Natasha unshackledall the hostages while the brute pointed his weapon. Then, the team of twelve were led into the main room. Halston’s mom had explained that there were ten scientists—six men and four women—plus two spouses. Halston’s mom wasn’t just a traveling companion, she was translating for the team… and now with Halston.
The man who wasn’t well relied on daily medications to safeguard his heart. The medications, along with everyone’s personal belongings, were still in one of the vans. Both vehicles had been parked on the side of the building, away from the entrance, to keep up appearances that the building stood empty.
Halston had uploaded several ten-second videos, hoping Evangeline could retrieve them. Even if she could, the GPS tracker in her neck was a dud, so Evangeline wouldn’t know where to find her. With any luck, her wedding band tracker was transmitting her current location.
Gabriel, check the tracker. I’m in the middle of who the hell knows where.
The scientists were busy working at their computers or discussing the situation in small groups. Natasha had been standing in the corner talking to the Bratva, so Halston inched her way over to her mom, who’d been translating for one of the small groups. Though most spoke English, her mom’s translations were clarifying talking points that continued to bring the team confusion.
“Mom,” Halston whispered. “How are you holding up?”
“This is terrifying,” her mom whispered. “They’re going to kill us once the work is done.”
“Don’t go there. Stay positive.”
“I’m concerned about Lars,” her mom whispered. “Maybe they’ll let you get his medication.”
“I’ll ask.”
Natasha broke from the guard, made her way toward Halston.
“Get me status,” Natasha said.
“Quels progrès avez-vous réalisés?” Halston asked her mom.What progress have you made?
Her mom asked that question of the group.
Her dad and another scientist answered. Her dad in English, the second scientist in Chinese.
Her mom translated in French to Halston.
“C'est lent. La connexion internet est constamment interrompue et nous n'avons jamais eu à gérer un problème d'une telle ampleur. Cela risque de nous prendre quelques jours.”It's slow. The Internet keeps going out and we've never had to work through a problem of this magnitude. It might take us a few days.
Speaking Russian, Halston passed along the progress to Natasha.
Natasha sighed, then shook her head. “Bystreye “Faster.
Halston got in her face. “Dostatochno.”Enough.
“Why hate me?” Natasha asked.
Halston’s growl echoed in the cavernous space. She was confident she could kill both Natasha and the guard, but she had to separate them first. And she had to isolate them from the scientists. For now, she would lie in wait, the hunter waiting for her prey to step into her trap.
Not long after, the guard left, returning with a tray of food. Bread and some meats. The scientists picked at the food, but no one ate much. Halston ate nothing, her stomach soured, her thoughts churning over possible ways to isolate their abductors.
Natasha kept stepping outside, staying no more than a minute or two, then hurrying back in. When the scientists returned to work, Natasha strode across the room and into thebitter cold. Based on the amount of gas the guard had been emitting, he probably went to take another shit.
Go, now!
Halston hurried across the room, hoping no one would call out to her. She cracked open the door, the blast of cold air smacking her lungs. She wanted to run outside and escape their captors, but she would never do that. It wasn’t just her life she needed to protect, it was the twelve helpless individuals inside.
Despite the darkness, the lightbulb over the door illuminated Natasha. She stood fifteen feet away, phone to ear, her mouth agape. She’d fisted a crop of her dark hair as if trying to yank it by the roots.
“What? You fight with Bulgrov!” Natasha screeched. “Are you out goddamn mind!”
Silence, while Natasha listened.
“You shot him! What the hell, Dmitri!” A pause. “Tell me he is alive,” Natasha bleated, then started coughing. “I don’t have inhaler and cold makes my asthma.”