Page 5 of Lyon

I thoughtshe should go with us. She was tall for a woman, and I didn’t want her getting separated from us. The only way to prevent that was to keep her as close as possible.

“You’ll have to wear men’s clothing,” I told her. “The robes they wear here will help you blend in. At least that way, if we get stopped, they won’t force you into the women’s section.”

“We’ll call her Nick,” I added, turning toward Niki. “From now on, while we’re in Afghanistan, your name is Nick. If you wear what the local women wear and we get taken in for questioning or anything else, they’ll separate you from us. We wouldn’t be able to protect you if that happens. But if you go as one of us, we can.”

“I don’t need you to protect me. I can defend myself,” Niki shot back.

I sighed. “Did you, or did you not, say you’d listen to what we told you? We haven’t even started yet, and you’re already arguing.” I met her gaze, holding it steady. “I know you can fight. I know you’re tough. But this is different. Over here, women are treated like dirt. They think nothing of stoning a woman to death just because a piece of her hair is visible.”

Niki inhaled sharply and held her breath. Counting to ten.I could tell by the way her nostrils flared.

Then, with an exaggerated eye roll, she exhaled.

She looked like she was biting her tongue to keep from saying something smart. I wanted to chuckle, but I knew that would only piss her off—and if she got mad enough, she might flip me again.

“Fine,” she finally muttered. “Where are these men’s clothes you want me to wear?”

“You can pull them over your own clothes,” I explained. “That’s another advantage—it gives you an extra layer of protection.”

An hour later, we were packed into a Jeep, bouncing over rough terrain under the unforgiving sun.

Niki was dressed head to toe like the rest of us, and she was already sweating bullets.

“Why do they wear so many layers when it’s so damn hot?” she grumbled. “How do they even breathe in this?”

“It’s better for them,” I said. “If they didn’t wear these robes, their skin would turn to leather. Imagine having these sun rays beating down on you every day. You’re better off covered up. The more you cover, the less you burn. Even people with dark skin still burn. The sun here is brutal. If you stop complaining for a second, you’ll see I’m right.”

“I wasn’t complaining. I was stating a fact.”

“That’s good,” I said. “Because if there’s one thing in this world I can’t stand, it’s a woman whining all the time.”

“I hope I won’t have to break you two up constantly,” River cut in. “Nick, keep your talking to a minimum. Your voice will give you away every time you open your mouth.”

I turned and looked at her. “Yeah, Nick, every time you speak, that sweet honey voice of yours drips sex.”

Why the hell did I say that?

I snapped my head forward quickly, feeling the weight of their stares.Damn it. That was stupid.

I cleared my throat. “From now on, we call her Nick. No one slips up and says Niki.”

Before I could stop myself, I added, “And another thing—you’re not allowed to talk to me. I don’t want you looking at me, I don’t want you breathing near me, and I damn sure don’t want you talking to me.”

Niki narrowed her eyes.

I smirked. I couldn’t help it. She was so damn cute. I could only see her eyes—just plain brown eyes—but why the hell did I still think she was so damn sexy?

I was losing it. Completely.

And then she said, “Why did I have to end up sitting next to you? Change places with Raven. Hell, change places with anyone. I don’t want to be squeezed next to you. I swear, I’ve never disliked a man as fast as I dislike you.”

I grinned. “And why’s that, Nick?”

“Because you think you’re superior to me just because you’re a man. Let me tell you something—you’re not. And that’s all I’m saying to you. I’m done talking to you.”

I chuckled. “How come every time you talk to me, you end it by saying you’re done talking to me?”

She exhaled sharply, clearly annoyed.

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