by Nikki Rose
“Fine. I want hourly updates.”
“Yes, sir.”
I rushed out the door without even looking back as I made my way to my car and spun out of the driveway. That four-hour drive would be more like three if there was anything, I could do to help it. And there was.
CHAPTER 22
Caroline
“Up and at ‘em, babe. It’s time to hit the road.” Derek’s voice cut through the haze and I rubbed my eyes to clear away the sleep.
The night had been horrible. I’d stayed awake with images and sounds of that poor man being stabbed running on a loop in my head. Sometime in the early morning I must have dozed off but I was still groggy as I sat up.
“Where are we going?”
“Up the road a bit. We’re gonna catch up with some other friends of mine a little farther north.”
“I really think I should be getting home. My dad is going to be furious.”
“He’s going to be furious if you go home now or in a few days.”
“But the longer I’m gone the more worried he’ll be.”
“Well then look at it this way. If he’s worried, he’ll just be relieved when you get back instead of pissed off.”
I tilted my head and gave Derek a serious look. “I need to go home.”
He jerked the blanket off of me and bunched it into a ball before throwing it out of the tent. “Don’t be ridiculous. You said you needed to get away for a while. That’s what we’re doing.”
“I know and thank you for that but, I really think I need—”
“Get the fuck out of the tent and into the damn car. I didn’t drive five hours for two nights.”
His words set me back and for the first time in a while, I was speechless. I’d never heard Derek talk to me like that. My blood boiled and my cheeks heated as I fought back my anger. I swallowed hard and straightened my back. I’d never been one to bite my tongue or hold back punches but being out in the middle of nowhere with no cell service was not the time to pick a fight. He was obviously hung over and that can make anyone irritable. He was right about one thing, I had needed to get away and clear my head. I just didn’t expect the group we were hanging out with to be so wild. Maybe that was why he was wanting to move on to another campsite. Maybe he didn’t really like them either and was ready to meet up with some other friends.
“Okay. Is there anything I can do to help pack?” I forced a smile and followed him out of the tent. Which seemed to work at calming his temper. His shoulders relaxed and the tension melted from his body in an instant.
“Nah, I got it. You may want to eat something before we hit the road, though. I think there’s some snacks leftover near the fire if you want to grab something for the ride.
“Okay.”
I hurried over to the smoldering pile of charred wood and ashes that had been a raging fire the night before. There was no sign of Camy or Marcus but hangover treatments were in full gear with everyone complaining and groaning about it being too bright or too loud. Perhaps they were nursing their hangovers in the privacy of their own tent. I grabbed up a couple granola bars and a stick of beef jerky from the pile of snacks. Most of the junk food and candy were gone but I was glad to have something a little healthier to eat.
I checked the service on my phone but there was still no signal. Hopefully once we drove a little farther, we’d get into range. I just wanted to go home after the living nightmare I’d experienced the night before. I glanced around the campsite one last time, sad I wouldn’t get to say bye to the only two people I’d really hung out with during our stay.
Derek had already put my backpack in the backseat and was packing the tent in the trunk when I made it to the car.
“Ready to go?”
“Yep.”
“Good. Hop in.” Derek seemed cheerier now and I was relieved his hangover seemed to have faded away as quickly as it had come.
I got in the car and buckled my seatbelt as the engine came to life and he peeled out of the campsite without even a glance back. “That was some night, last night.” I was hesitant to bring it up so I decided to broach the subject cautiously.
“Yeah. It was a blast, right?”
I shrugged my shoulders and looked out the window wishing I hadn’t brought it up at all.
“What? You didn’t have a good time?”
I scrunched up my nose and chose my words carefully. “It just wasn’t really my scene.”
“We’ve always had so much fun together. You liked cutting loose before.”
“I know and I do. I just—I feel bad about how I left.”
“Well don’t. That tyrant father of yours has controlled you for too long. His lackeys can’t get to you now.”
I knew he meant it as a good thing to offer me a chance to relax and let loose but the idea that Chris couldn’t get to me sent a sickening feeling settling in the pit of my stomach.
While Derek focused on the road, I glanced at my phone again, hoping to keep it out of site. He’d told me to leave it off so they couldn’t track it but a part of me hoped they would.
No Signal...
I slipped my phone back in my pocket and let out a sigh. “So where did you say we were headed?”
“A great little campsite in the Giant Mountain Wilderness. It’s only a couple hours away. I think you’ll like these people better. They are kind of a rich bunch. They make camping look like a socialite’s event.”
“And they are friends of yours?” I couldn’t help the surprise in my voice. Derek seemed like more of the wild parties, clubbing type. Not so much the elegant parties and socialites type. But I guess I didn’t really know him all that well outside of his partying and dancing skills.
“Don’t sound so shocked. I’m friends with all kinds.”
“Sorry. I just didn’t realize—”
“That I associate myself with the well-off? Or, that they’d associate themselves with the likes of me?”
“All we really did was party and go clubbing. I guess we haven’t really had the chance to get to know each other on a deeper level.” I felt so bad for judging Derek by the little I knew about him. I’d been using him to have a good time but never thought about who he was on the inside.
“Well, hopefully this trip will give us some time to get to know each other better.” He glanced over to smile at me before turning back to the road.
“I think that sounds like a good plan.”
I hadn’t given Derek a fair chance. While we were already on this trip, I decided I’d take the opportunity to get to know him better.
Within only a few minutes on the empty roads, my eyelids began to droop. I’d hardly gotten any sleep for the past few nights and it was starting to take its toll. I tried to hold my head up but it bobbed once, making me jump back awake.
Derek reached his hand over and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. The gentle touch surprised me and I jumped.
“You still look pretty tired. Why don’t you take a little nap until we get there? You can lean your seat back and there’s a pillow in the backseat.”
“You sure? I’m being a terrible travel companion sleeping the whole trip.”
“I’m sure. Rest.”
“Thanks.” I leaned my seat back and grabbed my pillow from the backseat. Within minutes I was fast asleep.
The car door shutting woke me from my dreamless sleep. I’d slept for a long time if my stiff muscles were any indication. Distant chatter just outside the car caught my attention and I struggled to listen in. Who is Derek talking to?
“Did you have any trouble getting her here?” A man with a thick Russian accent spoke so quietly I could barely hear him through the car.
“There was a small incident last night that freaked her out and she was talking this morning about wanting to go home but it’s been taken care of.”
The Russian let out a short laugh. “I’m not worried about her willingness. That is irrelevant to me. I’m more concerned about her father and his men.
”
How did this guy know about my father and the men who worked for him? Why would Derek associate with a rich Russian who knew about my dad? Something was off. This whole thing wasn’t adding up. Or maybe, it was adding up too well.
“Well, I think it’s time for me to meet the little otrod'ye.”
“Hang on a minute. What about my payment?”
“You will get your payment once she has been loaded onto the truck.”
“Fine.”
I closed my eyes quickly and pretended to still be asleep. I wasn’t sure what was going on but until I figured it out, I figured it would be best for them to think I was completely clueless. One thing I was sure of... I wouldn’t be getting into that truck.
“Let me. If you wake her up, she’s just going to freak.” Derek spoke to the Russian just outside my window and I did my best to keep my breathing slow and steady while my heart was threatening to break through my chest bone.
My door opened and Derek leaned in over me. “Caroline? We’re here. Time to wake up. I want you to meet my friends.”
I batted my eyes open, faking the haze of sleep as I looked around half confused and rubbed my hand over my face. “Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean to sleep the whole way.”
“It was just a couple hours.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. His pupils were dilated and his forehead was damp with sweat even though it wasn’t that hot yet. He was nervous.
He motioned for me to take his hand and I climbed out of the car. Looking around, there were five Russians I could see. A black sedan and a white Audi facing the dirt road. There was nothing around. Not even paved roads and no sign of a campsite or other campers. I wished I hadn’t slept. Then at least I’d have a better idea of where we were.
The Russian men all stood in black tailored suits with a stance similarly to the way my father’s men stood, a slight bulge on each of their hips where I’d imagine a gun would be holstered. These men weren’t campers and they definitely weren’t friends.
Panic threatened to wrap around my throat and choke me out but I fought it back, remembering what Chris had taught me. The most important thing in any situation is to remain calm. Embrace the adrenaline. Feel it. It’s there to help give you strength.
I took a deep breath and slightly widened my stance. As I grounded myself, the men took a few steps closer. “So, this is the little otrod'ye who has been such a pain in my ass.”
“I’m sorry?” I raised a brow, unsure of what I could have possibly done to them.
The Russian stepped forward into my personal space, making me step back until my back was against the car door. “Derek said you were a friend—”
His breath smelled like vodka and pickled fish as he slowly spoke in his thick accent. “I wouldn’t say friend exactly. More of a business acquaintance.”
“A business acquaintance?” I glanced around, noticing the Russian’s men slowly stepping closer, encircling us and making me even more nervous.
“Yes.”
“What business?”
“The buying and selling of goods. He has quite the product for sale and it is something I’ve been attempting to acquire for some time now.”
“Product?” I sounded like a damn parrot but my brain was having a hard time putting thoughts together.
“You.”
“What? You can’t—”
“Oh, I certainly can and in fact, I already have.” He pushed himself against me, pinning me to the car. I pushed on his chest but he was too strong. I tried to kick him but a clicking sound drew my attention to a man to my right with a pistol pointed at my head. I gasped and at the same time felt a pinch on the opposite side of my neck. I swung my head around just in time to see another suited man with an empty syringe in his hand as darkness closed in and my world tilted sideways.
CHAPTER 23
Chris
I was glad to have my police lights with me. They allowed me to avoid the hassles of being pulled over by the locals while ignoring those pesky speed limits. Caroline didn’t say exactly where she was and with the spotty service there was no telling if I could get back in touch with her or not. I drove through the night. Ignoring my body’s plea for sleep.
As promised, I hit the speed dial for the Director’s cell right at the hour mark.
“Progress report.” He ordered without so much as a hi.
“I’m about where the text came through. I called Mikey on my way but he wasn’t able to track her phone. She’s already out of the service area again which leaves me driving around the miles of wilderness. I don’t know where she is or which way they are heading.
A ding on my phone signaled a new text message. I switched the call to speaker and I held my breath as I checked it.
CAROLINE: taken. Rusans. Wt audi. Hlp.
“Shit.”
“What’s wrong?” Director Applegate’s panicked voice came through my phone.
“A new text came in.”
“What’s it say?”
“It’s shorthand. Which is unlike her.”
“Are you thinking it wasn’t her?”
“No, it was her.”
“Then she was either in a hurry or somehow incapacitated.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“What does it say?”
“Taken. Russians. White Audi. Help.” I took a deep breath to steady myself and keep me from losing it. “She was giving us clues to help find her.”
“That’s my girl.”
Just then my phone beeped with another incoming call. Mikey.
“I got to get this call. Mikey might have something. I’ll call as soon as I know anything.”
“Okay.”
I hit the button to switch lines.
“Hey Mikey, I just got—”
“The text message. I know. I’ve got her general location for now and I’m patching it through to your phone so you can track her but it looks like they are heading through more wilderness and mountains which means spotty service at best. We could lose her at any time.”
“Thanks, Mikey. Alert local police to watch but don’t engage. I don’t want to spook them and they aren’t trained to handle these kinds of guys.”
“You know who they are?”
“I know the type of Russians in that area who would be interested in the Director’s daughter. Years ago, we were running a domestic task force. There was a local Russian syndicate focusing on human trafficking to and from the United States. It seems there was a large market for American girls in other countries. The Director took down most of the major players with his team. They saved nearly a hundred girls in route to Mexico. Now it seems they are heading to our northern border. I stumbled onto some vague connections between them and the issues we had with Olivia but I never realized it went this far. It seems that damn ring is still moving forward.
“Damn. Local police force is lacking in the area. Everything is so spread out.”
“I know. I just want eyes on them ASAP.”
“You got it.”
We hung up and I pressed my gas pedal to the floorboard chasing the tiny blinking dot on my screen. I’d been anxious to find her before I knew she was in trouble but after that last text, I needed to get to her more than I needed my next breath.
The roads in the area were fairly empty except for the occasional sightseer out for a slow drive in the mountains. I sped through the winding rural highway until I got a lucky break. A white Audi pulled out onto the highway from a side entrance ramp about a quarter mile up the road. I slowed down so as to not spook them if it was the Russians. A glance at my phone showed the blinking dot just over me. She was in there.
My phone rang and I glanced down to see Mikey’s name on the caller I.D.
“Mikey—”
“You are right on top of them.”
“I know. I see the truck just ahead. They are heading north on Highway 9. How fast can you get some back up here?”
“I can get locals to your location in twenty. Forty for our
guys.”
“I’m tailing them now. Locals will just muddy the situation. Get our guys here ASAP. I’ll keep my distance for now.”
“You got it.”
A beep signaled the ended call. The roads became more winding as we made our way through the valleys. I couldn’t always keep the Audi in sight because of the twists and turns. If I kept too close, they would suspect something. I couldn’t risk them doing anything reckless while Caroline was still in that truck. I switched back to the map screen to find that blinking dot again but nothing was there. We were in a dead zone. An old green minivan turned onto the highway right in front of me, puttering along at an annoyingly slow pace and I had to almost slam on my breaks to slow down to his speed. Moments later, the Russian’s truck began to pick up speed at an alarming rate. I’d been made.
“Damn it, grandpa. I don’t have time for this.”
I punched the gas and swerved over the double yellow lines into the other lane and back to pass him. Up ahead the Russians were picking up speed. I floored it, unwilling to lose them, especially now that Caroline’s GPS signal was gone. I couldn’t lose her now.
I gained fast on them, but catching up wasn’t the issue. I needed to get them to stop the truck without risking Caroline’s safety. I swerved again into the oncoming lane and pushed the gas pedal as far as it would go until we were side by side. The Russian driver glanced over at me before pulling a pistol and aiming it right for my head. I let off the gas, pulling back slightly as the bullet shattered my windshield. I pulled my own gun and floored it again, hoping to catch him off guard, I fired a shot which struck his arm and the truck swerved. I held my breath as he corrected himself and sped on.
I aimed my gun again just as a little red sports car rounded the bend coming head on. I couldn’t swerve back or I’d hit the truck so I did the only thing I could do. I cut my wheel toward the left shoulder, catching the uneven edge.
Everything around me tilted, metal crunched, and my go-bag in the passenger seat hit me as I barrel rolled off the road. A large crashing sound came with a shocking halt and everything went deadly still and quiet. I hung sideways against my seatbelt toward my smashed window where dirt and grass were coming through. A sound like rushing water filled my ears and my head pulsed along with the rhythm of my pounding heart. I struggled to regulate my panting breaths. Caroline. I had to get to Caroline. If they were on to me, they’d be more likely to do something rash.
