Chapter Four

Lina is alive.

The twins have practically constructed a barrier, trapping me within our room to avoid my impulsive departure from the house to reach her. They tell me to get some sleep, but the adrenaline coursing through my veins makes it impossible to feel tired. She sounded composed and steady, giving the impression that she was okay. Who am I kidding? Her strong, unwavering tone infused her words with the spirit of a warrior, leaving no doubt that she is a fighter. Like she already had a plan. She"s my fearless girl, always up for a challenge.

I pace around our bedroom, trying to devise a plan to get her back.

How can we catch the train? Tomorrow morning, the train will have to be close to Kirov. That is a thirteen-hour car ride. We would never make it in time. We need to get ahead of them.

I nestle into our bed, and the familiar scent of my Tsvetok lingers in the bedding, calming my mind as I drift off to sleep.

The door to our room flies open and Ilya runs in, carrying his laptop. I shoot upright, gun drawn from under my pillow. "Mne Zhal, Brat. (I"m sorry, brother.) But I've got their location. I was able to hack into their system and I can follow the train's GPS now." He slides the laptop across the bed and I pick it up and watch the train move. I lower my gun and run my fingers through my hair, pushing the long strands back out of my eyes.

"If we tried to catch up by car, we"d never make it," I admit.

Oleg walks into the room, holstering his gun. "Kakov plan?" (What's the plan?)

My eyes stay fixed on the slow-moving dot on the screen. Moyazhena and syn, moving further and further away from me. That"s when an idea hits me.

"A charter plane? Would that work? We could fly ahead of the train and meet them at a stop that is heavily forested and pull them all out and deal with them." I offer my idea. "Thoughts?"

Ilya and Oleg exchange glances, considering my suggestion. After a brief moment, Ilya nods in agreement. "Da, that could work," he says. "We have connections at the local airfield. I can arrange for a charter plane to be ready for us."

Excitement fills the room as we begin to put the plan into action. Ilya makes contact with his sources, making the necessary arrangements, while Oleg and I gather our gear and make sure we are well-equipped for the rescue mission.

I head to our closet and grab an overnight bag, selecting a few things for Lina. My Tsvetok will soon be back in my arms. Soon I will hold her and our syn. They will never be in danger again. Exiting the closet, I cross the room and enter my office. With the bag on the desk, I grab my guns, my knives, and any other gear I think I could need. I stop and for a moment glancing at the pictures on my desk. The one of Lina and I on our wedding day. I can't wait to see her smile like that again. My eyes shift to the sonogram photo of our syn.

Skoro, moy mal'chik. Skoro papa tebya spaset. (Soon, my little boy. Soon Daddy will have you safe.)

It takes three days to make sure we have everything together for the trip. That puts Lina right outside of Vladivostok. With everything loaded into the SUV, we head to the small airfield with everyone in tow. On the road, I notice two blacked-out sedans following close behind us. They maintain a subtle distance, appearing like regular drivers.

"Oleg, do you see the two black sedans following us?"

Oleg looks at me in the rearview mirror, "I do, Brat. What do you want me to do? Lose them?"

"Net. Let them follow. If they are Igor's men, then today they will meet Lev." I sit back in my seat, pulling my knife out, admiring the clean, sharp blade. Ilya chuckles, shaking his head.

"Lev segodnya zhazhdet krovi!(The Lion is thirsting for blood today!)" Ilya says, excitedly taking out his gun, checking the mag, and loading it back in.

Oleg pulls the car into the airfield, and as we drive down the tarmac cars file in behind us, including our mystery guests. As we pull into the open hangar, nobody leaves our vehicles. I watch as the two black sedans don't pull in but block the hangar door.

Oleg lets the men know the cars are not ours, and that they are enemies.

The men from the sedans open their doors and immediately start opening fire. Moving from the safety of their vehicle, they push forward towards us.

"Idioty!(Idiots)" Ilya shouts, rolling down his window and taking out two men on the left. The casing from his 45mm flings into the backseat. I slip across the seat and exit through the side door. Oleg also gets out. We circle to the rear of the car. I draw my gun and shoot the man who was approaching Ilya in the passenger seat.

"Spasibo, Brat. (Thanks, Brother)" He yells over the commotion. I rush to the front of the SUV, where a bleeding man lies on the ground, and grab hold of him. I bring my gun back and start pummeling his face with it. Hearing the satisfying crunch of bones as I break his nose.

"Who sent you?" I pick up his body and slam it into the concrete floor. Blood pools around his head. I take out my knife and drag it down his face, leaving a trail of crimson. The man screams as I press the blade into the underside of his chin.

"I-Igor!" he shouts. I nod and then drive the blade through his chin, twisting it to make sure it kills him. Blood covers my hands. I guess I will have to rescue moyazhena (my wife) unclean. Though I hardly doubt she will mind.

Aleks, the owner of the airfield, peeks his head around the open doors. "Is… everything good?" Aleks asks, concern etched on his face.

"Da (Yes). Uh…sorry about the mess. I'll have my men come and take care of this for you," I motion to Oleg, who gets on his phone. "Is the plane ready?"

"Almost. They are currently double-checking all the equipment. The plan is to have the plane land in the secluded forest airstrip of Khabarovsk. It's about 3.3 kilometers from the railway. You and your men will be given quads and dirt bikes, allowing you to navigate the terrain with ease." Aleks says walking towards us. He holds out his hand to me.

I raise my hands, which are covered in blood. He still keeps his hand extended. "I hope you get them back. You are a better man than your father, Leonid."

Firmly, I grasp his hand. He helps pull me to my feet. "Spasibo (Thank you)."

As we wait for the plane to be given the okay, I can't help but feel worried. Lina's safety is at stake, and I know we must act swiftly. The thought of her facing danger alone fuels my determination to bring her back safely.

Finally, the moment arrives, and we rush onto the airfield. The charter plane is ready and waiting for us, its engines humming with anticipation. We board the plane, our hearts pounding with nerves.

The plane takes off, and I can't help but glance out the window, watching the city shrink beneath us. The adrenaline courses through my veins once again, replacing any lingering fatigue. Our mission is non-negotiable; failure is not an option.

I will find her and bring her home.

With Ilya following the train using the hacked GPS, we plot a course that will intercept the train at the designated forested stop. The minutes turn into hours, but the anticipation keeps us on edge. I clutch onto the hope that we will reach Lina in time.