by Laura Acton
Mike rubbed his temples. “It gets worse.” Peering at Dan, Mike hated to tell him this next part. “I used the term girls instead of women. Maks is a sick bastard with perverted tastes. The younger the better, and he only sleeps with virgins … the reason he doesn’t worry about using condoms. Virgins are what turns him on. Maks likes to steal their virginity. He sweet talks them, plies them with alcohol, then takes them roughly.”
Dan’s stomach turned. He had not counted on this level of debauchery. Almost afraid of the answer, he asked, “How young?”
Sadness entered Mike’s eyes. “There is a reason the general chose to use Maks as a cover. Savelievich caters to men like Maks and a few other deviant leanings.” Mike placed a hand on Dan’s shoulder. “Maks would want Nicolette and Anna-Marie and be willing to pay a high price to pop their cherries. Once he’s done with them, they will be sold as sex slaves.
“That is how you will be able to discover where they are. Without Maks, there is no way to gain entrance to Savelievich’s bordello. It is too heavily guarded and why we cannot force our way in. If we go in guns blazing, Savelievich will move or kill them before we ever locate them.”
Dan pulled away, his stomach twisting in knots. “Sex slavery. That is what will happen to those innocent little girls.”
“Yeah, it is what the general believes and what I know for certain is their fate. Savelievich’s fancy brothel is a front for selling men, women, and children into slavery.”
Mike struggled to tell Dan this next part. Not even the general was aware of a secret he never shared with a single soul, but if he didn’t impart this detail, Dan would die. “There is one last thing. Savelievich is extremely careful and ruthless.” He took a deep breath and held it a moment before releasing the air gradually as he maintained eye contact with Dan.
“In what way?” Dan tensed up at Mike’s steady gaze.
This was the absolute worst thing Mike ever had to say in his life. Not wanting to give voice to this information, Mike’s voice became soft. “You are going to have to prove Maks is into young girls before Savelievich will even disclose he possesses two virgins.”
“What are you saying?”
Mike held Dan’s gaze as he swallowed the lump in his throat. “You will need to … he will offer you … he’ll watch you as you … with someone the same age as the girls.”
Dan’s head and body snapped back as if he were slugged. Backing away from Mike, Dan yelled, “Shit! No! I can’t do that. I refuse! No fucking way!”
“Dan, if you don’t perform … you will be killed on the spot. Trust me, I know.”
No Win Situation
16
May 27
Anzhi-Qala Resort – Luxury Suite – Main Room – 1815 Hours
Rage burned Dan’s gut as he stormed into the room. The general finally won. All the pain he endured to fight his way back from the brink of oblivion meant not a damned thing. His father would succeed in killing him this time. The twisted bastard sent him on his last mission.
This one would morally bankrupt him and corrode his soul no matter his approach. Either he exploited a nameless innocent child to save two others named Anna-Marie and Nicolette, or he condemned the two girls to the same fate. Both options ended up with him dead.
Mike followed Dan from the bedroom. “Dan, calm down.” What the hell am I saying? Dan has every reason to be upset. Hell, I would fly off the handle too. Mike stopped short at the deadly glares coming from Mason and Ripsaw.
“Calm down? You want me to fucking calm down? Ain’t gonna happen!” Dan belted out as he slammed his fist into the wall causing a fist-sized hole. He withdrew his hand and paced furiously back and forth like a caged animal. His mind couldn’t cope with the repugnant action required of him. He would willingly submit himself to the needle tortures again before doing what was expected. Might as well rip out my soul now because if I’m ordered to do this, I’m as good as dead. No win. Images of innocent little Nicolette and Anna-Marie swam in his head.
Shocked by the furious man in front of her, Anastasia stood still, her eyes darting between Dan and Mike. What the heck did Mike say to him? All her efforts were unraveling as Dan fell to pieces. Her gaze stopped on Mike, and he turned away. What is going on? Anastasia looked to Ripsaw and Mason for direction. They understood Dan better than she did, so she waited for them to handle him as it appeared they were sharing a silent communication.
Ripsaw exchanged a concerned glance with Mason. Blondie appeared to be imploding. Everything had been kosher only a moment ago, but Blondie was furious enough to chew up nails and spit out a barbed wire. In some respect, he reminded him of General Badass in a fury … a scary thought. Those blue eyes became shards of ice capable of cutting to the bone.
Mason moved to prevent Blondie access to the wall, not wanting him to hurt his hands punching holes in the walls. “Blondie, what’s up?”
Dan stopped pacing. “Not happening! We must find another way. I can’t. The general can’t order me to debase myself like that.”
The door opened, and Blaze, Winds, Brody, and Patch entered. A wave of fire and ice crashed over them as they witnessed Blondie’s fury and heard his statement. They halted, and Brody closed the door as Ripsaw asked, “What can’t you do?”
Dan’s fists clenched again as he stopped in front of the cabinet of the minibar. He slammed his fists into the doors four times splintering the thin wooden veneer. Turning to face Ripsaw, he exploded, “Fuck children!”
Blazed gaped at Blondie, stunned by his actions and words. He demanded harshly. “Who the hell said anything about screwing children?”
“Galloway!” Dan resumed pacing clenching and releasing his hands with each step as he roared, “The perverted bastard Maks likes little girls. Virgins! The only way I’ll obtain the intel we need is for me to pluck cherries.”
Halting and facing Blaze, Dan’s eyes became blue flames and his tone glacier. “Savelievich needs to witness me screwing a little girl before he discloses whether or not he possesses Dom’s girls. And apparently, if I don’t, Savelievich will kill me. Either way, I’m dead!”
Frozen in place at the vehemence and power Blondie put into his words, as much as by the words themselves, all they could do was watch as their little brother collapsed to the floor.
Having spent all his energy on fury, Dan found himself empty as he dropped to his knees, bowed his head, and his arms hung loosely at his side. His soft voice came out rough and defeated, “I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. No win.”
Lifting his head to peer up at Blaze with hollow, haunted eyes, Dan’s soft and broken voice said, “Please don’t order me to do this. Find another way. Any other way. I can’t. I just can’t. If Nicolette and Anna-Marie become sex slaves, I won’t live with that on my conscience. I’ll blow my goddamned brains out.” As tears dripped down unheeded, Dan choked out, “Blaze, please … help me … please.”
Mouths twisted and gaped as eyes narrowed, appalled by what would be required of Blondie, and shocked by the heartbreaking entreaty. They all realized the kid would follow a direct command, even one as debauched as this one. Following orders was too ingrained in Blondie, he would obey and sacrifice his innocence in the process. This went beyond all reasonable expectations. Furious that Blaze failed to disclose to them the full details, Brody, Mason, Winds, Patch, and Ripsaw glared at their CO.
Winds reacted first as he stalked up to Blaze. Stopping only inches from Blaze’s face he let loose a category five hurricane of words. “Son of a bitch! When the fucking hell were you going to tell us about this part? No fucking way is Blondie doing that. Shit! This is a clusterfuck.
“We worked too goddamned hard to bring him back from the darkness. You’ve got a screw loose if you think I’ll allow you to plunge him into the depths of hell again. This time will surely kill him. This is FUBAR! How can you support something like this? Goddammit, I thought I knew you.”
Blaze waited until Winds’ storm blew out. It allowe
d him time to try and quell his own anger. He drew on all his training to remain calm, but Blaze’s internal dialog raged. How dare the goddamned general send Blondie in to do this type of mission? Why the hell wasn’t this in the briefing notes? This is not something I can stomach.
As a soldier, Blaze had been ordered to do all sorts of vile things in the name of protecting his country, but never anything like this. There was no way in hell he would be able to do that himself nor order one of his men to do it.
When Winds died down and stopped Blaze stepped back and turned his eyes on Lieutenant Galloway. Coldly he declared, “I am unaware of this aspect of this mission. Galloway, explain what you told Blondie and why this particular detail was omitted from my briefing packet.”
Five sets of furious eyes turned on Galloway recalling Blondie said he was the one who told him. Was this a direct order from General Broderick? Another example of how he screwed with Blondie? Their hatred for the general grew ten-fold, and much of the heat was directed at the general’s inside man.
Mike found it very hot under the intense glares. He replied, “Although the general is familiar with Savelievich’s real business, he isn’t privy to certain aspects of Panin’s security measures. This is knowledge I alone possess. I believed Dan had a right to know so he could prepare.”
Brody yelled, “No one can prepare for something like this!” He went to Danny and gently helped him off the ground, steering him to the couch. Brody sat next to him and pulled Danny’s head onto his shoulder as he murmured, “I won’t let the general destroy your soul.”
Enraged seeing Blondie in distress, Mason focused on the man responsible. On the warpath, he strode to Mike. “Why should we believe a damned thing you say? How are you aware of Savelievich’s practices? What is your game, Galloway?” He clenched his massive fists and brought them up to a ready position. “Tell me, or I swear your face will never look the same.”
Mike held his ground as he stared up into the fearsome grizzly bear’s brown eyes. He registered the deadly intent. I’ll be fish food soon. It took all Mike’s training not to step back or give any indication he felt threatened. He wished he possessed this skill fifteen years ago. His life might’ve turned out different.
Using his command tone, Blaze said, “Mason, not helping. Stand down. Galloway is a Guardian, and as such, I believe him. The intel he offered might’ve just saved Blondie’s life. Turn your attention to finding a solution.”
Mason narrowed his glare on Galloway. No one hurt his little brother. His voice low and menacing Mason said, “I’m watching you, Galloway. Blaze may believe you, but if you so much as breath wrong in Blondie’s direction you deal with me.” Mason pivoted and strode to stand behind Blondie as he continued to scowl at Galloway.
Winds and Ripsaw paced as they stole covert glances at Blondie. Their thoughts swirled as did the others. Distracted by Blondie’s state, solutions failed to come to them.
Patch moved to Blondie and received no resistance as he took his pulse. The kid’s heart raced at ninety beats per minute … nearly double his resting rate. He glanced at Brody sharing their concern before he examined Blondie’s knuckles. He breathed a sigh of relief finding no broken bones and only minor abrasions.
Blaze leaned up against a wall, resisting the urge to turn around and punch the hell out of it. If he had not stepped in, Mason would’ve torn Galloway apart. This new information bore some thought. The only reason he believed Mike is because Yankee vouched for him and because Galloway approached him in the jet and indicated he had a past with Maks. He couldn’t tell the guys because he gave his word to keep that knowledge confidential.
Mike moved to the windows and stared out. Damn, this is hard. I didn’t expect Dan to rage and collapse. Shit, I should’ve realized this would be too much for him. I’m a full-blown idiot. Why didn’t I tell the general so he could’ve made a better call? He might’ve sent someone else. Damned hindsight bit my ass again.
Anastasia’s heart went out to Blondie, but her professional, analytical mind took over, and she focused on the problem realizing the men were too emotionally involved in Dan’s meltdown to think at the moment. Their anger and concern displayed equally on all their faces. Several minutes later, Anastasia calmly asked, “Would the display be required to obtain the invitation to the Cherry Club or after he is there?”
Mike rubbed his temples trying to stave off a growing headache. He gazed out the window not looking at anything but unable to face the others. Mike answered flatly, “Once Dan is at Savelievich’s we would have the necessary diversion to locate the girls.”
Anastasia mulled that over a minute. “Does Savelievich actually observe? Does he stay in the room?”
“Yes, he remains, and he watches to make sure his clients are who they say they are. If they do not perform as expected, he executes them or worse.” Mike controlled a shudder.
The worse was something Mike did not like to think about, much less talk about. His choices while drunk landed him in an execrable situation. He had been in Savelievich’s bordello before with a group of sycophants he met in a Russian bar one night. They invited him along, and he stupidly went.
Magic Mike, a moniker he went by in his youth, was all for a party. With the massive amount of alcohol he consumed his thinking became muddled. He learned the hard way that being drunk and out of control ended with vile consequences. Mike possessed first-hand knowledge of what worse meant.
Hindsight sucked, and Mike understood all too well. He should’ve asked where the bathroom was instead of wandering through the bordello. If he had, he would not have stumbled into that room and witnessed the revolting activities. Even in his drunken state, the sight shocked him, and he puked right then and there. His retching drew Savelievich’s attention to him.
Mike wished to erase the vision of the ungodly things one man did to a little girl. His stomach turned as the old images flooded in. If he had not opened that particular door, he wouldn’t have seen another man murdered because he refused to perform the same act. If only he asked for directions, he would not have paid the worse than death price.
Savelievich drugged him and sold him as a sex slave. Mike found himself shipped off to some godforsaken place with a name he couldn’t pronounce. He prayed every night for someone to rescue him, but no one had any clue where he was. Eventually, he decided to attempt an escape.
If he died in the endeavor that would be better than the life he was forced into by Panin. Being drugged into compliance and submitting to the increasingly perverted whims of the man and woman who purchased him from Savelievich was a slow death anyway.
Shuddering at the memory, Mike forced his thoughts to something positive. His family cared about him and arranged for a black ops unit to search for him. The very thing he avoided now, his family’s wealth and power, is what ultimately led to his rescue. Fifteen years ago, General Broderick led a unit which rescued him. How the general located him, he never found out, but Mike was damned glad he did.
Mike would be forever grateful the general was the one to find him hiding in a dark alley. It was humiliating to be found buck naked, filthy, and petrified. However, when the opportunity to escape presented itself, modesty became the last thing on his mind.
He still remembered Broderick’s compassion and generosity when he discovered him. The kind-hearted general literally gave him the shirt off his back, well, technically his briefs. Stripping down in the alley, Broderick removed his boxers, going commando to provide the disheveled, terrified man a modicum of dignity with a small piece of clothing. Mike continued to be eternally grateful for the general’s kind gesture, ensuring he was not stark-naked when the rest of the unit arrived.
Not only did Dan’s father rescue Mike, but he cared for him and helped him recover. Mike had been frightened for so long he jumped at his own shadow and drugged so often he became addicted. Mike realized he was more junkie than anything else when found. He owed William Broderick for helping him detox and kick the opium habi
t forced on him by Savelievich.
Further salvation came when General Broderick arranged for him to enter the military and facilitated distancing himself from his past. If not for the general, Mike’s life would have been … no, he would not go there.
Mike pushed his dark memories away. He rubbed his temples again and scanned the room. He was at a loss for a plan. Partly because in some small way Savelievich still scared the hell out of him—hard to fight inner demons. The other because Mike recalled how well guarded Savelievich’s place was. No one went in or out of the bastard’s club without express permission from Panin unless they wanted to die. This plan sucked for Dan but was the only way inside to obtain intel.
Anastasia let her mind work on the problem. There must be a way which didn’t destroy Dan in the process. After several minutes of dead silence in the room, she asked, “I assume in this case the children are not virgins. More than likely, they have been in the bordello a while. Would that be correct?”
“Fairly safe to assume.” Mike struggled with the thought of revealing too much of his past.
“Do you know what Savelievich’s type is? Is he into women, men, or children?”
Suddenly tired and his head throbbing Mike sought out one of the chairs and slumped down, resigned to answer any questions even if it meant revealing his Magic Mike history. One of them would come up with a scheme which stopped Dan from having to go down a depraved path. “Savelievich likes attractive women of all sorts. The perverts are his clients.”
Thinking a moment Anastasia paced back and forth. The unit guys watched her. She stopped and smiled. “I have an idea.”
Dan glanced up at Anastasia with a sliver of hope in his eyes. “What?”
“Maks’ girlfriend falls for Savelievich. I’ll be all over him to provide a distraction so you can pretend. We can say you prefer your girls to be out cold. That would be a deviant predilection sort of like necrophilia. Gross, but it might work here.”