Hadley realized that he was heading for the kitchen.
For Bennett.
She picked up speed. “Warn Bennett that he’s incoming.”
“Acknowledged.”
Bennett washers. She wouldn’t let this asshole hurt him.
She sprinted into the kitchen, only steps behind Westley.
He charged the catering stuff, knocking people out of his way. Shouts broke out. Plates fell, shattering on the floor and sending food splattering everywhere.
She leaped over the mess, running toward him. He aimed his gun at the ceiling and fired.
Panic ensued.
“Get down!” Hadley yelled.
She charged after the man. He rounded a bench, and Hadley saw a tall man in white dart out, a stack of plates raised over his head. Bennett slammed the plates down on Westley’s head.
The bald man staggered and rammed into another bench, knocking glasses over. He caught himself, panting, and unfortunately still had his gun clutched in his hand.
Hadley raised hers, aiming at his chest.
“You all right?” Bennett asked her.
She nodded, her gaze darting between him and Westley.
Then Bennett swung back to look at the man.
She watched the color drain out of Bennett’s face.
“No.” There was deep horror in his voice.
She felt ice slide into her veins.
Westley smiled, but it was humorless, tugging at his scars. “Hello, Bennett.”
There was so much hate in those words.
“No. Paul. You’re dead.”
Paul?Hadley gripped the gun tighter.Oh, God.
The young SAS soldier who’d been killed in the same explosion as Hamed.
He’d been blown up, his body never recovered.
“I wish I was dead.” Paul’s face twisted. “There are things far worse than death.”
She’d seen a photo of a young, blond man. He barely looked the same.
“I didn’t die, Bennett. You left me!” Paul’s voice rose. “You didn’t save me. And they got me. The Taliban locked me up and tortured me.” Paul’s chest heaved.
“I’m sorry.” Bennett’s hands turned to fists, pain was stamped all over his face. “We thought you were dead.”
“I wasn’t. You were too busy with your precious Hamed. I know you brought him back here. You buried him here and brought his family here as well. They’re cared for. Safe. Not like me.”