Page 12 of The Last Strike

Reed looked back to the ceiling, infuriating Khalil. He wanted to lunge at the man and wrap his hands around his neck, but he would not lose control like that. A loss of control was nothing but weakness, and he knew his men were watching him. They needed to see him calm and confident.

Later, Reed.

Reed’s day of punishment would come.

Khalil turned and walked out of the cells without another look at the defiant prisoner. He should be dead already—and he would’ve been without the atropine, which had been given only because Khalil thought there was a chance of getting him to talk. But he knew men like Reed wouldn’t break under interrogation. He had too much pride. No, it was easier to come from another angle. When he was weak, emotionally and physically, and at his lowest point, Khalil would be the one there for him. And then he would use Reed like a weapon against Asher.

Khalil strode toward his living quarters.

Security scoped it for him before he walked in, closing the door behind him.

He turned on the television and the news channel flashed on the screen. It was the only channel the king watched.

He sat down to watch the world news as a knock sounded on his door.

“Yes?” Khalil called out, annoyed.

The door opened and a servant wheeled in a tray. She placed it beside him. “Tea and some sweets, Your Majesty.”

Khalil nodded but gave no other response. He just wanted her to leave, and she did.

He eyed the sweets but decided against them. He picked up the cup of tea and brought it to his lips as his phone rang.

He paused when he saw who was calling. He wasn’t surprised; he expected the wrath of King Luang. Luang was many things, but a fool he was not. He would suspect Khalil had ordered the sarin attack as retaliation for his allegiance with Santina.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Khalil asked joyfully.

“You went too far, Khalil,” Luang said, his voice scathing. “You attacked my people—my civilians. They have nothing to do with this war. Fight on the battlefield, don’t let blood pour onto the streets. You used to have honor, you used to—”

“Save me your speech, Luang,” Khalil said, rolling his eyes. “We were once allies, but you chose Santina. What did you think was going to happen? Did you think I would let that alliance continue without consequence? Come on! That’s not the world we live in, Luang. You know better than that.”

“Attack my army, not myinnocents,” Luang said stridently.

Khalil shrugged. “I’ll attack wherever it hurts most. You, and Asher, should remember that.”

Luang cursed under his breath. “What do you want out of this war, Khalil? Santina has nothing but a little bit of recently discovered oil. Why did you start this war?”

“I want respect. I want power. I want all the kingdoms to remember what happens when you attempt to destroy us. By achieving these things, Adani will forever reign,” Khalil said. Adani hadn’t always been the most powerful kingdom, but now they were, and Khalil would make sure they never lost their place in the kingdoms. He would squash everyone who stood against him.

“It won’t be the last attack, Luang. While you remain allies with Santina, I’m going to hit you hard because right now, your kingdom is one of Asher’s most powerful weapons. Without your support, he is destined to fail. Every morning when the sun rises, you should fear what the day will entail.”

Luang didn’t respond immediately, and Khalil thought he could hear his teeth grinding through the line. Khalil knew that Luang hated the decision he had to make—an especially difficult decision for a man who placed so much value in integrity—but Luang was also no fool. He knew the consequences. Luang would take care of his people.

“I have some information you will want—information you need,” Luang said, his voice heavy.

A smile spread across Khalil’s lips. He didn’t need to see Luang’s face to see the anguish written all over it—he could hear it in his voice.

“But this information isn’t free,” Luang continued.

Khalil smiled. “It never is. What is your price?”

“Protection for my kingdom. You will not attack my people again.”

“This information must be valuable, Luang. I need you to prove your allegiance to Adani. If I think for a second you’re betraying me, I’ll double my attacks on Valencia,” he said, his voice firm. He meant every word and he knew Luang heard it in his voice.

“This information will save your life, and the lives of everyone in your palace,” Luang replied, clearly irritated. Khalil knew he was licking his wounds, so to speak. Luang would hate himself for betraying Asher, but it was a lesser pain than seeing his own people suffer.That’s the thing about death—it will show you exactly where your priorities lie.“But you’re wasting time, because right now, every second counts,” Luang continued.

There wasn’t much to consider. Of course, Luang could be playing him, maybe even playing both him and Asher, but Khalil would find out soon enough if that was the case. Santina wasn’t the only Kingdom he had spies in—he was watching them all.

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