– A familiar picture? Amir uttered these words with the same grin with which he had heard them this morning. There were two police officers in this garage, Amir, and Rashid. Arthur stared intently at Amir’s father, and admired the resemblance. He did not expect to see him here.
– The dynasty is assembled. He said through his teeth.
– I have a business proposition for you. I propose to exchange brides. I am yours for you, you are mine for me. These two, he pointed to the police, they will not say anything. I promise you complete safety, as I promised. In any case, nothing will come from my side. You leave Sultana and her father alone; they will withdraw their statement from the police. We are returning you are beloved to you in integrity and safety. If you do not agree, then the police will take you and your girlfriend away. The parents of my fiancée have written her as an accomplice, a statement against you. The police calculated the car in which she was taken away. You’ve already stolen people in this car.
Arthur stood silently at the threshold and listened attentively to Amir’s words, he did not want to agree with this. But he had no choice, and he agreed. Hoping to kill this family in the future. He thought it over quickly and clearly. – Let them go home, he thought. It will be easier for me to get rid of them there than here. There will not be this palmist there.
– Why are you silent?
– I agree.
– Very good. Then so. As soon as Sultana, Ahmed, as well as my father and Lilya fly to their place, only then will you get your bride back. And look without tricks. If something happens to them or to me, Lilya is your mistake that you made. Then it will be worse for you. You should not have kidnapped her from her home. She is not a dancer. She will tell the police everything about you. In the meantime, her parents will be silent. Arthur was not quite grunting and hesitating in the doorway, he wanted to take the Blame right now and go with her to their apartment. Vina looked at him pleadingly with her loving eyes. At that moment, Arthur was ready to give the whole world just to be with her. But it was time to be far away from each other, such a cruel separation was not part of his plans, and he was cruelly hurt. Amir noticed his vulnerability and even felt sorry for him. But Lily’s captivity brought him back to reality, and Amir quickly banished these thoughts of pity.
– OK. Even so, I agree. Amir could not believe his ears. Is this cruel guy really so in love. Although it was noticeable in his eyes and beaming face. But the fact that this love is so reflected in his affairs, Arthur could not even admit the thought of it.
– Then it is time for us to disperse. With these words, Amir pointed Arthur to the exit, and they went out. I could hear the car doors slamming and the sound of wheels. The police opened the door and went outside; Rashid held Vina by the arm and led her outside for an exchange. Amir got out first. As soon as he came out and took a step forward, a shot rang out, and he fell at his father’s feet. The next shots were aimed at the police. And did not stop until they were killed. Rashid threw the girl over his shoulder and quickly pushed her into the police car. The car drove off, not coping with the controls. Rashid turned on the siren and accelerated. He was shaking with fear, the thought of his murdered son did not leave his head, and he called the police and an ambulance. The investigator was also killed; he was one of these two police officers. Now that he had lost his son and a friend from the police, he did not know whom to call and dialed Igor.
– I could not save him. He was killed.
– I am coming to you.
– No. I have his woman. They will intercept me. I urgently need to save another little man before it is too late.
– Who if it is not a secret.
– His fiancee. He was supposed to have a wedding in the summer. Vina listened to the conversation, and understood something in Russian. Where should I go?
– Come to my house. Igor dictated the address.
– I am driving a police car with flashing lights.
– We will figure it out. You can explain everything to the police. While they were talking, the car was halfway there and Rashid saw Arthur’s pursuit. At the howl of a police car, another car joined her. Arthur stopped the pursuit and Rashid continued on his way, but without flashing lights. Driving up to Igor’s house, Rashid was left alone, unaccompanied by the police. Vina was tied hand and foot in the backseat. Rashid’s thoughts were all with Amir. He still had a glimmer of hope that his son was alive. He was offended that Amir was left there completely alone. Where are all those whom he has been saving all this time. Sultana, her father, Igor, Lyosha, where are all his friends. Where is the guarantee that Arthur’s people did not come back and finish him off? His heart contracted and it seemed that he was having a heart attack. His left arm was numb, it was painful for him to breathe, consciousness began to turn off, and he barely got out of the car. Igor met him; he took him by the arm and sat him down on a bench near the entrance. – Where’s the girl. Rashid pointed with his hand.
– «She’s staying with me for the time being. He also took her over his shoulder and unceremoniously carried her into the apartment. Then he parked the police car and returned to Rashid. – Come on. And they went into the entrance.
– Tell me everything in order. Rashid told about what happened this morning. – Why didn’t he tell me? I would have thought of anything. Rashid saw Igor’s custody of his son, and regretted that he did not call him himself. – Stay here with this girl, and I will go to the scene of the accident.
– No. I will go myself. I will be needed there more. Amir has no documents with him. Our investigator has been killed, who will help us now?
– It is certainly very difficult.
– I do not even know if my son is alive. How do I explain the carjacking? Rashid’s thoughts were confused; he did not know what to say anymore.
– This is very bad. If my well-known friend has died, then even I will not be able to help you. He was very skillful in this case, and helped Amir. Now it remains only to pray that everything will be fine. Maybe it is even worth telling the truth. So as not to make it worse for yourself. Rashid stood undecided and walked quickly to the car.
– I went. The car drove away from the house; Igor stood at the entrance and felt the cold air burning his face. November came, and the first snowflakes were swirling in the air. Residents of Moscow were accustomed to such weather and rejoiced at the first snow. They did not feel the cold, unlike the people who came here from Asian countries. It was more difficult for them, and especially for Vina, who was now sitting in a closed room and dreaming of escape, as Sultana had once dreamed of it. Vina understood that her captivity was causing great harm to her lover, and she just dreamed of escaping and hiding in his arms. She was so disgusted that it happened to her. She considered herself so perfect, so close to him, that she did not even allow the thought that such a thing could happen to her. Vina knew that Arthur could keep the girls captive. But to be captured by herself, who would harm him, it humiliated her.
Igor returned to the apartment and entered the room where Vina was sitting and looked at him as an enemy. Igor came up to her and sat down next to her. – I will not touch you. I do not need you. Do you understand Russian? Vina nodded her head in agreement. But she didn’t understand Russian well. – We need a girl who is being held captive by Arthur. This girl is from a respected family, and she needs to be returned to the family. Do you understand me? Vina nodded her head. We will only get you back when Arthur gives her back to us. Vina sat quietly. She understood what was going on and tried not to resist. She also understood that Arthur was wrong to kidnap a young girl from the family, given that this girl was not of legal age. – I will untie your hands and feet, but you will sit still. Okay? Vina was silent all the time. She had not said a word in all that time. Igor took the ropes off her and left her alone in the room. He sighed heavily