3. Don't Want To Be Here

I closed my eyes to think about all this, to try to find an escape route that would make it all more bearable, but there was none... and apparently, I fell asleep because when I woke up, I was in a comfortable bed with white sheets in a room with dark curtains and linen canopies everywhere.

I sat up abruptly, scared at first and resigned afterward. We must be in Russia by now.

"You finally woke up. You have no idea how hard it was to bring you here," he said reproachfully.

"Nikolay..."

"Come with me; I want to show you something," he extended his hand, but I didn't dare take it.

I didn't feel like getting out of bed, leaving the room, but I followed him without protesting.

We walked through some hallways until we reached a kind of basement. He opened the door and turned on the light. Then, I saw him: Mike was tied to some kind of post, with a gag in his mouth.

I wanted to run to hug him, but his fearful look stopped me. Nikolay approached and removed the gag, receiving a spit from my brother.

Nikolay just smiled, then grabbed Mike's neck forcefully, to which I reacted.

"No! Let him go!" I shouted in fear.

"I'm sorry, Margaret. No one challenges me."

However, Nikolay released Mike's neck and gestured for me to come closer.

While I hugged him, the Russian's voice was over our heads:

"You should be grateful, Mike. She is willing to do anything to save you," he said in a cynical tone that made me grit my teeth.

"Don't involve her in this, Nikolay," my brother spat angrily. "She has a life, and I want her to have it away from this shit."

"Too late for that..." he chuckled amused.

"My sister is not going to be your personal whore, Nikolay!"

"That's our business, American," he now said dryly. "When I get what you owe me, you can leave."

"Wait... You told me you would release Mike," I turned to him, looking into his eyes.

"And I will, babe," he nodded, softening his tone. "But only when I'm sure I can trust you."

Nikolay left, locking the door behind him. I looked at my brother, and our gazes met.

In his, there was only shame, and in mine, disappointment.

"I'm waiting for an explanation, Mike," I crossed my arms, annoyed.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to give you the best," he sighed.

"At the cost of risking your life? I don't want that!" I suddenly became hysterical.

"But..."

"I love you, and I want us to be okay, to be happy. Getting involved with mafias won't help you live peacefully," I said, closing my eyes, tired.

"It helps us have money, Margo," he said in a condescending tone.

"I don't give a damn about money, Mike!"

"I thought this was the right thing. I thought it could keep you safe and away from all this," he said, distressed, "but I was wrong."

"I know very well what Nikolay wants in exchange for setting you free, and if I have to do it, I'll swallow my pride and do it, but you'll be free," I said decisively, to Mike's frightened look.

"You don't know what you're getting into..."

"And do you?" I retorted. "You've done enough, Mike. Now let your little sister take control of the situation." At that moment, I felt like I grew a few inches.

"I'm sorry, Margaret."

The door opened again, and Nikolay was watching us. He no longer wore his suit but had changed into dark jeans and a white shirt.

I had to admit Nikolay was a very handsome man. His gray eyes, his black rebellious hair, fair skin, muscular build, his height...

He was the type of man any woman would fall for, and if I had met him under different circumstances, I might have even tried something with him. But now... Nikolay was my enemy, the person I hated the most on earth, and if I agreed to what he wanted, it would only be for Mike.

"Come on, Margaret..."

I looked at my brother, who shook his head, as if wanting me to step back and change all this, but I wouldn't.

I squeezed his shoulder with a weary smile and walked away with Nikolay.