Chapter 308: Kidnapped

Braelyn’s POV

Confusion clouded my mind. My stomach wrenched as the cars closed in around us. My fingers curled tightly in my lap, and I struggled to calm my racing thoughts. What was going on? I wondered.

The driver glanced at me briefly, his jaw tightly clenched. His eyes were razor sharp as he muttered, “Stay calm, Mrs James. Everything is going to be fine. I just need to reach my phone.” He knew things were fucked up.

His hand brushed toward the device hidden in his coat pocket, but before he could grab it, a sharp crack split the night. A bullet struck the side mirror, shattering glass across the asphalt and making the phone slip from his grip.

I jerked and pressed myself into the seat, my body trembling as panic shot through me. I caught my breath, trying to steady myself, but there was no time to dwell on fear.

A car door opened in the shadows and a tall man stepped out. His suit was tailored perfectly, black as the night, and a mask covered the lower half of his face.

The gun in his hand gleamed as he approached, his movements deliberate and unnervingly calm, as if he was counting his steps. The cheap Honda Civic wasn’t soundproof. I could hear his voice clearly as he spoke, cold and commanding, “Step out, Miss Alderheim.”

My heart lurched violently. Alderheim. My maiden name. Then I knew this wasn’t a simple ambush. It was someone who had a history with my family. It was amusing. The moment I escaped Raphael’s protection I ran straight into trouble.

Thoughts raced through my mind, but I shoved them aside. There was no room for hesitation.

“You can step out peacefully,” he continued, his voice still calm. “Or we can remove you ourselves. Either way, you are leaving with us.”

My heart hammered violently against my ribs. The driver looked at me through the mirror, his expression tight with frustration and helplessness.

There was nothing he could do. Nothing either of us could do.

I swallowed hard and slowly reached for the door with trembling hands.

The cold night air bit through my coat as I stepped out. Almost immediately, the barrel of a gun pressed against my head from behind and I froze, unable to move.

The driver’s voice cut through the tension. I could hear him from beside the car. His voice came as a warning. “Do not make any sudden movements. Just follow their instructions. I’m going to try something, but you need to remain calm.” His fingers moved with practised precision toward the controls inside the car as the armed men circled us.

A gun was pointed at his head from the open window. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” the man warned him, leaving the driver helpless.

“Raise your hands where I can see them,” he instructed. The driver, left with no choice, raised his hands at gunpoint.

“Apologies in advance,” the leader said politely, still pointing his gun at me while another had me at gunpoint from behind.

“Hands up,” the one behind spat, completely irritated.

Then another suited man approached from the shadows and began to search me thoroughly, his hands searching every inch of my body. It even made me uncomfortable.

It was a full-out operation just to get one girl.

He found the small phone Genny had given me and tossed it aside without a word, nodding at his companion. A curl appeared on the leader’s lips. “Just play along, sweet. Save both parties the stress.”

Cold metal suddenly snapped around my wrists and the handcuffs clicked into place. Panic flared hotter than ever, but there was no time to resist.

Before I could react, someone grabbed my arm and pushed me toward one of the waiting cars.

My feet stumbled against the pavement as they shoved me into the back seat. The door slammed shut immediately after.

The engine roared to life, and the convoy began moving into the port. The truck that had blocked the way earlier shifted aside to clear our path, and the car drove into the port.

The smell of saltwater mixed with diesel hit my nose. The air felt heavier in the port. I tried to catch my breath, but fear kept it shallow and ragged.

The car drove through the port to the private area where private boats were being docked.

The car finally stopped at the edge of a massive cruise ship. Strong hands yanked me out, and I stumbled. They pulled me on board onto the deck. I could hear the engines still roaring.

The deck stretched wide. The cold sea breeze blew across me, whipping through my hair and jacket. I had only a moment to register how large the ship was before a cloth pressed firmly over my face, the smell of chemicals filling my nose. Whoever was behind this was fucking influential, I thought.

My knees gave out, and the last thing I registered before darkness swallowed me completely was the sound of distant footsteps and the shuffle of bodies guiding me forward.

My chest heaved as panic clawed inside me, and my mind screamed in protest even as consciousness faded. I fucked up.

********

I don’t know how long I was out. By the time my eyes opened again I could hear the roaring sound of a car engine. I was curled up in the back seat of a car, cuffed and tied up.

A groan slipped out of my mouth. The blinding sunlight poked at my eyes. I could hear muffled conversations in Russian. I wasn’t good at the language but I had known the Volkovs long enough to pick up a few things.

The driver and the guy in the passenger seat were conversing, unaware I was already awake.

The driver spoke first, his hand on the steering wheel while the other one was casually sipping coffee. “Skol’ko ona eshchyo budet bez soznaniya?” (How long will she be unconscious?)

The guy in the passenger seat was smoking. He had his cigar hanging out of the window and spoke with more authority. “Skoro ochnyotsya. My uzhe pochti priekhali.” (She should be awake soon. We’re almost there.)

The driver clicked his tongue, irritated. “Interesno, chto ona takogo natvorila, chto na neyo otkryli takuyu ohotu.” (I wonder what she did to get such a target on her back.)

“Ne nasha zabota. My tol’ko vypolnyaem prikazy.” (None of our concern. We only follow orders.) The other guy replied. My head was already spinning and I couldn’t stop cursing my luck.

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