She heard her name again and it sounded like it was coming closer.
“Help!” she cried out and Vlladim grabbed her shirt and yanked her up but she stayed on her knees, making him struggle. She heard more yelling and turned to see men running toward them.
Vlladim gripped her throat and she thought he was going to kill her right here. She slammed her hands at his arms. “This isn’t over. I will hunt you until you’re mine again.” He struck her so hard she fell back onto the ground, feeling dizzy and out of sorts.
“Malayna?” She heard her name and saw a man in black with bright blue eyes staring down at her. She tried to move and couldn’t. She was so dizzy. He placed his hands over her belly.
“Don’t move. We’re here to help you. Nalia sent us,” he said to her and Malayna felt the tears fill her eyes.
Then other men were there, too. “This is her? What happened to Vlladim?” some other man asked.
“He took off that way,” the blue-eyed guy said as he put a flashlight over her and checked her injuries.
“Cosivan and Luca went after him,” another man said and he leaned down. “Malayna, I’m one of Nalia’s men. You’re safe now. We’re going to bring you home to your father.”
“My father?” she asked.
The man with the blue eyes nodded. “We’ll get you there. My men and I will ensure your safe return to Nicolai,” he said and then reached for her to pick her up.
She heard them talking as he carried her in his arms and she lay against his shoulder. She felt numb, yet safe until she heard one of the men talking. “They can’t find him. Vlladim got away.”
“Send them back. We need to get the hell out of here, daylight is on our asses,” he told them in a commanding tone as he carried her through the darkness and to an awaiting vehicle. It was over. She was finally free.
* * * *
Nicolai fell slowly to his chair as he listened to Star speak to him on the phone. Karlicov was there with him as word came in that Nalia was alive and safe. They needed to stop for medical attention for her. It was pretty bad.
“Nicolai, Nalia found Malayna. She was being held prisoner all these years by Cornikup and this guy, Vlladim.”
“What?” he asked and looked at Karlicov.
“Oh my God,” Karlicov said and stood up, placing his hand on Nicolai’s shoulder. He knew his right hand man knew the story and how long they searched for her. Star and his team had gone on various hunts that led to nothing at all.
“Star, it’s her? You’re certain?”
“Yes, sir, it seems to be her. She has a concussion and some bruising. She’s insistent on remaining with Nalia, because Nalia saved her life.”
“How is Nalia? What are her injuries?” he asked.
“She has knife wounds, a broken ankle, and lots of cuts and bruising. Cornikup and Vlladim worked her over good. We’re about ten minutes out from a medical facility,” Star told them.
“And Cornikup and Vlladim?” Nicolai asked as Karlicov gripped the desk.
“Vlladim disappeared as we stopped him from taking Malayna, and Cornikup is dead.”
“So you got him? It’s over?” Karlicov said.
“Nalia killed him,” Star said and Karlicov lowered his head. Nicolai was in shock.
“Bring our daughters home safely, Star. Thank everyone for us as well.”
Epilogue
Nalia gasped and then moaned loudly before she felt the warm, large hands caressing her skin. “You’re safe, Milaya,” Cosivan whispered.
Her mind began to process what was going on and where she was. The sounds were somewhat familiar as machines beeped and the scent of antiseptic filled her nostrils. She blinked her eyes open and saw all the people there. She felt the tears emerge. It was real. She was rescued. She was safe. Nalia tried to see clearly but this groggy feeling consumed her and her head and body felt so heavy. Then came the sound of her father’s voice. She turned slightly, feeling an ache but then she felt his hand on her shoulder.
“You amaze me, Nalia. So strong, so persistent to fight and fight and stay alive.” He kissed her forehead and she felt the tears fill her eyes. She loved her father so much. That thought made her think of Malayna.