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

by Laura Acton

  Patch worked efficiently to start Blondie’s IV totally in awe of the nun’s ability to help Blondie. Patch injected Blondie’s particular pain meds into the port line. When he was done, he removed all visual evidence of needles. His grateful eyes met the abbess’. “I’m done.”

  The guys all looked on completely stunned that the sister had successful hypnotized Blondie. Amazed Patch was able to insert the IV needle without Blondie being aware. She earned their everlasting gratitude.

  Brody looked up with sincere gratitude and tears in his eyes, “You are a godsend. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping my brother. It hurt so bad seeing him so scared and in pain.”

  She smiled as she brushed the damp blond locks from the young man’s forehead. Happy the pain lines diminished as he rested easier. Mary Catherine squeezed his friend’s hand. “I can tell you care a lot. He is resting now. God’s angels will watch over him while he sleeps.”

  As Mary Catherine shifted to exit, she spotted Dom and halted as she remarked, “His shade of blue eyes and handsome facial features remind me so much of the man who was with you when you rescued me.”

  Dom grinned and could not wait to tell William about this part as he responded, “That would be because he is his son.”

  Mary Catherine’s jaw dropped open as she turned to stare at the ill man again. “The Lord must’ve brought him to me for a reason. A way for me to repay a kindness.”

  She started to climb out as Patch reached out and embraced her. It might not be appropriate, but his heart was bursting with appreciation which he couldn’t find words to express.

  When the medic released her from a hug, the abbess smiled. “You’re welcome.” As she stepped out, the giant man enfolded her in another hug.

  Mason’s voice was thick with emotion as he held on to one of God’s earthly angels and said, “Thanks for helping my little brother.”

  Looking up, up, and up, Mary Catherine grinned. “He is much littler than you that is for sure.”

  Releasing a chuckle Mason nodded. “Yeah, he is, but I meant younger. I can never express my full gratitude for what you did for him. I didn’t want to hold him down, but I would have.”

  Winds held Ripsaw up outside the van, and together they added their appreciation. “Thank you.”

  Blaze gazed at the nun and spoke from the heart, “We sincerely appreciate you helping the kid. He has been through too much lately. He is special to us. It pained us all that he needed to be held down, but with the poison he ingested he needs the fluids to flush his system. I wish there were something we could do to express our appreciation.”

  Mary Catherine reached out and took the hand of the man who appeared to be in charge of these brave men. “I’m glad I can help. It is a heavy burden you carry. You all did more today than me. You saved seventeen innocent children.”

  She scanned each man and added, “You will also heal a family who is in so much pain. Andrei’s prayers for Elsa’s safe return were answered in the form of you men. Now let’s get you all to the abbey. You need to rest. You will all be safe there.”

  Patch finally found his voice and asked, “Can you give him a post-hypnotic suggestion that he is not afraid of needles?”

  “Sadly, hypnotherapy does not truly work that way with a terror so deeply ingrained in the psyche. Unless he is guided to a deep state of relaxation the suggestion will have little lasting effect. He was rather resistant to my strategies. Normally, I can typically induce a hypnotic state in a fraction of the time it took to move him to the necessary level.”

  Brody chuckled. “He is rather stubborn. Usually, it’s a good thing. His stubbornness saved his life when any other man would have died.”

  Sacred Heart Abbey – Courtyard

  The unit plus the others arrived at the Abbey, pulling into their enclosed courtyard. Two sisters guided fourteen of the fifteen children inside the building when Elsa refused to budge from Anastasia’s arms.

  Natia went to the van which carried the man who saved her. She wanted to thank him. She had seen he was injured when they stopped in the warehouse. She went up to him as he was being helped by two of the men and in Georgian said, “Thank you. I owe my life too you. May God, bless and protect you.”

  Ripsaw peered up as Patch and Mike carried him in a cradle chair they created with their arms, so he did not have to be slung over Winds’ shoulder again. He smiled and said, “Natia, the thanks go to you. If it were not for the information, you provided, and your help things might’ve gone much differently. You helped to save yourself and all these kids. I hope you find happiness and build a beautiful life.”

  She smiled liking the thought she helped as she followed them inside.

  Blaze and Brody moved Blondie to the edge of the van, and once they got him there, Mason bent down and carefully picked him up. Mason straightened and waited while Brody hopped out holding the saline bag. Blaze slung two packs over his shoulder as Brody and Mason followed Patch, Mike, and Ripsaw into the Abbey. Dom carried Nicolette while Sister Maria carried Anna-Marie as they extended Mason’s shadow. The final member of the little ragtag parade was Anastasia who carried Elsa.

  As Winds finished removing their bags from the vans and stacking them near the entrance, Blaze gazed at the group going inside, but quickly turned his attention to Mary Catherine who remained outside ensuring everyone entered in safely. “We will return in a while. We must ditch the vehicles.”

  Mary Catherine smiled. “We’ll take excellent care of them while you are gone. We will have something nourishing for you to eat and a place to rest set up by the time you return. God’s speed.”

  Setting the last of their packs aside for the other to retrieve once they got Ripsaw, Blondie and Dom’s girls settled, Winds asked, “How are we going to remove traces of Ripsaw’s blood and Blondie’s puke?”

  Blaze pivoted and jogged back to the Abbess. “Do you have any kerosene?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “Need some so I can protect my men. We were never here, and we can leave nothing behind which can link us here,” Blaze stated.

  “Wait a moment. I’ll be right back with some.” Mary Catherine returned a few minutes later and handed over a large can of kerosene. She waited until the two men drove away, sending up a prayer for their safekeeping before turning and striding inside to assist with what must be done.

  She had an abbey full of children to comfort, feed, cloth, bed down and identify. That would be a huge undertaking to locate their families. She also had a family to reunite which would be a joyful thing. Mary Catherine also needed to provide nourishment and a place of rest for several brave men and two brave women. She might even need to contact a friend and discrete doctor if the medic needed assistance with the injured and ill men.

  Family Is Everything

  41

  May 29

  Sacred Heart Abbey – Andrei’s and Tatiana’s Room

  Andrei noted the footsteps of several people walking down the hall as he lay on his bed trying to sleep, though it would not come, he was so worried about his baby girl. She must be so scared and missing them as much as they were her. He wiped his tears which would not seem to stop once they started when he knelt praying after the abbess left.

  Sister Esther came in to check on Tatiana as promised. His wife refused the sedative, she wanted to talk, and the sister sat with her and listened while he prayed and his son thankfully slept. He came in while Tatiana showed pictures of her parents and little sister to Esther. The mounting losses tore his dear wife to pieces. She possesses such a soft heart. Family is everything to Tatiana, but she extends her heart to everyone.

  Tatiana finally fell into a fitful sleep. She cried out for their daughter, her sister, her mother, and father in her sleep several times. Andrei increasingly worried Tatiana might be tempted to take the same action as her father.

  Nador Janashia had been as soft-hearted as Tatiana. Her father only stopped for a drink with colleagues to commemorate the birth of a
co-worker’s first child. It ate at Nador day and night that his daughter went missing as he celebrated another’s. That is until Nador’s heart could bear no more pain and he killed himself.

  Andrei closed his eyes again. He must sleep at least a little tonight to remain strong to take care of Tatiana and Luka. Tomorrow I’ll go to the police and demand they begin a search for Elsa. Perhaps I should contact the Canadian consulate for assistance. Weary to the bone, Andrei drifted off into a restless sleep.

  Sacred Heart Abbey – Children’s Room

  With wonder in her eyes, Natia surveyed the room with all the beds. She had been shown in here with the children though she was an adult. Nuns went from bed to bed. One handed out clean sleepwear, another wrote down the kid’s names and where they came from. Two more brought in a tray with an aromatic steaming pot of soup and several loaves of bread. They served each child a bowl with a thick slice of fresh bread slathered with creamy butter after they dressed in the nightgowns.

  Natia sat on a chair and waited. Glad for these kids but tears welled wishing she had been rescued when she was a child. As she wiped her eyes, she noticed the littlest girl was missing.

  Sister Maria approached the young woman. She was not much younger than herself. She inquired in Russian, “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” Natia said nodding. “Where is the little green-eyed girl?”

  “Her parents are here. She will be reunited with them soon.”

  “I’m happy for her.”

  “Sister Frances is finding clothing for you. She will be here shortly. Would you like some delicious soup?”

  Natia shook her head, and the nun returned to helping the others. Natia could not eat, her stomach was too rumbly … both pleased and nervous about going home. Worried her mother, father, and sister would reject her. She was scared of what would happen to her if her family no longer wanted her. She didn’t possess any skills except what she had done in the Cherry Club.

  She closed her eyes, took slow breaths, and attempted to reassure herself everything would be alright. At least I’m free. If my family does not want a tainted woman, I will find a way to survive as I did for a decade.

  Sister Esther entered the room and searched. She smiled. The Lord sent her to Tatiana Teplov for a reason tonight. She went straight for the woman and stopped in front of her. Sister Esther wished she possessed something more appropriate for her to wear, but that was of little consequence at the moment. She said softly. “Natia, would you please come with me?”

  “Are you Sister Frances?”

  Esther shook her head. “I am not, but I still need you to follow me.” At the apprehensive expression, she added, “You are safe here.”

  Natia stood and followed the nun out of the room. She wondered where she was being taken. Perhaps they had a room for her. She would love to shower and put on something more decent. Natia felt debauched and sullied among all these nuns dressed as she was and with her face still made up. Unconsciously, she tried to cover herself as her head bowed down.

  Sacred Heart Abbey – Kitchen

  Anastasia sat next to Elsa who now wore a long, cotton nightgown. Elsa sluggishly ate tomato soup by dipping the fresh bread into the bowl. The little girl was ravenous, but her eyes blinked and her head drooped with tiredness.

  Abbess Mary Catherine explained she wanted Elsa’s reunion to take place in a warm and inviting room, so she brought her and Elsa to the kitchen. Once there, Elsa was bathed and dressed in warm clothing. When her tummy rumbled, they sat at the long wooden table, and a steaming bowl of soup with buttered bread was placed before her.

  While the nuns took care of Elsa, Anastasia removed her vest and balaclava and released her hair from the bun. Sister Clare supplied her with coffee and a ham sandwich. Famished, Anastasia made short work of the meal. She noted one of the sisters preparing a tray laden with food for the guys, so she did not feel guilty about eating herself.

  As Elsa’s lids fluttered closed and her head bobbled nearly ending up in her bowl, Anastasia rubbed her back. “Little one, are you finished eating?”

  “Uh huh,” Elsa said sleepily.

  Anastasia scooped Elsa up and cradled her in her arms as a nun ushered Natia into the room and asked her to sit at the kitchen table across from her.

  Natia smiled at the lady who she could now see had beautiful blonde hair. Sister Esther placed a bowl of hearty vegetable soup in front of her and Natia’s hunger surged. She dipped the bread into the soup, took a bite, and closed her eyes, sighing.

  Anastasia recognized Ripsaw spoke Georgian to the woman, so she chose to use the same language. “Thank you for your help tonight. You can be proud of what you did. You are a brave woman. I will be sure to tell Elsa’s parents you helped save their daughter.”

  Natia blushed. Everyone treated her so nicely even though she was nothing but a whore. “I did not do anything.”

  Smiling, Anastasia stated, “You did more than you know. We didn’t have to take those children out through a hail of bullets. We were able to move them safely through the passageway. We couldn’t have done so without you. We did not know it existed. You saved Elsa and the others as much as any of the rest of us. A team effort.” Anastasia wanted to do more for this courageous woman. “Natia, I would like to help you find your family. Can you tell me how you came to be at Panin’s place?”

  Natia explained to Anastasia that when she was eleven she had been walking home from school and a man pulled her into a van. Something terrible smelling on a rag covered her mouth, and she passed out. When she woke up, she was in a room in the Cherry Club.

  She put down the spoon and brushed tears away as she shared she was alone in the room and naked, and after a very long time she became hungry. A man came in and gave her some food. For several weeks she remained in the bedroom, and only one man came in and brought her a little food every day.

  Natia let out a sob and used a napkin to wipe her leaky eyes as she related the day a man took her innocence forcefully. From that point on, men defiled her almost daily. When she tried to fight they beat her, so she learned to do as expected because they would do what they wanted either way. Natia told her that for years she hoped to be rescued but gave up and accepted her plight.

  A smile graced Natia’s face. “Until today. I want to go home. I miss my parents.” Natia’s smile disappeared. “I am a harlot, a disgrace. My family will not want me. They will not want my shame brought into their home.”

  Anastasia reached out across the table, clasped Natia’s hand, and squeezed lightly. This poor girl had been so abused. “You are beautiful and pure of heart. You are a survivor who possessed the strength of character to seize an opportunity to escape from your abusers.

  “In doing so, you helped many others. Natia, continue being strong. This world offers amazing things, and you can do and be anything you desire. I will stay in touch with you after we locate your family. If you need anything at all you can contact me. Eat now. We’ll talk later.”

  Sacred Heart Abbey – Andrei’s and Tatiana’s Room

  Awakened by a hand on his shoulder, Andrei blinked open gritty eyes. Groggily he wondered why the nun would wake him. Worry spiked, and he glanced over at his wife and son. Apprehension ebbed as both appeared to be sleeping soundly. “Is everything okay?”

  Mary Catherine nodded. “Yes, everything is fine, but I need you and Tatiana to come with me. It is important. I’ll wait outside while you wake Tatiana.”

  Unsure why, but Andrei’s dread increased, thinking the authorities might’ve found Elsa’s body and they were being notified. Though the abbess did not appear as if she had bad news to share, just the opposite. He rose from bed fully dressed, having gone to sleep without changing, and went to Tatiana and gently woke her.

  Tatiana rubbed her eyes before bolting upright in bed when she realized Andrei stood over her. “What is it? Is Luka okay? Did they find Elsa?”

  Andrei responded, “Luka is sleeping peacefully. Abbess Mary Catherine needs
us to go with her. She said it’s important.”

  Her eyes darted to the open door as she got up, pulled a robe over her pajamas, and put on slippers. She smoothed down her messed up black hair as they entered the hall and Sister Rosina entered to stay with Luka.

  Sacred Heart Abbey – Kitchen

  Abbess Mary Catherine led the wary couple down the corridor. She saw Sister Esther exit the kitchen and asked, “Is she in there?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry, but the young woman is still dressed as she was. Sister Frances is locating something more suitable and arranging a bath for her.”

  Confused, Andrei asked, “Is this about Elsa?”

  Smiling, Mary Catherine beckoned them forward. “Come with me.” She opened the door and allowed Andrei and Tatiana to enter the room.

  Andrei saw two women sitting at a table on the other side of the large kitchen. A woman with long blonde hair had her back to them. The other woman shocked him. She wore next to nothing and a haunted, sad countenance which the heavy makeup did not cover. He continued into the room even as Tatiana stopped dead in her tracks.

  Tatiana caught sight of the scantily-clad female with light ash brown hair like she used to have before dying it black. From this distance, she appeared forlorn … no mistaking she sold her body for a living. Aware the Sacred Heart Sisters cared for many lost souls and orphans, she was content knowing their donations to the abbey would provide care and assistance to improve this young woman’s life.

  Andrei moved to the end of the bench table mostly gazing at the prostitute. He could not shake a weird feeling, but his eyes shifted to the blonde woman and then to her lap. Andrei’s eyes rounded as his mouth gaped at the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. His eyes teared up, and he rushed forward as he shouted, “Elsa! My Sunshine!”

  Elsa opened her eyes in surprise as she lifted her head at the sound of her father’s voice. As he ran to her, Elsa screamed, “Daddy!”

  When his daughter reached out to him, Andrei lifted his precious daughter, hugging her close, never wanting to let go. “Thank you, Lord.”