Page 32 of Her Fearless Warrior

Leila slowly pushed up.

“What did he say?” Katherine asked.

“He wants us on our knees.”

“For the record, I don’t like this.”

The man chuckled. “Katherine, there are a lot of things you will not like,” he said in English.

Leila glanced over at her and she saw the woman shudder. But she kept her face impassive and got up onto her knees. So did Leila.

“It’s occurred to me we really aren’t in any real rush. Now, Captain Mousa,” Suitman tipped his head to the man that Leila had previously considered the leader. “Mousa thinks we should do some intensive interrogation now, and he is disappointed with my decision. When you see what I have in store for you, I want you to thank me for my benevolence.”

Suitman stopped talking. Leila knew this tactic. How many times had it been used on her during awkward things like interviews and dates? Be silent and wait for Leila to speak.

“What do you plan to do with us?” Katherine Cole asked.

Dammit.

Suitman grinned. “I’m glad you asked that, Mrs. Cole. Or should I call you doctor? I am sorry to be meeting you under such strained circumstances. I too was on track to get a degree in medicine. Let me introduce myself. My name is Vugar Gadirov. You have probably never heard of me. I attended university in the States. But when my father was killed, I came to my homeland to take over the family business.”

“Katherine, I have read many good things about your company. You have made amazing strides in creating drought-resistant soybeans. This is something that Syria could definitely benefit from. It’s too bad you’re here under unlawful circumstances.”

This time, Katherine said nothing.

Good.

“Time to get up off your knees now, ladies.”

Leila squinted. She saw they were in the courtyard, in what looked like a hotel, but that couldn’t be right.

“I see you’re impressed with my home, Leila. You will be my guests for a few days. I’m afraid you will not like the accommodations that I have in store for you, but after a day or two, I think you will be more than happy to give me the answers I need.”

Again he tipped his head, and men rushed behind her and Katherine. She was hauled up into a standing position. “Follow me,” Vugar said in Arabic.

“Ow!”

Leila winced as she heard her friend’s sharp outcry. She looked over at her and saw where two guards were practically dragging Katherine along, her arms forced behind her at odd angles.

They finally stopped in the middle of the courtyard.

“Here is fine,” Suitman said. He turned to one of his men. “Get me the ladder.”

Leila looked in front of her and saw a steel grate on the flagstone. She couldn’t see what it was covering.

“Leila.”

She looked up but said nothing.

How come the man always looks so calm? It’s fucking spooky.

Two men who were behind the evil asshole came up and lifted the grate, and Leila looked down into a pit of darkness.

“I have the ladder, Sir.”

“We have done you the courtesy of cleaning out the refuse from our last guests. But that is the only courtesy you will be extended until I get the answers I need.”

Leila watched as the ladder that had to be twelve feet tall was lowered into the hole. Every hair on her body stood on end. She swallowed back a whimper that begged to be released. She couldn’t bear to look at Katherine. What the hell had she gotten that woman into?