Page 39 of The Last Strike

Asher looked away for a second, feeling like he was violating a girl who had already been so violated.

But he looked back, forcing himself to watch.

The men started yelling something out. Asher couldn’t make out what they were saying, but he didn’t need to. The way they raised their hands, like they were bidding at a real-estate auction, told Asher everything he needed to know.

Asher gritted his teeth in disgust.

“This young woman works in the palace now, and I’m sure my father calls her to his bed whenever he feels like it,” she said with a tight voice. “I felt bad leaving her there. I’ve thought about her since, wishing I could’ve been more like Abi ... brave enough to take her with me. I heard what happened with the girl she rescued from Lamberi’s camp.” Theodora sighed. “But I wasn’t brave enough to find her. I didn’t know if I had enough time to find her and still get out. I chose me,” she said, looking at her feet.

“Abi is brave, absolutely,” Asher began after a heavy pause. “However, her situation was also very different—it’s not something you can compare. Honestly, by saving yourself, you’re able to do something far greater to help not only this girl, but so many others who would’ve suffered the same fate. If you’d tried to find her, you might’ve both been caught and never made it out of the palace. How would that have served anyone? You did the right thing,” Asher said gently, but without a hint of doubt.

She looked up at him with a sad smile. “This is why he fears you.”

Asher frowned.

“Because he knows it’s only a matter of time before his people side with you,” she said. “I’d like to think he’s full of regret and wishes he had progressed as a leader like you have, but I’m not sure he’s capable of thinking that. I think he’s just bitter and angry that you’re a threat.”

“Well, let’s give him something to really worry about,” Asher said with a grin. “Let’s teach your father a lesson: that he’s not the smartest or bravest person in the family.”

Theodora smiled, but then she inhaled almost nervously. “When are you going to use this information?”

“Soon,” Asher said.

Verysoon, in fact, but first he had to make a phone call.

Asher was escorted into the waiting car and only then did he make the call. He prayed this wasn’t going to backfire.

“Hello, Asher,” Queen Victoria said.

“Queen Victoria. Have I caught you at a good time?” he asked, only to be polite. Their conversation couldn’t wait.

“Sure, what is it?” she asked with a hint of trepidation.

“I want to speak to you about Princess Theodora,” Asher said. “She’s alive. I told you she was dead because I thought the less people who knew she was alive, the better—I thought it would keep her safe. I didn’t tell Luang or anyone outside my security circle. I’m sorry I had to lie to you, but I couldn’t risk a leak until I could ensure her safety.”

“Why are you telling me now?” Victoria asked with a perfectly polite tone. He couldn’t tell if she was angry and an excellent actress, if she wasn’t in fact insulted by this, or if she already knew.

“First, because we’ve been able to secure her location. Second, because she’s going to appear in a press conference with me tomorrow and I wanted you to hear she was alive from me. I didn’t want you to think I was hiding this for merely my own gain,” Asher said.

“Hmm,” she said, pausing briefly. “I can’t say I like it, Asher, but I understand. What exactly is she going to do at the press conference?”

“She’s going to tell Adani who her father really is,” Asher said.

Victoria blew out a breath. “He’s going to kill her for it.”

“Not if I can keep her safe.”

“There will be additional retaliation against Santina, Asher,” Victoria warned. “Is it worth the risk?”

“Yes,” Asher said, without hesitation. “Tune in, Victoria. It will be worth watching.”

She sighed. “For the record, I don’t know if I’d make the same decision, Asher. But I’ve also never decided to form an alliance against Adani. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I never had a choice, Victoria. If I didn’t stand and fight, Khalil would’ve taken Santina already,” Asher said, resolutely.

“You’re right,” she said, resigned. “If there’s anything else I can do, Asher, let me know.”

“I will. Thank you for understanding,” Asher said.

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