Page 51 of Callahan's Haven

Be well, my ass.

Duncan moved through the room, took note of where most of the armed security forces were located, and calculated the route through the crowd to approach a smiling Sadik. The room still had a number of dignitaries and their guests present at the celebratory reception, with all the attendees enjoying champagne and hors d’oeuvres. So, with enough of them between him and security, he should be able to get the job done before anyone could stop him.

He brushed past two of Sadik’s people toasting each other and hardened his heart to what he had to do. He’d planned on getting both sides to come to a lasting agreement—had worked hard on the preliminaries for more than a year—and he’d ended up pulling it off. Now he was about to tank the whole thing when he took out Sadik.

His target stood ten feet away, laughing at something his sister was saying. For someone not quite thirty, the rebel had taken on a lot to fight the corruption running rampant in his province. From his research, Duncan had found him to be an honorable man. Some might think he had gone to extremes with some of his actions, but no one could doubt the man’s heart was for his people.

Killing him wasn’t something Duncan wanted to do.

“Colonel Sheppard.” Sadik greeted him with a genuine smile when Duncan got within striking distance. “I am grateful for the work you have done to bring us all together. And this one here,” he said, putting his arm around his sister and drawing her close, “she made me proud today.”

Aylin smiled up at her brother. “I’ll remind you of that the next time you are being particularly obstinate.”

Duncan moved in closer, making sure his back was to most of the room. He had to do this fast, without empathy. “Üzgünüm.”

Sadik’s face tensed as he looked around while Aylin pulled away from her brother and moved closer to Duncan’s side. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” Sadik said.

Duncan reached his right arm back around his waist, unsnapped the holster, and then grabbed the handle of the knife while eyeing his striking points. His stabs needed to be clean and efficient—fatal. They had to be. Because as soon as he did it, his own body would be filled with bullets. And if he was to die—and he would be dying—he wanted to know he’d done what he must to ensure Haven’s safety.

“If there were any other way…” An image of a bound and crying Haven filled his mind. “Bunu yapmak zorundayim.”

“No, you don’t, Colonel Sheppard.”

He glared down at Aylin’s murmured words. He didn’t want to hurt this young woman, but he would if he had to.

“You don’t have to do anything.”

Mazhar stepped away from him but didn’t raise any kind of alert.

He moved closer to Sadik with the knife ready to slash out. If he failed, Haven was as good as dead.

“She’s safe,” Aylin said on a hoarse whisper as she moved between him and her brother, her clear gaze holding his. “Haven’s safe.”

“What?” he said, the knife more than halfway out of its sheath.

“Your people have her.”

His heart pounded while he squeezed the metal handle still in his grip. “What did you say?” He couldn’t breathe. “How do you know?”

“Your team has her. She is with them now.” She peered around and then back at him, saying in a low tone. “She is with Captain Rothe.”

Cal was alive!

His fingers trembled as he pushed the knife back in place and found the snap to secure it. He slowly lowered his arm while Aylin tensed as if ready to spring into action if she saw a weapon, her body visibly relaxing when Duncan revealed his empty hand.

“See,” Aylin said, pulling out her phone. “She is also with our younger brother, Reza.” She moved to where only the three of them would see the screen. Duncan held back a groan when he saw Haven’s smiling face and that of Cal’s—at least what he could see of him behind the blackout paint. Haven had quite a bit of it on her face too. He grinned imagining how it had gotten there. He glanced beside his daughter to a smiling young man with eyes the same color as Aylin’s and Mazhar’s—his features much like the man he’d been ready to kill.

She’s really safe.

Duncan hadn’t cried since the day he’d buried Patsy, but the sting of tears threatened as he scrubbed his unsteady hands down his face. “How did you know?” he whispered, his gaze going between the brother and sister when he found his voice.

Mazhar grabbed Duncan’s shoulder. “Let’s just say we have people in place, watching and listening. People like my brother who are unknown to our enemies,” he said, his features darkening. “We’ve known an attempt would be made. It was unfortunate you and your daughter had to be caught up in this.” He looked down at his sister, his face solemn. “And know that I understand how you would do anything for those you love.” He looked back up at Duncan. “So while you needed to save your daughter, I needed to save my people. You were essential for this summit to be a success and we couldn’t let it be called off—even once we learned of your dilemma.”

Duncan understood, whether he liked it or not. “But what if I’d had to go through with it?” And he would have.

“I was ready for you,” Aylin said with a raised brow. He didn’t see any hint of a weapon, but he had a feeling he would have had about a second before she’d used one. It would have been an interesting scenario to see played out. Thankfully, they’d never know. He held Aylin’s gaze. There was definitely more to this young woman than met the eye.

“Thank you.” Duncan couldn’t think of anything else to say. He nodded toward Sadik. “Thank you both. Now if you’ll excuse me.” He turned away from the two and swept the room for the one person he needed to bid his farewell to. He focused on his target and made a line to the man who was giving a slight bow to the Minister of Interior as the leader turned to leave.

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