Page 65 of Captive

At the mention of Chloe, I fought to escape from the ugliness and pain, issuing a single roar.

“The Achilles heel. Isn’t that what you Americans say?” Dimitri laughed. “And you are no longer the powerful Bratva I heard all about.”

I struggled with the chains, jerking them back and forth across the beam as one of the men climbed the stairs. Within seconds, I heard their return, the muffled sounds indicating she’d been gagged. The asshole jerked her off the landing, tossing her to within inches of me.

“I. Will. Kill. You.” While my words were strangled, Dimitri heard every word.

He continued to laugh as he fisted her hair at the scalp, yanking with enough force she moaned. While her face was red, I couldn’t see any other indication they’d beaten her.

Yet.

I knew what they were going to do, what they would force me to watch. And I knew the outcome. My guttural sounds ebbed and flowed as I continued fighting, trying to maneuver the chains. Her eyes were so full of fear as she looked at me, pleading to try to help her. I’d never felt so incapable, the rage pushing me past the point of no return. I refused to allow them to hurt her. That wasn’t going to happen. I would kill them.

“I can see she means something to you,” Dimitri laughed. “She is a pretty little thing. Maybe you need a reminder in the reality of our world since it’s evident that you’ve forgotten everything your father taught you.”

Her hands were bound from behind but being the little fighter that she was, she refused to stop struggling. When she almost managed to jerk out of Dimitri’s hold, he backhanded her, sending her skidding across the floor.

Spots of blood formed in my eyes, my rage to the boiling point. The other men laughed, one of them finally jerking Chloe to her feet and dragging her closer.

Her muffled cries were matched by a defiant look in her eyes.

“I think,” Dimitri said as he tapped his index finger across his mouth, “that I’m going to allow my men to enjoy her beauty while you watch. Then it’ll be my turn.” His bellowing laugh pushed me harder. He walked closer, ripping the gag from her mouth. “She’ll need to be able to use it.”

My wrists were chafed, blood trickling down both arms, but I didn’t give a shit. I was forced to watch as the soldier ripped at her clothes while she did everything in her power to get away from him.

I closed my eyes, gathering what strength I had left, jerking on the chains. A group of images formed in my mind, captured moments of the time I’d spent with Chloe. As they rushed by, my breathing grew more rapid.

Pull.

Pull.

Pull.

The sound of her scream sent a jolt of electricity shooting through every cell and muscle, turning the adrenaline racing into my body into rocket fuel. My roars echoed in the room as I curled my legs, pitching my body forward.

One of the soldiers finally paid attention, rushing in my direction. I lifted my legs again, slamming both feet into his chest. As he reeled backward, crashing onto the floor, I gave the beam another hard yank. The cracking sound was exactly what I wanted to hear.

As the wood splintered in half, dropping me to the floor, only Dimitri guarded my sweet Chloe. What a freaking coward. The others came at me with metal pipes. The fuckers still wanted me alive to see her tortured.

I yanked on the chains that were still wrapped around my wrists, dragging them apart by several inches. When the first fucker swung his weapon, I kicked out then wrapped the chain around his neck. With a simple twist of my wrists, his body went limp.

Then I went after the others, until only Dimitri remained standing. After tossing the chain, I grabbed one of the guns, reeling toward the other side of the room.

Chloe snarled, attacking Dimitri, managing to punch him in the face. The moment my fingers wrapped around the gun, the bastard lunged toward her. Within seconds, the fucker had her in a choke hold, his weapon pointed at her head.

Her breathing was labored, her eyes now shimmering with tears. She clung to Dimitri’s arm, her entire body shaking.

I stood to my full height, ignoring the pain. When I took two steps toward him, Dimitri made tsking sounds.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Sacha. My guess is that her life is far more important than yours.”

“You are going to let her go,” I hissed as I inched even closer, the weapon held in both hands.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” He pulled Chloe closer, licking the side of her face. But all I wanted to concentrate on was the look in her eyes. “Be prepared to meet your maker, Federov. Just like your father did and just like what will happen to your brother.”

I’d spent years training to become a soldier, the warrior my father had promised he’d turn me into. He’d provided all the necessary opportunities, allowing the brutal staged battles to provide me with a full understanding of consequences if I wasn’t successful. I’d enjoyed becoming a master in several martial arts, even taking a course in fencing. I’d also relished weapons training, receiving top honors in my class.

But the most valuable training of all had been provided by Maxim Federov himself, his tutelage allowing me to fully understand our enemies, including their capabilities.