Chapter 20
"Bangor, Maine." Emily's voice caused Dima Antonov to jump in his seat as she quickly sat back down. "What does it mean to you?"
"What? Nothing." Dima shook his head quickly, Emily's previous threat and analysis having had the desired effect. "Why?"
"You don't get to ask questions." Emily silenced him. "You answer them and if I don't get one within the next ten seconds, you're going to spend the rest of your short life in a metal box." Emily began to countdown rather quickly, flustering the man as he fumbled with his words.
"I-I don't know why it's important, I swear!" he shouted over her counting. She didn't stop. "I've only been there like three times in my life. There's nothing there!"
"You've been there?" Emily asked and Dima nodded quickly. "Was your brother with you?" He nodded again.
"Yea, it's on the way to our family's cabin. Mom, Dad, and Vic used to miss the cold so they bought this cabin up in the middle of nowhere and fixed it up. When they died, it went to Vic." Dima explained.
"Vic. That's your brother?" He nodded slowly.
"Victor. He doesn't use that name anymore." The Russian told her softly, almost afraid to betray his brother despite the distance between them.
"His name, Dima." Emily pushed. "Now."
"Last time he told me, he was going by 'Petyr Volkov'." Emily took out the map of the state that she had purposely brought and laid it out in front of him.
"How progressive of him." She muttered. "Mark the cabin and you can leave after we find them."
"Leave?" Dima frowned, having perceived Emily's threats to be genuine.
"You didn't want to help them kidnap that girl in Seattle, did you?" Emily's gaze softened as she took in the man. He was scared and rightfully so. His brother was a merciless criminal who would undoubtedly kill him if he knew what was transpiring now. However, if it was up to Emily, 'Petyr Volkov' would be dead before the sun went down. "Vic dragged you along and you got caught. Isn't that right?"
"Y-Yea." Dima admitted. "He was always so…violent. Always got what he wanted because everyone was too afraid to say 'no' to him…including me."
"Well I'm not going to punish you for your brother's crimes, Dima." Emily promised. "Show me where he is and I swear, he will never hurt you or anyone else again." She extended her hand and waited for him to grab the marker from her. With a deep breath and shake of the head, Dima Antonov betrayed his brother and placed a big, red dot outside of the small town of Houlton, Maine. As Emily stood to leave, Dima called out to her once more.
"He's not going to let you take her again." He cautioned. "Katya, I mean. He's been in love with her for years."
"I assumed as much." Emily told him. "Don't worry, we'll get them." Just let him try and get in our way.
It had been hours since Katya and her friends had left with the recording. Neither of the two women had spoken since. Ava had removed the gag from JJ's mouth and resumed her previous position against the wall. Knees tucked in tight, elbows barely holding up her head, Ava had been the pinnacle of silence since their departure. She simply had nothing to say. JJ, on the other hand, was actively fighting against the desire to scream. She suppressed the urge, choosing instead to mull over everything she had learned.
She was being released.
Ava was staying behind.
Katya had blackmailed Ava into doing something abhorrent to make it so.
Ava had a son.
Ava's son was dead.
Each piece of news was more shocking than the last and, if she was being honest with herself, JJ wasn't sure which pained her more. To know that her friend had been struggling with something as dreadful as the death of a child alone was enough to break JJ's heart. While all the pieces of the puzzle that was Avalona Thorne were starting to fit together, the image they formed was one JJ wished she could forget. The blonde agent tried hard to push past the wall of grief and guilt that had been placed in front of her and focus on getting both of them out. Despite the secrets Ava had kept, JJ meant it when she had said that there was no power that could make her leave without her friend. However, getting out involved speaking to one another and JJ was simply at a loss for words. She wanted nothing more than to comfort the woman but would words ever ease the pain Ava had undoubtedly been living with? She knew from personal experience that they probably wouldn't. Now, with this new trauma, would she even be willing to speak? These were all questions that JJ knew she couldn't answer herself. She needed to speak…even if Ava wouldn't.
"I-I don't know if you remember," JJ cleared her throat, "but the night before we were taken, you called yourself a murderer. Is…is that what you meant?" The blonde saw her friend swallow hard but continue to stare at the wall, unmoving. "Ava, I…I don't believe you're a murderer. I don't believe it for a second."
"I also said," Ava's voice surprised JJ, "that you don't know me." JJ began scooting towards the taller woman, watching her closely for any signs that she should back off.
"I may not know everything about you," JJ admitted, "but I know plenty of murderers and you are nothing like them. You would never hurt an innocent person, especially…especially a child." She could see Ava's breath hitch and, instead of continuing the conversation, chose to sit closer but far away enough to not startle her.
"I…" JJ could see just how hard it was for Ava to get the words out and she couldn't help but wonder if this was the first time she was discussing it. "I didn't do it on purpose."
"I know." JJ cooed. "Whatever happened, Ava, I know it wasn't your fault. You're a good person with a gentle heart and when this is all over, I'm going to prove it to you."
"This'll never be over." Ava turned her head but refrained from raising her gaze. "Not for me."
"They're not taking me out of here without you." JJ's voice hardened. "I don't care what sort of twisted deal she forced you to make but she can take it straight to hell when I send her there."
"Why do you care?" The brunette's voice was low and defeated, much like its owner. It only succeeded in breaking JJ's heart further. Her voice trembled with emotion when she replied.
"Because we're a family," she insisted, "and families fight for each other until the end."
"I don't want you to have an 'end', Jennifer." Ava sighed. "That's the whole point."
"Did you ever think of what kind of life I would have knowing that you sacrificed everything just so I could live?" JJ's patience was wearing thin, much like the remaining time they had before Volkov returned. "I would blame and hate myself for ever letting you go, Ava. That's not a life. That's hell. I would rather die in this room, today, with you, than live a life that was bought with your freedom."
"I won't ask you to risk death for of my mistakes." Ava frowned, still refusing to meet the blonde's eyes. "Volkov imy problem, not yours."
"See, that's the thing about families:" JJ tried to explain. "Their problems usually become yours. It comes with the territory so either accept my help or don't. It's not going to change the fact that your deal with the devil is officially null and void." She could see Ava struggling to control her temper and could understand why. Whatever the price was- which JJ was sure she had already figured out but forbade herself from thinking of just yet- Ava had already begun to pay it. If she had gone through that for nothing, it would certainly piss JJ off too. However, it didn't make a difference. Whatever Katya had done to Ava could be addressed after they were free of her. Until then, the only thing JJ could focus on was surviving.
"The next time they come in here, it'll probably be just the men." JJ surmised. "If you help me, there's a chance we can take them."
"You're willing to bet your life on a chance when you've already been guaranteed your freedom." Ava almost laughed. "You're insane."
"Yea, maybe but we can talk about that another time." JJ spoke quickly, unsure of how much time they had left. "Now, are you in?" Ava, raising her eyes to finally meet her partner's, saw no other option than to nod.
It didn't take long for the two agents to get their wish. Less than an hour later, two sets of heavy footsteps could be heard approaching the door. Ava and JJ steeled themselves, knowing that if they failed, they would likely never see each other again. JJ cast one last look towards her partner. While she doubted that she looked much better, her worry for the younger woman's wellbeing was at the forefront of her mind. Could Ava manage to take down one of the men on her own? Sure, she was a skilled enough agent but JJ's experience far outweighed the brunette's and she couldn't help but take in Ava's slumped shoulders and downcast eyes. All in all, she looked nothing like a woman who was prepared to fight for her life and freedom. As the door began to open, JJ clenched her fists tightly, making a pact with herself as everything around her seemed to slow.
I'll kill them both myself if I have to.
Her resolve and anger felt like more than enough to help her complete the task at hand. Both men underestimated her- she was sure of that- and that fact alone led to her winning most of the fights she got in. Most.
"Alright blondie, time to say 'goodbye'." Katya's least favorite of the two chided as the door swung open. JJ was quick to move, grabbing the man's right arm before the door was fully open. She heard the man gasp as she twisted the limb violently around his back. Continuing to apply pressure, JJ almost grinned when she felt a snap and heard the giant of man howl in pain. However, it didn't take long for him to recover. He swung wildly, striking JJ in the ribs and forcing her to let go. Turning to face her, the man's beet-red face turned into a fierce snarl. Dodging punch after punch, JJ found herself backed into one of the corners of the room. Knowing that this was a terrible position to be in against an enemy who clearly outmatched her in strength, the blonde aimed a blow to the man's temple, disorienting him long enough for her to duck underneath his massive arm and wind up behind him once more. Aiming a well placed kick to the back of his knee, JJ watched the giant crumple to the ground. Just as she was about to wrap her arms around his neck, he spun and landed another punch to her side. She stumbled, struggling to draw a breath as her ribs angrily protested. The momentary delay gave him enough time to remove a knife from his belt and tackle JJ to the ground. Frantic, JJ knew that his superior strength would be a deciding factor if they remained in this position. The man grinned, blood staining his teeth, as he fought to bring the knife to her. Running out of time and strength, JJ knew that she had no other choice. If she continued this power struggle, he would most certainly win and the knife would end up somewhere in her chest. However, if she decided where the knife went, all of his strength would be put into it and she would be able to- hopefully- land a finishing blow. Struggling to maneuver from underneath the heavy weight, JJ was eventually able to line the knife up with her shoulder. He thankfully hadn't noticed, all of his attention clearly focused on stabbing any part of her. With a grimace, JJ relinquished her hold on the man's arm and allowed the knife to go straight through her right shoulder. She couldn't help the scream that followed but forced herself to move despite the burning pain. Drawing one of her knees up quickly, she landed a blow to his groin, causing the brute to cry out and loosen his hold on her. As he did, JJ was quick to throw her head forward and connect it as hard as she could with his. Ignoring the splitting pain and the distinct sound of bone cracking, she felt the man's weight fall onto her completely. He remained unmoving as JJ struggled to get out from underneath him.
"Goodbye." She groaned. Shoving the unconscious man aside, the blonde brought herself to her knees, left hand trembling as it came up to inspect the damage. The knife was still embedded in her shoulder, blood seeping out at an alarming rate, but JJ knew it wasn't over yet. Putting as much pressure on the wound as she could muster, JJ looked up in search of Ava. The sight that greeted her made her heart stop in her chest. Katya's right-hand man had her partner pinned on the opposite wall, his hands wrapped tightly around her pale neck as he seemed to forget his boss' plans for her. Ava was clawing helplessly at his face and neck, legs kicking at his shins as she tried and failed to get him to let go.
"You'll never love her like I do." The man snarled at Ava who was clearly incapable of responding. JJ could barely hear his words as she struggled to stand, hand already wrapped around the hilt of her new weapon.
"Ava." JJ tried to shout but knew the attempt had failed. Panic flooded her as she watched Ava's eyes begin to roll into the back of her head.
He's killing her!
The thought echoed in her mind and was the only thing compelling JJ to take the five steps forward that it took to be at his back. With a low groan, the blonde yanked the knife out of herself and didn't hesitate to plunge it directly into the man's neck. He was dead before he hit the ground. Ava fell to the floor like a puppet whose strings had been cut and was immediately gasping for air. JJ stepped over the henchman's body and dropped to her knees, rather ungracefully, beside her partner. When Ava saw the blood coming from JJ's shoulder, all concern for herself was cast aside.
"Shit, JJ." Her voice was raspy as she took in the blonde's amused expression.
"It's fine. It doesn't even hurt." The words weren't nearly as comforting as she had meant them to be as Ava quickly rose to her feet.
"We gotta go, JJ." She insisted, taking her partner's uninjured arm and pulling her to her feet. As Ava tried to hold her up, she could feel JJ already shaking her head.
"Can't." The blonde breathed, her blood continuing to pool on the floor beneath them and soak both of their clothes.
"No JJ, you have to stay awake. I can't carry you!" Ava cried, taking a cautionary step forward only to feel JJ begin to slip from her grasp. "JJ, no! Stay awake!"
"Stop her. Get help." The blonde instructed quickly, knowing that she only had a few moments of consciousness left.
"I can't." Ava sobbed, putting all of her strength into gently lowering JJ to the ground she seemed so eager to return to. "I can't stop her without you. I couldn't even take down that guy by myself. You saved me, JJ. You saved me."
"Still not even." JJ offered her a knowing but sad smile, tears streaming down the side of her face in spades. Ava wasn't entirely sure they were from the pain. The brunette shut her eyes tightly, looking up at the ceiling as if to ask for help. She knew no one would answer. It was up to her to finish this and, if she was honest with herself, Ava wasn't exactly sure she was up to the task. As she shoved the recent memories that plagued her away, Ava looked back her partner just in time to see her eyes begin to close.
"Damnit, Jennifer!" Ava yelled, her hands moving to apply pressure to the still-bleeding injury. "How am I supposed to stop her, get help, and keep you from bleeding to death?!"
"It's quite simple actually." A familiar voice caused Ava's breath to hitch and her heart to jump. "You don't."
