Sam's Plan Gets Set in Motion
Enroute to Panin Savelievich's Bordello
Mike sat in the backseat with Anastasia wedged tightly against him seeing that Mason was also in the back seat. He was not pleased with Sam's plan. Hell, none of them were. It was very risky and could get Sam killed.
But Blaze had fully supported the idea. Blaze had stood next to Sam and his glare alone told the others to accept that was the way it was going to go making his verbal orders basically moot. Mike got that to a point. It was Sam that was on the line and was being asked to do something abhorrent. So, if Sam had another idea then they should try it, even though Mike didn't like it.
Mike was wondering how the General was going to react once he read the full mission debrief. The General was not going to be pleased. He loved his son and worried about his Sam so much. Mike wished he could tell Sam that but he doubted that Sam could accept that.
He had been the General's lead security man since Sam was thirteen. It was clear to Mike from all Sam's and the General's past interactions that their relationship was so strained. Neither one of them knew how to fix it either, even though the General tried. But the General's actions made that near impossible. The manner in which the General chose to deal with protecting his son only drove the wedge deeper. It created an environment where it would be difficult for Sam to see that his father truly loved him.
But again Mike could understand what the General was doing up to a point. The General was doing what he thought was best because Yvonne, Sam and Natalie were targets that could easily be used against the General. From his predecessor security lead, Mike had learned that Sara's death was initially investigated as a potential attempt at getting to the General. But his predecessor said that had proven false when the cause was determined to be a drunken driver.
It was that terrible accident that Mike's predecessor said started the General and Sam down this miscommunication path. And although Sara's death had proved a false threat, there had been substantiated threats on each of the General's family members over the years that Mike and his team had thwarted. So Mike knew that the concept that his family could be used against him was quite real to the General.
Hell, the General was currently getting those taunting pictures of Sam on an intermittent basis. Unfortunately, the analysts could not figure out who or why those photos were being sent. The only thing clear was that they were meant to elicit an emotional reaction from the General for some unknown purpose. So the General tried to make it appear that he didn't care about Sam.
Mike had to admit that the General did one hell of a job of making it seem like he didn't care. If he didn't know better and was not privy to the General's sleepless nights and covert trips to the hospital, Mike would believe that the General was a cold-hearted bastard towards his son. But Mike knew the General only behaved that way so that Sam would not be a target. But the personal cost of that ruse for both the General and Sam was so high.
He wished the General and Sam had a good relationship like he had with his own dad. His dad understood the choices he made in his life and fully supported him even though Mike kept his distance from his family. After General Braddock helped him get clean and find a direction with purpose Mike had dove headlong into it and gave it his all.
Mike knew his dad was very proud of him. He had turned his life around one hundred and eighty degrees from his worthless playboy ways. He was now someone worthwhile and his dad took every opportunity to let him know how proud he was of the man he had become and the choices he had made in his life.
Glancing at Sam in the front seat, Mike hoped to god that Sam's plan worked. Because having to tell the General that he failed to keep his son alive would be damned near impossible. It would surely break the General if that happened, especially when the General read the full mission report and he found out what Sam was being asked to do. Hell, even if Sam survived this whole and healthy the General was going to be kicking himself once he read the mission report.
Mason's gut was churning. Blondie was at it again. His plan was unacceptable in Mason's eyes. Mike had clearly told them all what would happen to someone who refused to perform for Panin.
But dammit, Blaze had stood firm in Blondie's corner while the rest of them had ranted that it was an unacceptable risk. Blaze pulled rank on all of them and shut down the opposition with a glare and a simple 'that's the way it is going to be. Gear up men'.
Mason looked at Blondie who was right in front of him. He was glad Matt handed Blondie Beauty and told him to listen to the playlist he selected on the way. Mason could see the earbuds in Blondie's ears. He could tell it was some sort of hard rock playlist from the way Blondie was bobbing his head and his hands were clearly playing an air guitar riff.
From Mason perspective it was helping in two ways. Whatever was playing was helping Blondie prep mentally. It was also useful for maintaining the cover of Maks. Blondie looked like a self-indulgent playboy without a care in the world right now.
Mason suspected his worry, if it showed on his face, would look like a scowl of a hired bodyguard. That too would help create the illusion they were after. He glanced at Ripsaw and saw a similar expression on his face too. Then he glanced at his backseat mates and Mike's face was unreadable like most always and Anastasia had adopted bored look he knew was only fitting the character she was portraying.
He took several deep breaths and blew them out. Mason felt Anastasia's hand land on his thigh. He looked at her and Anastasia smiled at him and whispered "Relax."
Anastasia held Mason's gaze until he nodded and she felt him physically relax a bit. She too was not a fan of Sam's plan like Mason and the rest of the guys. But she had to concede that it just might work.
Sam would have to be arrogant and cocky enough to pull it off though. However, the look on Sam's face when he explained his idea gave her a sense of confidence that he could. She just hoped Panin responded like Sam thought he might. The plan depended on Panin's reaction.
Rooftop Near Panin Savelievich's Bordello
Matt got into position and set up the sniper rifle. He knew he would never be as good as Sam but he was no slouch when it came to taking out targets from a distance. As he settled on his stomach and put his eye to the night vision scope he thought back over the mission planning session.
Sam had come down from the roof changed. Gone was the desolation in his eyes. In its place was confidence. It was more like the old Sam, the Sam before he was taken captive. Matt would have loved to know what took place on the hotel rooftop between Blaze and Sam.
Whatever it was that did happen, Matt was glad for it. He hated this plan too. But Matt loved that Blaze was fully supporting Sam's idea. Sam needed that. He needed to feel in control and the support of his CO. So Matt had caved quickly and became a supporter of the plan too.
Mason was the most vocal against it. Matt could see that Mason was worried Sam would get killed and he would not be able to save him. But like the good soldiers they all were, when Blaze commanded that was the new plan they all came on board and helped refine it a bit.
Matt scoped out the five guards that were on the roof. Then he reported in over their secure network Winds had established "In position. Five targets on the roof."
Back Alley Near Panin Savelievich's Bordello
Blaze responded "Good. Hold until the signal is given."
Then Blaze turned to Winds and Patch and said "Patch keep the van running. Our getaway depends on you and Matt being at the back door as soon as we make it out."
Patch nodded and said "We'll be there."
Winds rubbed the back of his neck and slipped out of the large black delivery van. As he shifted his large pack of weapons and tools onto his shoulder as he thought Dom had come through with all they needed. That man worked fast and Winds believed that they all could learn a thing or two from him.
But Dom was a bit scary too. The gleam in Dom's eyes when he saw Markov and Krymov bound and sedated in the room was a bit disconcerting. As Blaze joined him outside the van, Winds asked "Do you think Markov and Krymov will make it out of this alive?"
Blaze just stared at Winds and arched one brow in answer. Then Blaze picked up two large packs which were full of weapons and gear for the guys that were going in unarmed.
Winds pursed his lips together and nodded. Yeah that was a stupid question, Winds silently chided himself. Those two had kidnapped Dom's daughters and were planning on profiting from selling them into sexual slavery. Winds realized that no way in hell would they be alive by the time the sun rose. Winds was sure of it, he just wasn't sure how Dom would accomplish it without leaving a trace. To be honest, a part if him did not want to know the answer.
Blaze and Winds, dressed in all black including, black Kevlar vests and black balaclava masks that only allowed their eyes to be visible, slipped unseen into back alley behind the Cherry Club near the door for the kitchen.
"In position. Okay to move in" Blaze stated giving the command to Ripsaw that it was okay to arrive at the Cherry Club.
Blaze hoped like hell that his support of Blondie's plan was the right thing to do. He would never forgive himself if it got Blondie killed. But he could tell the kid needed this. Blondie needed to have all of them support his decision. It was risky but it was a calculated risk from what Blaze could determine.
The kid had balls. It was quite likely Blondie would be staring down the barrel of a gun. Blondie would need nerves of steel to pull off the cocky attitude. But Blaze found himself smiling as he thought back to the first time he saw Blondie and Matt striding towards the unit. All Blondie needed to do was channel that cockiness.
Hotel Makhachkala – Room 1144
Dom had finished disabling the hotel security cameras and wiping all footage from two weeks prior to the arrival of the unit until now. Then he had rented a suite in the name of Markov Yurievich. Dom grinned thinking how appropriate he got room 1144. That was a police code for deceased person, coroner required.
He dropped Markov on the bed next to Krymov. He had things to do before he could actually kill them. It was highly likely that these two knew who the leak in SAS was that gave away his identity to these monsters that took his daughters.
But first he needed to do a last sweep of the rooms the unit occupied. He was going to make damned sure no trace of them was left behind. William had helped greatly in sending this unit. He would not let this blow back on him or any of those he sent in any way.
Earlier today, he had already managed to scrub all the video from the clubs the unit went too and any surrounding video surveillance cameras. Dom left no stone unturned. The last minute requests from the unit had been difficult to arrange but he had managed to do so.
Dom felt better about the operation now. The idea that Sam had come up with was gutsy but it would preserve that boy's soul. Dom was all for that. He knew William would be proud of the solution his son came up with. Only someone with the cockiness of a Braddock could actually pull it off. Dom had no doubt that Sam would do it.
He secured the sedated man and then headed out to do one last sweep of their rooms now that there was no camera footage that would be captured.
Panin Savelievich's Bordello – Outside the Cherry Club
Ripsaw tapped Blondie's shoulder to let him know they were arriving. He glanced over and saw Blondie open his eyes and remove the earbuds. He asked "Ready Maks?"
Sam turned and gave Ripsaw a WOW smile as he wrapped the earphones around Beauty. "Ready as I'll ever be" Sam answered as he stuffed Beauty into his pants pocket.
He was glad he had the support of the unit. Matt's selection of playlist helped put him in the right frame of mind. He could do this. He would do this and those girls were getting home safely and so were the other children in this god forsaken place.
The SUV came to a halt in front of the Cherry Club and Mason got out using a handkerchief to open his door. He went directly to Blondie's door and opened it with it as well so no finger prints were left on the car. Mason saw Mike help Anastasia out doing the same thing. The car would not be traced to any of their prints.
As Blondie exited, under his breath Mason said in Gaelic "Tha am plana seo de leatsa nas fheàrr nach fhaigh thu mharbhadh bràthair beag."
(This plan of yours better not get you killed little brother.)
Sam chuckled and looked at Mason then whispered "You worry too much big brother. Quit scowling or your face will stay that way Gorgeous."
Mason looked at Blondie quizzically. Did Blondie understand what he had just said or just infer what he said because he had been vocal about not liking the plan? It seemed like Blondie understood. But that was the Gaelic and very few people spoke the Gaelic. Mason only spoke it because his father was so into their Scottish family history and insisted he learn it from a very early age.
Ripsaw tossed the keys to the valet and then removed his driving gloves and tucked them into his pocket. Mike and Anastasia came up beside him and all three followed Blondie to the entrance of the club.
Sam assumed the Maks demeanor as he pulled out his invitation and showed it to the door man.
Panin Savelievich's Bordello – Special Reception Room
The group was ushered inside and to a special reception room. They were the only ones in the room. They all heard the loud music playing further in the club.
Moving around the room with an arrogant swagger Sam stopped near a table and looked at the guard that appeared at the door. He was armed. Lazily Sam stated "Если это клуб я думаю, что я буду идти."
(If this is the club I think I will be going.)
The guard stated "Г-н Савельевич будет в порядке с вами. Он любит, чтобы лично поприветствовать своих гостей."
(Mr. Savelievich will be right with you. He likes to personally greet his guests.)
Sam nodded and then sat in one of the chairs to wait. He looked to Mike and asked "Таким образом, вы уверены, что это, где я могу найти тип действия, я ищу?"
(So you are sure this is where I can find the type of action I'm looking for?)
Mike nodded "Да Maks это."
(Yes Maks it is.)
While Sam and Mike engaged in idle chatter, Ripsaw and Mason roamed the room like any bodyguard would and they were casing the room. Mason spotted the camera and then covertly identified the location to the others. As they all had suspected, Panin would probably observe them for a time before he made an appearance.
Anastasia was doing her best to look put out and upset about being ignored. She tried to lean on Sam but Sam brushed her off and put an annoyed look on his face.
Sam said in a snide tone "Бросить зависания и просто пойти сесть. Я не знаю, почему я даже принес вам сегодня со мной."
(Quit hovering and just go sit down. I don't know why I even brought you with me tonight.)
Whining Anastasia responded "Вы надоест от меня Maks. Я должен быть слишком стар для вас."
(You grow bored of me Maks. I must be too old for you.)
Sam gave a bored look and acerbically said "Вы даже не в правильном десятилетии типа, который меня волнует. Теперь, если вы были десяти до тринадцати, то я мог бы быть на самом деле интересно. Но вы видели слишком много миль для меня, чтобы быть заинтересованы в вас. Вы находитесь здесь только в качестве средств массовой информации. Привыкайте к этому."
(You are not even in the right decade of the type that excites me. Now if you were ten to thirteen then I might actually be interested. But you've seen too many miles for me to be interested in you. You are just here as media coverage. Get used to it.)
Anastasia pulled back her arm and slapped Sam's face hard. Her hand stung and she wanted to wince at how that must have felt to Sam. But it was necessary to establish a baseline to assist Sam later.
Sam's face whipped to the side with the connection of Anastasia's hand. Damn, she hit hard. Sam rolled his jaw a bit as his hand came up to his stinging cheek. He stood up and grabbed her wrists.
His voice was harsh as Sam said "Вы будете платить за эту суку."
(You will pay for that bitch.)
Sam shoved her in the chair and turned to Mason and said in French "Gardez-la là. Je la traiterai plus tard quand je déciderai comment me débarrasser d'elle. Elle paiera cher pour cette gifle"
(Keep her there. I will deal with her later when I decide how to get rid of her. She will pay dearly for that slap.)
Mason nodded.
Mike stood and said "Maks what you said was not nice. There is no need to get rid of her. Just cut her loose."
Sam turned and said "I cannot do that. She knows too much and might blab to the press. Can you see the headlines now? Maks the pervert. Maks fucks kids. No I have to get rid of her."
Anastasia looked at Sam and said "Qu'est-ce que vous avez dit?"
(What did you say?)
Sam ignored her so she turned to Mason and repeated her question "Qu'a t'il dit?"
(What did he say?)
Mason only shrugged like he didn't have a clue as to what Blondie has said in English. He said "Je ne parle que français."
(I only speak French.)
Anastasia turned to Mike with pleading eyes "Qu'a t'il dit?"
(What did he say?)
Mike went to Anastasia and pushed her hair back behind her ears and then said "Ne t'inquiète pas. Je ne laisserai pas Maks te faire du mal. Tu es trop belle pour être blessée. Il est juste en colère, vous l'avez giflé."
(Don't worry. I won't let Maks hurt you. You are too beautiful to be hurt. He is just angry you slapped him.)
Sam rounded on Mike and said "So that's the way it is. I knew there was a reason we parted ways long ago. Too damned goodie two shoes. Never did have the balls to stand up for yourself."
Mike's eyes narrowed dangerously "Maks stop while you are still considered my friend."
Sam lifted his chin and eyed Mike warily "What's she to you? Maybe we should just make her a present to the owner of this place. She's pretty enough to entice some."
The door opened and their conversation stopped.
Panin strode into the room with three armed guards and said "Я сожалею, что заставил вас ждать."
(I'm sorry to keep you waiting.)
Sam turned to face Panin Savelievich. The man was unpleasant looking. Although dressed in an expensive suit he was overweight and his teeth were crooked and stained with tobacco and his skin had an oily sheen to it. His hair was oily and slicked back too. The man's eyes were set too close together and were beady little things.
Assuming a cocky arrogant manner Sam stated "Я не люблю быть ждать. Не позволяйте этому случиться снова. Мне сказали, что у вас есть тип товара проницательный человек, возможно, пожелает приобрести."
(I do not like to be kept waiting. Don't let it happen again. I'm told you have the type of merchandise a discerning man might wish to acquire.)
Panin was seething inwardly at the cocky little shit. This was his place. He was in charge and if he wanted to make him wait he would.
But he said "Я предпочитаю, чтобы вести бизнес на английском языке. Кто в вашей партии говорит по-английски?"
(I prefer to conduct business in English. Who in your party speaks English?)
Mike saw the twitch in the man's eye. Sam's words had hit the mark. It pissed off Panin. Mike offered "Only Maks and I speak English. The lady speaks Russian and French and Maks' guards speak French only."
Panin gave Mike and oily grin and said "You have aged well. Fifteen years is a long time to be underground. Mind telling me where you were Michael? Or do you still prefer Magic Mike?"
It took a lot to not react to the Magic Mike moniker but Mike simply said "Mike will do and where I have been is my business. I brought my buddy Maks here because he was looking for certain entertainment. I figured you might be able to help him out."
Panin shifted his gaze back to the blonde man. He indicated to his guard to hand him something. Then Panin tapped the French magazine in his hand and stated "So you are Ivkin Maxim Gennadiyevich?"
Sam nodded but with an air of indifference said "I prefer Maks."
Panin's beady hooded eyes looked at the blonde and challenged "Maybe. This here magazine says you are in Canada and they took your passport."
Sam had never been so glad Blaze had updated them on this part of the mission notes after interrogating Markov and Krymov. Sam adopted a smile "Money solves little problems like that. Wave enough under the nose of an underpaid pissant with a crappy job and anything can happen."
Then Sam was direct again "So you have something that might interest me or am I wasting my time here?"
Panin got irritated again at the arrogance of the man but he stated "I may. Perhaps you would like to follow me and see what I have?"
Sam nodded and then they started to head out of the room.
Panin Savelievich's Bordello – Hallway
They all went down a wide hallway flanked by Panin's armed guards. At the end were two doors which were guarded by more men.
"Your bodyguards and friends do not go into the main club. I have separate room for them to wait in" Panin stated.
Sam shook his head "No deal. My buddy Mike and my guards come with me."
A slight confused look crossed Panin's face as he asked "And the woman?"
Shrugging Sam said "I don't care. She is too old and …"
He stopped and rubbed his jaw and then his face that still held a slight imprint of Anastasia's hand. A wicked smile crossed Sam face as he said "Bring her too. Perhaps she can be part of the deal. A down payment if you will. She should fetch a pretty penny wouldn't you say?"
Panin eyed Anastasia up and down and leered at her.
Anastasia shrank into Mike's arms and did a good job of acting scared.
Mike declared "Maks you wouldn't!"
Sam shrugged "Why not? It solves my problem. What you say Panin? I can call you Panin right?"
Panin grinned and pulled the beautiful woman to him and fondled her breast. Tonight was getting much better than he could imagine.
Anastasia's eyes went wide and she cried out "Что ты сказал? Что происходит?"
(What did you say? What is going on?)
Squeezing her breast hard Panin said "Теперь ты мой. Вы покажите мне, что вы получили, а потом я буду решать свою судьбу."
(You are mine now. You show me what you got and then I will decide your fate.)
Then Panin turned to Maks and said "One guard. The other can wait in the other room. Pick the one you want to have a good time. I have ladies in there to entertain him while he waits."
Sam looked at Ripsaw and said "Tu restes ici. Exemple de la marchandise si elle vous plaît. Je vais être un peu."
(You stay here. Sample the merchandise if it pleases you. I will be a while.)
Ripsaw grinned and rubbed his hands together. Panin gave orders to his guards and one escorted Ripsaw into one door. Panin then lead the way through the other door.
Panin Savelievich's Bordello – Waiting Room
The guard led Ripsaw into the room. It was decorated opulently and gaudy in reds, golds and greens. There was a table full of food and drinks and many scantily clad women. There were lounge chairs and alcoves scattered around and there were five doors around the large room. This room was not part of the drawing that Markov and Krymov had supplied.
Ripsaw wandered around looking like he was eyeing the offerings. What he was really doing was scanning the room for the cameras and trying to find the blind spot. He was also measuring up all the women looking for one that he might be able to manipulate.
He would rather do it that way then to kill the guards and then have to find his way to the kitchen.
Nadya saw the new comer and she instantly was drawn to him. He was small for a bodyguard. Tonight she had expected to be in the room that entertained the buyers. But instead she was sent to the room to entertain their bodyguards. Normally only one bodyguard per buyer was allowed to go into the auction area. The rest were plied with women, food and drinks. That is how Panin maintained control.
Usually the bodyguards were huge and rough. She did not like working this room. So she honed in on the smaller guy. He was not bad looking either. He had short, dark brown hair and nice brown eyes. He was well built but compact. Nadya could tell he was wary and checking out the room. Most the guards did that. It was their job after all.
Nadya approached and ran her hand up and down his arm as she said "Заинтересованы в некоторых развлечений?"
(Interested in some entertainment?)
Ripsaw had no idea what she said but her actions were telling. He smiled because it was the woman he would have selected to approach. She seemed a bit different than the others but he could not really discern why.
He responded "Parlez-vous français?"
(Do you speak French?)
She shook her head. But then leaned in close to his body as she her hand went to a certain part of his anatomy and she whispered in his ear "Если говорить не нужно."
(Speaking is not necessary.)
Ripsaw took in a deep breath and backed up. He smiled and pulled Nadya to the location he had determined to be the blind spot. He backed her into the corner so it looked like he was taking advantage of the offerings.
He whispered "Do you speak English?"
Nadya shook her head.
Ripsaw then tried "t'k'ven saubari k'art'uli?"
(Do you speak Georgian?)
Nadya's eyes widened. She had not heard her native tongue in so many years. She had to learn Russian when she ended up here. Her eyes teared up. She missed home still.
She answered "Diakh."
(Yes.)
Ripsaw grinned and thought he was damned luck that was one of the languages he spoke. He stated "me var mshieri raghats'. ik'neb ch'emt'vis samzareulo ase rom me ver raime ganskhvavebuli?"
(I am hungry for something else. Could you take me to the kitchen so I could get something different?)
Nadya shook her head "araris ch'ven unda darch'es ak'. me ver vt'khov, rom raghats' up'ro t'k'veni liking."
(No we must stay here. I could ask to get something more to your liking.)
Adopting a sad look Ripsaw shook his head as he said "dartsmunebuli khar? me dzalian mshieri, magram ch'emi up'rosi krdzalavs ch'emt'vis chama arap'eri me ar minakhavs momzadebuli sakut'ari t'valit'. mas eshinia ch'ven tsamlebs."
(Are you sure? I am very hungry but my boss forbids me to eat anything I have not seen prepared with my own eyes. He is afraid we will be drugged.)
Nadya thought about the food that was brought to those little girls tonight. It was drugged. Panin always drugged them that way. This bodyguard's boss must be really cautious. The sad brown eyes pulled at her heart strings.
She said "me vt'khov nebart'va Madam. davelodot' ak' da me vik'nebi ukan ts'ota."
(I will ask for permission from the Madam. Wait here and I'll be back in a little bit.)
Ripsaw brightened up and kissed her gently on the cheek "Gmadlobt'."
(Thank you.)
Nadya headed off and Ripsaw watched intently to see which door she exited. If the answer was no, Ripsaw would just have to choose a door and hope he located the kitchen quickly without encountering many guards or setting off alarms calls.
Panin Savelievich's Bordello – Main Club
Sam, Mike and Mason followed Panin through the main club. Panin kept hold on Anastasia as they walked. The guys looked around and noted the placement of every single guard and every exit. Their eyes quickly found the cameras.
The music was very loud and the extremely large room was sectioned off into smaller areas by cherry red curtains and glass partitions with images of etched cherries and naked women. There was a long bar at one end and a plethora of different types of plush chairs and couches all done up in various shades of red, green and gold.
Sam was scanning the area and thought it looked extravagant, tasteless and vulgar. Men and women were in various stages of dress and he saw a few engaged in activities that should be done in private. But no one in the club seemed to be bothered by it.
Panin stopped and turned to the group. He waved his hand in a sweeping motion and said "Welcome to the Cherry Club where your tastes can be indulged."
Sam shrugged scanning the area lazily "Nothing in here is to my taste."
Sidling up close to Maks, Panin asked "So what is your pleasure?"
Swallowing the bile that threated to hurl out Sam stated "Something younger, fresher and untouched."
Laughing Panin said "So you like to pop the cherry. What is younger?"
Sam nodded with a smile but it took Sam a moment to be able to speak. He finally managed to reply "The younger the better, but if you need specifics ten to thirteen. I like them smooth if you know what I mean."
His stomach turned and Sam thought he was gonna be sick right then and there when those words exited his mouth. Could he keep up this pretense? Sam wondered if he was sounding creditable or if he was screwing up.
Panin thought that was perfect, the age of his two newest acquisitions. He had wondered just how young Maks liked them. Panin ran his hand over the blonde woman's ass and felt her tense. He was glad she was being docile. He liked that in a woman. Pretty but quiet.
But she was a vixen too. He had seen her slap Maks. That little temper tantrum garnered him something he was not expecting tonight. After the auction he would have fun. He just might keep her for himself for a while then when he bored with her she would definitely fetch a pretty penny as Maks had said.
Panin checked his watch. The auction was slated to begin in about thirty minutes. He needed to vet Maks quickly before he would allow him to join the auction.
He turned to Maks and then said "Let me show you some of what I have to offer."
Then Panin led the way to an elevator and all of them entered. The guard pressed the number three button when Panin stated "Три." (Three.)
Panin Savelievich's Bordello – Third Floor
On the third floor they exited the elevator. It was quieter on this floor but there was still loud music playing to presumably cover the sounds that might come from the many rooms that were on this floor.
Panin led them to a door near the end of a long hallway. He opened it and ushered them in. They spread out around the room knowing it was better if they were not bunched up together if the shit hit the fan.
The door closed and the room contained Sam, Mike, Mason, Anastasia, Panin and five armed guards. In the room was a queen sized bed with only a white fitted sheet on it. There were mirrors on the ceiling and the headboard was a mirror too. The flooring was wood and there were several darker spots that could be old blood stains.
Mike felt sick to his stomach. This was the room. The very same room he had stumbled into. The room where he saw a man doing despicable things to a child. The room where he saw another man murdered without any hesitation when the man refused to do those same things. The room he threw up in. Mike refused to throw up again in this room and he forced those thoughts away.
Releasing his grip on Anastasia, Panin strode further into the room as one of the guards locked the door behind them.
Anastasia saw Mike go pale. So did the rest of them.
Panin's oily snaky smile covered his face as he said "Так Магия Майк принести приятные воспоминания?"
(So Magic Mike bring back pleasant memories?)
Mike fought to push down the fear that wanted to surface. This man had scared the hell out of him as a young man. That feeling was hard to control being face to face with him. Mike clenched his fists and tried to control his breathing.
Seeing Mike's reaction but not truly understanding why, Sam wanted to distract Panin from him so he quickly said "Why are we in this room?"
Panin turned to Maks and grinned, "Mike knows." Then looking back over his shoulder at Mike he added "Don't you?"
Gaining control, it was hard won; Mike glared at Panin and said "Yes. You are a sick bastard and you like to watch."
"Tut tut. You have that wrong. I do not like to watch. It is just good business to know my clients" Panin stated. Then he turned back to Maks and said "I will bring in a sampling and you will select one, more if you want, and prove to me that you enjoy something younger as you indicated."
He snapped his fingers and one of the guards opened a hidden door that until it opened looked just like part of the wall. In walked seven young girls and two young boys. All were wearing only small briefs and nothing more.
Sam looked at the children. He judged them to be between eight and fourteen. Their bodies were so thin and malnourished. Several of them had bruises on various parts of their bodies. Their eyes were hollow with no life in them or filled with fear.
Bile burned the back of Sam's throat. What he had planned better damned well work. No child should be subjected to something like this. No child, ever!
Panin snapped his fingers and all but the littlest girl immediately removed the only clothing covering their bodies. The littlest girl's eyes were lit with terror and tears.
Sam looked into those green eyes and an image of Sara superimposed over the little girls' face. He could not look away as Panin yelled for her to disrobe. The little girl began violently shaking as the tears traced down her face. Sam's heart shattered seeing that.
Mason watched Blondie carefully. He was too far away from him. He was closer to Panin. Mason waited to see what Blondie would do.
He knew that seeing these children affected every one of them stronger than any of them had prepared for. Really there was nothing they could have done to prepare for what they saw now. Mason had heard Anastasia's slight gasp and seen her cover her mouth with a shaky hand. He noted that Mike had paled more and fisted his hands tightly. Mason's own stomach threatened to spill on the wooden floor.
When the little girl still failed to comply with Panin's repeated commands, Panin shouted "Преподать ей урок она не скоро забудут."
(Teach her a lesson she won't soon forget.)
A large guard stepped forward. He pulled back his large fist, ready to strike the child.
All thoughts of his plan flew out of Sam's head. Sam could not allow that child to be struck. The guard's fist could kill that little girl. He had failed to save Sara but he would not fail this little girl.
Sam reacted instantly and lunged at the guard.
They went down hard but Sam had surprise on his side and with one punch Sam cold cocked the guard. But then Sam was hauled off the guard and the sound of guns cocking was heard. Sam's arms were wrenched high behind him by two guards and he was turned to face Panin.
Mike, Mason and Anastasia stood stock still. Blondie had deviated from the plan. They were in new territory now.
Mason did not blame Blondie for lunging at the guard. Those tearful green eyes were tearing out Mason's heart too. If he had been closer he would have done the same thing.
However much Mason wanted to protect Blondie at the moment, he did not dare move. He needed a moment to read the situation and see if Blondie could salvage it. If Blondie could defuse the situation they might be back in business. If not, Mason was ready to move.
Panin leveled his gun at Maks' head and aimed right between the eyes as two huge guards held him tightly.
Sam glared at Panin disregarding the pain in his arms as they were wrenched higher.
In his mind Sam was screaming 'oh god I screwed up royally'.
Seeing the hostility in Panin's eyes, Sam knew he was a dead man.