Chapter 20: Wren

My eyelids fluttered for a moment, a slight pang echoing at the back of my head as I regained consciousness. The gentle throbbing in my skull caused me to wince, my heavy eyes drinking in the dimly lit room.

My vision was blurry, but I could still see a figure lurking in the shadows in front of me. It was still a little fuzzy in my mind, my thoughts overlapping as I struggled to make sense of what was going on.

How did I get here? What was happening?

I groaned softly, my head suddenly too heavy to move—I’d yet to grasp my present predicament. My hand attempted to fly to my temple for a soothing massage, but it jerked to a stop, my wrist hurting by the restraint that held me bound.

“What the hell?” I mumbled, eyes darting down to my hands.

Although the room was dimly lit, I could see the unforgiving ropes that secured me to a chair. My eyes widened in shock as panic set in, surging through my veins.

I tried to move my feet, but the restraints on them snapped taut, an aggressive reminder of my helplessness. My heart stopped for a moment, chest heaving rapidly as I recalled how the man from the bushes had lunged at me with lightning speed.

The last thing I remembered was a needle going through my neck, clouding my mind and weakening my defenses. I recalled feeling weightless and being whisked into the air.

“Oh, my God!” I panicked, my heart racing at the realization that I had been kidnapped.

Twice now in just a few months.

I struggled against the restraints, my tensing body yanking back in the process. The more I struggled, the more those unforgiving ropes strangled my wrists.

Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead as I gasped for air, my body stiffening, rigid with fear. My features contorted in anguish, my mind racing with fragmented thoughts. I felt the urge to scream, but was that a good idea? I thought not.

I needed to get out of here as soon as possible. But how? These ropes weren't going to yield anytime soon; plus, I had no idea where I was or who had taken me. Why would someone want to kidnap me?

Who did my father cross again? How was I sure that this had something to do with him anyway?

A myriad of thoughts tugged at my mind, threatening to rip it apart as my eyes wildly scanned the room.

At this point, only one name came to mind for my rescue, “Afanasy,” I whispered under my breath, eyes misting as I stopped struggling.

“Wise choice,” a thick, masculine voice emerged from the shadows, preceded by a low, menacing chuckle.

My heart skipped a beat, the sudden sound stealing my breath, infusing me with absolute fear. The speaker's deep tone seemed to vibrate through my very core, and like rough gravel, his voice scrapped my frayed nerves.

He continued with a deliberate slowness that only amplified my fear, “You see, the more you try to escape the ropes…” my captor stepped out of the shadows, a deadly smirk playing on his lips, “...the more they tighten around you.” Each word was laced with sinister intent, making my skin crawl.

I swallowed hard against the dryness in my throat as he halted in front of me with a round metallic device in his hand. He stood tall with an intimidating physique—a heavily built body that accentuated his ruggedness.

One thing stood out on his face: a deep cut that slanted diagonally between his eyes and over the bridge of his nose.

Everything about this man screamed trouble as he glared at me with that evil smirk. My heart stuttered more with every passing second.

“Who…who are you?” I finally summoned the courage to ask, the words tumbling out of me.

He hesitated for a moment, as if reveling in my fear. “My name is Kolya,” he said, his voice calm but threatening.

“You've made a big mistake kidnapping me, Kolya,” I said, steeling myself in an attempt to sound tough or at least scare him a little.

“Did I?” He stepped forward and then began circling me with slow, deliberate paces.

Despite Afanasy's rough edges, I somehow had unshakable faith in his promise of not letting anything bad happen to me. I was certain beyond reasonable doubt that he would do everything in his power to save me and our unborn child.

“My husband will come for me,” I declared, feeling a subtle glimmer of hope swelling within me, my confidence boosting.

“Oh, I'm counting on that, Mrs. Tarasov.” He unleashed another rough chuckle that sent shivers down my spine.

I jerked my head, squinting at his words as he stood in front of me.

“Why do you think I took you?” His flashed that corny smirk, his eyes revealing the evil dancing in their depths. “You're a pawn to lure him out here.” He paused as if letting the words sink in. “Afanasy thinks he's unpredictable.” Kolya scoffed, brushing a thumb over his nose. “And the truth is, he was unpredictable…until he married you.”

My heart sank into my stomach.

Was that a good thing or a bad thing?

Well, clearly, in this case, it was bad.

“Every man—no matter how tough—has a weakness,” he said, his blazing eyes never leaving mine. “Once you find it, you have control over him, and boy, have I been waiting for the perfect leverage!”

His words were dripping with venom, pain and fury etched on his disfigured face. I could tell that he had an ax to grind with my husband, and from what I gathered, I was never the target. Afanasy was.

He bent over, hands pressing against mine as he looked into my face. “You, Wren Tarasov, will play a big role in the success of my revenge.”

His bad breath brushed against my skin, prompting me to push my head back in disgust. I shut my eyes, stiffening my body and hoping not to die from his mouth odor before Afanasy got the chance to save me.

He raised his head, straightening as he backed away. Discreetly, I let out a sigh of momentary relief, finally able to breathe fine. However, the bigger threat still loomed before me.

“For a long time, I've searched for ways to get back at Afanasy, but the man didn't have any weaknesses,” he explained, walking over to a small table in a corner.

I squinted, wondering what he was up to, my sharp eyes wildly roaming the room for possible exits or anything to help me out of these ropes.

“Imagine my surprise when I heard that he was getting married.” Kolya laughed, setting the device in his hand on the table before turning to face me, disbelief flickering in his eyes. “Afanasy Tarasov, getting married—didn't think I'd live to see that happening.”

There was no way I was getting out of here on my own. These restraints were relentless; plus there were two doors: one in front and another behind me. Even if, by some miracle, I was able to break free, I wouldn't make it to either of the doors before he grabbed me again.

Both doors were twenty paces away, meaning I'd have better luck waiting for pigs to fly.

I watched him return to working on the device, his hands moving expertly, cutting and joining colorful wires with his tools.

I couldn't tell what he was up to; however, I was certain it was nothing good—not for me, anyway.

“You know, Wren, I could've chosen any of Afanasy's lovers, but instead, I chose you,” he said, tightening a screw into the device. “Do you know why?” Kolya turned around with the device in his hand.

He was done working on it, and now my heart was racing as he approached me with slow, menacing steps. “I didn't choose you because you're the prettiest, nor did I choose you because you're his wife.” Kolya halted in front of me. “I chose you because you're the only woman that cold bastard ever really cared about.”

I am?

My heart gladdened for a fleeting moment, but my reality set back in so quickly, stealing my joy.

“If I had taken any one of those girls he fooled around with, my plan would go down the drain,” he continued, a hand in his pocket. “He'd never come for them because he wouldn't give two fucks.” Kolya clicked his tongue. “With you, though, things seem different, and that's how I know he'll come for you.”

I shook my head, feeling sorry for the bitterness in his tone and the hatred in his eyes. “What did he do to you?” I asked, my gaze fixed on him. “Why do you hate him so much?”

“Because he took everything from me!” Kolya thundered, his voice echoing across the room.

I flinched at his sudden outburst, my eyes fluttering shut for a second.

“I've been a good soldier, loyal to the Bratva for a very long time!” he snapped, as though my question had triggered his pain. “Afanasy threw it all away because I made one mistake— one mistake!” He boiled, his jaw clenching, eyes blazing with fury. “That's all it took to erase all the good I'd done for him and the Tarasov Bratva.”

He looked right into my eyes, his jaw tightening as he pointed at his scar. “Your husband did this to me, gave me a lifelong scar as punishment. What an ungrateful bastard!” His tone was dripping with venom.

He seemed really angry, like he had nothing else to lose, and such men were usually very dangerous. They'd do anything to exert revenge on those who hurt them. It was quite unfortunate that I was caught in the crossfire.

He exhaled sharply, stepping forward, his voice dropping to a low whisper. “Anyway, both you and your husband will be history in, say…ten minutes.” The slight pause came when he glanced at his watch.

Before my brain could register his words, Kolya's hands moved deftly, clasping the device around my neck. A gasp escaped my lips as it secured in place with a soft click .

A subtle red glow emitted from the device, beeping faintly. I was no bomb expert, but I knew that the combination of red and a beeping sound could only mean one thing.

My eyes widened, my struggles resuming. “Get it off me!” The restraints held me bound, my body yanking back and forth with an energy I didn't know I had.

He laughed, taking a step back. “The bomb's been set to detonate in ten minutes.” Kolya pointed at a digital wall clock across from me. “How fast do you think Afan will get here?” He let out an evil laugh. “Two things will happen when he tries to arm the bomb and fails: He'll either leave you and save his own skin, or he'll decide to play Romeo and die with you. Either way, I win!”

His sinister laugh made my skin crawl, especially since he reveled in the idea of blowing me to pieces.

Just then, the sound of multiple vehicles screeching to a halt outside caught our attention.

He jerked his eyes up, a smirk playing on his lips. “The cavalry has arrived.” Kolya revealed a black hood in his hand. “As much as I'd love to watch this unfold, that's my cue.” He laughed, securing my lips with a strip of duct tape before covering my face with the hood. “Adieu, Mrs. Tarasov. See you in hell.”

I struggled in the chair, muffle-screaming as I heard him retreating through the back door, whistling a song.

The front door burst open, and multiple footsteps pounded in. The scent of Afan’s cologne announced his arrival before his voice echoed through the room. “Wren!”

I shook my head, struggling, screaming so he'd get away from me and save himself, but he interpreted the gesture as a cry for help. Footsteps rushed past me, as though a couple of men were going after Kolya.

The hood was yanked off my face, and there he was, standing in front of me, anxiety evident in his wide eyes and furrowed brows.

As much as I appreciated him being here, it was pointless for him to die with me.

I shook my head, my eyes misting as he carefully peeled the tape off my lips. “It's a trap!” I gasped, my chest heaving.

He squinted for a moment before his eyes fell on the device around my neck, and I watched his jaw clench in anger.

“We have less than six minutes before this thing goes off,” I said, tears streaming down my eyes, my voice trembling.

Afanasy wouldn't look at me; he traced my gaze to the wall clock, its seconds counting down. My husband scanned the room until he spotted Kolya's table. He rushed over there and helped himself with some tools, then returned to me.

I figured the men who came with him must have gone after Kolya, considering we were alone in the room.

“Stay calm,” he whispered, his voice laced with urgency as he bent over, examining the device.

He looked like he knew what he was doing, muttering technical words I couldn't catch. The next thing I knew, he inserted a thin tool into the collar's mechanism, twisting and probing for the trigger wire.

My eyes flew back to the clock—five minutes left—and I could feel the cold sweat trickling down my forehead. Afanasy was still working on disarming the bomb, his fingers moving with lightning speed. But would he beat the time?

“Come on!” he muttered, his face dampened in sweat and frustration.

The countdown continued: 03:59…03:58…03:57….

“Come on!” he groaned, swiping the sweat on his face.

He was as calm and composed as he could be, but I could smell the fear and anxiety oozing off him. He remained focused, fingers moving deftly with lightning speed. One thing was certain: Afan cared about me, and the fact that he was still here, risking his own life, melted my heart.

No one had done this for me before—not even my father. I was already used to people leaving me at the time when I needed them the most. Yet, here he was, trying desperately to disarm the bomb around my neck.

The countdown continued: 02:47…02:46….

“Afan,” I called softly, my voice barely audible, but he ignored me and focused on the collar bomb. “Afan…you don't have to do this…. Please, go,” I added amidst sobs.

“Shut up, Wren! I'm busy!” he cut me off, his tone aggressive.

It didn't hurt that he yelled at me—in fact, it felt good to have him care so deeply. Maybe I was wrong to have thought the worst of him. He may not have told me to my face that he loved me, but this was a clear indication—proof of his undying love and affection for me and our unborn child.

Ten seconds until detonation.

“Thank you, Afanasy.” My tone was low and calm, tears streaming down my cheeks. “I love you,” I declared, my voice laced with sincerity, meaning every word.

Five…four…three….

I shut my eyes, drawing a deep breath, which I'd already assumed would be my last.

Just then, the collar clicked, and I felt the rush as Afanasy's fingers pulled the device off my neck. Then, I heard it clank on the floor.

My eyes opened, wide with shock and relief as I saw him smiling, wiping sweat off his forehead. He withdrew a switchblade from his belt and cut the ropes that held me bound.

Afanasy pulled me out of the chair and into an embrace, his arms wrapped tightly around me. “What did you say to me?” His lips curled into a smile as he looked into my eyes.

A playful scowl settled on my face as I recalled the pain I'd felt when I saw him with that woman back at the party. We both were out of danger now, so a little banter wouldn't hurt.

My face contorted into a mock frown. “I said I hate you.”

He pulled me closer to himself, his fingers combing through my hair, eyes fixed on me. “I bet you do.” His thumb wiped away my tears, skin gently grazing against mine.

At his touch, all my anxiety dissipated, replaced with a feeling of peace and relief.

Our intimate staring contest was soon interrupted when his right-hand man, Yakov, and his cousin, Alexei, stormed back into the room.

I watched Afanasy's face contort into a frown, his jaw clenching and eyes blazing with fury. I traced his gaze to Kolya, who was kneeling, with Yakov and Alexei holding him at gunpoint.

They had caught the bastard, and I could see the terror in his eyes as Afanasy marched toward him, balling both hands into fists.

He didn't look so tough now that he was at my husband's mercy.

“Wren, close your eyes,” Afanasy said, his voice dripping with venom. “I don't want you to see this.”

“Boss, let's talk about this…. I can explain,” Kolya said, his voice trembling with fear as my husband took off his jacket, slowly rolling up the sleeves of his undershirt.

“You went after my wife,” Afanasy growled, fury lacing his tone. “There's no justification for that.” He expertly spun a dagger around his wrist.

“No, no, no—please, wait!” Kolya threw his hands in front of him, pleading for mercy.

I closed my eyes as Kolya's piercing screams echoed through the room.