Is this destiny?

JoAnna looked at the youngsters who were entering the tunnel that was tall enough for Zack to stand straight and wide for two people to walk side-by-side.

JoAnna wanted to go with them, but they convinced her that she is needed to navigate the mission and besides… she would probably be in the way.

JoAnna looked back and sighed as she joined Sophia, Felix, and Jeff in the helicopter.

Four of them stayed, Sophia and JoAnna as the leaders of the mission, and Felix and Jeff as their security, just in case if someone notices them and a fight breaks out.

From their side, Zack, Masika, Ron, Zula, Allen, Julius, Imani, Jamari, Corey, and Merve went into the tunnel followed by Vasily, Stella, and Owen.

Imani and Merve went as medics and even though Corey didn't get full training, he said that there is no chance he will separate from Merve. They didn't want to argue, there was no time for that, so they let Corey go because he is agile and good with a pistol. JoAnna told him to stay back and to protect Merve as she is doing first aid (if needed).

From not far away, another team (from Romania) advanced into the second tunnel. That team has as members: Ade, Hande, Tejan, Rosa, Daniel, Xiaohui, Aaron, and Igor. Igor's wound healed and he managed the lingering pain with the anesthetic. He said that this is his chance to pay back to Sarah and Aiden and he didn't want to be left behind.

Elliot (Aaron's lieutenant) stayed with the helicopter and once Aaron's team entered the tunnel, Elliot started the helicopter in order to move it to where JoAnna and Sophia are.

The plan is that the two groups will meet at the intersection of the tunnels about halfway and then advance together. They have ten drones to clear the path from enemies and once they reach the exit, the goal is to enter the building where Sarah and Aiden are, extract them, and return the same way. Eve will help with interrupting electronic surveillance for the Voronin family, and Edward and Mishi are in charge of watching video feeds in order to warn the group of any dangers coming their way.

Luckily, the tunnels don't have many entry points so, in order not to be followed on their way out of the base, they will blow up the tunnel entrance once everyone is in. That should give our group enough time to run for the helicopters and escape this area.

It looks doable, however, big unknowns are related to what they will encounter in the tunnels which are devoid of cameras. They might be empty or full of enemies. Also, moving through the base will attract attention, even with Eve helping cut off the security surveillance. But it's the best plan they have, and there is no time to come up with another one.

…

Sarah and Aiden followed through Eve-lens the progress of their rescuers.

With every step of distance that reduced between them, Sarah and Aiden were relieved, knowing that soon they will get out of here, and at the same time they were tense because a fight will start and that is the risky part.

Every single person that is coming is precious. Well, except for Vasily. Sarah and Aiden don't have kind thoughts about that man, and neither of them understands why is he here. Doesn't Vasily know that this is dangerous? Why is he risking his life? Or does he want to sabotage this rescue? No, not possible. If anything, Vasily is supportive of Sarah being the Grand Elder. The only logical conclusion was that Vasily does not want to risk losing Sarah as the Grand Elder and that is why he is here.

Aiden turned to Sarah and cupped her cheeks with his palms.

"No matter what… I want you to have on your mind that I need you.", Aiden spoke, his voice barely a whisper. He paused and glanced at her abdomen. "We need you. Don't risk yourself to save me. Promise."

Sarah's breath hitched. She knew that this is coming. "I can't."

Aiden closed his eyes and leaned his forehead on hers. "Love, I want you to run for that exit and don't look back."

"Not without you.", Sarah said stubbornly. "Don't ask me to do something you are not willing to do in return. I will not step out of this base without you. We will get out of this together."

"Sarah…"

"No! If I escape and you stay, they will kill you. Life without you is not a life."

"Our baby…"

"No.", Sarah interrupted him in a shaky voice. "Don't make me choose. That is not fair. We will get out of here. All three of us."

Aiden knew that it will not work, but he had to try.

The sight of her tears spilling over her cheeks broke his heart, but more painful was the desperation that filled her eyes.

"OK. OK…", Aiden chanted while wiping her tears. "We will get out of here together. All of us."

Aiden pulled Sarah into a tight hug and kissed her on the lips, hoping to kiss all the bad things away.

Aiden promised to himself that if with some luck they manage to get out of here safely, he will never allow her to take these risks anymore even if that means that he needs to lock her up in their own home.

…

Sarah and Aiden broke the kiss when they heard the door of their cell opening.

Two men entered, and they recognized them as the ones who were guarding the hallway.

One man stepped into the cell and the other one stayed at the door.

"You seem to be in the good mood.", the man who entered said with a smirk. "You don't mind if we spoil it, do you?"

Sarah and Aiden stood up and both observed their jailors cautiously.

The man's smile widened and when his hand showed from the back, Sarah and Aiden saw that he is holding onto a metal bar.

Aiden put his arm in front of Sarah protectively and quickly checked the two men for weapons with Eve-lens.

"They both have a pistol at the back.", Aiden sent a message to Sarah's Eve-lens and they understood that their jailors are underestimating them.

"What do you want?", Sarah asked.

"The boss said to take good care of you, so here we are."

Sarah frowned. "Boss? Maksim?"

The man clicked his tongue. "There are things even the young master can't prevent."

Sarah understood that this came from above Maksim. She wondered if her intuition was right. Is it possible that Maksim was worried about her? Isn't she just a failed conquest for him? She remembered the crazed Noah-like expression that Maksim directed her way during the forced dinner-date, and she shook those thoughts away because she needs to focus on the present.

"You mean, Simeon.", Sarah said.

The man's smile fell. "How brave of you to call our Grand Master by his name."

Sarah sneered. "He is not grand, and not a Master. He is occupying a position that does not belong to him."

Both men frowned at Sarah's words.

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