“The boss wants to see you first,” he said.
Before you kill me?
He opened the door and immediately I saw Ocalla sitting behind a desk looking cocky as hell. Enjoy it while it lasts, you bastard. You might get me, but I know Bennett’s not letting you walk out of here a free man.
“Jasper, you look like hell. Did something happen?” he asked sarcastically.
“Nothing I can’t handle. But before I do that video announcing that I’m leaving Tabiq for the States, I want to see Alysa.”
“You don’t make the rules here,” Ocalla said.
“No, but a dead body and no video won’t have the effect you wanted. You said you want the people to know what a coward I was. How I don’t truly love Tabiq. And that is going to need to come from me, because no one will ever believe it from you.”
Ocalla glared at me and then said to one of the guards, “Take him. Let him see her one last time.” Then to me he said, “Because you will never see her again after today.”
“You said you’d let her go if I did what you asked,” I growled.
He laughed. “She will be leaving. You will not,” he snapped.
I had so much I wanted to tell Alysa. She meant more to me than I ever knew was possible. This was all my fault. I should’ve sent her away when Reesa left, but Logan said it wasn’t safe for Alysa to travel. And she never would’ve been in Tabiq if I didn’t want to use to her get to the Hendersons.
The guard grabbed me and pulled me back into the hallway. “Hey, I can only walk so fast. I have a crutch, you know.”
“You have to get that in her ear, Florraz,” Bennett said.
“I’m doing the best I can,” I said, hoping the guard thought I was talking to him.
When we got to the door that separated me from Alysa, the guard said, “Open up. The boss said the lovers get to say goodbye.”
I couldn’t believe someone could be so cold knowing he was going to be taking the life of one of his own countrymen shortly. It ignited my passion to fight for my country, but I wasn’t sure I’d be around to do it. The realization that not all Hendersons were evil and that Americans and Tabiq could fight together for the best future might have come too late.
Maybe my sister Reesa will come home and take over where I left off.She would make a fantastic president. She’s really what Tabiq needs. Not me. I just wished I had told her that before making her leave. Seems like I’ve got a lot of regrets. Hopefully after seeing Alysa, that would ease a bit.
Entering the dimly lit room, I noticed her back was to me. I could also see that James was there, but he looked like they’d beaten the shit out of him. At least you’re alive.
I walked around to the front of Alysa’s chair, afraid I’d see the same on her face as well. Not a mark on her.
I had to signal to them that Bennett Stone was nearby and they should ready themselves. “I’m glad to see you’re both okay. James doesn’t look too good, though. But I’m sure it’s nothing a guy made of Stone can’t handle.”
Now it was time for Alysa. I really wanted to tell her that I loved her. That I was sorry. How I wished things could be different. But my job was to get this earpiece out of my hand and into her ear.
Even though she was gagged, I could see in her beautiful blue eyes that she wished I wasn’t there. That meant she knew what Ocalla had planned for me. I leaned over and raised my hands, placing them on either side of her head. Smiling, I said, “It’s going to be okay, Alysa. You can go home soon.” I moved my fingers so it looked like I was moving her hair out of the way, when in fact I was slipping the earpiece inside. Her eyes widened as she realized what I was doing. Then I kissed her on the forehead and whispered. “I love you.”
The guard came and hit me with the butt of the rifle and said, “That’s long enough. Now back down the hall. Ocalla doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
As I stood up, I noticed a tear streaming down her cheek and soaking into the black cloth gag tied tightly around her head. I wished I could console her, but I was being dragged from the room.
I’ve done everything I can to help. It’s all on you now, Stone. Please save Alysa.