Blood In The Water (BOOK 2) ON HOLD

-4-

-AHMIR-

As soon as we breached the door, I'm approached by Jason Kolchek as the other Marines caught up with Zain.

"I want to talk to you about something," he requests.

"I'll answer as best as I can," I assure him. "How may I help you?"

"I'm worried about Salim," Jason admits, tugging on his cap. "I don't know what happened, or if those assholes did somethin' to him, but trying to remember is fucking with him. I don't like it."

"Neither do I," I sighed. "I didn't want to leave them when Nadya disappeared, but we were stretched thin between searching for her, keeping them safe, and dealing with other threats. I did what I could from a distance."

"If he doesn't remember what happened, then why were they watching him?" Jason demands.

"Think about it," I respond. "Even without his memories, he's an intelligent and dangerous man. I read the files. He figured out what the creatures were. He found a way to kill them."

"That's true," Jason chuckles. "He's a tough son of a bitch! What do you think they did to him, though?"

"I'm not sure," I murmured. "The Order isn't above using using dark Magick, but I didn't detect any. It's also a possibility that he repressed it."

"You mean to tell me that they could have done this in front of Zain?!" Jason snarled.

"They're not above it," I spat. "It's possible that they used Salim and Zain to ensure her compliance. He might have tried to fight back."

That explains why they kept watching him," Jason reasons. "You said that Nadya was set to retire that day. They're waiting to see if he remembers anything."

"I was on the other side of the world," I tell him. "According to the report, she was gone by the time my men arrived. There wasn't any sign of forced entry."

"Hmm," Jason murmurs. "If they got her to leave on her own, it feeds their narrative."

"I'm sure they're on high alert now," I scoffed. "But they're not my concern at the moment."

"It's good that you're back for him, even under these circumstances," Jason drawls.

"I'm glad to know that he's met you and the others in the meantime," I acknowledged. "Whatever happened, we'll look out for him."

"Damn right, we will!" Jason vows as he shook my hand.

I knew that Jason wanted to vet me. I understand, and I appreciate it. Jason has become Salim's closest friend, and I there's a lot at stake for all of us.

The home that Jason and AJ shared was far from what I’d expected—simple, comfortable furniture, no signs of the military discipline they've known for most of their lives. It was the last place anyone would look for CENTCOM Marines planning a covert mission, which was why we were here.

The tension in the air was palpable as we gathered around the dining room table, the maps and satellite images spread before us. The Marines traded notes, their voices low but clipped. I admire them. They weren't raised into fighting threats that had to stay a secret, but they've adapted well.

I stood at the edge of the room, arms crossed, watching them work. I gave them information as they needed it. Salim leaned against the far wall, his eyes flickering between the maps and me, always settling back on me. It had been years since I’d seen him. Zain, his son, would be taller now. Maybe as tall as his mother had been. Salim didn’t say it, but I could feel the weight of her absence between us. Nadya had been Medjai—proud, fierce. Her disappearance had been hole neither of us knew how to fill, and now we knew that she was alive.