Page 6 of Edge of Desperation
Aurora’s face lights up with recognition. “My f-f-father sent you?” she whispers.
Before we left, General Parks pulled me aside and whisperedWinchesterinto my ear. He explained that it was their safe word and one that Aurora would recognize. I assume it’s because of his love of guns.
Relieved, I nod. “Yes, we’ve been looking for you for ten days.”
“It’s only been ten days?” she says mostly to herself. “What happened to Lace?”
“Who’s Lace?”
“The girl that was with me.”
I gulp, not wanting to cause her any more distress. “We haven’t recovered anyone by that name. I’m sorry.”
“This is a fucking nightmare.” Aurora pummels her head and begins pulling at the ends of her hair. Her eyes widen as shestares at the strands in her palms. “A real-life nightmare, and I can’t wake up.”
Aurora sobs harder, and her body shakes uncontrollably. She claws at her skin, drawing blood down her arms. Knowing that this might cause more harm than good, I move closer to wrap the little blanket around her tighter in an effort to stop her from hurting herself. Aurora swings at my head, but there’s no weight behind the punch because she’s so weak.
“Stay away from me!” she screams, digging at her skin once again. “I can’t get them off of me.”
Not wanting her to cause any more damage, I quickly wrap the blanket around her tight, pull her into my lap, and rock her. She struggles to get away from me, but I tighten my grip so she doesn’t hurt herself further.
“I know it doesn’t seem like it, but you’re safe now,” I murmur into her hair. “We’re going to take you home. It’s over. You’ll see.”
I glance at my men. The looks on their faces range from pity to rage. We were too late to stop the horrors she had to endure, but we got her back, and we will ensure she gets home safe to her father.
“Turn around,” I order my men. They all give us their backs. “Aurora, I’m going to drop the blanket now and put my shirt on you. We didn’t think to bring you any clothes, but this will at least fit you like a dress and keep you covered until we can get you home. We’re going directly to the airstrip.”
“Home?”
“Home,” I promise.
I pull it down over her head while she threads her arms through the sleeves, taking note of every bruise and cut that mars her skin. As I predicted, the shirt dwarfs her small frame. I stand, holding out my hand for her to grab and pull her to her feet. She stumbles forward, and I catch her before she falls.I cradle her bridal style against my chest, noting she weighs hardly anything.
“How long have I been missing?” Aurora inquires. “Everything is a blur. I hardly remember anything.”
“‘Bout fourteen days, give or take,” I respond.
“Jesus,” Bennett mutters. “Are you sure it’s only been two weeks? Look at her man.”
All I’ve done since we rid the world of those sons of bitches is stare at Aurora, but now that Bennett mentions it, her hair is brittle and grimy. Dark black circles have formed under her sunken eyes, and her cheeks are hallowed out. I’m not sure how skinny she was before she was taken, but her ribs are very noticeable.
“What’s the last thing you remember?” Hudson inquires gently.
I admire this about my team. We’re all gruff, hard men, but we know how to tread lightly when necessary.
“I… I… I was in a warehouse somewhere with Russians,” Aurora explains. “Next thing I know, I’m on a cargo plane chained to a wall with a lot of other women. Omigod! The other women… Please tell me they’re okay.”
“Shhh, calm down,” I assure. “We found them a few days ago. They’re already back in the States.”
“Back in the States?” she asks, confused. “Where the hell are we?”
We all glance at each other, and Hudson rubs the back of his neck. “Uh… well… you see…”
“We’re in Sukhodil, Ukraine,” Carver answers.
Aurora turns her head to face him. “How could they get me out of the U.S. without a passport?”
Carver grimaces. “They smuggled you and all the girls out. Unfortunately, it happens all the time.”
