“She isn’t your bride, she’s your prisoner.”
“A technicality. Once we are married, she will change her mind.” He chuckled and pulled Annie closer. She made a choking sound and grasped his arm with both hands. “Women love me, Lieutenant. And if they do not love me at first, I assure you that they learn to do so.”
Jesus. Annie’s face was white with terror. She was trembling.
Dec forced himself to concentrate on Amjad.
“Are you such a coward that you would hide behind a woman?”
“Are you such a fool that you believe such childish words would deter me?” The terrorist’s brazen smile vanished. “Do you think anything you might say will have meaning for me? I have not forgotten that you ambushed my men and slaughtered them. I owe you for that.”
“An interesting viewpoint, Amjad. We defeated them after they attacked us.”
Amjad narrowed his eyes. “Enough of this nonsense. Tell your men to put down their weapons. You too, Lieutenant.”
“Do you know what a standoff is, Amjad?”
“Do you think I will not give the order for my men to kill you all? Do you think I am fool enough to believe that you, any of you, would fire at me when this woman you want stands in front of me? Put down your weapons or this will not end well for her or for you.”
“Don’t do it, Declan,” Annie said frantically. “He’ll kill you.”
Dec knew she was right. If he and his men put down their guns, they’d be killed instantly. And if there were a firefight, Annie would be one of the first casualties.
“Ohhh…”
The cry had come from Annie.
“Be quiet, woman,” Amjad snarled.
But she cried out again, gasping as if she couldn’t breathe, hanging on to Amjad’s arm as she began sliding down his body.
“Dammit, woman…”
Annie went limp. Amjad, cursing, tried to free his arm, but he couldn’t. And Annie was falling, falling, taking him to the floor with her.
Amjad’s men, surprised, turned towards their leader.
Dec and his men leaped forward.
It was over in seconds.
Three of the terrorists were dead. Three were unconscious. Amjad was on his hands and knees, bleeding from his mouth and nose.
“Annie,” Dec said frantically. What the fuck? Annie was on her feet, leaning against the wall and laughing. “Annie?”
“I’m fine,” she said breathlessly. “Declan, honestly, I’m fine. Do I get an academy award for that performance or not?
”
Dec could almost feel his jaw drop. What she’d get was either a kiss for bravery or a spanking for pulling such a dangerous stunt.
“Dammit, Anoushka, he could have killed you!”
“But he didn’t,” she said, and as her laughter turned to soft sobs, Dec decided that for now, a kiss—a quick one—would have to do.
Amjad was still down. Chay had his Glock pressed to Amjad’s forehead.
Dec motioned Chay back.