Page 106 of Ghost

The links licked his face.He hissed in pain and covered his head as she snapped them again, surging to her feet.Using all her strength, she struck him once more.A gash split open his scalp.

Mila threw down her weapon and ran, bolting for the barn door.Her hair whipped in front of her face as she darted into the cold.Her feet stung as she trampled over gravel and into dead grass.This time of year, there were no crops to shield her.

Paul wouldn’t be far behind.She’d wounded him, but not badly enough.Her breath wheezed in and out through her tight chest.Fighting the two men after the torture she’d endured had used too much energy.

Emotion stung her eyes.If she could just escape the farm, she could get to a phone and call Ghost.Then she’d be safe.

The sound of Paul’s advance pounded behind her.Mila huffed.

He wouldn’t catch her.She had too much of a head start.Triumph filled her veins.Her brain worked through a plan.

She pumped her arms, ignoring the burn of her muscles and the throbbing of her cheekbone.

The woods weren’t far.Probably her best bet to lose Paul and anyone he sent after her.The long driveway that twisted from the main road to the barn came into view.She couldn’t risk running down the road.Although she might be able to flag down help, doing so could get someone killed.

No, she could survive the forest.Had to.It wasn’t as cold here as in Russia.

As she crossed the driveway, headlights coated her body, nearly paralyzing her with shock.

A sleek sedan rolled down the gravel.Fear slowed her heart.Paul shouted, trying to alert the people in the car.

Boris.

Oh god.

She ran harder, racing her feet over the driveway and then back into the damp ground.Her stomach churned.The car sped up.She threw her gaze over her shoulder just as Paul stopped to press his hands to his knees.The driver and someone in the back of the sedan got out.With guns drawn, they gave chase.

Her cry got caught in the back of her throat.A sharp crack sounded as she tore into the woods.The bullet smacked into a tree.

Mila screamed and ducked as bark sprayed her face and body.Terror stole her breath.She leapt over a rock, and her feet landed sharply on the uneven earth.

She needed to stop, but the rapid footsteps behind her urged her on.She couldn’t get caught.Wouldn’t succumb to their torture.

Her foot landed in a deep pit, sending her flying to the ground.She landed with a hard slap.The wind barked from her lungs.Her palms stung.Pain shot from her ankle, making her shudder.

Oh god.Oh no.

Tears swam in front of her vision, but the excruciating fire tearing through her ligaments was what blinded her.

Get up, Malyshka.

A moan floated from her lips.Delirium mixed with reality.“I can’t, Alexei.I think it’s broken.”

Only you have power over Mila.Get up.

Resurrecting her strength, she pushed her palms into the cold soil and eased her leg from the hole.

She planted her injured foot on the ground and a black cloud rolled over her.The snapping of twigs and the whooshing of branches grew closer.She clutched a nearby tree, tears rushing down her face.

“There she is!”a man bellowed.

Fury infused her bones.

I will not die here.

She stood, welcoming the pain.Daring it to take her down.Then becoming one with it.She walked.Every footstep pulled at her resolve.

Like a poisonous fog, the men closed in.Hands seized her.One man grabbed the back of her neck, another caught her biceps.