“I have a husband.”
“You had a husband,” he shot back, grinning. “You are in Nadaum. You are Zoraib’s now, and for any of his sons to use for their pleasure. No one can get to you.”
“My children,” she said, her heart slamming in her chest. “Where are my children?”
“Those mongrels,” he spat. “They are safe. How well they are treated is up to you.” He gave her a disdainful onceover. “My father … desires you for some reason. You are going to be completely prepared to receive him—and then his sons, after he has had his fill of you.”
“I will not submit to any man but my husband.”
“Your daughters are … one year old?” He grinned. “Do you know how much they will fetch on the slave market?”
Fear like she’d never known gripped her. Her breathing hitched and she nearly blacked out.
“Yes. You understand,” he said, grinning. “Your children will be safe so long as you do as you are commanded.”
“So, you would steal another man’s wife and children?”
“We didn’t have to steal you,” he replied with a harsh laugh. “Salman gave you to us. My father is sufficiently impressed by the way you are with Kamran Ali Khan. In time, you will crave his affections. Your life depends on it. The life of your children are in the balance because of it. Are we clear?”
She willed the tears not to fall. They would solve nothing. Neither would giving in to despair. Dro Reyes and Kamran had taught her well. Calm under pressure. Use your mind to fight your way out. “Yes.”
“Oh, and if you get it in your head to somehow free yourself by causing my father’s death, I will personally make those little mongrels suffer horribly. Maybe have someone …well, you know … take them in that manner and you will have to watch. The fact that they have royal blood, and some are angry that my sisters were killed, only sweetens them. There are men who love that sort of monstrous thing. Are we clear?”
The unbearable picture stole the breath and the fight right out of her, for the moment. “Yes.”
“I am sending Latifah to educate you on how to address the Sheikh. I doubt they took the time to train you. You will learn—and fast, for your children’s sake.”
Sajid left the bed and made it only as far as the threshold, when she spat, “My husband will come for me. My brothers will come for me. If anything, if any harm comes to me or my children, you will not live out your days in peace.”
His laughter unsettled her soul. “Oh, you worthless, deluded whore,” he snarled. “They do not know where you are. They will never find you.”
Ellena felt one ray of hope and she latched onto it with all of her might as she rubbed her wrists together. She focused squarely on him and said, “Trust me, they will.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Are we really jumping from a plane?” Shaz asked, peering out of the small window with a lighted grid of cities underneath.
“We need to strike quickly and this is our best play.” Daron glanced at his watch, then up at Jai, along with the other Kings and the rest of Dro’s men. “Technically, you’ll be launched out in about an hour.”
They had left the United States to assist Kamran and Ellena the minute they received that first text. They paused only a brief moment when Ellena is safe came through, but knew something was extremely wrong when Kamran’s tattoo signaled that he was also in trouble.
First, they only had a general location for Ellena to go by—and then her signal came. Dro lowered his head into his hands. Daron rubbed his shoulder, saying, “Our safety precautions have served us well. We knew her disappearance might be a possibility one day. At least, we spent that time showing her how to use various weapons.”
“You have a point. But killing is not in her nature.” Dro let out a heavy breath. “One hesitation could cost her life. You know that.”
“You’d be amazed at what a mother will do to protect her children,” Daron told him.
“Think about Camila,” Shaz said with a tilt of his head, meaning the woman he loved who almost took the head off a dirty politician who was using underhanded methods to get his hands on her child.
They had been in the air for almost half a day after spending eight hours scrambling to get a strategy in place and gathering the equipment to pull off a rescue in the heartland of Nadaum.
“I was just confirming we’re going with that plan,” Shaz said, peering over Daron’s shoulder.
Jai stood and walked to the center lower level of the hybrid plane.
The upper level where they’d been sleeping had a decor of a luxury jet. The lower level was the no-frills, nuts and bolts segment of the plane with cargo boxes, equipment, and an information console set up in the center.
“Nicco is jumping first. If you want to jump in tandem with him instead of using The Arabian, let me know.” Daron watched as Cameron, Mia—the partner of the inventor of the personal cloaking device they would use, and Nicco—one of the ex-military men who was his right hand—worked at setting up a hovercraft contraption—The Arabian—for the launch. The hovercrafts, which looked a cross between a jet ski and a motorcycle, were specifically outfitted to ensure the Kings landed safely on the ground. All were equipment with a manual and remote function. The biggest issue with their mission was that Kamran and Ellena were in two separate places with more than an eleven-hour driving distance between them. He’d thought Cameron was crazy when she suggested the jump into Durabia on the way to Naduam but one thing his woman did well was planning and execution. The flight time between sites was just under two hours and coming up with a two-pronged attack was genius.
One team was headed to Durabia, where Kamran was being held hostage and another team to Nadaum to extract Ellena and the little ones. The plane would make a sweep through Durabia then land at a strip of land extremely close to the palace in Nadaum. Once Ellena and the children were recovered, they could quickly fly back to Durabia to help with executing the Knight’s part of the plan to deal with Kamran’s predicament. He was on home base and things were a lot more precarious because family was involved. That’s why Dro had brought Marena, a biochemical weapons expert and scientist, and Alexa, one of the guardian elite team, in on the Durabia part of the operation.
“Nicco, pull up the Durabian palace. Let’s do a quick review.” Daron moved to the table set up in the center of a stack of metal cargo boxes. Nicco displayed a hologram. “Hiram and several other Knights will pick Team One up from the designated location in the dunes.”
Vikkas and the remaining Kings joined Jai and Daron at the console.
“We need to get into these cities undetected with our equipment and minimum interference. The Arabians will allow us to do this.” Daron nodded to the advanced hovercrafts that sat near the airplane’s hatch.
“We’re still going with a two-pronged attack?” Vikkas asked, sliding into a dark, hooded jacket.
“Yes. Team One is already headed to the location the Knights have deemed the best and safest point. Then Team Two will be dropped at another location in Nadaum.” Daron held up two fingers, indicating that Nicco should display both locations side by side. “Having a few of the Knights already in the Free Zone, because they had started businesses with Kamran, was a blessing. Khalil is flying commercial along with two of the Knights to throw them off.”
“We need to pack the gear in the trucks quickly and head to the palace,” Vikkas added.
“The Knights will bring you to the entrance.” Daron laid his index finger on the holograph where they were to enter, then shifted it to the green dot where Kamran was being held. “This is where you’re heading once inside.”
“You won’t move in until Team Two confirms that we have Ellena and are headed back your way,” Shaz reminded them. “Unless Kamran’s situation requires immediate extraction. He knows to send another signal if that becomes the case.”
“Where are Dwayne, Jai, and I setting up the command center?” Grant cleared the table and stepped closer, h
is solemn expression mirroring the strain the others were under. So many elements to pull together in an impossible amount of time.
“You’ll be a quarter of a mile out.” Daron glanced at Cameron and Mia as they packed the storage containers on the back of the Arabians then studied the tablet to see how far they were off their target. “Nicco will release the drones first. Once they’re in position, your mobile command team will be up and running to be their eyes inside.”
“Once we reach Kamran?” Reno questioned.
“It’ll be a judgment call,” Dro answered.
Daron picked up the clear square called “the wall” which was a shield. Once it hit the ground, the device extended seven feet in height and quadrupled in width. “You can each link up the wall shield for extra safety before releasing Kamran.”
“But they can’t see us with the Emperor’s suit.” Kaleb frowned and looked at first Reno then Daron, referring to the technology created by Calvin Atwood which camouflaged the wearer by making them appear invisible to the naked eye. When the Suit was turned on, it projected the images around the user to blend into the surroundings.
“We don’t know how they’re restraining Kamran or what they’re using to keep him in check,” Daron replied, returning the device to the table. “If they’re shooting near Kamran to invoke fear, one of you could get hit.”
“What if we don’t need the wall shield?” Vikkas asked.
“Then assess any injuries and gear Kamran up with a gun and personal shield.” Daron watched as Nicco walked over and strapped on the parachute.
“Kamran will be calling the shots from there, correct?” Dwayne asked as he took one of the face masks and goggles that Mia was handing out to the Kings.
“Yes, the next move is his to make.” Daron pulled up the controls for The Arabians. “We’re there to keep him safe while he executes his plan.”
“It’s time,” Cameron announced as she closed the lid on the storage unit and prepared to ride.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Father, she is only partially prepared for you,” Sajid protested, his frustration evident in the tight set of his shoulders.
“Delightful. Exquisite skin,” Sheikh Zohaib said, stroking Ellena’s bare shoulders and ignoring his son’s warning. “You know, my first was an African slave girl. My father believed we should slake our lust on those who are inferior. He said we should treat the Arabian girls with a touch more … patience and care.” He closed his eyes. “Africans were our only choice. Their screams were delicious. The blood. So much blood. Made me thirsty for others. He bought them pure, right before they flowered.” He kissed Ellena’s shoulder, tasting her skin.
She shuddered as he continued speaking. “Waiting for that precious sign was torture. But oh, when they did … to be the first to break them, to tear through that thin membrane of flesh. To watch the pain extinguish all form of hope in their eyes. Witness when they reached the understanding that they were powerless to do anything to stop what was being done to them. That this was now their life—to be at the mercy of men. That is a beautiful thing to behold.”
He lifted her chin so she met his eyes. “I watched you with him. I have never seen anything so magnificent.”
“Father,” Sajid began another warning as Ellena stared at him, horrified.
“What difference does it make if she knows they were recorded,” Zohaib snapped, glaring at his son. “She will not see her beloved Kamran ever again. And she will do everything in her power to protect her children. So, she’s going to be a good slave. Powerless to do anything but what I desire.” Zohaib grinned and the sight of it spiked Ellena’s heart rate. “I will have you for as long as you please me.” He leaned in, pressed a kiss her lips. She whimpered with the effort it took to hold back her revulsion.
“That sound.” He laughed. “Like a wounded animal. Such a pleasure. See what it does to me.” He guided her hand to his erection, and she froze. She flickered a gaze to Sajid, whose expression was dark and forbidding.
“Oh, she worries that we will have eyes on us as she submits to me.” Zohaib waved his son away. “Leave us.”
“Father—”
“Leave us,” he commanded more forcefully. “What can she do? You hold the life of her children in your hand. She will be good for me. Make me a believer—or she will watch as they are violated before they die.”
Ellena gripped the bed covering, trying to center herself before she passed out.
“Yes,” he said on a breathy whisper. “That light of hope has diminished. It was there a minute ago. Now it is … poof.” He glared at his son, who still remained despite Zoraib’s wish.
Sajid trudged away, closing the door behind him.
“This is now your life. Kamran Ali Khan will not come for you. His father will not allow it. And you are not worth it. For him to pursue you is an act of war.”
“And stealing me was not?” She shot back, startling him.
“Stolen! You were a gift from the future king,” Zohaib said with a salacious grin.
“A gift he was not sanctioned to give.”
“Semantics. There will be no one who cares enough about a woman like you to incite a war. You are deluded about your own importance.”
“Just as you were deluded and outsmarted by your daughters,” Ellena countered.
Pain blinded her for several moments from the blow that landed on the side of her head.
The door swung open and Sajid rushed in. “Father, I heard.”
“Did I not say to leave us?” Zohaib roared.
Sajid gave a slight bow but flickered a gaze at Ellena, who held a hand to her head. “Yes, Father.”
“Do not interrupt us again,” Zohaib growled. “Why are you so worried? She is firmly under our control.”
“But does she know what that means, Father? She is heathen and wild. American women feel that rules do not apply to them.”
“I thought you said she had been prepared for me?”
“She is, physically, but she has not been broken mentally, yet. You were too impatient to have her and I wasn’t done.”
“Then you are not the son I raised. Letting a woman—an African woman get the better of you.”
“She is not African,” Sajid shot back. “She is American born.”
“She is inferior.” He dismissed him with a flick of the wrist. “Leave us, and I will not tell you again.” He turned a lascivious gaze on Ellena. “Now, where were we? Ah, yes, that precious thing that you do with your mouth ….”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Without hesitation, Nicco jumped from the side door of the plane as Jai, Grant, Vikkas, Dwayne, Reno, and Kaleb walked over to The Arabians.
“Cameron, Mia, and I will be in control of The Arabians until you reach the mode where you’re hovering only a few feet off the ground. At that point, Nicco takes over the control and shifts the device to ground mode.”
A blur of activity ensued upon his command.
“Seeing this is our first time going out of a plane on them, we’re fine with that.” Vikkas slid onto The Arabian.
“It’s very important to maintain your locked-in position until you reach the ground and a few yards from our target,” Daron reminded them as he neared the hatch where the Kings were getting on their assigned Arabians. “Small movements are all right. Sudden, large ones will be problematic.”
“Very comforting.” Jai slid the goggles over his eyes.
Kaleb buckled himself in, clicked his feet into the mechanism, then pulled out the armrest and slid in his limbs before engaging the safety.
“Everyone locked in?” Daron maneuvered around the men doing a quick check-in, wishing they had time for some dry runs before this actual moment. Time wasn’t something they had in spades.
“Yes,” the men replied in unison.
Daron and the remaining team moved to a secured station as the hatch inched open and the warm night air entered the aircraft. Jai and Vikkas were launched under Cameron’s
control. The hovercraft lifted from the plane’s metal floor and glided into the night sky. Mia guided Reno and Dwayne out next.
Grant and Kaleb were last out, under Daron’s control. The hatch slowly closed. Grant and Kaleb’s Arabians descended smoothly. Daron’s heart raced as he watched Kaleb’s Arabian suddenly spin counterclockwise on the screen. He fought to regain control, moving Grant farther away so Kaleb wouldn’t crash into him.
“Kaleb, what’s going on?” Daron knew he was still wavering since the unit wasn’t back under control.
“My hand slipped and I accidentally released the arm locks,” Kaleb’s voice held a tinge of panic. This far up, he could be severely injured. They were all well aware of the risks.
“Damn,” Daron muttered, knowing that remotely relocking the arm unit could injure Kaleb if he wasn’t in the right position. “Breathe. Slowly return your body to its original pose. You’ll be fine even without the arm safety engaged.”
The unit finally stopped spinning.
“He’s probably feeling nauseous right now.” Cameron leaned in, scanning Daron’s control unit.
“True, but he’s still on the machine and alive.” Daron sighed with relief as the thumping of his heart slowed when the two Arabians units’ controls were finally taken over by Nicco.
The team to retrieve Ellena was smaller because they were going into the situation without much intel. Besides Shaz, the individuals on Team Two had more hands-on experience in dealing with similar circumstances.
Daron headed to where Dro and Shaz were gearing up to make the jump. Cameron held out a hand with his equipment.
“See you down there.” Cameron winked at him then jumped from the plane, followed by Mia.
“Maybe I should have left with Team One.” Shaz swallowed hard, then paused at the open door.
“Too late now.” Dro gave him a push then followed him out.
Daron made the jump into the darkness. The face mask almost suffocated him as the air forced it back on his face. If he didn’t have it on when he hit the ground, he’d be choking on a mouthful of sand. One thing that made him uncomfortable was not being able to see those clear parachutes deploy in the darkness. If it had been daylight, there would have been a little ripple of rainbow color catching the clear material. The fact that no one seemed to be panicking was his only relief. He didn’t need anyone getting tangled up because they didn’t know to shift to avoid someone’s parachute. He made a mental note to place something on the material to make it detectable at night. If they had cause to use them again.
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