by KJ Dahlen
“Where all do these men go when they are in town?” Gregori asked.
Rani shrugged. “I’m not sure as I’ve never been allowed to go with them but they bring back groceries, meat from a butcher, water in gallons, as well as bottled water. They also bring back gasoline in five gallon containers. But they take enough cannabis with them to sell at the weed store. Usually, there are two or three men that carry that. That’s where they get the money to buy everything else.”
“We could get in the same way she got out,” Pyotr pointed out. “The cannabis plants would hide us long enough to get enough of us in to take them out.”
“Da that would work rather well,” Ivan agreed. “Some of the men can go to town, follow the men there, and take them out as well. We can’t allow them to get back to the compound.” Ivan looked at his men. “But we try not to kill them. Knock them out, tie them up, and bring them back.”
“What do we do with the compound when this is over?” Pyotr asked.
Ivan slowly turned his head around to glare at his friend before he said, “We burn it down to the ground.”
“And if they shoot at us to protect their homes?” one of the men asked.
Ivan shrugged. “Then we shoot back of course, but your lives mean more to me than theirs do. So watch your backs out there. If we are met with resistance, don’t let the fuckers win.”
“And my mother?” Rani finally asked.
“We will get her out of there and bring her back home,” Ivan vowed. “My search will finally be over. Twenty two years is long enough.”
“It was my whole life,” Rani reminded him. “That is why I need to see this come to an end.
Ivan stared at her and said, “We will bring her home. Ona moy svet vo t'me moyego mira.”
Chapter Twelve
An hour later, Rani stood on the porch with her arms wrapped around her waist while watching the men load the copters with all their equipment. Her bag sat at her feet.
Ivan came up behind her and cleared his throat.
She turned her head and nodded at him. “You’re ready to go?”
Ivan nodded. “Yes and hopefully, we will all be back at this time tomorrow.”
Rani turned around and watched the men as they finished up. “I’m ready,” she finally stated.
“Can you at least turn to face me?” he growled.
Rani turned around and looked at him. “What?”
Ivan sighed. “I’m sorry for my words this morning. This isn’t easy for me to admit. But it isn’t every day I find I have a daughter and three days later, I find her in bed with a man she only just met.”
Rani sighed. “Daniel has given me something I’ve never known before. I knew as soon as he touched me that I would be safe with him. He felt like home to me. A home I never had before but one I will fight to keep. He makes me feel like I can win the inner battle I’ve been fighting all my life. He fills a place in my heart I never knew was empty until I found him.” She shrugged. “He thinks that fate played a hand in our meeting, like showing him where to be, so we could meet. I don’t know if that’s true or not, I’d like to believe it was but whatever drew him to that park... I’m so glad he was there. That bastard had me unconscious and he would have dragged me back to Begian for punishment for escaping in the first place. Then I know he would have raped me as Begian had already given me to him. At least, he saved me from that fate.”
Ivan was silent for a moment then finally, begrudgingly admitted, “You did not have to tell me any of this, my child. The words you spoke to me earlier said it all. I know I did not react well, but...” He took her hands in his. “I hope they remain true always as they did for your mother and I. Daniel is a good man and if I had to trust you to anyone, it would be him.”
“You have to acknowledge the fact that I don’t need a father figure, I’m no longer a child that you have to guide through the trials of life. But if you can treat me as an adult, I can at least try to meet you half way,” she offered.
Ivan nodded. “I can try and by allowing you to come, is part of my effort. Though, I fear for your safety and you will wait until we have taken over the compound.” He paused. “Do you understand?”
Rani slowly nodded.
“Because you need to think clearly about this. None of my men or Daniel needs to be distracted by thoughts of your safety. It may cost their lives.”
She let out a breath and spoke, “I promise I will wait until you signal.”
“Good. And when we return, I would very much like the chance to know you. I feel as if I missed so much already that I need a do over.”
Rani shook her head. “No one ever gets a do over. But I’m open to giving you a chance.” She looked over at the copters. “I know you have a dangerous mission as you will go in there first. I do not want...” She swallowed heavily. “... anything to happen to you either. And I so want you to get my mom out of that horror but I know things could go very wrong. All I can do is pray that she’s alive when we get there.”
“Let us both pray she’s still alive.” Ivan stared off into the distance.
“You should know something before we go,” Rani warned him. “I don’t think she’s the same woman she was when you last knew her. She’s changed over the years and the change hasn’t been good.”
“Da, I do know that,” Ivan admitted. “But I am not the same man I was once either. Life went on for both of us and she suffered badly. I hope we can heal each other. I have missed her for so long. This chance...” He looked away. “Seems like a dream and not real. This chance to have her back.” Ivan moved closer and wrapped his arms around her. That she didn’t move away from him he called that a victory. Then without another word, he turned and walked down the steps, heading across the lawn to get into the lead copter.
Daniel joined her and together, they headed to the third copter.
Rani looked down at the ground as the copters lifted up and took off for the border. She held her bag in her hand.
Daniel was dressed in fatigues and had his weapons strapped to his body. After they buckled in, he handed her a small gun, then a knife. He leaned in close to her ear. “Do you know how to use them?’
She bit at her lip as she nodded. “I know enough.”
When they get to a spot just outside Del Rio, they were met by more of Ivan’s men.
These men brought extra SUVs with them, so they could all ride the rest of the way. They drove to a spot which had already been staked out to watch the compound for when the men would leave for town the next morning.
The group all tried to get some sleep, inside the SUVs, until daybreak.
Just as Rani told them, the next morning ten men left for the city. Waiting for those vehicles to lay enough dust behind them to be far enough away. The initial group to go in first which included Ivan, went around to the back of the compound. To remain out of sight, they had to go out a mile to do so.
Finally, they got to the place where Rani was able to get away and found the loosened rocks. It seemed Begian and his men had never discovered her escape hatch.
Silently, they moved the rocks and were able to get in
Once in, the group split up and moved off in every direction. One group would go to the gatehouse and take those men out. Then next group were to search out any men in the compound and capture them.
Ivan, Pyotr, and Gregori headed to where Rani told them the hut was as it was directly behind Begian’s house.
Ivan halted the group with a raised hand. Through the metal door, he peeked inside and sucked in a deep breath.
There his love sat on the dirt floor, her head on her knees. Her long dark hair had a few streaks of gray, but he couldn’t see her face. Still, he knew it was his Anya, he felt it in his soul. She was alive and he paused to look up at the sky, thanking god.
Unfortunately, he would have to leave her in there until this mission was complete and the compound under his control. He had to get his hands on Begian first. He left his man, Gigan to guard the metal doo
r.
Signaling to his group, they all silently moved forward.
They entered the house and navigated their way to the bedroom, Rani had indicated that was his room. They found Begian still in bed.
Ivan’s group of four that were there with him... all stared at Ivan. The man looked like he would kill Begian right then and there. He held murder in his stormy blue gaze.
Ivan silently moved forward and stuck his gun muzzle up under Begian’s chin. “Vremya platit',” he whispered... Time to pay.
The man’s eyes popped open, bleary from sleep. His eyes widened.
“Da, your borrowed twenty-two years is up, Mudak.” Ivan growled. “Get up slowly.”
Begian spat at him, “Net.”
Ivan smiled...a cold smile. He removed the gun then punched him in the stomach.
“Ahhh!” Begian cried out.
At the same time, gunfire erupted from outside amongst shouts and screams.
Begian laughed. “You have been found out.”
Ivan grinned. “I brought thirty men here. Ten of your best are already in custody in town. You stupid twit!” Then he backhanded the man.
As Begian shouted and whimpered, Gregori and Pyotr dragged him out of bed and stripped him to his boxers.
Ivan gazed around at the room. “All of this will burn,” he seethed.
They headed outside after several men in the house were tied up. Ivan told his two friends, “Take him to the middle there.” He pointed to the dirt lot. “Keep him on his knees.” He then turned and headed to the metal hut.
When he got there, his man Gigan nodded at him then turned and broke the lock.
Ivan took a deep breath then stepped inside.
The woman on the floor kept her head down.
He observed her to see she trembled but otherwise, she did not move. He had to clear his throat to speak, “YA nashel svoy svet.” I have found my light...
The woman gasped and her head shot up. Her face still held bruises and cuts from the last beating she took. Her eyes were bloodshot as she whispered from cracked lips, “Ivan...”
Ivan felt his heart pound wildly in his chest and yet he could not seem to catch his breath. He almost could not get his legs to work to move toward her. He dreamed this moment at least a thousand times over the years. Yet, when it arrived, his mind went blank and his body froze.
Finally, he went over, dropped to his knees, and took her in his embrace. Tears rolled down his cheeks and he could not seem to stop them. He held her shivering body and told her what she would want to know first, “Our daughter Rani. Is alive and she led us here.”
Chapter Thirteen
Rani waited nervously at the site where they watched the chaos at the compound. “Heard anything yet?” she again asked Daniel.
He took her hand. “Not yet,” he replied for maybe the 4th time.
She let out an agitated sigh.
He squeezed her hand. “Baby, you gotta believe she’s alive.”
Rani nodded. “I feel in my heart she is...” Tears filled her eyes. “But I don’t know if that is just hope.” She grabbed the binoculars and took yet another look. As her eyes adjusted, she gasped. “They have him!” She laughed nervously. “Da! He is on his knees in the dirt!” She lowered the nocs and passed them to Daniel.
He took them up and did a different take, as he carefully looked from one corner of the compound and swung his sights slowly over. “Yes, they have secured it.”
“Then why hasn’t my... Why hasn’t Ivan called?”
Daniel shook his head. “Maybe he’s too busy?”
“Busy!” Rani grabbed her small bag, then checked her gun.
Daniel reached for her.
She sprinted out of the seat. “NO!” She opened the door and hopped down. “I’ve waited long enough!”
Daniel rushed out after her. He then walked by her side as she headed around the back of the compound. His comm pinged. He tapped it.
“It is safe to bring her,” Ivan stated in a gruff voice.
Daniel laughed. “Good, cause she is already at the fence.”
“Bylad!” Ivan barked.
They entered through the fence, though Daniel knew if they had waited another few minutes, they could have used the front gates. He followed her closely as he held her arm.
She glared down at his hold.
Daniel gave her a stern look. “I allow you to go off, but I will keep you safe.” He growled.
She bit at her lip and nodded.
The scene they came out to was surreal.
Begian the leader of this supposed cult was on his knees wearing only his underwear. Blood dripped from his lip and he looked enraged.
To the side, Ivan held a woman in his arms and he seemed to be helping her to drink some water from a water bottle.
This must be Anya, Daniel surmised. She looked worse for wear, the poor thing.
“Mama!” Rani broke from Daniel’s grip as she ran to Anya.
Her mother cried and pulled her into a hug.
The two women held each other and everyone present halted to watch.
Rani pulled back. “Oh, mama. He beat you—”
Anya pressed her fingers to her daughter’s mouth. “It is over. We will not dwell on this.”
Ivan huffed as he stood close to Anya. “He will not have to dwell. He shall pay for all he has done.”
Anya turned to him. “I understand this but...” She swiveled her gaze over to the man on his knees. The man who made her life a living hell. Then she met Ivan’s gaze. “I feel we weren’t the ones harmed the most.” She raised her head and gazed at a group of women who stood back by the buildings.
They all looked afraid. Some clung to each other. Others stood looking lost at all that was happening.
Anya went on, “These are the ones who need justice.”
Ivan looked over at them all. “Who are they?”
Rani spoke up, “The ones he gave to his men. Some had husbands and when they protested, Begian had them killed. Some are the daughters. They were all...” Her voice faded away. “They all had the fate, mother saved me from.” Her eyes narrowed as she spotted a face in the crowd of men tied up by the wall.
Ivan followed her gaze, as did Daniel.
Daniel cursed, “That fucking sonofabitch.”
“That is the man?” Ivan asked.
Daniel nodded.
“That is Fedar,” Anya whispered. “I had to save Rani from that fate. I did not care if Begian killed me for it.”
Ivan looked down at Anya then over at his daughter. Growling, he told Daniel and Grigori, “Keep them here.” He motioned to Rani and Anya.
Anya reached out.
Rani turned and took her mother’s hand. Nodding at her mother as if to say allow Ivan to do what he must, they stood together.
Ivan motioned for one of his men to pull this man Fedar from the wall. “Untie him and toss him out here.” He pointed at the dirt ground in front of him.
Fedar shouted at them in Russian as they dragged him over. Then he landed right at Ivan’s feet. He slowly gazed up at the man. “Who are you? Our new boss or what?”
Ivan shook his head slowly then turned and pointed at Rani. “I am her father.”
Fedar’s eyes rounded. “Net! She is the daughter of—”
Ivan zapped him with the Tazer he now held in his hand. “Net, I am her father. This loser...” He motioned to Begian. “Lied to you and everyone here. Anya is my wife and Rani is my child.”
Fedar was shivering from the zap. “I-I d-didn’t k-know...”
“Maybe not. But you went after her just the same.” Ivan sent the Tazer out again.
“Ahh!” Fedar yelled as he writhed on the ground.
“How does it feel, huh?” Ivan growled as he zapped him again. He looked over at Rani. “How many times?”
She took a deep breath. “Four.” Knowing he meant the night Fedar had tased her.
He hit the man with it again. Then after Fedar was down but
not quite out, Ivan stomped on the other man’s groin... hard.
Fedar screamed.
Ivan leaned over him. “You will never again, enjoy taking a woman without her consent.”
A couple of the women in the group clapped their hands and spit on the ground.
Ivan turned to stare at them.
They looked fearful, though a few still looked angry.
He walked over to them. “My daughter has told me that you females need justice here, more than anyone. Is this true?”
The women stared at him. Some had tears in their eyes.
One had a scar down her face and she was young but still beautiful despite the scar. She did not cry. She met his gaze head on. “We all have suffered. We lost...” she paused as her voice cracked. “Much.” She raised her fingers to the long scar on her cheek.
Ivan looked enraged at the expression she and the other women wore. He gave them a nod. “I will call you all over, after we judge him. Then it will be up to you, as to what punishment he receives. Please discuss this and decide. But be ready when he is judged, or you shall miss your chance.” He turned and went back over to his group.
“I-Ivan?” Anya called to him.
He raised his gaze to her and his hard, cold eyes went to warm and tender. “It will be all right, my love. I promise.”
“You shall not kill anyone here. Please?” Anya pleaded. “There has been enough death. I do not want his blood on your hands.”
Ivan gave her a nod. He then walked over to Begian.
Begian was still angry and he spat at Ivan’s boots. “Just kill me! You have taken all else from me! Kill me!”
Ivan slowly shook his head. “You are such a liar. You killed my father. Then you took my wife and unborn child to treat them like slaves!” he shouted.
Begian scoffed as if all of it was lies.
“But... This will not be about what you did to my family,” Ivan stated quietly.
For the first time, Begian looked lost as he paused. “What?”
Ivan looked over at the women.
They all stood side to side with fearsome expressions on their faces.
Begian followed his gaze and his eyes rounded. Then he peered up at Ivan. “Those are just whores. They live to serve me and my men.”
