Page 18 of The Last Strike

Asher smiled. “You’ve forever changed her life.”

“She saved mine—literally. I will never be able to fully repay her, but this is a start,” Abi said, blocking the harrowing memories of her kidnapping. She would not allow her mind to go back there.

“How often do you speak to her?” Asher asked.

“I call her every morning,” Abi said casually. Lena had become like a little sister to her.

Lena returned carrying a tray.

“How is your schooling going?” Asher asked her.

She beamed a smile. “I love it. Mrs. Bennett is very helpful. We have lots of fun,” Lena said.

Abi raised an eyebrow. “Youaredoing schoolwork, right? The mother who raised me was a taskmaster. I wouldn’t have described her as fun.”

“Abigail!” Emma Bennett said from behind her daughter.

Abi almost jumped. She cast a wary glance at Asher. “How does she do that?” she asked under her breath.

Asher grinned.

“We need to move out, soon!” Abi said quickly before plastering a smile on her face and turning to her mother.

“Yes, darling Mother,” Abi said, turning on the charm.

“I had to be a taskmaster with you because you couldn’t sit still for more than an hour. You always had to be up and doing something. Lena, on the other hand, is a wonderful student.”

That wasn’t untrue, Abi thought reluctantly.

Lena looked to the computer and Abi’s eyes followed her as two vans pulled up at the palace gates.

“Samuel, who is arriving?”James asked.

“I’m not sure. I’m running the vehicle plates now,”Samuel responded. Poor Samuel hadn’t had a chance to sign off for more than a few minutes.

Men unloaded from each van and Abi recognized the colors on their uniforms immediately. “Rebels,” Abi said, her voice a hoarse whisper. “What are they doing at the palace?”

It was well known the Adani king financed and used the Rebels to do the work he didn’t want to be seen doing. But, for them to turn up at the palace in their uniforms? That was bold, even by Khalil’s standards.

The security gates opened and Abi watched the men walk inside. She frowned. Why didn’t they drive in?

“He wants you to know there are Rebels inside,” Abi said. “He’s hoping you’re watching the palace and seeing this.”

“Agreed ... I think he’s using it as a deterrent. Perhaps he thinks we bought the lie that Reed is dead, or maybe this is just a flex of his muscles, so to speak,”Samuel said.“The Rebels are known to be ruthless and violent. This might be a tactic to deter any revenge attacks he thinks you may make.”

“The plan doesn’t change,” James said.

A silence hung in the air as everyone waited Asher’s opinion. Ultimately, he had the final say.

“The plan doesn’t change,” Asher said, repeating James’s words. “I won’t run scared every time King Khalil flexes his muscles. Chop off his arms instead.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” James responded with a hint of excitement.

Asher leaned back in his chair but his eyes never left the screen. Nothing was moving, nothing was being said. But Asher stared hard, his mind somewhere inside that palace.

He turned to Abi. “What are the Rebels known for? How do they kill?”

“They share the same love of slicing jugulars as King Khalil. That’s their preferred method, but they’ll use any means available. They work well together, as a unit. James, you’ll have an advantage if you can dismantle their teams.”

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