“Oh.” He nods solemnly, then snuggles closer to me.
The SUV glides to a stop. Leo and Griff get out first, followed by Darius.
“Lisette?” Shapur holds out his hand. “It was an honor to meet the woman who brought the Viper into being. He loves you very much, you know.”
I nod as Shapur brings my fingers to his lips. He is so different than I expected. This is no warlord. He has more in common with my father than Faruk or Raziq. But then I notice the simple silver band he wears. Perhaps marriage softened him.
Nomar nudges Mateen’s shoulder. “Go with Griff, kiddo. He’ll let you pick any seat on the plane you want. Your mom and I will be there in just a minute.”
Your mom and I.
It sounds so right when he says those words.
Dropping his voice, he leans closer to Shapur. “Take Hajira and the girls and run, my friend. Half of Kabul knows Raziq is dead by now. If you don’t get out soon…”
“We are leaving tonight,” he says. “Hajira has been packed for a week.”
“I owe you everything, Shapur. When you’re clear, you know where we’ll be.”
* * *
Nomar
Mateen presses his forehead to the window and watches the city fall away. Zephyr worked a small miracle getting usanotherlast-minute flight.
“Are we going back to Turkey?” Lisette asks. Her pupils are half blown from the morphine, but she’s no longer sobbing in pain, so I’ll take the win.
“Not this time. In three hours, we’ll be in Dubai. It’s another seven to Toulouse from there.”
“Dubai?” She fumbles in her pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. “I…Raziq had this in his office. He said he was going to take Mateen there after…after…” Tears fill her eyes.
“Shhh. He’s right next to you, sweetheart. No one can touch either of you here.”
I smooth the paper out on my thigh. The woman in the photo is stunning. Smooth skin, glossy black hair under a glittering headscarf, and kohl-lined eyes. “Amani Skye? Who is this?”
“What did you say?” Across the aisle, Darius unbuckles his seatbelt and jerks to his feet. “Give me that.” He stares at the paper like he’s seeing a ghost. “It cannot be.”
“Darius?”
If Lisette weren’t squeezing my hand so hard my fingers ached, I’d get up and shake the man. He can’t take his eyes off the woman’s picture.
“Pritchard?” Darius turns to Austin, and the desperation in his voice is one I know all too well. “I am in need of that favor. Now.”
* * *
Lisette fellasleep as the plane crossed into Pakistan. After the fifth time Mateen asked me if she’d be okay, I pulled him into my lap and wrapped my arms around him. Now, he snores softly with his head on my shoulder.
I couldn’t give him an answer. I don’t even know what she’s been through the past twenty-four hours.
The comms device in my ear crackles to life as the plane starts its descent. “There’s an ambulance waiting for you on the tarmac,” Zephyr says. “They’ll check Lisette out while the plane refuels. If she needs medical care immediately, she’ll have it.”
I’d thank her, but she’s already moved on. “Darius? I got you a car and a hotel room at the Five Points Dubai. A laptop, encrypted burner, and clean ID will be delivered before midnight.”
“I can never repay you for this.”
“Anyone Raziq wanted dead is worth saving,” Austin replies. “Are you absolutely sure you don’t want us to stay in Dubai for a few days? Nomar needs to get Lisette and Mateen home, but Griff, Leo, and I can hang out until you know what’s up.”
“No. I need to do this on my own.”
