by Laura Acton
Anastasia smiled watching the jubilant reunion as Elsa snuggled as close to her father as humanly possible.
At Andrei’s and Elsa’s yells, Tatiana hurried forward. “My daughter. My sweet girl is here.” Tatiana’s heart rejoiced and burst with joy as she focused on Elsa in Andrei’s arms. Her whole world spun, and everyone else in the room faded away. Tatiana reached her daughter in an instant and held out her arms for Elsa as he daughter cried out, “Mommy.”
She hugged Elsa to her, holding Elsa tightly as if she would disappear. Andrei wrapped his arms around his wife and daughter and tears of joy were in everyone’s eyes.
After several minutes Andrei stepped back as Tatiana rocked Elsa, comforting their crying girl. Still astonished, he turned to the abbess. “How?”
Mary Catherine smiled at Andrei. “God’s Guardian Angels.”
Hearing that, Tatiana’s eyes went to the blonde woman all in black and back to the other woman. Did these women bring Elsa here? Now that Tatiana was closer to the younger woman she had a better view of her. Tatiana only stared in disbelief.
Natia watched the reunion, so happy for the little girl. She was reunited with her mother and father. She bowed her head under the scrutiny of the raven-haired woman though. Natia realized what she must look like … a harlot not fit to be in the company of decent people.
The ash brown-haired woman tilted her head down, and Tatiana blinked rapidly. I’m seeing things. She is the exact image of mother in her wedding photo … well, minus the makeup and with more clothes.
Natia lowered her eyes in shame as the girl’s mother continued to stare at her. She is likely thinking her child will be corrupted being near me. No matter what Anastasia says, I am a slut. I should go and leave this family in peace.
“Please take Elsa.” Tatiana turned to Andrei handing over their daughter.
Elsa went to her daddy’s arms readily but stared at her mommy.
Tatiana stepped around the table and came close to the timorous woman and tentatively said, “You look like my mother when she was young.”
Natia lifted her head and peered at Elsa’s mother. She had no idea what she said, but she smiled shyly.
Anastasia said, “Natia doesn’t understand English. She speaks Russian and Georgian. I can translate for you.”
Tatiana’s eyes went wide, and her hand covered her mouth as chills went down her spine. That shy smile. She recognized the smile. Tatiana’s voice was unsure and shook with emotion, “Natia?”
“Yes, I am Natia.”
Tears sprouted in Tatiana’s green eyes as she spoke Georgian, “Are you Natia Janashia?”
Natia’s eyes narrowed. How does she know my name? The green-eyed woman sat down next to her, and they continued to stare at one another. As Natia studied her, her eyes own widened as slow recognition came to her. The hair color was all wrong, black not light brown, but those eyes were the same. Shakily Natia ventured in a tone of disbelief, “Tati … Tati?”
Tatiana nodded as she reached out and embraced her long-lost sister. “Natia, I thought I would never find you. We searched so hard for so long. Oh Natia, blessed be the Lord for returning you to me.”
Andrei stood dumbstruck at Tatiana’s words. He blinked as tried to imagine Natia grown up and visualize her face through all the garish makeup.
Tatiana turned to Andrei, and her voice held a breathless quality. “Andrei, this is Natia. My little sister. I’m sure it is. She is the spitting image of my mother.”
Andrei sat heavily on the bench with Elsa securely in his arms. Utterly overwhelmed. “How?”
Anastasia placed a hand on Andrei’s shoulder. “God’s Warriors, as the Abbess said.”
His face screwed up in confusion. “No, she said God’s Guardian Angels.”
Smiling, Anastasia shrugged as she stood. “Same thing. If you will excuse me, I need to check on some warrior angels.” To Natia, Anastasia said, “I am thrilled for you. Remember, you possess a beautiful and kind heart. Never change. I will be in touch with you soon. Stay strong and beautiful. Thank you again for your assistance tonight. Many owe their freedom to your bravery.”
Assuming the woman was the one who brought his daughter back to him, Andrei said, “I can never repay you for what you have done. I am forever in your debt. You will be in my prayers from this day forth.”
Anastasia turned to gather her gear and nodded as she corrected. “It was not only me. Please pray for my friends. Two of them desperately need them.”
Pleased with the reunion but having more tasks to attend to Mary Catherine said, “I must address the needs of my guests who were never here. I hope you understand my meaning?”
Noticing the blonde woman, dressed all in black, pick up a black mask, a bulletproof vest, and a handgun, Andrei understood perfectly. Well not quite but enough. He nodded and declared, “What guests Abbess? I see no one other than nuns in this room.”
Mary Catherine smiled. “I will be in to check on you and your family in a while.” Turning to Anastasia, she said. “Please, follow me.”
As they headed out, Anastasia and Mary Catherine overheard Elsa. “They saved me from the bad men. The giant was sad. I gave him a hug, and he hugged me back. The pretty lady was kind to me. The blond man said mean things but the man with the same color hair as you daddy gave his clothes to a boy and he said he only said those things to save me. He said he is good too. I think they are all nice.”
Andrei loved the innocent rambling of his daughter and agreed. “Yes, sunshine.” He embraced her, as joy filled his heart. His gaze shifted to Tatiana and Natia who were still in awe they had been reunited after so many years. “I think we need to retire to our room and wake Luka up so he can welcome his little sister home too.”
“Come, sister, I want you to meet Luka. He has grown so much, and so have you. We have much to discuss.” Tatiana stood and pulled her sister up. She put her arm around Natia, pulling her close.
“I am not fit to be with decent people. I am a fallen woman. You should not allow me around your children.” Natia pulled away shaking her head as tears flooded her eyes.
Tears welled in Tatiana’s eyes at Natia’s words. “I have eyes sister and ears. I listened to what that lady said. She is right. Whatever happened to you was not of your choosing. God has returned you to me, and that is all that matters. You are home now. We are family, and we are here for you no matter what. I love you, Natia, always have and always will.”
Natia started crying and held on to her older sister. Years of prayers answered. She almost didn’t recognize her with black hair. Natia wondered why Tatiana dyed her lovely brown hair to jet black. That thought faded into the background as irrelevant. She was in her sister’s embrace. Soon she would be with mother and father too.
Tatiana whispered soothing words and stroked her younger sister’s back until she calmed down. She comprehended Natia had been through a terrible ordeal. She would need counseling, probably a lot of it, to heal. Tatiana vowed to be there for Natia the entire journey. Unfortunately, there would be more hurt to come for her little sister when she found out about the death of their parents, but Tatiana would help her grieve too. She would never abandon Natia even if she needed her help for the rest of her life.
Sister Frances entered the kitchen to find a touching scene. She disliked interrupting, but said, “I prepared a bath and found a clean nightgown for you.”
Pulling back, Tatiana wiped Natia’s tears. “A hot bath sounds like the perfect thing. I’ll stay with you as you clean up and then we will visit with Luka. How does that sound?”
Overwhelmed by the acceptance and love Tatiana showed her, Natia only nodded and allowed Tatiana to guide her as they followed Sister Frances.
Cost of Being a Guardian
42
May 29
Sacred Heart Abbey – Unit’s Room
The unit followed Sister Maria, who carried Anna-Marie, through a maze of corridors, down a flight of stairs, and into a storage room. Com
ing to a wall which appeared to be only wooden racks full of preserved foods, Maria slid one to the side revealing another hall. She led them past three doors, indicating to them one which contained bathroom facilities and showers. She opened the fourth and last door at the end of the hallway. They stepped into a well-lit room with twelve single beds, six on each side of the spacious yet spartan room.
Each bed had a thin but serviceable mattress covered with crisp, white linen. Several religious paintings, a few pastoral scenes, and a cross hung on the light beige brick walls. The flooring was unadorned concrete. On the west side stood a table with two bench seats, each would hold five comfortably, and two simple wooden chairs at the ends of the long table brought the total potential occupancy for a meal to twelve.
After a quick scan of the area, Patch chose the east side for his purposes. He inclined his head to a bed on the north wall. “Put Blondie on the second bed.” Going to the south wall, he approached the amenities opposing Dan. “Mike, let’s put Ripsaw here. Close so I can tend both.”
Laying Blondie down carefully, Mason took a knee, so he was closer to the low bed and unlatched the vest. He slipped it off knowing Blondie would be more comfortable without it. He undid the laces and slid off the black leather Salvatore Ferragamo oxfords wondering who would pay almost a thousand dollars for a pair of shoes. Mason believed money would be better spent on a useful hunting rifle. Although, Mason admitted Blondie certainly dressed the part of Maks in nearly three thousand dollars’ worth of clothes. Too bad they were all ruined by the splattered with blood and puke.
Brody hung the saline bag on a nail sticking out of the wall above Blondie’s bed before adjusting the pillows under Dan’s head making him comfortable. He stared down at his bruised jaw and pale, sweaty face. Fight Danny, fight hard. I can’t lose you this way. Not after everything you’ve beaten.
Patch glanced over and instructed, “Roll him on his side. If he vomits, I don’t want him aspirating. Best if you strip him down to his boxers and cover him with a blanket. He’s sleeping at the moment, so I’m gonna take care of Ripsaw.” Shrugging off his pack, he tossed it on the mattress next to Ripsaw’s. “Mike, hang the solutions someplace and then bring me the bags with the other supplies.”
Mike held Ripsaw’s IV bags not knowing where to hang them until he noted what Brody did. He removed a picture and attached both saline bags to the hook. As he turned to leave to retrieve their gear from outside, Mason joined him leaving Brody the task of undressing Blondie.
Patch helped Ripsaw out of his vest and removed his boots. Noting the beads of sweat break out on Ripsaw’s forehead and a grimace, he asked, “What’s your pain level?”
“Seven.” Ripsaw pressed his head down on the pillow as he gritted his teeth. The jostling of moving from the van to here increased his pain.
“I’m gonna give you a larger dose of morphine and a sedative to send you to lalaland so you can sleep while I remove the bullet.” Patch opened his regular med pack, withdrew the supplies, and injected the drugs into the IV port.
Dom gently laid Nicolette on a bed, and Sister Maria put Anna-Marie next to her before she hurried out to locate Sister Agatha. Covering his precious girls with a soft blanket, Dom let tears of relief fill his eyes. He knelt beside their bed, gazing at his sweet ones. They succeeded. My girls are safe.
Disgusted by what Savelievich dressed them in, Dom realized his planning never considered procuring clothing for them. He would rectify his oversight and acquire them something decent to wear. He would never take them through airport this way, nor did Jeannette ever need to be made aware of their state … it would break her heart. After he removed the cherry bows from their braids, he threw them across the room with a feral growl.
Patch and Brody halted, witnessing a father’s deep anguish. Momentarily startled by the sudden, but justified emotional outburst, they resumed caring for Blondie and Ripsaw, giving Dom as much privacy as possible.
Dom undid the braids and smoothed out their chestnut brown hair. His girls hated pigtails. Jeannette always styled their hair with delicate French braids framing their lovely faces and left the rest of their silky hair loose. He leaned down and tenderly kissed their cheeks. “Papa is here my darlings. I will never let anyone hurt you again. I’m so sorry it took me so long to rescue you. I love you, and I’ll take you home to Mama real soon.”
Dom turned to Patch. “Can you keep them sedated? I do not want them remembering any of this. What they went through is bad enough. I want them to wake at home with their mother and me holding them.”
“Yeah, I can, but I don’t know what they were given, so I must wait until they start to rouse before I give them anything else. I can start IVs, so they don’t dehydrate. I will prepare a sedative for when they begin to stir. We’ll need to watch them closely. Are they allergic to anything?”
“No known allergies. Thank you.” Dom got up off the floor and sat on the end of the bed his daughters lay in. He watched Patch and Brody tending to their buddies. It reminded him of the old days with his SAS unit. They were a stellar unit. He stared at Dan, and his heart dropped. Poisoned. It would be a profound tear in his soul if William’s son died to save his children. I hope Dan makes it through this.
After cutting off Ripsaw’s pants, Patch covered him with a blanket. When Ripsaw shivered, he asked, “Warm enough or do you want another one?”
Shivering, Ripsaw murmured, “Hot and cold at the same time.”
“That’s shock. You should be feeling relief soon. Close your eyes and let the meds take you away. I’m gonna set up and take care of you shortly.” Patch spread a second blanket over him.
His body becoming heavy and lethargic as the morphine and sedative took effect, Ripsaw closed his eyes and drifted into a drug-induced sleep.
Patch sank to the bunk next to his backpack and ran a hand over his face as he glanced between Blondie and Ripsaw. He muttered, “How am I gonna care for both of them? They need qualified doctors.”
Overhearing Patch’s soft words, Brody finished covering Dan and turned to Patch. “They only need you. We’ll help. Whatever you need, just tell us.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Seriously, Patch. We trust your judgment and skills.” Brody stood. “What can I do to help?”
“Keep an eye on Blondie. Track his vitals while I tend to Ripsaw. Doubt he will wake anytime soon, but if he does and needs to pee, use the urinal. I must record the volume. Missed volume might be critical.” Blowing out a breath, Patch stood as Mason and Mike reentered with all the gear bags. On their heels were two nuns carrying trays which they set on the long table.
Dumping both bags containing the items from the clinic on the mattress near Patch’s pack, Mason stopped to assess Patch. Their medic’s face reflected concern openly. Placing a hand on his shoulder, Mason said, “Coffee smells wonderful. How about a cup before you start?”
“No. I can’t leave that slug in Ripsaw.”
“Ten minutes isn’t going to make much of a difference. They’re both resting and out of immediate danger for the moment,” Mason urged.
Sister Agatha stepped forward and said, “Sister Maria indicated you might need my services. I’m a trained nurse. I can care for them while you rest a moment. I have assisted with surgeries before. I can prep him for you.”
Gripping Patch’s arm, Mason dragged him across the room as he smiled at Agatha. “Thank you, sister. The supplies are in the pack on the bed.”
Propelled toward the table, Patch sighed. “Alright already. I’ll go willingly.” He noted the blood on Mason’s arm. “You’re hurt too.”
“Nah, only a scratch.” Mason pushed Patch down on the bench and proceeded to set a double stacked sandwich before him.
“I’m gonna use peroxide instead of chlorhexidine on you,” Patch teased.
“At least it isn’t alcohol, like Nurse Misery,” Brody quipped, joining them.
Sister Maria poured coffee for the men and handed out sandwiches before she w
ent to assist Agatha.
Mason chuckled as he tore into his thick roast beef sandwich.
After stacking all the gear in one corner, Mike picked up a plate with two sandwiches and snagged two mugs of coffee as he headed towards Dom. The man appeared wiped out and in need of sustenance. He handed a cup to Dom and offered, “Ham or turkey?” as he wearily sat across from him.
Taking the turkey sandwich, Dom gave a slight nod in thanks before taking a sip of the hot coffee.
In a quiet undertone, Mike said, “Panin needs to die.”
Halting as he raised his snack, Dom’s eyes turned stormy. “He’s not dead?”
Mike shook his head. “A decision made due to complications. Mason said a sheik came in with guards. They left Panin for him, but Blondie killed Al Sattar when he attempted to shoot Ripsaw. With the airport thing, that means Panin must still be alive and most likely bribed someone high up in the police department. There will be no justice here. Panin will find a way to return to business even though your program wiped him out financially. Roaches like him always seem to scurry away into the dark.”
Dom nodded. “We’ll deal with Panin in due time. Priorities … take my girls home, return you all to Kandahar, plug the leak, and then rid the world of Panin.”
“You found out who?” Mike’s stomach appreciated the delicious ham and cheese sandwich.
“Yes. Makar and Kazimir provided me the identity of the person who sold out us out. She betrayed me and others.” Then he said very quietly. “The general was also betrayed. You should take extra precautions with him and his family for a while. The Yurievich brothers planned to go after his daughter next. They won’t be doing so now, but I have no idea who else she may have betrayed us to. So, be on your guard.”
“I want to help eliminate Panin.” Mike held Dom’s gaze.
Dom arched a brow at the intensity. “Why?”
“Let’s say … he deserves to die for things he has done,” Mike replied.