GUARDIANS: Mission To Rescue Innocence (Beauty 0f Life Book 7)

by Laura Acton

  Referring to her notecard, Natia said, “Dress now.”

  Both the girls stood and started to put the clothing on. As she pulled the garment over her head, Nicolette felt exposed not wearing underwear, especially given the short length of the dress. “Panties? Culotte?”

  Natia didn’t comprehend and only shook her head as the door opened.

  Motioning to her almost exposed private area, Nicolette tried again repeating in both languages. “We need undergarments. Nous avons besoin de sous-vêtements.”

  Panin entered hearing the distressed voice. He examined his merchandise with a critical eye. They cleaned up nicely. Worth top dollar.

  Anna clutched Nikki’s hand. Nikki pushed Anna behind her as the smarmy man stared at them. He frightened her, but she put herself in front of Anna. Her voice quivered with fear as she said, “We want to go home. Nous voulons rentrer à la maison.”

  Laughing at the ineffectual show of bravery, Panin said, “Yes, I understand. Bilingual will ensure you have a new home soon.”

  The remark caused both girls to blanch. Anna-Marie found the courage to step out from behind Nikki. “Our Papa is coming. You will be sorry for what you did to us.”

  Panin chuckled. “Your father is dead. He isn’t coming.”

  Nicolette held Anna up as she faltered, and declared, “Not true!”

  Though Natia didn’t understand the girl’s words, their spirited body language was clear. Her heart ached for them. She was not brave, she only cowered when she arrived here. Though, their courage would not save them.

  “Yes, it is true. You are mine now. At least for a short time,” Panin said with a sycophantic smile.

  The door opened again and another woman, who like Natia wore tons of makeup and essentially see-through clothes, entered carrying a tray of food. She placed it on the round table and left without a word.

  At the snap of Panin’s fingers, Natia glanced at the girls one last time and exited the room too. She headed down to the reception area where she would make her body available for use by any of the buyers who showed up tonight. She sighed sadly knowing what fate awaited those little girls, same as hers. They would learn to accept it at some point.

  Pointing to the food, Panin ordered, “Sit and eat.”

  Starving, both girls stared at the tempting croque monsieur and tarte aux fruits. Hunger finally won out over wariness, and they moved to the table. Nikki poured both of them a glass of the lemonade. They ate the grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit tarts while the scary, oily man stood watching them.

  Grinning, Panin congratulated himself on his perfected system for drugging his merchandise. He always starved them until right before the auction. That way they would eat readily. Much simplier this way, he didn’t have to deal with screaming and crying or leave any needle marks.

  Setting her fork down and leaning back, Anna-Marie’s head became wooly, and Nikki moved in and out of focus. “Nikki, je me sens bizarre.”

  Eyelids too heavy, her world spinning as she tried to keep her eyes open, Nicolette wanted to respond to her sister, but words would not form. Her petite body slumped to the left as her head lolled on to the padded arm of the chair and her eyes shut.

  Panin signaled Grigori and Vadim to come in, pick up the girls, and carry them to the elevator. Panin followed and inserted a key before pressing the fifth-floor button. Exiting the lift, he strode down the hall and unlocked a door.

  They entered the circular room and the guards placed the children on the rotating platform bed in the middle of the room. The surrounding walls were one-way mirrors which provided buyers in twelve auction rooms the ability to view the merchandise and conduct business privately.

  Panin strolled to the bed and adjusted the pigtails and dresses. He hiked the hems up ever so slightly to give his buyers a discreet peek. Smiling, he stepped back and surveyed his work. They would be his first offerings tonight. Everything was set. The auction would begin at one a.m.

  Turning to the Vadim, Panin instructed him in Russian, “Keep watch on them. They ate enough they should sleep through the night and wake in their new home. If they wake, you can use the needle to sedate them again.” As he strolled out, he hoped Maks or Magic Mike would show tonight.

  A Father-Son Moment

  25

  May 28

  Anzhi-Qala Resort – Luxury Suite – Main Room – 1915 Hours

  Leaning back, Dan took several deep breaths. Can I do what is needed? The plan is better, but it still hinges on me obtaining an invitation to the auction, which means I still have to perform for Panin.

  His eyes flicked to the pictures of Anna-Marie and Nicolette, and he made the decision he would sacrifice his soul for those girls. Better to save an innocent with value than my sorry ass. I’m only half a man now. What does it matter if I die inside too? I’m tired of faking.

  The nightmares, thoughts of wolves, and the event in the shower all clouded his thinking making it extremely difficult to put his head on straight. I damn well better clear my mind or I’ll end up failing and getting someone killed. Afraid of his inadequacies, the closer it came to going into Panin’s place, the more muddled his thoughts became and the wilder his emotions swung.

  Anastasia brought Dan the plate of food she fixed for him.

  “I’m not hungry.” Dan waved it away, stood, and strode to the window. Staring at the sky turning orange and purple as the sun set, he wished for a cool breeze. His eyes shifted to the dark and ominous rolling waves. Old memories of drowning mixed in with everything else swirling in his mind, pulling him down into a dark abyss.

  The only positive aspect of this mission was he was not required to go in the water. With several hours before time to suit up, needing a solitary moment to shut off distracting thoughts, Dan turned to Blaze. “I’m going to the roof.”

  Blaze glimpsed something in Blondie’s demeanor and nodded but said, “Brody, go with him.”

  Dan shook his head. “I’m fine. Need a minute alone to prepare and ensure my head is in the right space.”

  Hearing the word fine out of Blondie’s mouth caught the unit’s attention, and Blaze firmly said, “I’m sure you’re fine but going alone isn’t an option since we’re out of the country. Brody goes with you, or I do.”

  Irritation grew, and Dan lashed out angrily. “I’m not some kid. I can take care of myself on a rooftop for a few goddammed minutes. Don’t coddle me.”

  All the guys stared at Blondie. His outburst plainly told them all he was undeniably FINE at the moment.

  “That settles it. I’m going with you. Let’s go, Blondie. We need to talk,” Blaze commanded. When Blondie did not move, he added, “That would be a direct order, soldier.”

  Dan glared at Blaze but swiftly complied and strode to the door. He yanked it open and headed for the stairs, seething with anger as he took the steps two at a time. Dammit! I wanted to be alone to come to terms with what I must do. To say goodbye to my soul, the remnants of which will be obliterated by an unforgivable deed forced upon me. Apparently, I’m not allowed that minor courtesy.

  Blaze followed Blondie out and up the stairwell as he gathered his thoughts, struggling to find a path to assist the kid.

  Patch blew out a breath. “Blondie is pissed.”

  “Do you blame him? This damned mission is asking too much. It isn’t right.” Mason slumped into a chair.

  Pacing like a caged cat, Brody ground out, “No, it isn’t. Blaze should’ve let him go alone, at least for a few minutes.”

  Shaking his head, Winds said, “He couldn’t. You know that, Brody. The whole op is riding on Blondie’s shoulders. Without him, this rescue fails.”

  Thinking of all the counseling he received after the general rescued him, Mike tried to stay out of it but couldn’t help saying, “Dan’s gonna need serious counseling after this if he is forced to pretend in front of Panin.”

  “I believe Blaze will help him. I can tell you all care for Dan, but he requires what Blaze can offer him,”
Anastasia said in a dulcet voice.

  Ripsaw asked, “What’s that?”

  She popped a grape into her mouth and chewed, as she decided whether or not to share her thoughts. Concluding it would help Dan if his unit understood what she perceived, she answered, “The love, acceptance, and guidance of a father. Dan must accept what this op calls for him to do isn’t a reflection of who he is. These are the cards dealt, and he needs to comprehend the goodness which will come from his actions. Blaze appears to be the one best suited to assist him in that realization.”

  The men remained silent for a long time, digesting Anastasia’s words. The dinner she ordered went mostly untouched as each of them prepared mentally for what was to come.

  Anzhi-Qala Resort – Rooftop

  Dan strode to the edge of the roof. His emotions ran amuck, and his ability to reason became murky and overshadowed. The hulking, gray wolf hunted him yet again dredging up fears and nauseating recollections. Try as he might, and he certainly made an effort, Dan could not dispel the memories of the multiple times the bastards raped him. He would never speak of this trauma to a single soul, but the assaults ate at his self-worth.

  The belief he was less of a man plagued him. I should’ve been able to fight them off. I’m not a child like the kids Panin enslaves. Children are too little and vulnerable to stop adults from assaulting them. I’m an adult … a trained soldier. I should’ve fought harder. I’m not a man … I let them rape me.

  Dan growled and raked his hands through his hair. Now I’m going to become what my torturers are, a rapist. Worse … I must perpetrate this on an innocent child. If I pretend, I’ll still scar the child emotionally. What am I going to do? How the hell can I do this?

  Blaze observed Blondie while giving him space and caught the frustrated growls. This mission asked too much from the kid. If he possessed the power he would cancel the operation, but two innocent girls were in danger, and they couldn’t leave them to the fate at hand.

  His fury at the general for assigning Blondie to this type of mission grew. The man would win worst father of the millennium as far as Blaze was concerned. General Badfather was a cold-hearted bastard towards his son.

  Dropping his eyes to the ground, sixteen stories below, Dan briefly contemplated jumping to end all his pain. One small step is all I need to take. Brody’s words mixed with his thought of suicide jarred him, and he turned away from the edge. Sinking down with his back against the wall, Dan pulled his legs in close. He crossed his arms over his knees and lay his head on them as he fought to stop the tears burning at the back of his eyes.

  Blaze moved forward slowly and sat next to Blondie. His voice a mix of firmness and compassion as he said, “Blondie, what’s up?”

  Dan remained silent for a long time as scattered thoughts and emotions raced through his mind. I’m expendable. I’m not a man. Not anymore. They took my manhood. If anyone ever finds out what I allowed to happen, they’ll realize I’m a weak, worthless failure.

  “Blondie?” Blaze said after giving the kid time to respond. As he laid a hand on Blondie’s shoulder, he noted Blondie flinched away from the touch, but Blaze maintained contact and moved his hand to the base of Blondie’s neck, squeezing lightly. Using a soft tone, one he employed with Daphy when she needed consoling, he said, “Son, you’re upset. Rightly so but tell me what is going on in your head and allow me to help.”

  The word son ripped at Dan’s heart. He wanted for so long for his father to talk to him in this manner. That’ll never happen. The general hates me and wants me dead because I failed to protect Sara.

  Blaze encouraged again. “You can confide in me. I’m here for you no matter what. I want to help if I can.”

  “Nothing you can do. Got my orders. I’ll do my duty.”

  “Look at me. Please.” Blaze picked up on the quiet desolation in Blondie’s clipped statements. The fatherly part of him wanted to wrap him up and keep him from harm. The CO part understood he must shore up his man.

  Dan turned his head but kept it on his arms.

  The utter despair and lost aura in the kid’s eyes broke Blaze’s heart as he locked gazes. “Trust me. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  Trusting came hard for Dan. The only one he genuinely trusted was Brody. Sure, the guys were there for him, but he had been naïve and hurt several times when he showed any weakness. To protect himself, he held people at a distance and viewed their motives with a healthy dose of chariness. As his eyes searched Blaze’s, Dan thought about everything the man had done for him in the past two years. Blaze always stood in his corner and defended him.

  The child in Dan needed what Blaze offered. As he lowered his guard completely, trusting Blaze with his vulnerability, Dan opened up, speaking in a quiet and scared tone. “If I do this, there will be nothing left of me. Not that there is much left anyway. Not after what those bastards did to me. I should’ve fought harder and escaped. It isn’t as if I’m a child, like Dom’s girls. If I were a man, I wouldn’t have allowed them to … to hurt me.”

  “You believe you’re not a man.” Blaze reflected Blondie’s words.

  Dan nodded. “Not anymore. I’m trained … should’ve been able to get away. They wouldn’t …” his voice broke and trailed off unable to admit the revolting debasement he suffered. He could never say out loud, ‘I let them rape me over and over.’ Blaze would think less of him than he already did.

  Peering into the depths of the tortured, blue eyes, Blaze read between the lines. Blondie didn’t come out and say the words, but he recalled with clarity the kid’s words when he began telling them all the horrors he endured and said the animals threatened to rape him, feigning he didn’t recollect if they did.

  Now unambiguously clear to Blaze, Blondie recalled, and the black-hearted, brutal beasts had sexually assaulted him. Ah shit! This kid’s been through too goddamned much. And now he is in an impossible situation. Goddammit, I want to wring the general’s neck, but that won’t help Blondie now.

  Incapable of maintaining his gaze with Blaze as shame grew, Dan returned his forehead to his knees. Dammit, I said too much. Blaze figured it out. But Dan couldn’t stop his next words. “Even if I simulate the act, I’ll be no less a rapist and pedophile.”

  Blaze reached down and gripped Blondie’s chin, turning his face to him. Blondie cast his eyes down, but Blaze said, “You need to understand something. You are a strong and capable man. That is how I view you. How every man in this unit perceives you. Our opinion will never change.”

  Flicking his eyes up, they burned with humiliation as Dan’s faint voice shook with misery, “How can you? I cry. I shake. I scream out with nightmares. I didn’t stop them. I’m not a man anymore. They stripped me of my manhood. Hell, I can’t even take a simple shower without panicking.”

  “Tell me about the shower,” Blaze requested as everything Blondie said rolled around in his mind, searching for a way to assist. He moved his hand back to the base of Blondie’s neck and held on.

  Taking a deep, shaky breath as he sat up, Dan raked his hands through his hair. “Water … water in my face sends me back there. I dropped the damned soap, and when I bent over, water hit me square in the face. I panicked. I started to shake and whimper. As I tried to move out of the stream, I slipped and knocked myself out. Talk about worthless and useless. Water splashing me reduces me to a bawling, terrified baby.”

  Blaze recalled the incident in the barracks when Mason helped Blondie shower while recovering and accidentally sprayed his face causing the kid pass out. Things began to make sense. The unseen scars ran deep, deeper than he ever imagined. Healing the psychological wounds would take longer than a few months … perhaps even years. What Blondie needed now was reassurance he would stand by him regardless of what occurred.

  “Blondie, what you went through is beyond imaginable. The fact you survived shows the world you are tough and resilient,” Blaze stated not being specific but speaking from the heart, hoping Blondie would understand and accept his
words.

  He reached out and gripped both of Blondie’s shoulders, turning him, so they faced one another. Blaze leaned in close as he pulled Blondie forward until their eyes were only three inches apart. His voice full of conviction, he peered directly into Blondie’s soulful, blue orbs. “Not many men could’ve done what you did to survive. That isn’t a weakness. It’s a strength. You fought with everything you possessed to live through your sojourn in Purgatory.

  “Listen carefully. No one can take your masculinity from you. Real men weep and scream. They shake with fear, suffer nightmares, and phobias. None of these things makes you less of a man. They only make you human. Men are human and experience a range of emotions. Frankly, I would be more worried about you if you didn’t cry and quiver after what you endured at the hands of those vicious animals. You still possess your humanity after the depravity you lived through. They can never take what matters most from you.”

  Dan sucked in a ragged breath, fighting back the tears.

  “Christ, almighty, Blondie, just listening to what you went through gave me night terrors.” Blaze drove home cold, hard facts. “You are a skilled soldier, but you are deluded if you think you stood a chance of escaping from a stronghold in the middle of nowhere, occupied by eighty bloodthirsty terrorists, while unarmed, half-starved to death, chained to a wall, and beaten to a bloody pulp. Those are impossible odds. Eighty armed bastards against one half-dead, unarmed soldier. Eighty to one! Do you hear me, Blondie?

  “Hell, when we went in to rescue you, it took all six of us. Not a single one of us could’ve rescued you alone. We needed each other and it was a damned miracle we came out unscathed. And Blondie, we were armed to the teeth and in prime physical condition. Do you grasp what I am saying, kid? You did what was necessary to stay alive in a horrific situation. You chose survival when a lesser man would’ve given up and died.”

  Blaze sighed deeply. “I’m so sorry I left you there for so long. My lack of action tears me up inside. I’m sorry for everything they did to you. I’m not sure there is another man I know who could’ve held on as long as you did. Nor fight as hard to recover. You amaze me, young man.”