Overthrown

Chapter 25

My head is pounding with an all too familiar hazy mind. I can't believe this happened to me again. I pry my eyes open and the bright sun shining in feels like a spotlight to my retinas. Sitting up in bed, I massage my fingers into my temples hoping it'll relieve the pressure. Fuck, this hurts worse than I remember. Swinging my legs off the side of the bed, I try to stand but I fall back barely strong enough to catch myself.

I begin pacing my way to the door, each step is a struggle as I brace myself on the furniture. Finally getting to the door, I open it slowly, immediately seeing Andre standing outside. He straightens his posture upon noticing my presence. "Ma'am, you are awake." He seems surprised to see me, did they think I was dead? "What the fuck did he do to me?" My anger spits out each word in a low tone. "Nothing, Ma'am. After you punched him, he put you to sleep for your own safety. He didn't want you getting hurt fighting to get away from him."

Does he honestly think we're going to believe that?!

"Bullshit! I am leaving. It was preposterous to think that he could lo-" but I stop myself before I can say it. I swing the door fully open and push past him walking down the hall to the staircase. "Ma'am!" Andre calls out following me down the hall. Sensing him closing in on me, I sprint for the front door. As I come around the corner, I see two men standing by the front door. They tense up as they see me approaching. One of them reaches for his pistol when he sees the crazed look in my eye.

Andre sees them drawing their weapons and yells, "Put your weapons down! What the fuck is wrong with you two?!" They seem hesitant to do so but finally reholster their pistols. Like a cornered animal, I begin to lash out and unfortunately Andre is the closest person. He places his hand on my shoulder and I immediately swing with my free arm. His boxing skills coming in handy as he narrowly dodges my punch. "Damn, you can fight. We'll have fun training together." He chuckles out. "Ma'am, you must feel like shit. Please just go upstairs and get some rest." His voice sounds genuine but how can I believe a word he says after helping Nikolai drug me.

If I am going to get out of here, I am going to need his help or at least get him to trust me enough to let his guard down. Sighing in defeat because I know I'm not going to be able to fight off three men twice my size, one of which was a professional fighter and all of them armed. Andre follows me up the stairs and back into the bedroom. "Now tell me what happened? Where is Nikolai?" I demand as soon as we enter the room.

"Like I told you. You were running through the garden from Mr. Volkov. You attacked him when he tried to stop you, you kept fighting him and he was scared you were going to get hurt. He sedated you and put you in bed." Explaining sounding slightly irritated that I didn't believe him.

"Okay well if that is all that happened, then where the fuck is he??"

"He's... Away on business."

He's lying, its written all over his face. I can tell he is hiding something from me. I don't care if I have to torture him to get it out, I will know. "Where is he, Andre?" I ask again. "Ma'am, I can't tell you." My fists clench at his response, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I turn to him. The anger is radiating through me and I am trying to not explode on him. He can see my reaction and takes a step back. "I know we were supposed to start training today but we can start tomorrow morning, if you'd like?"

He's trying to distract you!

"Don't dodge the subject. Answer the question."

"Ma'am, I can't." His loyalty to Nikolai is going to be a problem. "Can't or Won't?" I am seething at his willful withholding of information. "Can't, Ma'am. Direct order." His face is serious but his eyes told me he wished he could.

I glare at him for another few seconds before giving up. "Just leave." I mutter walking away from him towards the window. Placing a hand on the glass I look out and notice it has started raining. I lay my forehead against the cold glass, closing my eyes. The anger begins to melt away but it is instantly replaced with sadness.

He drugged and left me.

It wasn't until I felt a strong hand on my shoulder that I realized Andre hadn't left. His body just barely pressing against my back, the scent of his cologne overwhelming me. I can feel his warm breath down my neck as he leans down, his lips almost touching my ear. "I really wish I could tell you but I can't. Try and get some rest. We start training tomorrow." His words sending goosebumps down my neck.

Why is he so close to me?

I realize he's telling me the truth. He knows where Nikolai is but he can't tell me for whatever reason. My heart races as his presence begins to make me uncomfortable. It doesn't feel right to have another man this close to me. He must sense how tense I am because he pulls away. "Have a good night, Michelle." He whispers before leaving. The door shuts softly behind him and I finally let out a heavy exhale.

What the fuck was that?

He senses weakness! They can smell it on you!

No! Shut up! I can't think that way right now. Andre was right though; I am exhausted and my body still feels numb from the drugs. Judging by the rainstorm, I would assume its mid-afternoon. Climbing back into the large bed that now feels empty without Nikolai.

I can't stop thinking about him. Where is he? Why did he leave me like this? Why didn't he say goodbye? Fuck! The questions keep racing through my head and I just want silence. As I lay in bed, I notice my phone on charge on the nightstand.

Scrambling to the other side to grab it and quickly dialing Luis's number. "Ma'am, it has been awhile. I trust that Nikolai and his men are treating you properly." The sound of his name makes my chest ache. "That's why I am calling, Luis. I am not allowed to leave and he drugged me when I tried to escape. Nikolai has left and no one will tell me where he has gone." I immediately hear him shuffle on the line "That motherfucker... I'll assemble a team, stay on the line so I can track your location." There is a hint of anger in his voice that I've never heard before; Maybe he thought that Nikolai would be different.

"No, I am going to stay. There is something I need to figure out first. Track my cell and be ready. For now, I want you working on finding Nikolai. They say he's away on business. I want to know where he is, who he is with, and what he is doing. Do you understand?" There is a long pause on the line before I hear a sigh. "Yes, Ma'am. I will begin research on finding Mr. Volkov immediately but are you sure? While it'll be difficult, I can assemble a team who is fully capable of rescuing you."

"No. Just track Nikolai. I'll be in touch."

Hanging up the phone, I stare at the screen for a few moments. Nikolai's number is saved in it, I can call him but should I? Before I can stop myself, I dial the number and press the phone to my ear. My heart is racing as my finger nervously taps on my leg. I just need to hear his voice. I just need to know why he left like this. The phone rings once but it immediately goes to voicemail. My heart drops, he sent me to voicemail. Placing the phone back on the nightstand before I throw it across the room.

Breathe, Mitch. This doesn't mean anything. Don't overreact.

I lie back onto the fluffy down pillows and stare up at the ceiling. One single teardrop escapes my eyes as I close them before sleep overtakes me.