Page 44 of Dangerous Protocol

“She is nowhere on the third floor, but I have my men searching for her. She can’t have gotten far.” Rahim seemed confident she would be found.

Nadim was not so sure.

The blasted radio squawked again, and someone said the power had been restored.

“I will be there shortly,” Rahim said.

“Did they just say the power is back on?” Aisha joined them, a child’s book in one hand, a small blanket in the other.

“Yes, my love.” Nadim forced a smile. “You and the children can return to our quarters. I’ve got some business to attend to.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What are you up to, Nadim?”

The commander cleared his throat. “Excuse me. I must do a walk-through of the compound.”

“Yes, of course.” Nadim nodded and gave him a pointed look. “Keep me updated.”

She watched Rahim leave, then crossed her arms and turned her sharp attention back to Nadim. “Well?”

“It is overseas business, nothing for you to worry about, my lamb.” He curved his hand over her shoulder. “Please, just take the children back to their rooms, and I will be done soon.”

He wasn’t sure she bought his act, but she’d been around long enough not to press further.

“Come, children.” She turned and gathered them up. “It is way past your bedtimes.”

Faruq whined that he was too old for a bedtime.

Amira dashed over to her father, and he caught her when she leaped into his arms.

“Will you come give me a kiss good night, Papa?” She played with the knot of his tie. “My baby doll will not be able to sleep until you do.”

“I absolutely will.” He kissed her nose and set her on her feet. “Now be a good girl and go with mama.”

“G’night.” She gave him a little wave and skipped over to Aisha.

His wife took her hand, the nanny carried the baby, and they all left the safe room.

He walked over to the doorway and watched them disappear around the corner. As soon as they were gone, he dashed up to the third floor and into the room where they’d been holding the girl.

Rahim was examining the lock on the door, and Adnan was sitting on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, head in his hands.

“What the hell happened?” Nadim stood over him.

“I was on my way here when the lights went out.” He dragged his fingers through his hair and sat up. “I ran into that table out there, knocked it over, and dropped my phone. I have no idea where it ended up.” He dug his fingertips into his temples. “Flowers and shit went everywhere, and I had to use the wall just to find my way to this room.” He massaged the front of his neck. “Saleem and Usman were not at the door when I arrived. So I … I unlocked it and … I stepped into the room.” His brows crunched together as he thought back over what happened. “And I was … someone grabbed me from behind.”

“Where the hell were the guards?” Nadim shouted.

“We found them unconscious at the end of the hall, Your Majesty,” Rahim said. “We assume they were put down with tranquilizer darts.”

“Tranquilizer darts?” Nadim shared a look with Rahim. “Did you say there was someone in this room when you arrived here?”

“There must have been.” Adnan stood, his legs wobbled, and he gripped the headboard to keep from falling. “But the door was locked. I am certain of it.”

“There are marks to indicate someone may have picked the lock.” Rahim pointed at the doorknob.

“Can you describe this person?” The commander moved toward the bed. “The one who grabbed you?”

“He was behind me, and I could not see him. But he was large, very large—big enough to easily lift me off the ground.” He stretched his neck side to side. “When I opened my eyes, one of your men was leaning over me, shining a flashlight in my face.”

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