Page 77 of The Last Strike

The Adani guard laughed. “Youarea fool.”

“Back up, small steps,” James murmured, his eyes never leaving the weapon pointed at them.

Asher took a small step backward, following James’s instruction.

The soldier laughed again. “In there,” he said, pointing to the door behind Asher.

“Copy,” James said in a barely audible whisper. “Back up into the room,” he said, loud enough for Asher to hear.

Asher looked over his shoulder, not surprised to see Deacon Thomas was now standing beside him. At least he knew that part of the plan was on track. Deacon nodded as he stepped back. Asher returned his attention to Khalil’s armed guard.

Asher shuffled backward into the room, hyper aware of Deacon’s footsteps right behind him. As he turned, he saw Khalil in the corner of the room and the look in his eyes was enough to make Asher sick.

“King Asher,” Khalil said, seemingly proud of himself. “What an honor this is.” His eyes darkened, and his voice turned cold. “All of you, against the wall.”

Khalil

He couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his lips. Asher looked like a deer caught in headlights, and his security guard’s eyes were bouncing around the room, looking for any possible exit. But there was only the door Asher had walked through, and the one behind Khalil.

“You’re making a huge mistake,” Asher asked, his voice scathing.

Khalil chuckled. “Against the wall, Asher. Hands above your head. You too,” he said, pointing at James Thomas, then Deacon Thomas. Truthfully, Khalil hadn’t expected this plan to work once he’d finally secured a file on Thomas Security—but it seemed they’d lost their edge. Married life and children did that to some men.

“This is going to be a lesson you should’ve learned, Asher—a lesson your father should’ve learned,” he continued, and Asher’s eyes darkened. “Allegiance goes beyond friendship. Smart leaders form alliances with the powerful—with the people who can help them. That’s where your little ploy fell apart,” he said, chuckling. “You had nothing to offer them that I couldn’t match, or do better. When I heard of your plan, I created my own. Isn’t that right, Luang?”

The door opened behind him and Luang stepped forward.

Asher’s eyes doubled in size and his jaw fell open. “Luang,” Asher said, barely a whisper.

“I had to, Asher, to save Valencia,” he said, taking a stand beside Khalil.

Khalil noted the weapon in his hand, pointed at Asher. Khalil hoped he wasn’t planning to shoot that—Asher was his to kill.

“My father would—” Asher started.

Luang cut him off. “Your father is dead. I had to make a new ally.”

Asher’s jaw locked, and he looked at Khalil’s weapon.

“Against the wall, Asher. Hands up,” Khalil repeated. He was going to perform a traditional Adani execution—how they used to do it when Khalil was a child.Line ’em up against the wall and shoot ’em down.

But Asher didn’t move. “I will never surrender to you,” he said.

Khalil had to give him credit for his resolve. Asher didn’t quiver in fear, he didn’t whimper and plead for mercy.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t have been friends, Asher,” Khalil said lightly. “We really could’ve achieved so much. You, me, Luang. No one would’ve dared touch us. We could’ve taken control of all the kingdoms and reigned together.” Khalil tilted his head. “That is what you suggested Luang do with you, right?”

Asher looked to James Thomas, whose eyes were only on Khalil—or, rather, on the weapon in his hand.

“He can’t save you, Asher,” Khalil said as a better plan formed in his mind. Maybe Asher didn’t have to die; maybe his humiliation would be more gratifying.

“But I can,” Khalil said and Asher raised an eyebrow. “I’m going to make you an offer. I will kill you here, right now. Or, if you publicly surrender to me and allow me to take control of Santina, I will let you live, and I will treat the people of Santina better than I treat my own people. But you will have to make the sacrifice on their behalf, Asher. You will surrender and live. What will it be?”

“Do you really think I believe you will treat my people well?” Asher asked bitterly. “I have seen the way you treat your own people, and that is not a future I want for Santina.”

“But you’re missing the point, Asher. If you die now, I will punish them for the rest of my rule. If you surrender, they will have a better life.”

Asher’s eyes blazed but he didn’t respond. Khalil could see his mind working, because he knew no part of Asher wanted to surrender but ... he was so much like his father, and he really did love the people of Santina.

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