“Big guns or small ones?”
“Really big.” Mena watched as the men approached and stopped next to Tubeec at the back door of the vehicle.
“No sudden movements and follow their instructions. Okay?” Julian said, then reached into his pocket and held his hand in front of her.
Mena glanced down at her bracelet resting in the palm of his hand. Tears sprung to her eyes as she grabbed it and slipped it back on her wrist.
“I love you,” Julian said.
Mena nodded, “I love you, too.”
Julian turned around and faced Tubeec.
A bullet whizzed through the air, slamming into the back of the seat with a loud bang, mere inches away from Mena’s head.
Mena shrieked, jumping closer to Julian.
“We will do whatever you want,” Julian said, waving his empty hands in the air. Mena’s eyes drifted down his back toward the bulge in his waistband.
“Get out,” Tubeec said, stepping backward. “Both of you.”
Mena watched Julian climb out of the jeep, then he turned and reached for her. Grasping his hand, Mena crawled out and stood next to Julian. The bright harsh warmth of the sun burned her skin as she stared at the assault rifles pointed at them.
Julian stepped in front of her, his muscles tensing. His hand reached backward toward the gun tucked into his waistband. Trying to outshoot three heavily armed men at this close range was foolish. She couldn’t let him do it. She couldn’t let him continue to put his life on the line for her.
“Kill him and grab the woman,” Tubeec said, then turned to walk away. The gunmen raised their rifles, locking in on Julian.
“Wait! No, please don’t!” Mena screamed, pushing Julian and rushing forward toward the men. She held up her hands. “I will go with you! You don’t have to hurt him.”
Tubeec turned around, a confused look crossing his face. The gunmen looked back toward the leader.
Tubeec flicked his wrist downward and the men responded by lowering their weapons. Walking to Mena, Tubeec stopped. “You must love this man very much.”
Julian rushed in front of her. “You don’t have to do this.”
The gunmen raised their rifles, pointing them at Julian as he approached Tubeec, stopping within mere feet of the rebel leader.
“One more step and she will watch you die. Is that what you want?” Tubeec asked.
Julian stood still, his eyes focused on Tubeec. He was calm, unfazed by the danger that surrounded them.
“Go and wait by the TIGR,” Tubeec commanded.
Julian didn’t budge.
Tubeec shrugged, then turned.
“No!!!” Mena held up her hands, then turned to Julian. “Please, do what they are telling you to do.”
“Don’t do this,” Julian said, reaching for her arm. “These men are dangerous and if you go with them, I might not be able to track you. I might not be able to find you again. There’s got to be another way.”
“There is no other way. No one else will be coming to save us anytime soon. You can’t fight three gunmen by yourself,” Mena said.
Julian reached for the Beretta tucked in the back of his pants, a dangerous glint in his eye. “Watch me.”
“I won’t watch you die,” Mena said, gripping his wrist tightly.
“Mena, please—”
