Storm - Dominant Protectors Book Two

by Jack Ellison

  I hope. Or we’re fucked. Might have to run the fuckers over. Ain’t never done that before. Might be fun.

  I swerved onto the road approaching the hotel, and turned violently into the underground car park. I stuck the car as far back as I could, out of sight behind a massive SUV.

  I ran to Chloe’s door, helping us out. She looked pissed.

  “Can you tell me what the fuck that was all about? You nearly got us killed, you maniac!”

  She gently slapped my arm.

  “No time. Let's go.” I grabbed her arm and rushed towards the stairs to the hotel, stopping briefly to grab her bag.

  We were checked in and on the top floor in a matter of minutes.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chloe

  I turned on him as we got into the room. “Axel. Now isn’t the time to go all silent hard man on me. Tell me what the fuck is going on!”

  He didn’t say anything. His gaze was fixed on the door. He was thinking.

  “Now ain’t the time. I need to think.” He didn’t even look at me.

  I felt emotion rising up inside me, selfish indignation at him. I wondered if he’d even cared about me, or had just used me last night. I worried that maybe his charms had been false. I was scared, and suddenly lonely even in his company.

  “Do you even care? Or was everything last night just fake? Are you going to just fuck off when your job’s done?” I didn’t know where the words were coming from, confused emotions bubbling to the surface. I needed comforting; I was feeling isolated and scared.

  “Talk to me, Axel! I need you!” I saw him clench his jaw at my voice.

  “Chloe! I can’t keep you safe if you’re shouting at me. I need a minute.”

  “Oh fuck off then, Axel. Just do what you’ve been paid to do, then.” I turned on my heels and headed for what I hoped was a bedroom. I felt warm tears falling down my face.

  What was up with me? And what the fuck was up with Axel? Fucking iceman. Switches his emotions off and on like a fucking light bulb.

  I got to the main bedroom and stepped inside, slamming the door behind me.

  Axel

  My head was swimming. I’d desperately tried to shut Chloe out. I needed to focus.

  All day she was all I could think about. I was obsessed. Her proximity to me, her smile, her smell... It was all driving me crazy.

  I let her storm off. I’d give her a minute to see if we’d been followed all the way to the hotel. Then I’d go explain.

  Fuck. I need a drink. My nerves are in tatters.

  A feeling of shaky unease came over me as the adrenaline from the car chase began to fade. I backed away from the door, keeping my body facing it at all times. Nothing, so far.

  I absently poured a big whiskey into a glass from a decanter to my left.

  No ice. And this is my fourth whiskey. Fuck it.

  I took a gulp, pleased at the burn as it went down.

  I sipped at the whiskey for a minute or two. Then I sighed.

  Time to go and see little miss stressy pants, I guess.

  Women are emotional creatures, I knew. I didn’t blame Chloe for her outburst. It hadn’t even bothered me really. I knew she was scared, lonely and probably homesick. I felt a welling of confused emotion, and an overwhelming urge to make her feel safe.

  With one last glance at the front door I strode to the room she’d holed herself up in. I knocked loudly.

  “Chlo’. It’s me, doll.” No answer.

  Cmon Chlo’. Don’t play around now. This ain’t the time.

  “I’m sorry. I’m an asshole. Let me in so I can talk to you,” I shouted, banging at the door again.

  I tried the handle, pushing at the door. It was open...

  An icy feeling of dread seeped into my stomach. I dropped my whiskey, glass shattering and contents splashing.

  The room was empty.

  Chloe

  I turned to face the centre of the bedroom after making a show of slamming the door as hard as I could. My vision was blurred with tears.

  But I could still make out the shape of three big, dark figures in the room around me. I froze, instinctively.

  Before I had time to scream a rough hand had grabbed me from behind. I bit his hand as hard as I could. I heard angry Russian words close to my ear.

  Good. Hope it fucking hurt.

  My mouth was quickly taped before I could use my teeth again to any good effect. My hands were then tied roughly with strong duct tape behind my back.

  I remembered, probably from some survival book or movie, to ball my fists and tense my muscles as they were bound. I found that I still had circulation and could move my hands slightly.

  One of the men knelt at my feet, and was about to bind my feet too. He was struggling with the tape. Another Russian gestured angrily at his watch. The kneeling Russian’s face was deliciously close to my knee.

  I smashed it into his face as hard as I could, satisfied when he reeled back, grunting. Blood poured from his nose.

  If you think I’m gonna make this easy, you’re oh so wrong. You’re messing with the wrong girl.

  The largest of the three in front of me pushed him away and roughly grabbed my legs, while the other completed the task of taping my legs together.

  I stared triumphantly at the man whose nose I’d hopefully broken. He glared back, angrily. He hadn’t even bothered to stem the flow of blood, letting it run down his body.

  The last thing I saw was him standing up before a burlap sack was put roughly over my head. I could barely see anything as I was carried from the room.

  I panicked as I was carried, disorientated. The whole kidnap had taken just over a minute, I guess. Though my perception of time was next to useless. Everything had seemed to happen in an instant.

  Axel. I’m sorry. Help me!

  Axel

  I surveyed the room, eyes jumping between points of interest. There was little disturbance, except for a pool of congealing blood near the centre of the room.

  Good girl. Don’t make it easy for them.

  A window was open, the curtain billowing softly in a cool breeze. Whether they’d actually entered through the window I had no idea. Could be a fire escape there, I guessed.

  I heard the sound of heavy footsteps out in the living room, heading slowly into the corridor...

  Boots. A Russian. He’s armed, I’m not.

  I waited for my would-be assassin to enter the bedroom, turning slowly as I did so.

  I suppressed the burning rage that was growing in my chest, switching it off like a light. I breathed deeply, powerfully, rolling my shoulders to loosen the muscles.

  The Russian turned the corner, his gun extended. He was a few feet away from the entrance.

  Clever bastard.

  He moved slowly, professionally. Probably ex-KGB.

  “Ah, Dmitry.” I recognised him from the plane.

  He grinned viciously as he saw the recognition in my face. His left eye was half closed, the other staring at me down the sights of his silver Tokarev pistol.

  “If you do not give me some useful information, I will not kill you slowly.” His face turned dark as he stepped close, his gun inches from my heart. “Talk, now. American.”

  I was relaxed, composed. Motionless.

  “Ok. I’ll talk. I have some information that you might find important.” His eyebrow raised as he looked into my eyes.

  I saw the gleam of excitement on his ugly face. I could read the thoughts crossing his small brain. Kill the American and return with vital information? I could almost see the Ruble signs light up in his eyes.

  Now’s my chance.

  I had been standing in a powerful fighters stance, my right foot slightly forward, weight favouring my good left knee. In an instant I swivelled my torso to the right, my heart moved out of the line of fire in a fraction of a second. I knew a gunshot then would be painful and probably collapse my lung if he was quick, or merely graze my ribs if I was lucky.

  But I’d
distracted him. My hand shot to his gun arm like lightning, pushing the weapon away from my body. The gun bucked, gunshot ringing loud. A bullet sliced through the skin of my left bicep. It felt like a scratch from Chloe’s nails.

  I pushed my powerful thumb into his palm, savagely forcing the gun from his grip. As was usual in these situations, he focused on holding onto the gun. As soon as it was out of harm's way it was next to useless, especially against a powerful fighter like me. If I was holding the gun, I would have dropped it, surprising my assailant.

  Then a headbut or palm to the bridge of the nose, followed by drawing of my combat knife. It would have been over in two seconds.

  With his focus on the gun, I turned my back to him. His arm over my shoulder.

  I pulled his palm down to my waist with all my strength, using my shoulder as a pivot. His elbow shattered with a sickening crack.

  I heard him scream out in agony behind me. I followed up with a backwards elbow into his ribs, violent force cracking bones. I felt him reel back from the blow, but I wasn’t finished with him yet.

  Pivoting on my feet, using my hips to accentuate the blows, I laid into him with fists like iron. Two, three, four, five body blows to the chest and abdomen. Ribs cracked, collarbone smashed.

  He collapsed to the floor.

  I stood over him, breathing steadily. He writhed in pain at my feet.

  “Oh, yeah. As I was saying. I’ve got some information for you.” I kicked him savagely in the gut.

  “If you don’t tell me where she is now, I’m going to break your fucking legs. And then I’m going to strangle you to death.”

  I wasn’t really going to strangle him. But I thought it might help the persuasion.

  “You fucking American! Fuck off!” He was delirious with pain, half laughing and half crying as he spat a torrent of filthy-sounding Russian words at me.

  I jumped into the air, my full weight coming down on my left foot onto his knee. I heard a satisfying crack and a loud pop.

  He screamed again.

  “Last fucking chance!” I pointed at him, barely checked rage building within me. An image of Chloe formed in my mind, dragged from here against her will.

  The Russian was useless, sobbing in front of me. Pathetic.

  I went back into the room to grab his gun. I checked the chamber. Loaded. On the way out of the building I coldly shot him between the eyes. I heard the sound of distant sirens.

  “I told you that you wouldn’t be fucking breathing if I saw you again. Same goes for your friends. They’re all dead men.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chloe

  I was bundled into a small space. I had no idea where I was. The sack was removed from my head.

  Oh. I’m in the trunk of a car. Great.

  The door slammed shut and the space became airless. I fought against panic and claustrophobia.

  An image of Axel came into my mind. I calmed myself with slow, steady breathing. Thinking of his large hands protectively at my waist, his rough skin against mine.

  I felt a wave of calm wash over me.

  The sound of the car’s engine chugging to life reached me in the trunk. I tried to relax and get comfortable, which was fucking difficult.

  I vowed to myself that this would be the first and last time I ever travelled in the trunk of a car.

  As my captors drove quickly, and none too considerately, I distracted myself with thoughts of Axel, and our activities the night before...

  Axel

  I left the building by the fire escape, my newly acquired gun hidden down the back of my black combat pants. I kept my left hand on the grip as I sprinted into a nearby dark alleyway, eyes left and right as I crossed the road outside the hotel.

  No sign of anyone.

  Guess they thought one unarmed guy couldn’t beat an armed ex-KGB assassin? Wrong. Then again, this is the first time they’ve dealt with Axel Miller.

  It will also be the last.

  I slowed my stride into a jog, breathing deeply as I paced myself, long strides eating up the dirty tarmac beneath my feet.

  I had memorised my Prague contact’s number. I decided to jog for a few minutes before finding a payphone. I doubted that I was being followed now they had Chloe. My last advantage was their arrogance. They would pay dearly for assuming I was a dead man.

  My mind focused, thoughts pushed aside. I began planning my attack, and I let my brain process the details as I ran. I formulated a rough plan as I jogged, which I would later perfect when I knew details.

  Location. Numbers. Weapons at my disposal.

  After a brief stop at an ATM and then a small store to get a can of coke and some chocolate, both for instant energy and to get some change, I found an old payphone.

  Luckily it was still working.

  I dialled the number from memory, breathing steadily. The run had cleared my mind, loosened my muscles and I felt my lungs increasing in volume. I felt good.

  The phone rang for a few seconds before a click as it was answered. And then silence.

  “It’s me. I need some help. I’m calling in that favour, right?”

  A voice protested at the other end of the phone. Something about I didn’t know how bad these guys were.

  “I don’t give a shit! Remember what Jean-Jacques said? Tell me what I need to fucking know. Now!”

  I heard fear in his voice as he gave me the location. An old abandoned farmhouse out of the city. Not far. He paused, then reeled off a few details about Chloe’s captors, and Jean’s whereabouts.

  I wonder what Jean had said to him? He’s more scared of him than he is the Russians.

  “Right. Last favour. I need guns. And a big fucking knife.” I looked around at the blazing afternoon sun around me. “And some fucking sunglasses.”

  He gave me a location not far from where I was. He said one his guys would meet me there. I warned him not to fuck with me. That the consequences would be catastrophic.

  I doubted he would be so stupid.

  Chloe

  The car stopped about half an hour later, I guessed, though I had no idea of the time. I had bumped my head often during the undignified transit, and was slightly bruised and disheartened. The trunk opened suddenly, low afternoon sun blinding me. The bag was unceremoniously placed back into my head as I was pulled roughly out.

  I could no longer hear the noise of the city, however, and guessed we were out in the suburbs. Or maybe the countryside.

  I struggled to suppress rising fear. Axel was resourceful, but how would he know where I was?

  What if he hadn’t made it? What if he was...

  Steeling myself, I pushed the thought away angrily. I had to keep faith in him. It was the only way I could keep my strength. I didn’t want to turn into a gibbering wreck. I needed to keep my wits about me if I was to help Axel in any small way I could. Even if it was just by staying safe and unharmed.

  I was half dragged, half carried hurriedly across grass. I heard a door squeak open in front of me, and I was pushed roughly from behind.

  Probably Mr. Broken Nose. Hope it still fucking hurts.

  I was taken up a flight of stairs, and the bag was removed. I recognised my kidnappers. The guy whose nose I’d broken stared at me viciously. He approached, turning me roughly on my feet. I was facing a mean-looking Russian or Eastern European sitting on a plush office chair. It looked out of place in the dirty room that surrounded us.

  Looks like an old abandoned building. House, or farm maybe.

  The guy with the broken nose raised his arm as if to give me a back handed slap. The guy in the chair rose his arm. Broken Nose froze in fear.

  “Do not fucking touch her, you fucking idiot.” He rose to his feet. He was massive, well over six foot. Lean, not as muscled as Axel.

  He walked forward, and poked the guy hard on his broken nose.

  I laughed, amazed at myself. I was no longer afraid. It wasn’t in their interest to harm me. Not yet, anyway.

  Plus they’re al
l dead men walking.

  The leader turned to face me, amused. Then he looked back at his bleeding henchman.

  “You have already been fucking stupid once today. You let a little girl break your nose.” He laughed. The other guys in the room joined in.

  His face went dark.

  “If you are stupid once more today, I will feed you to the fucking dogs. And I will let her kill you.” He jerked a thumb my way.

  “Now, Miss. Please excuse my men. They are stupid. They know how to fight, and that’s it. I, however, will be civilized. If you are respectful, you will not be in danger. I have food, water, and a bed for you. You will not be touched. I will not allow any harm to come to you... as long as your father and I can... come to an arrangement.”

  He raised his eyebrows, smiling.

  “OK?”

  I looked up at his menacing face. He tried to put on a soft expression, but didn’t look much less scary. I nodded.

  He gently removed the tape from my mouth.

  I smiled. “That would be nice, thank you. I promise to be good, sir.”

  I looked down at my hands and feet. “If we are to trust each other, can I be untied, please? My arms and legs hurt.”

  He snapped a finger at his men. They complied, cutting the tape gently, taking great care not to cause me any discomfort.

  “Now, Miss. Please do not get used to making demands. I am fair, but my patience is short. This request I grant as a sign that we can be respectful to each other.”

  He gestured at a large mattress in the corner of the room. A handcuff was attached to a radiator behind the bed.

  “Please, make yourself comfortable. But please, do not try anything. I do not want to have to chain you up like a dog. You are too beautiful for that.”

  I felt sick at his gaze as he unashamedly ogled my breasts through my thin blouse.