Page 46 of The Last Strike

A knock at the door drew his attention. “Yes?” Khalil called out.

Raoul, his advisor, entered. “Your Majesty, I was advised that you asked for an update on the gatherings.”

“Yes,” Khalil said, looking out the window.

Raoul hesitated a moment. “The crowd’s size has doubled in the last two hours. They demand you step down and hand over power to ... to your Prime Minister.”

Khalil’s jaw locked and his entire body heated. He would do no such thing. “If you have nothing further to say that’s useful, get out.” He turned his attention back to the window.

Raoul didn’t move. “I am only telling you what they are saying—”

“Don’t give me any more updates. I do not care what they are saying; I do not care what they want. I am king, and I will make the decisions that are best for Adani,” he said firmly.

Raoul nodded. “There may be another option,” he said, seeming to steel himself against an outburst. “You need to remind them who you are, not who Asher is telling them you are. You need to do something redeeming ... something distracting.”

“What do you have in mind?” Khalil asked, curious.

Raoul drew in a deep breath. “I think it’s time to use Grace,” he said.

Khalil’s eyebrows lifted.

“At this point, with Martin Snider destroyed, she serves us no purpose—she hasn’t been able to locate Asher’s residence and she couldn’t confirm Theodora’s either. In fact, she may well turn out to be a liability, because Asher will eventually come for her,” Raoul said. “I think you should tell the world that Asher used her to spy on Adani. It will undermine Asher and show Adani that nothing is getting past you, and it will be a good distraction to assassinate a Santina spy.” He looked to the window. “The people will stop protesting when their confidence in you is restored. I suggest we ignore them until then.”

Khalil thought over Raoul’s strategy. Grace had always been loyal to him, but Khalil agreed—this could be a good move, and she had proved to be useless of late.

“Summon Grace,” Khalil commanded.

Raoul nodded and left the room.

Khalil stared out the window at the growing protests. He felt like a bird flapping in the wind, but it wouldn’t be long before he took back control.

Then he would take Santina.

He drew his phone, noting a missed call. He wasn’t surprised by that—he had been expecting her venom.

Khalil returned the call and she answered immediately.

“Khalil, if you ever use my airspace again without my permission, our truce is over,” Queen Victoria said.

“Are you threatening me?” Khalil asked, his voice low, his jaw locking.

“No, I’m simply advising you regarding what happens to people who use my airspace without my permission,” she replied without hesitation.

“I apologize,” Khalil said, rolling his eyes. “I really do, but it was necessary.”

Queen Victoria sighed. “She was your daughter—”

“She was atraitor,” he said, his voice scathing. “She chose her fate the moment she sided with Asher. Let that be a lesson for anyone who makes the same mistake.”

Neither spoke, and the silence between them seemed to echo.

“What did you call for, Victoria?” Khalil asked.

“I called to let you know that Asher is investigating your link to the men featured in the video he released to the public. The men are seemingly involved in trafficking rings.”

Khalil sighed.Abigail Bennett.He’d known she would make that connection.

“I’m not involved with them. I did not know who they were at the time,” Khalil said.

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