Page 46 of Warlord’s Empire

She looked torn, saying, “I hate that you thought you could decide something like that for me but thank you for changing your mind. I’m glad you understand that I can’t be manipulated that way.” She bit her lip, as if to stop herself from saying more.

He could tell she wanted to demand an immediate meeting with her family, which he was not willing to provide yet, so he forestalled her by asking, “What did your cousin-in-law do to get over her PTSD?”

“Counselling,” Saskia said. “Journalling, meditating, that kind of thing.”

It was so far out of his experience he had to turn each word over in his mind. “Journalling is writing?”

Saskia tried to cover a giggle with a cough. “Yes. It’s a book with blank pages that you can write in. You write down your experiences, feelings, things you struggle with on a day-to-day basis. I think the idea is writing it out makes it less of a monster in your mind.” They stared at each other for a moment, then Saskia burst out laughing. “I have trouble picturing you writing in a journal, but I know it works.”

“You have a journal.” He knew she did, he’d read it.

She nodded. “It’s helped me through some pretty dark times. You should try it.”

Radik took her suggestion seriously. “I will consider it.”

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by an explosion that shook the ground beneath their feet.

Radik grabbed Saskia and shoved her under the table, covering her head while pulling his sidearm.

Shola and two other security personnel rushed in. “Orders, General?” Shola shouted.

A plume of dust hit them, obscuring the area. It came from the direction of the eastern wall.

“Get her to the house. All of you. Shoot anyone who tries to stop you.” Three more security personnel rushed in. “Take her now.”

“What about you?” Saskia crawled out from under the table, coughing as she crouched at his feet, looking up at him with wide, anxious eyes.

“I’ll be safe with Nuani,” he assured her as his second-in-command took position in front of him, his gun held at his side.

Shola covered Saskia like a blanket, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and shoving her head down low. “Let’s go.” To the surrounding men, she shouted, “Double time to the house. Take out anyone who tries to stop us.” They left in a rush, more of Radik’s security surrounding them as they ran toward the main house where Saskia would be bundled into the safe room.

“What’s going on?” Radik asked Nuani.

Nuani held his finger up, then indicated his earpiece. His posture relaxed and he straightened, holstering his gun.

Radik did the same.

“There was a munitions accident on the range,” Nuani said calmly. “There are a few minor injuries and some damage to the eastern wall.”

Radik ran a hand over his head, his gaze on the street where Saskia had disappeared with Shola. “Prioritize the repairs and beef up security in that area. Close the town gates until further notice. I want a full investigation. Find out what went wrong and make damn sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“General,” Nuani acknowledged, then beckoned to his security staff. “With me.”

Radik strode toward the house, determined to catch up with Saskia so they could continue their conversation.

Chapter Twenty-One

Heart in her throat, Saskia sheltered under the protection of Shola’s steady arms, running to keep up with her as they made their way toward the house. Prickles of fear skittered up and down her skin, making her hair stand on end. She wasn’t afraid for herself, but for Radik. She knew him, knew he would be running toward the explosion to get answers.

What if they were under attack? What if he was injured?

“Stairs,” Shola barked and Saskia lifted her feet higher, running up the steps and into the house in lockstep with her bodyguard.

Saskia straightened as she stepped away from Shola. “Saferoom?”

“Saferoom,” Shola confirmed.

Though Saskia despised being locked in those tiny secure rooms, unable to join those around her in their fight to protect their home, she understood it was safer for everyone if she wasn’t in the way.