The Search

Chapter 14

Nikolai

The kids and I are watching a movie on Christmas Eve night. They were a bit bummed when I told them their Mom won't be able to make it. I was bummed as well.

But I get a call in the middle of the movie and notice its the Diners number. My heart immediately drops and I race out of the living room. They never call unless it's an emergency.

"Hello." I answer urgently.

Dave speaks up, "they found us, they took her to Italy."

"What?!" I yell before I can't stop myself and peak into the living room to make sure the kids aren't listening in.  "When?"

"A week ago, we wanted to call sooner but they brought us to this warehouse for questioning.  We couldn't get a burner phone until tonight.  They're watching our every move."

"Fuck." I whisper leaning on the counter.  I guess it's time plan B takes place.  "Stay safe you guys." I say and end the call. 

They know what to do, we've always had a safety net.  I walk into the living room, not even bothered the kids paused the TV and turned to look at me over the couch. 

It's time I told them anyway.

"What's going on Dad?" Colten asks watching as I go in front of the TV. Their bodies follow, fully turning to the front, facing me.

"Your Mother is not actually on a business meeting." I respond and their faces suddenly turn to shock.

"Where is she?" Sophie asks curiously.

"Well, she's in Italy." I clear my throat, "but with her parents and brothers, also known as your Nonno and uncles."

"I thought they were dead..." Alex hesitates, "why would she be there anyway ?"

I scratch the back of my head and begin to explain everything. Once I'm done they all stare straight ahead, completely shocked. 

With a few minutes of silence Alex finally stands up, "so what's the plan to get her back?"

I smirk standing up as well and clap a hand on his back, "we start at the station."

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We arrive and within the FBI the station is much more quiet during the night.  I bring the kids right to the back, Lexi being carried in her car seat and I set her down where I can see her.

I immediately call Kit off of Sophie's phone on speaker, he answers "hey baby."

"Not your baby." I say clearing my throat and Sophie blushes biting around her fist to stop her laugh. 

"Sorry sir. Is Sophie okay? Why are you calling." He says with a bit of panic in his tone. 

"I'm fine." Sophie says smiling towards the phone. 

He sighs in relief, "Kit I know it's late but do you mind if you give the phone to your Mother?"

He responds with a yes and gives his phone to his Mom, I pick it up off speaker.  "Yes?" She speaks.

"Hey, it's Nikolai." I say looking out the window as cars come and go.

"Oh Nikolai, has it happened, what do you need from me?" She asks and I hear a little ruckus in the background. 

"I was wondering if I could borrow Kit for a while? the more man power the better. I'm sorry that I would be dragging him away on Christmas-"

"Yes of course, just ask him, I'm working tomorrow anyways.  It will be good for him to get away for a while."

"Even if he misses some school?" I ask, "I don't know how long he'll be gone."

"That completely fine, he says he'll go, he'll call me as often as he can." As soon as we say our goodbyes I'm hanging up the phone and starting to get the gear needed. 

I hand out guns to the older ones, even Colten and Kit when he arrives.  I hand out vests and Sophie plans on strapping Lexi inside hers to keep her safe.

Christmas morning we get to the jet and take off. 

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By the time we get to Italy it's dark outside and we're all trying to come up with a plan.  Sophie begins to strap Lexi to her chest and I begin to strap Ollie's to Kits. 

He gets angry and argues that he's big enough to stand up for himself but I don't want to take the chance.  He's too young.

"We need to take them out as quiet as possible to catch them of guard. Knowing her Father they will be in the dining room eating dinner, right in the middle of it in fact where we will catch them of guard and force them to hand her over."  I point at the blueprint of the mansion Jade had given everyone a while back.

Alex rubs his hands together, "alright, let's do this."

Kit stops us from heading towards the mansion surrounded by guards and a gate, "so with no fighting experience once so ever, we're going to go over there and try and take down...armed guards?"

"I'm trained." I raise an eyebrow, "and I've taught Alex, Sophie and Colten Self defence."

Kit nods, "so just me then? Okay, cool, cool, cool."

Sophie's laughs and kisses his cheek and then we're off through the forest and towards the back of the secluded mansion.  I take the first one down, putting a chloroform cloth over his face putting him right to sleep.

Alex follows taking down his partner, eh, they'll wake up in a couple hours or so. 

We head forward and I take out my gun raising it out in front of me and wave at everyone to follow.

I turn the corner, two guys already attacking as I see them.  I hit the top of the first ones head to send him off track for a second, but Alex is already on him.  The other charges Sophie so I lurch forward tackling him to ground. 

He rolls us until I'm on my back and he's on top, choking me, or at least trying to. I wrap my hand around his throat trying to re-grip but I'm slowly loosing air. 

Just as I feel like I could pass out Sophie appears about us with a rock and slams it against his head. 

I sigh in relief pushing him off, he falls and I stand, "where are the boys?"

"They've taken down the rest, they had some trouble but they did it." She peaks at Lexi and gives me a thumbs up that she's still sleeping.  She's always been a heavy sleeper.

I urge her forward and we apprehensively enter the house, careful not to start a stir.  They seem to have called everyone out for assistance,  that only being 10 guards protecting the house seems odd.

We go through the halls as one group counting the doors until we get to the right one, that being the dining room.