After what felt like an eternity, Nikolai stopped the car in front of an FBO.
A man immediately came toward their car to open the door for Nikolai.
Nikolai stepped outside, and the man held out an umbrella for him.
Nikolai walked to the other side of the car to open the door for Elena.
He dragged her outside with a jerk, making her stumble out of the car before he hauled her over his shoulder upside down in a caveman style.
Elena struggled against his hold.
"Leave me… put me down…" she shouted, kicking her legs in the air, trying to get free from his grip.
Nikolai gritted his teeth before his palm connected harshly with her bottom.
She gasped loudly, her cheeks turning crimson as sharp pain and humiliation shot through her body.
"Want some more, or have you learned your lesson, my little bird?"
His voice was dangerously low and calm, making her fall silent.
Nikolai walked inside the FBO with the man following behind them.
He dropped her onto a seat in the private lounge.
She steadied herself somehow, immediately creating distance between them.
Nikolai smirked at her before turning toward his man.
The man handed him an envelope before speaking, "Boss, you have to wait until the weather gets a bit better."
Nikolai waved a dismissive hand before opening the envelope, revealing Elena's passport.
Elena looked at the passport with hope.
Her eyes filled with unshed tears because the time had come for her freedom.
She intentionally walked toward Nikolai before asking, "I want to keep my passport with me. I don't trust your clumsy self. You might drop it somewhere because you stay busy bossing around."
Nikolai narrowed his eyes at her words.
He cupped her throat and pulled her closer harshly.
"Seems like someone's tongue is running too fast, huh?"
"But since you are so careful, I am giving you the passport."
"But if you lose it, I will fuck you right here, in front of everyone present here."
His voice was full of authority and threat, making her skin crawl.
He shoved her away before handing her the passport.
Elena felt sick as soon as his words hit her ears.
She clenched her fingers tightly around the passport, feeling like half of her work was done.
Now the rest was still left, and she would do it slowly and carefully.
Elena put the passport in her dress pocket before standing silently, as if thinking.
Nikolai was busy talking with the border control officer.
She looked around carefully before walking toward the exit, blending in with the people so no one would suspect anything.
As soon as she reached the exit, a security guard stopped her and asked, "Ms., is there any problem?"
Elena looked at the guard and forced her voice to stay calm.
"Actually, I forgot some of my important documents in the car, so I am going to get them."
The guard nodded and let her go.
Outside, the heavy thunderstorm had reached its peak.
Without thinking twice, she started to run down the road without looking back even once.
Big drops of rain hit her face and skin, making her vision blur, but she kept smiling and running.
And for the first time, she breathed freely under the open sky—
With no chains holding her anymore.