Page 122 of The Warrior
Twice, I got out of the hold he had on me, and one of the other soldiers got impatient.
“For fuck’s sake, Jacob, she’s only a woman.”
The soldier grabbed at my arm, but I managed to twist my body and reach for a marble cube from Khan’s desk that I smacked on his jaw.
He cursed out loud and his hand flew to his face. “Grab her.”
Two other soldiers came at me at the same time, and I didn’t stand a chance.
“Let go of me,” I snarled with adrenaline pumping through my body.
“It’s okay, Laura, don’t fight,” Khan said to calm me, but when I looked over at him, he stood staring into a gun, using his body to shield Pearl.
“What are you doing, Franklin? What is this, a coup?” Khan was focused on the lieutenant in front of him.
“No. It’s a rescue mission.”
Pearl and I exchanged confused looks.
“Tell us where you’re keeping, Magni, and we’ll let you go.”
“Have you lost your mind?” Khan’s voice was seething with anger. “Put that gun down, right now.”
Franklin licked his lips and narrowed his eyes. “Can’t do that. Here’s how it’s going to go. Either you tell us where Magni is or we’ll search through the mansion.”
“Magni isn’t here,” Pearl said.
“Then where is he?”
“Alaska somewhere.”
Franklin shook his head. “That’s a lie. Magni wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye to us. Did you kill him?”
“No, I didn’t kill my brother. He went to Alaska.”
“It’s the truth,” Pearl exclaimed.
“Take a seat, all of you.” Franklin waved his gun to a sofa that stood by the window.
“You’re making the biggest mistake of your career,” Khan warned him, but the young lieutenant didn’t let that stop him from giving an order to the other men in the room. “Take the others and search the mansion.”
“I’ll have to kill you for this, you know that, right?”
“Khan, stop it.” Pearl put her hand on his thigh. “Now isn’t the time.”
I agreed with her, but understood how hard it was for Khan to be passive and do nothing.
“For the last time. Put the gun down!” Khan hissed.
Franklin sat down on the edge of Khan’s desk and lowered his gun. “This would all be over a lot sooner if you told us where the Commander is.”
Khan’s answer came pressed out through his teeth. “For the hundredth time: Magni is in Alaska.”
“Then tell us where so we can confirm it.”
“I already sent an officer from the security team to locate him and deliver a message to him.”
“And?” Franklin asked while I leaned back to see Khan’s expression better. This was news to me.
