Is this destiny?

Maksim observed Sarah's protective behavior of Aiden, and irritation bubbled inside him.

"How is the pretty boy?", Maksim asked with a sneer.

"He will live.", Sarah responded stiffly.

"I wouldn't be so sure about it."

"If he dies, so do you."

Maksim ignored Sarah's threat. His eyes roamed through the room where Sarah and Aiden are. There is no furniture, the narrow windows are high with metallic bars blocking them, and the only exit is where he is standing.

"Even in this situation, you are confident."

Sarah didn't respond. She knows that her current situation is not good. It was her idea to stick around… if she listened to Aiden, they would not be in this place... and if she is not pregnant, she would fight with full force… and if… there are so many ifs and there is no point in dwelling on those.

Maksim observed Sarah's stubborn expression and he liked it. Part of him thought that she would be disheartened, and maybe beg him to let her go. If that was the case, he would be disappointed.

The more he knows about Sarah, the more fascinated he is. So what if she is a Lebedev or a Voronin or anything in between? Regardless of the family she comes from, or her allegiance, the fact is that she is strong and smart and has spunk and he would love it if she stops looking at him with such hostility.

He confirmed that she is fine and that was enough to calm his anxiety. For now.

She is still not safe, but he will need to figure out that later. One step at a time.

Maksim gestured toward the tray with food. "Eat. You will need it."

Sarah watched Maksim walk away, and she saw that on the opposite side of the hallway there is another door made out of bars and there was one person curled up in the corner.

She continued following after Maksim through the security cameras and Eve-lens. She saw him walk out of the building, on the street. Maksim paused next to the door, turned toward the building, and punched the wall hard. Two seconds later, he walked away.

Sarah wondered, what was that about? Did Maksim come to bring her food, to gloat, or because he was worried about her? It does not make sense.

…

Aiden felt the strong medicinal smell under his nose and stirred.

"Sarah!", he exclaimed before opening his eyes.

"Shh… I am here…", Sarah said in a soft voice while cradling his face with her palms.

"Are you OK?", Aiden asked with panic in his voice.

Sarah smiled while looking at her adorable husband. He got such a harsh beating, yet he is worried about her.

"Yes, we are fine. We are fine…", Sarah chanted while pressing her forehead on his.

Aiden closed his eyes and exhaled a shaky breath.

He moved his arms and realized that there is no pain whatsoever. Actually, he can barely feel his body.

"You gave me something?"

"Mhm…", Sarah confirmed. "We are imprisoned, and I assume that they will interrogate us."

"Rescue is about half an hour away...", Aiden saw a message from Sarah on his Eve-lens.

Aiden gave her a small nod and pulled her into his embrace.

He wanted to say that he is sorry they messed up, that he should have known better, but he didn't say anything because there is no point and the most he can accomplish is to make her feel bad.

"We should eat.", Sarah said, and he released her from his hold.

She brought the tray with food closer and he arranged the rags on the floor so that both of them can have cushioned seating.

"Eat, love… you didn't have your breakfast.", Sarah said while offering him a dinner roll.

Aiden was touched that she thinks about him. "How much I know, you didn't eat anything either."

"Hmm…", Sarah hummed in response. "Let's eat together."

Before putting the first bite in her mouth, Sarah looked at Aiden.

"Love… I want you to know that I have no regrets. When we got married, I told you that I would rather cry with you than laugh with anyone else. With you, I feel at home, and there is no other place I want to be than by your side."

Aiden looked at her with a mix of happiness and sadness, and within a second it all merged into pure love. He reminded himself that this is not over and that he will not give up on protecting her as long as he can move.

He hoped that she can read from his eyes all the emotions that stirred inside him, and he decided to share a few thoughts: "On that day, I told you that I will stand by your side through any storm that lies ahead of us. This is the biggest one so far, but we are still standing and no matter how this ends, I will love you until the end of time."

Sarah felt her eyes prickling and she hoped that she will not cry because she is not sad.

"You gave me so many beautiful memories…", Sarah said. "… and we will make many more."

He leaned closer and kissed her slowly and gently, savoring the touch of their lips connecting.

Eventually, their lips parted.

Sarah leaned her head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around her tightly as they ate in silence, both wondering how they will get out of this and if their rescue will come before their capturers.

They confirmed with Eve-lens that they are not the only ones imprisoned on that level and that there is a number of guards stationed.

Sarah was confident that with her enhanced arm she can easily bust them free from this prison, but what next? Their drone is out of ammunition and it's just the two of them with guards and many others surrounding them. Eve can cut off electronics, but she can't cut off people.

Sarah is aware that they are (relatively) unscathed because their attackers didn't use firearms, but the guards are armed.

Another thing on Sarah's mind was Maksim's visit. Did he come to intimidate her? To show her how hopeless her situation is? To flaunt his position of power and maybe request another date? He didn't do any of those. Why did he bring food? And he looked concerned. Nothing about Maksim made sense.

Sarah took a deep breath, inhaling Aiden's scent and she realized that she is not anxious. Somehow, she knew that things will be OK because everything is OK as long as Aiden is by her side… and they are together, so it must be fine. And a plan started forming in her mind…

…

~ the main base of the Lebedev family ~

Hong arrived with his team, pleased with himself. The mission was a success.

They noticed that helicopters are missing but thought that maybe they went to deliver something. They are aware that several mini-bases are being set up in the area of the main base of the Voronin family.

"All of you, come to the main villa, underground…", Edward's voice sounded in the ear studs of Hong, Bo, Wing, Souta, Francisca, Azra, and Camilla.

When they reached the room and saw that Edward is with Nico at the computers and that Beck, Mishi, and the others from the Sigma army are on the video conference with concerned expressions, Hong realized that something is off.

Edward gave a summary of what is going on.

Hong was upset that he missed it.

"Are they going to reach in time?", Hong asked.

Edward was not sure. "They landed and are preparing to enter the tunnels. Once they are in, they will need about twenty minutes to reach them. However, there are no cameras in those tunnels, and we have no idea what to expect."

"I wish that I am there.", Hong said with a deep frown on his face.

Edward exhaled. "There is not much we can do about it now. You should rest."

Hong refused. "How can I rest when this is going on?"

"Then… go grab some food and come here. You can help us navigate through this nightmare.", Edward said.

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