Page 120 of Viral Justice

Akbar smiled again and this time it wasn’t just cold, it was coldly satisfied. “I knew you would understand my message, Max.”

“So, why haven’t you blown me up with that grenade launcher I see behind you?”

Grenade launcher?

She whipped her head around and saw the weapon, times two. Shit, his men had two of the fucking things.

Max’s question jerked her mind out of the deep freeze it had been in and made her think. Did Akbar need Max alive for a reason beyond someone to taunt?

“Put on a pot of tea,” Akbar said pleasantly, “and let’s talk about that.”

Tea?

Akbar was crazy.

That didn’t make him any less dangerous.Think, Stone, think.What would a nutcase like Akbar want with Max?

“I have your special friend, Sergeant Stone.” He gave her a shake, as if she were a doll he could throw around. She didn’t resist. If he thought being female made her weak and not a threat, good. It was a mistake she’d ensure he’d regret.

“I promise, if you cooperate, no harm will come to her.”

That’s what Akbar wanted. Max’s cooperation, but for what?

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Son of a bitch,” Maxsaid under his breath, his hands wrapped around the butt of his Beretta just like they were supposed to be. Just like Ali had taught him.

Akbar had her, was jerking her around like she was athinghe could use to bring Max to heel.

“He wants to come in here and drink tea?” Hunt asked, incredulous. “He’s fucking nuts.”

“Yes, he is,” Max agreed. “That makes him even more dangerous.”

Hunt turned to stare at him. “You’re not considering it, are you? Letting him in here, I mean?”

“Yes, I am.”

---