Page 77 of Steel Vengeance
An edge crept into her voice. “If this is ever over.”
“We’re going to end it, Sloane,” he said, firmly. “You will be able to go home. Get back to your life.”
God, that sounded so good.
And yet, terrible at the same time, for it would mean leaving him.
“Thanks for your help,” she said, awkwardly. “I mean it. You could have deserted me and continued with your mission, but you didn’t.”
He gave a nod. “I’d never leave a team member behind.”
Team member. The thought made her warm inside and she smiled. “Well, I just wanted you to know it means a lot.”
He grinned and made for the door. “You’re welcome. I’m going down to meet Blade. See you downstairs?”
She nodded, still reeling from that grin. “I won’t be long.”
CHAPTER 29
“TheArabian Princessleaves Karachi tomorrow,” Stitch said as they walked to the restaurant. Blade was beside him, while Sloane, dressed in a flowing gold tunic and a scarf that covered her rich, chocolate hair, walked a pace or two behind.
“How do you want to handle it?” Blade asked.
“I’m guessing Omari will be there in person. He’ll want to make sure the shipment goes off without a hitch. This means a lot to him.”
“Agreed,” said Blade, shooting him a knowing look. This was it. Once that shipment left the port, there was no reason for Omari to keep breathing. Finally, Stitch would have his revenge.
“What about Jeremy?” Sloane asked, as they reached the restaurant. “Do you think he’ll show up?”
“I doubt it,” Stitch replied, holding the door for her. “Jeremy’s the muscle. He’s here to keep you in check and make sure Omari holds up his end of the deal. With the shipment taken care of, Jeremy’s job is done. The next one won’t be for months.”
“You’re the only loose end,” Blade said somberly, once they’d sat down at a table. “You’re the reason Jeremy’s still hanging around.”
Sloane didn’t reply, but Stitch saw the flash of fear in her eyes.
“It’s a long drive to Karachi,” Blade said. “We should leave tonight.”
“What about me?” Sloane asked. “Am I coming with you?”
“No,” Stitch said. He couldn’t have her there, not when he was going to take out Omari.
“Why not?”
“It’s too dangerous,” he explained. “It’s safer for you to stay at the hotel.”
“You can’t just leave me here,” she protested. “Jeremy knows I’m in Islamabad. He’s probably looking for me right now. How long until he starts checking all the hotels?”
“We paid cash. No names. He won’t find you.”
“But you don’t know for sure.”
Stitch felt torn. He wanted to keep her close, to protect her, but he couldn’t risk having her interfere again. Whenever she was around, something always stopped him from finishing the job with Omari. This time, there couldn’t be any distractions.
“Karachi’s over a day away. What am I supposed to do if something happens, and I can’t reach you?” Damnit to hell. He hated seeing her like this. Scared. Vulnerable.
Blade glanced at Stitch. “There’s a way we can neutralize the threat.”
Stitch didn’t reply.