Windward knight

Chapter Fifteen

Evie screamed as a masked man dragged her across the Persian carpet, out the tent opening and into the night. He threw her to the ground, and she covered her chest. All she wore was a black tank top and cotton pajama pants. The man yelled at her to join the others, his gun pointing her way.

"I said move." He kicked her thigh, and she scrambled back.

"Evie!" A voice cried.

"Jamila?" Evie tried to answer back as sand blew into her mouth. Coughing, she looked up through teary eyes.

"Evie, come to me." Jamila sat crouched with the rest of the tourists. Her long tresses fell uncovered over a blue nightgown. Before Evie could move, the mercenary grabbed her hair and dragged her towards the circle. Evie clawed at his fisted hand, and he laughed and shoved her away. She crawled into her friend's arms as her attacker fired a shot into the air.

"Anyone tries to run; we'll shoot you in the head."

Evie looked for Hyde, knowing his bulk would stand out in the crowd. He wasn't there, but she'd known that. Hyde would never have stood by while the guard maltreated her. Where had he gone? Had Hyde returned to Dubai? No, he wouldn't leave without saying anything, he protected her first. What if they'd killed him? Evie thought back to their last angry words and moaned with grief.

"Habibti. It will be okay. I won't let these sariq bastards hurt you."

"Jamila, you are one woman."

Jamila hugged her tight. "I am one well-trained soldier who will wait for an opening."

"There are too many of them; don't do anything foolish."

Two figures walked in from the side, a guard at their backs. Fiona and Liam. The fierce look on their faces worried Evie. If they struck out...

Fiona turned to smile at a mercenary, and Evie's blood ran cold. The thug smiled back, handing over his weapon.

Liam carried a megaphone as he walked over to the hostages. "G'day. Remove any jewelry. Our men will be searching your tents. Cooperate, and you get to go home and talk of your little Dubai adventure."

Evie looked up at Jamila, communicating her disbelief before returning her gaze to the traitorous pair. There was no prize worth the corruption of your soul and for the first time, she saw the couple's rotten core as they smugly appraised their corralled captives.

The woman beside Evie pulled off her weighty engagement ring and handed it to one of the assailants.

"Stand up," Fiona ordered.

Evie stared incredulously at her former friend.

"Stand up, Evie. I won't ask again." Fiona pointed her weapon their way. Liam handed his wife the megaphone.

Evie pushed to her feet. Within seconds Liam held her to his chest with a knife to her throat. "Where is your better half?"

"I don't know."

"I prefer a knife to a gun. It's so personal. I have been fantasizing about slicing into your sweet skin for months." His raw voice vibrated against her ear.

Evie couldn't breathe—like someone was choking her. Her body felt hot, and sweat trickled down her side. Her leg twitched, and she fought the impulse to fight Liam's restrictive hold. Rampant fear knocked all other thoughts aside as reality settled.

Raising the megaphone to her lips, Fiona spoke. "Hyde, if you don't crawl out of your hidey-hole, I'll shoot your lovely girlfriend in the stomach. Maybe I'll first start with a knee. I'm counting down. Five... four... three."

"I'm here." Hyde walked into the courtyard; a rifle aimed at Fiona. "Hurt Evie, and I'll pull the trigger."

"Nah mate, drop the weapon, or I'll slit her throat." Liam pressed the knife to her pounding pulse. The two other mercenaries swiveled and pointed their weapons at Evie.

Hyde communicated desperation and regret, and she tried to smile through the tears. He raised his hands, tossing the rifle before stepping back.

"Kneel, and keep your hands up."

"Just shoot him," Fiona said with a sneer.

"No!" Evie shouted, trying to break free.

Liam shook his head at Fiona. "Love, I'm not leaving a trail of bloody corpses in our wake, at least not yet. We already have enough heat."

The two sidekicks walked up to Hyde and laid into him, punching and kicking. The largest thug hit him in the kidney with the butt of his rifle. The horror captured Evie's attention, and she fought Liam's brutal hold. It took a moment to comprehend Fiona's new orders.

"Jamila Bashir—you're from a wealthy family—and it's your turn to stand. Come to me now." Fiona smiled.

Jamila stood—face pale—and walked over to the duplicitous couple.

"Barbara Milford—wife to your millionaire husband—where are you?"

An older woman started wailing. One of the mercenaries stepped into the huddle and dragged her to her feet. Her husband tried to hold on and received a punch to the jaw. Hyde rolled to his knees, taking in shallow breaths, and Evie whispered his name. Hyde's fierce gaze never left Liam, and the guarded violence in his stare held a darkness she'd never seen before.

Fiona laughed and turned. "Miss Evie, what do you have in common with these two lovely ladies?"

"We're decent humans, and you're not." She forced the words past trembling lips.

"Did you think that leaving the states would protect you?"

Liam chuckled. "Your daddy is a billionaire."

"I haven't spoken to him in five years." Evie twisted in Liam's uncomfortable hold.

"Yet, you still keep your generous inheritance." Yeah, and she hadn't touched a cent. Never would. One day her children would have the money.

Fiona glanced Hyde's way. "Bet your boyfriend doesn't know. You're such a little liar."

"I love you, Evie, I don't care about money."

"I love you too. I... I should've told you about the bank account. I wanted someone to love me for me, not because of my legacy. Once... once I got to know you, it didn't seem to matter."

"Angel, if I'd known, I could've protected you better." Hyde's furious eyes reflected frustration and fear as he wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Protected her, how?" Liam asked. "Who exactly are you?"

Hyde got to his feet. There was a cold burning to his rage that had Liam stiffening. "You've made a mistake."

"Give me a break." Fiona grinned at the ladies. "My three guests. Thanks to you, I'll have an early retirement. It's time for us to leave, so say your goodbyes."

Evie doubted they'd survive the ransom drops. "Where are you taking us?"

"On a lovely, long flight. Start walking."

"Don't be a hero, if anyone follows us, we'll kill one of the women. We don't need all three," Liam yelled as he dragged Evie back.

They headed out of the gates, and Evie took one last look at Hyde. He stood, fists clenched, as dust swirled around his feet.