“There is no point,” I said. “But what I don’t understand is what that has to do with anything?”
“It has everything to do with the future of Tabiq. He says he hates Americans because of what James Henderson has done to our country. Then he beds an American. One who is very close to the Hendersons, from what I hear.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. “James Henderson is deceased,” I stated.
“Yes. But long ago, he came here and showed many of us the true potential of Tabiq. And no longer did we have to live in poverty.”
Could he really be saying that James Henderson was the cruel bastard Jasper told me about? The millionaire who introduced human trafficking to Tabiq? Oh, my God. No wonder he hates Americans so much. We’d practically destroyed his entire country.
If I had known that when Burke asked me to work for the Henderson family, I probably would’ve declined. But then I never would’ve met Jasper.
“I don’t know the Hendersons well. I only stayed a few days at their resort.”
“Yet the head of security was driving you to the airport. Doesn’t that strike you as odd?” he asked. “Because to me that says you are playing both sides.”
Oh, shit.I might not like the man, but he was clever.
Thanks to your spy, Mikal.
“I’m just here to do a job. And since Jasper felt I was not needed here any longer, I was going home.”
“It will be up to Jasper if you are ever to see your home again.”
“What…do you…mean?” I asked, my voice intentionally shaky.
“Let’s see if your lover cares more about you than being president. Because he can’t have both.” He stared at me and asked, “Which do you think he’ll choose?”
I knew which I’d want him to, but I know what Tabiq meant to him. Besides, if Jasper came for me and Burke, I really doubt Ocalla would just let us walk away. He’s not going to let Jasper be happy no matter what he chooses.
“I think he’ll win the election and you’ll regret ever crossing him,” I said honestly. It’s what I truly hoped for, the outcome that was best for Tabiq. And if I’d learned anything about Jasper, it’s that he was passionate about saving his people from tyrants like Ocalla. The entire weight of a country’s future was on Jasper’s shoulders. Please, Jasper. Make the right decision. Tabiq needs you more than I do.
“In that case, you have no value to me,” he said.
I’d known that the moment I was taken.
He called the guards and they entered, but Ocalla’s cell phone rang and he raised his hand. “Wait.” When he answered he said, “We were just talking about you.”
I wished I could hear what was being said, but it had to be Jasper on the other end.
“I know you want her back, but I want something in return. You must make a statement to the people renouncing your candidacy for president and tell them you have decided to leave the country. If you do this, you get your lover back. Choose otherwise, and well, I don’t need to tell you what happens,” Ocalla snarled.
I couldn’t imagine what Jasper was going through. There was no win for him. Please, Jasper. Find a way to make peace with whatever you choose.
Ocalla waved for me to be removed, and I would not know what Jasper decided. But from the look of rage on Ocalla’s face, it wasn’t me.
It’s okay. I knew what was at stake when I stayed.
As the guard dragged me back to the holding cell, the woman inside wanted to breakdown and cry, but the Marine in me wouldn’t allow myself to break. Burke’s fate and mine had been sealed.