Page 61 of Over the Edge

There did seem to be a divide within the Malik family. To his eye, it seemed like that a couple of thug-types, led by Gohar, held themselves separate from the rest of the clan. Unfortunately, it was the shady side of the family that was most likely to be able to help him with what he needed most.

Right before the actual ceremony itself, Trevor finally got a chance to speak with Gohar alone. “Mr. Malik, a minute of your time?”

“What do you want?” Gohar demanded rather truculently.

“I’m hoping you and I can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

Gohar scowled as Trevor plowed ahead. “You want to get rid of me, and I don’t want Anna to run afoul of her family.”

He suddenly had Gohar’s undivided attention.

“I’m willing to leave Karaken and leave Anna in your care. But I’ll need a trustworthy guide to take me out of the country by some means she can’t follow. In case you’re not aware of it, she can be both stubborn and independent.”

Gohar snorted. “That is the understatement of the year.”

More like the understatement of the century, but it wasn’t his job to tell the man that his cousin was a world-class Special Forces operative.

“Do you know anyone who can guide me, to say, the Bagva Pass? I can make my own way home with the help of the British military units stationed there.”

Malik studied him through narrowed eyes. “Are you a smuggler?”

“No!” Thankfully, that was the truth, and he expected Gohar could hear the truth of the answer in his voice.

“Why Bagva? That’s remote country.”

Trevor shrugged. “I was just trying to think of leaving by a route that Anna wouldn’t think to track down or follow me. And I know a guy in Pakistan. Once I get across the border, he can help me get a flight home.”

“I have a number of trucks and drivers. You could ride with one going toward the Bagva region.”

“That would be perfect.” Trevor allowed relief to flow into his voice. “Don’t get me wrong. Anna’s amazing. I just want to see her do the right thing by her family. I’m obviously not the kind of man who would ever gain your approval, and I refuse to make her choose between her blood relatives and me.”

It was a tribute to how little Gohar actually knew Anna that the man didn’t question that statement. As if Anna would ever choose anyone over the man she loved—the idea was absurd to anyone who’d known Anna for more than two seconds.

Of course, anyone who knew her would also know she was going to be mighty pissed that he’d gone ahead and arranged his own transport without her help.

Thing was, he’d had all of last night and today to think about why he was practically sick with panic. He was terrified of not being able to save Anna when the time came for him to die.

He was so crazy about her that she actually threatened to give him a good reason to live…which translated into a good reason not to head off on a suicide mission to rescue a man who might or might not even be alive. Which was to say he was seriously questioning his life choices at the moment, and it was freaking him out. A lot.

“When do you wish to leave?” Gohar asked.

“As soon as possible.”

“Tonight. During the wedding feast. Meet me behind the hotel at midnight and be ready to go,” Gohar ordered tersely.

He nodded. “I’ll be there. And thank you, sir.” He held out his hand, and the two men shook on the deal.

When the wedding commenced, the women came into the hotel’s ballroomen masseand dispersed. Anna came to stand beside him, and a wave of pride that she was his date washed over him.

Get a grip, man. You’re leaving her behind, tonight.

Suddenly, the clock, which had been crawling before, raced forward at least ten times faster than normal. The wedding ceremony flew by, the dinner to follow passed in a blur, and the reception began, its noise giving him a headache.

Or maybe his headache came from stress across the back of his neck at the idea of sneaking out on Anna. It was for her own good. He knew she was a fine operator. That she was completely ready for this mission. That he had a better chance of success with her along.

But he was personally involved with her now. He didn’t know if he could make the hard decisions required in combat when he was crazy about his fellow operator.

He also knew Cal had sent her along on this mission specifically to keep an eye on him. Knowing Cal, he’d privately given Anna orders to keep him from doing anything heroic or self-sacrificing. But he’d had the dream again last night, and it was stronger than ever. He was going to die on this mission, sacrificing himself to save his teammate.

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