Page 107 of No More Lies
“Five minutes,” Tyler said from the driver’s seat where he was making all kinds of traffic violations to get to the airstrip as quickly as possible.
“Alright. Volkov alive, boys,” Sam reminded them. Steve’s gaze locked with Dex. If the rest of the team could take him alive, that was fine by him. His priority was Diane. If Volkov got in his way, Steve would not hesitate to take him out.
“We’ll do our best, Sam, but the hostages come first.” Dex said.
“Understood. Good luck. Let's go bring those ladies home.”
“Two minutes,” Tyler said.
The SUV picked up speed. Steve pushed all emotion aside as the hangar came into view. This was the most important mission of his life. The woman he loved was just a few feet away. He would do anything to save her.
“Here we go.” Tyler wasn’t slowing down. Ryan was right behind them and as they got closer, pulled alongside. They were going in hot.
***
“IT’S TIME TO GO. LET’S move.” Volkov picked up his daughter and Oleg motioned them forward with his gun.
The plane was still being refueled, but as soon as it was done, they would be taking off. Diane stood and at once felt sick. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and Volkov had only given them water. As she went to step forward, the nausea intensified and suddenly everything spun. When she stumbled and retched, Natasha rushed to her side just as she threw up. Pain coursed through her body, and she cried out.
“Move. Now!” Oleg said.
“For God’s sake,” Natasha said, “you can see she is unwell.”
“Mrs. Williams, get on the plane now. I won’t ask again.” Volkov had turned back toward them. Diane raised her head and found frustration on his face. Did he think she was faking this? She straightened slowly and took a deep breath.
“Are you OK?” Natasha asked.
She nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
She heard an engine. So did Volkov. His brow furrowed in confusion, and he started to turn toward the sound, but before anyone could say anything, the rear doors of the hangar flew open.
Diane recognized the Onyx black SUVs immediately and almost collapsed in relief. But thankfully, instinct took over.
“Get down. Now!” She pushed Natasha to the floor, ignoring the pain spreading to every nerve ending in her body. “Keep your head down.”
The sound of screeching tires and gunfire simultaneously echoed in the large space, but Diane stayed flat against the floor. Shouts and commands in both Russian and English flooded her ears and poor little Anya cries filtered through it all.
“Anya! I have to get to Anya.” Natasha went to get up but was flattened back to the floor when a large body forced both of them down. Diane bit her lip as the pain burned.
“Stay down.” Gruff, low. Deadly.
“Steve? Is that you?” She barely recognized her husband’s voice.
“Yeah, Angel. It’s me. Stay down a little longer.” His voice gentled and Diane’s eyes filled with tears. He was here.
“Anya! He has Anya.” Natasha was struggling to get up beside her.
“Natasha. Stay. Still.” Steve’s voice was stern.
Diane reached for Natasha’s hand, squeezing it. “They’ll get her.”
Agonizing seconds later, the gunfire stopped. Diane heard shouts of “clear” and then Steve released his grip on them. Natasha scrambled to her feet, but Diane couldn’t move, the pain too much. She turned her head to see Natasha looking around frantically.
“Where’s Anya?” Natasha shrieked. She ran toward the plane. Steve cursed.
“Mackie!” he shouted from above her.
A second later Mackie had restrained Natasha.