Chapter 59

Yaroslav

S ince Innokentiy’s coup four days ago, I’ve been left alone. For the first time since I’ve been down here, I’ve been given some water and food. I’m not sure why he’s keeping me alive, unless this reprieve is only until he finds out what’s on the flash drive. I ravenously eat what I’m given as best I could with my hands tied and my face swollen, my jaw ached with each bite of the greasy fast food but it still tasted heavenly. For once, I’ve even been given the opportunity to sleep. The lights are off and the music isn’t playing. Not that I’ve been able to sleep much anyway, being tied to a chair after being beaten black and blue isn’t exactly the ideal sleeping arrangement.

Innokentiy is clearly feeling confident, which means he might let his guard down. At least until he discovers that he’s been given a decoy. Then I imagine they’ll ramp things up, Vova’s favorite method of torture I’ve not yet been subjected to is pulling out fingernails and toenails. I don’t relish the thought that this is what’s coming, followed by the slow removal of my digits and then limbs.

My heart sinks when I hear the sound of the door opening. I’d really hoped to hold onto my extremities a bit longer.

The light switches on and I can see four figures silhouetted in the doorway. As they enter, I realize it’s Artem, Ivan, Sergei, and Andrey, four of my men. My heart sinks as I realize that if they’re here, alive, then they must be Innokentiy’s men now. That Artem, my second most trusted man could have betrayed me too, takes the fight out of me. I resign myself to death at that moment.

But then Artem speaks. “Fuck, Boss, you look like shit. They really did a number on you. Sergei, Ivan, watch our backs. Andrey, help me free him.”

As Andrey and Artem begin to free me from my bonds, it takes a moment for my brain to register what’s happening. Artem just called me Boss. They’re untying me. Are they here to rescue me?

“What… how did you get in here?” I ask bewilderedly.

Artem looks a little sheepish, “There was no other way, we had to pretend to pledge our loyalty to Innokentiy. But we were just biding our time until we could get you the fuck out of here.”

“What—” I start to ask another question, but Artem cuts me off.

“Sorry Boss, there will be plenty of time to ask questions later, right now we need to hurry up and get the heck out of dodge. We haven’t got much time, Innokentiy and his men are distracted kissing Sharkozi’s ass, but that won’t last for long.”

“You’re right,” I agree, trying to help them release the final foot that’s still bound.

When it’s free, Artem looks at me seriously, “Can you walk?” he says worriedly.

“I’ll be fine,” I reply, though truthfully, I know it’s going to be a struggle. But this is life or death. I have to make it.

We make our way out of the basement, as stealthily as we can. Yet we don’t take the route that Kim and David took only days ago, instead, we head toward the side entrance that leads to the main driveway.

“Why are we going this way? There’s an escape route in the basement,” I hiss, not wanting us to be heard.

“Sorry, Pakhan,” Ivan explains, “Innokentiy blocked it off not long after he realized this is how Kim and David got out. There’s no access and it’s under constant surveillance. We’re going to have to walk right out the front door.”

I nod to show I understand. I can imagine Innokentiy didn’t want a secret tunnel I could risk escaping from. Not that I like it. We’re bound to encounter more men now and we’re exposed out in the driveway.

We only encounter two of Innokentiy’s men getting to the exit, who my men quickly and quietly dispatch before they can raise the alarm. The element of surprise is on our side.

“Right, Pakhan, here’s the plan. We’re going to make a run for it, along the edge of the perimeter where we can use the bushes for cover. I know you’re the Pakhan but…” Artem starts but I hold up a hand to cut him off.

“It’s a good plan, and you should lead, I’m injured.”

Artem gives a small nod of acceptance, handing me a gun, “We’ll cover you as best as we can but if you’re able to, use this.”

“I’m injured not a cripple,” I reply with a lopsided smile.

It feels like old times, comradery amongst my loyal men, knowing we have each other’s backs. We barely make it a hundred yards before the shooting begins.

“Fuck! I thought we’d have more time, we’ve been made!” Andrey shouts, returning fire.

We start to sprint, every fiber of my being aches and burns as we run, but I don’t stop. We continue to return fire, ducking and weaving behind the parked cars and bushes. We take out three of the closest men. The remaining shooters are further away from us than our car, too far to bother trying to run to catch us, as long as we can continue to dodge their bullets, we’re going to make it.

“Shit, I’m hit!” Ivan cries, clutching his shoulder.

But that only spurs us on. The car is so close. Freedom is within reach.

Sergei, the fastest of us, reaches it first, racing to the driver’s side. Andrey is helping Ivan just in front of me and Artem. They throw open the doors, pushing Ivan into the passenger’s side while Andrey clambers into the back.

“Come on!” they all shout at us encouragingly, returning fire.

Artem reaches the car moments before me, still covering my back and returning fire from outside while he waits for me to get in. As I’m about to get in, Andrey must see something I don’t as he bellows.

“Get down!”

Quick as a flash, Artem grabs me and pushes me inside the car, closely following behind. As the door slams and we speed away, we all let out relieved laughs.

“We fucking did it!” I cry.

I turn to talk to Artem and immediately I know something is wrong. His face is pale and though he’s smiling too, his eyes are taking on the glazed look of someone going into shock.

“Artem, are you hit?” I ask panicked.

“I don’t…” he starts to say but then we all see it.

The dark stain of blood on his side is growing by the second. I scramble frantically trying to move his clothing out of the way so I can see the extent of the damage. There’s so much blood.

“Fuck guys, he’s been shot, badly. We need to get to a medic now!” I order. “Stay with me, Artem!” I plead as I press my hands to the wound, desperately trying to staunch the flow of blood.

But there’s so much blood. Too much. Artem’s eyes start to close as he slips into unconsciousness.

“Hold on, Artem!” I beg.

But I fear we’re losing him. We’re not gonna make it in time.