Page 72 of Warlord’s Empire

“Marifiya?” she finished for him. “A home that feels like home.”

“You truly do understand.” She reveled in the intimate moment until Shola approached them, saying, “We have his room number.”

“Let’s go.” Radik took her hand.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Radik’s eyes followed Saskia as she discussed the Sango language with a couple of nurses. Her smile came often and lit up her face with a beauty unique only to her.

It had always been this way for him with her. She was a siren and he her willing victim.

“Why did you bring her?” Shola asked in a low voice, watching Saskia as well. “You put her at risk every time you take her from the compound.”

He levelled a stare at her. “We know that’s not quite true. She’s surrounded by the best security in the world. Besides, wasn’t it you who allowed three women to breach my home?” He was teasing. He didn’t blame her as he’d allowed the women entry.

Shola nodded seriously. “In my defense, I will point out that your sister was one of those three women, and she is remarkable in her knowledge of defense. Her entry strategy was deceptively simple and born of a deep understanding of your security.”

He raised an eyebrow. “High praise from a soldier who rarely praises.”

Her dark complexion could not quite hide the blush that stole up her face. “She gets it from you,” she said, then added, “We aren’t talking about Ayaan, we’re talking about why you would bring Saskia to a meeting outside of your territory.”

“Very little on this planet is outside my territory.” He wasn’t bragging. He had contacts and quick access to combat-ready people across the globe. “I deemed the security risk worth the happiness this meeting will bring her.”

Shola tilted her head. “You’ve brought your girlfriend to meet another man so she will be happy? You’re a strange kind of lover, General.”

He chuckled. “Perhaps, but I am a lover who knows his woman and I know she’ll be extremely happy by the end of this day.” Why wouldn’t she? He was going to give her a job with purpose. Not busywork, something real, something important.

“Mr. Saagan can see you now.”

Radik glanced up to find an anxious looking woman, her eyes darting between Shola and Radik, her face creased with worry. He wanted to reassure her, but his height and breadth had never been conducive to calming people who felt threatened. In fact, he often was the threat.

“Saskia,” he called to her, holding his hand out as she approached him, her curious gaze on the woman.

Radik introduced them. “Saskia, this is Lilia Gaspeu, personal secretary to the man we will be meeting with today.”

“Nice to meet you, Lilia,” Saskia said, holding her hand out.

Her smile and disarming manner worked, drawing Lilia in until she was able to tear her eyes from Radik long enough to shake Saskia’s hand. Speaking to Saskia, she said in a hushed voice, “Deputy Saagan is still quite weak from his recent surgeries, but he is conscious and ready to hear you.”

Saskia glanced sideways at Radik before saying warmly, “Thank you. We appreciate his making time for us during this difficult period.”

Very diplomatic.

Radik stopped Shola from entering the room, saying to her in a low voice, “There is no danger to Saskia here.”

Her eyes disagreed with him, but she stepped back allowing them to enter the room without her. He had no doubt she would be listening at the door for any sound of distress from Saskia.

Saskia’s eyes widened in dismay as they entered the room, her gaze going to the man on the bed. He was hooked up to an IV, and bandages covered his chest, shoulder and arm. He was propped up against pillows, his greying hair tidy. He was alert, though his skin was ashen, and deep grooves lined his eyes and mouth.

Saagan’s distrustful gaze was on Radik, though he nodded at Saskia as she approached the bed.

Though his stare didn’t waver from Radik, he pointed at a couple of chairs next to his bed. “Please be seated.”

“Thank you,” Saskia said, sitting.

Radik gingerly took the other chair, which creaked as he settled his weight on the white plastic.

“Though we have not met, I know of you, General Radik,” Saagan said, then shifted his gaze to Saskia. “But I do not know of your companion.”