open the door and for Winds to toss one of the dead guards in causing a distraction.
Yanking the door open, Blaze followed Winds into the room after the body fell. It worked well, confusing the four guards inside as they stared at their dead comrade. Their momentary lapse became death sentences. Blaze and Winds both threw knives at Panin’s
security men furthest from them as they moved forward and snapped the necks of the two closest.
Cherry Club – Second Floor – Panin’s Office
Winds returned to the hall, to pull in the other dead man. After shutting and locking the outer office door, he hurried to Panin’s inner door and jerked it open when Blaze was prepared to deal with any guards who might be inside. Luck was on their side ... an empty room.
“Love it when a plan comes together,” Winds locked the door behind them, and Blaze moved to the panel to the secret passageways. He strode to the desk, set his pack on top, and pulled out technical gear before taking a seat in Panin’s chair. “It’ll take me a few minutes to hack into the security cameras and find Blondie and the others.”
Blaze stood guard and asked, “You ready to go, Ripsaw?”
“Just give me an idea which way,” Ripsaw murmured back.
Speedily working, Winds hacked into Panin’s systems, pulling up the footage. “Shit!” escaped his mouth as he watched live footage of Panin’s handgun and two submachine guns aimed at Blondie.
“What the hell?” Blaze blurted out as Blondie dropped and puked.
“One of the guards had a needle … whoa, Mason? Shit! This isn’t good, Blaze. You should have never backed the kid’s idea. Too risky,” Winds said.
Both Blaze and Winds stared at the monitor as the scene unfolded. There was nothing they could do but watch at this point.
“Hot damn! The kid did it,” Blaze softly crowed as he viewed Mike and Anastasia being taken out the hidden door and Blondie and Mason following Panin out of the room.
Winds chuckled. “There will be no living with the cocky kid now. You just created a monster, Blaze. Can you imagine the crazy shit he’s gonna try and get away with now?”
