Page 133 of Enemy of My Enemy
Faisal sighed. Adam was trying to change the topic, veer away from something they’d needed to speak about for years. Not in front of Doc, though. “Your men checked in online while you were gone. Everyone is safe. And…” Faisal paused. “Mr. Reichenbach is on his way.”
Adam paled, his skin going bone white.
“He said he wanted to join forces. Hunt Madigan together.” Faisal arched one eyebrow. “Said you were sequestered for your safety. He has no idea where you are.”
Mute, Adam shook his head.
“He’s on his way,” Faisal repeated. “And I told him someone would pick him up at the airport when he arrives.”
Doc whistled from the doorway. “Wow. You aresofucked.”
“Thank you.” Adam sent him a withering glare. “Thank you for that.”
“I’m just stating the obvious, L-T.”
Sighing, Adam tipped his head back. Faisal’s heart squeezed, and his gaze raked over Adam.Please, do not lose faith again. Believe in us. This is meant to be,habibi.
“I’ll go pick him up,” Adam grunted. “I’ll do it.”
“Annnd… What will you say about lover boy?” Doc jerked his thumb toward Faisal.
Adam glared. He said nothing.
* * *
Ethan triedto nurse away his hangover on the long flight to Jeddah. He pounded ginger ales and Alka-Seltzers, but when the plane landed and the sunlight pierced his skull, his headache came throbbing back. Not even his sunglasses were enough to block the punishing Arabian sun.
He trudged down the jet’s stairs, duffel slung over one shoulder as he scanned the tarmac. The prince would be able to get a car onto the runway. He shouldn’t have to head through the terminal.
A revving engine caught his eye, and then the smooth, cherry-red plating of a Lamborghini roaring across the airport. It swerved, tires squealing, and made a beeline for the jet. The Lamborghini skidded to a stop.
Really, he should have been even mildly excited about the car, should have had some kind of interest. A vague sort of curiosity pierced his malaise, a tiny curl of intrigue at the back of his heavy mind. At the least, this was not the soft-spoken, gentle prince Ethan remembered from a year ago. Though, he’d only known him briefly.
Scissor doors on the driver and passenger sides rose as one, arching forward from the angular car like wings.
Lieutenant Adam Cooper rose from the driver’s side. He stared at Ethan, barely holding back a grimace, and clenched the keys in both of his hands.
Ethan’s jaw dropped. “Lieutenant?”
“Director.”
What the hell was Adam doing in the prince’s Lamborghini? He’d gone ghost protocol, going to ground, disappearing from the grid. He was supposed to be tucked away somewhere in North America, safe and secure. What the fuck was he doing halfway around the world?
Unease coiled along his spine. He froze outside the car.
You’re playing chess but can’t see the whole board.
Be careful who you trust.
Rage tunneled his vision, turned everything raw and aching. He lunged, his blood burning, and grabbed Adam’s jacket in both hands, pinning him to the sleek Lamborghini’s frame. “What the fuck are you doing here? Huh? You working for Madigan? You and the prince? This some kind of sick fucking setup?”
Adam struggled against Ethan’s hold, against Ethan’s forearm pressing down on his neck. “Thefuckdid you just say to me?”
“Why are you here, Lieutenant?”
Adam finally got leverage, and he shoved Ethan back. “Because when Madigan attacked my men, he also attacked Faisal, and I owed it to him to be there when he woke up! I owe himeverything! I’m the asshole who dragged him into the whole fucking mess, so yes, I came here when we went ghost.” Adam puffed up, fuming. “Madigan killed one ofmy guys, and he almost killed Faisal! Don’t ever fucking accuse me of working with him.” He slammed his sunglasses back on his face. “Get the fuck in.”
Silence strained the sunlight between them as Ethan debated. After a long, long moment, Ethan slid into the Lamborghini. The doors closed, and Adam took off at breakneck speed, rubber burning behind them as he tore out of the airport.
