Tovar couldn’t help but be momentarily entranced by Callie’s stunning beauty.But the lure of the handsome reward quickly yanked him back to reality.He shot a no-nonsense look at his comrades, ‘Come on, guys. What’s the big deal? With 50 million, we could have a whole lot more beautiful women than her. Stay sharp, team. No messing around.’Callie clutched the dagger, ready to defend herself against these thugs.Just then, a figure charged in, taking down one of the men with a lightning-fast kick.‘What the heck?’ one of the captors blurted out.‘Callie, they won’t get past me,’ the newcomer declared.Callie was stunned by Jamison’s sudden arrival.He had burst in without a second thought, his blood boiling at the sight of Callie’s injury.However, despite his bravery, he wasn’t as skilled as Elias.Jamison had no weapons, unlike the men wielding bayonets and guns.He caught them off guard initially, but when they closed in, he was overwhelmed.A bayonet cut him, and blood flowed.Cal
Without regard for location or timing, Elias enveloped Callie in a tight embrace. ‘You scared me.’Callie, too, was fraught with fear, thinking she might never see Elias again after this ordeal.Now, as she clung to him, her arms wound around his waist. ‘Elias, I... was so scared...’Before Callie had the chance to fully share the relief of their survival with Elias, she suddenly remembered Jamison, who lay on the ground. ‘Jamison!’She pulled away from Elias’s embrace and quickly crouched beside him. ‘Are you alright?’Callie gently prodded Jamison, who had closed his eyes, only to find that he was unconscious.There were not only bayonet lacerations on his body but also injuries from the beating he endured.It was likely that his internal organs were affected.His condition was dire, and only his sheer willpower had kept him conscious until Elias arrived.Now that Elias was on the scene, Jamison couldn’t hold on any longer and lapsed into unconsciousness.Callie retrieved bandages f
Elias’s heart constricted, and he rushed to Callie’s side, gently lifting her face from her hands and pulling her close against his strong, muscular chest. ‘Callie, don’t be afraid. It’s going to be okay.’Her face buried in his chest, Callie wept silently, her tears soaking his clothes.Callie’s silent tears had touched Elias deeply.She had sought solitude, not wanting anyone else to witness her vulnerability.Elias, understanding her need for privacy, whispered, ‘Callie...’She looked up, her eyes filled with distress.She had believed she could withstand the harsh realities of their world, but when danger struck, she had felt powerless.People could be laughing one moment and then crumble before her eyes.As a doctor, she had imagined herself capable, but now she felt ineffectual.Elias took her hand and led her outside the infirmary.The cool breeze gave her a slight chill.With tearful eyes, she confessed, ‘I know why you didn’t want me to come to the border. I understand why yo
Callie’s cheeks flamed even brighter, and she silently wished Elias would wrap up the ointment application.But Elias seemed more intrigued by her bashfulness.Just when Callie thought the ointment was done, he leaned in for an unexpected kiss.It wasn’t an overly passionate kiss; instead, it carried depth and tenderness.Bewildered, Callie murmured, ‘Elias, why the sudden kiss?’Elias remained tight-lipped.‘My face is so swollen. Is this the right time for a kiss?’ Callie gestured to her puffed-up cheek, her concern evident.Elias ruffled her hair and reassured her, ‘You’re not ugly, Callie. If I say you’re not, you’re not. Now, lean on my shoulder and take a breather. We’ve got plenty ahead of us.’‘Alright,’ Callie responded with a coy smile.***Elias remained preoccupied with military duties, while Callie tirelessly worked in the infirmary.Jamison lay in a coma, his injuries severe, leaving Ramiro in charge.Callie, in her relentless commitment to aiding the wounded, barely had
‘Speak! Quit pretending to be pitiful. You, traitor, if not for you, that woman would have been caught long ago, and our boss would still be alive.’ Gunter’s words were filled with raw anger, as though he wanted to tear every strand of hair from her scalp.If not for this woman who had shot down Tovar with a gun, their situation would not have deteriorated to this extent.‘I... I’m not...’ Angelia tried to protest.‘You’re not?’ Gunter slammed Angelia’s head against the car door, his eyes blazing red.Angelia felt a searing pain at the back of her head, tears streaming uncontrollably.She loathed herself, regretting why she had turned to help Jamison.She couldn’t bear to see him, wounded and bloodied, and yet, what about Jamison?He had witnessed her being taken away by these brutes while he was helpless and injured.He had still shielded Callie even in his weakened state, which was the reason she was suffering now.If only she had chosen to escape, perhaps it would be Callie being t
Elias kept the orange-flavoured candy in his mouth, his eyes gleaming playfully as he teased, ‘Still craving it, huh? The sweetness of orange can’t hold a candle to yours.’Callie, unable to resist his allure, pulled a mock frown and quipped back, ‘Yeah, I want it. It’s my candy.’Elias leaned in, his voice husky and seductive, ‘Well, if you still want it...’Their lips met again in a passionate kiss, leaving Callie feeling slightly dizzy.She touched her slightly swollen lips and muttered, ‘You said candy’s for kids. Why are you so keen on it now? I... I don’t feel like talking to you.’Her heart was racing, and she couldn’t bring herself to meet Elias’s intense gaze.She felt a bit out of her depth, faced with his expertise in love and passion.But Elias had no intention of letting her escape.He pressed her against the cold door, his sturdy chest pinning her in place, and Callie found herself caught between the door and Elias.Elias leaned in, their eyes locking, and he confessed w
Wendy, understanding the tense situation they faced, tried to reassure Callie. ‘It’s okay. Nothing is going to happen. We’ve got this.’With Wendy’s comforting words, Callie started to believe that maybe she was just overthinking things.‘Callie, perhaps you’ve been pushing yourself too hard,’ Wendy remarked, examining the wound on her finger. ‘Look at this, it’s a bit deeper than it should be. You’ve been quite careless.’Callie nodded, not taking it too seriously. ‘You might be right. I haven’t had much sleep lately. Most of my time has been spent tending to the wounded, and when I do get a moment to rest, I find myself visiting Jamison.’Wendy voiced her concern. ‘Callie, you need a break. If you wear yourself out, you might end up losing more than you gain. I’ve got the sutures here covered; leave it to me.’Agreeing, Callie left the infirmary, but she didn’t head for the lounge.Instead, she went to the intensive care unit.Jamison had been unconscious for the past few days, stil
Harriet had always excelled on the ground, but her true passion lay in the sky, a love instilled by her parents’ careers in the Air Force.She had progressed from a humble pilot to her current role as the air force commander.‘Yes, Sir!’ Harriet saluted Elias again, her determination shining through.‘Elias, you’ve undergone quite a transformation,’ Harriet remarked, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. ‘You were different in the past.’Elias, intrigued, asked, ‘How so?’Harriet delved into the memories. ‘You might have grounded me in the old days.’Elias contemplated her words. ‘Perhaps I would have.’Harriet continued, ‘You’ve evolved into a more compassionate and considerate leader. Back then, you commanded respect and struck fear into our hearts because of your tough reputation. But now, I believe people are starting to not just respect you but also admire you. You’ve shown us that, as a soldier, you can be human, with genuine emotions and empathy. I guess it took someone like C
Callie, weakened but resilient, looked up as Elias entered the ward.A soft smile played on her lips despite the pain that lingered in her eyes. ‘I was wondering where you disappeared off to.’Elias took a moment to absorb the sight of her, the woman he loved, fighting her way back to health.The bandages on her abdomen marked the physical toll of the recent events, but the warmth in her eyes brought a sense of calm to Elias’s troubled soul.‘Hey, Bunny,’ Elias greeted, his smile genuine as he approached her bedside.He gently took her hand, mindful of her injuries. ‘How are you feeling?’Callie’s eyes sparkled with gratitude. ‘Getting there. The doctors say I’ll make a full recovery with time.’Elias nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of recent events. ‘There’s something I need to tell you.’As Elias shared the shocking truth about General Conway’s betrayal and the revelation about his parents’ deaths, Callie’s expression shifted from concern to disbelief and, ultimately, sorrow
Callie felt herself falling into his trap, struggling to maintain a hardened heart as his doting gaze softened her resolve.‘Callie, you’re my wife. We are supposed to share a bed,’ his voice, deep and intoxicating, whispered in her ear.He embraced her tightly, a possessive need evident in his hold.‘Callie, I want you to love me like before. I lied to protect you. But now I realise I was wrong. I promise, no more lies. Please, at least don’t ignore me. It breaks me...’ His eyes, full of affection, revealed vulnerability.Elias, usually so strong, trembled in his plea.His voice carried a hint of regret. ‘I messed up, and damn it, I know it. Are you willing to forgive me?’Callie sighed. ‘Elias, just promise not to pull something like this again.’‘I won’t hurt you with lies anymore,’ he vowed.‘No more lies, Elias. Not even one,’ she declared.‘I swear.’ To seal his promise, he planted kisses on her forehead, eyes, and nose, soothing her turmoil.Dylan’s knock shattered Elias’s plan
Callie drifted in and out of a dream-laden slumber, the ebb and flow of consciousness gently pulling her into the waking world.The enticing fragrance of chicken soup teased her senses, coaxing her from the depths of sleep.Elias had returned, a culinary saviour armed with a thermos of steaming chicken soup. ‘I used the mess hall kitchen to make this for you,’ he announced with a quiet pride.Drawing in a deep breath, Callie’s stomach couldn’t contain its eagerness, emitting a low growl that echoed through the room.‘Callie, tell me, what’s that sound?’ His question, though not a direct accusation, draped her in a blanket of embarrassment.‘Ahem!’ Callie, determined to maintain her composure, responded with a feigned nonchalance.‘I didn’t hear any sound,’ she declared, though the rumblings from her stomach suggested otherwise.She fought to suppress the impending growl, hoping Elias wouldn’t witness this audible betrayal.‘No sound?’ Elias’s raised brow and assertive tone exposed her
Elias’s eyes snapped open the moment he heard someone coughing.He sat bolt upright in the chair and turned towards Callie.Her eyes were open.‘Callie! You are awake!’In a haze, Callie recognised Elias’s voice.Struggling, she forced her eyes open, greeted by the familiar sight of a white ceiling—a hospital room.Elias’s hand held hers, his calloused palm brushing against her skin.‘Elias,’ she whispered weakly, her eyes glistening with tears.Her voice, frail, held a hint of disbelief. ‘Am I still dreaming?’The last she knew, Elias was in custody.The Elias before her now felt like a dream, and she doubted her reality.Elias, red-eyed and exhausted, held her hands tightly, reassuring her, ‘Bunny, what are you talking about? Of course I’m real.’Callie sighed. ‘Good…’Relieved, she closed her eyes, slipping back into sleep.‘Callie!’ Elias’s heart skipped a beat, fear gnawing at him.He rushed outside, calling for Jamison and the medical team. ‘Quick, take a look at her. She woke u
The puzzle of Mindy’s escape persisted, leaving Dylan in the dark, grappling with the mystery that allowed her to slip away undetected.A knock came on the door.‘Come in.’Dwight entered, settling gracefully into a chair opposite Dylan.He produced a pack of cigarettes, extending it toward Dylan.Dylan accepted it, extracting a cigarette, igniting it with a flick of his lighter, and indulging in the smoke that soon enveloped the room.Dwight, sensing Dylan’s foul mood, asked, ‘General Sheppard, not in the best spirits today?’Dylan retorted, ‘Aren’t you in the same boat?’A subtle smile played on Dwight’s lips as he selected a cigarette from the pack.His slender fingers expertly lit it, the room filling with the fragrance of tobacco and a haze of smoke.‘Any updates on Mindy?’‘Not yet,’ Dylan replied after a brief pause. ‘Which is a problem for you. That woman is more cunning than her father. I think she’s the one behind your assassination plot, not Carl. By the way, when do you pl
‘I planned everything single-handedly. This has nothing to do with my daughter Mindy,’ Carl pleaded. ‘I only had her run a few errands for me. She didn’t know what she was doing.’‘Do you think your excuse is convincing?’ Dwight retorted. ‘Mindy isn’t seven years old. She’s twenty-seven, an adult fully responsible for her own actions.’Dylan, acting on Dwight’s orders, directed his subordinates to arrest Mindy and release Elias.Carl, comprehending the depth of his miscalculations, lashed out at Dylan.He felt betrayed by the very person he trusted.‘Dylan, you ungrateful scoundrel! I trusted you so much, yet you did this to me! You even took advantage of my daughter. You are going to hell for this!’ Carl screamed, blaming Dylan for their downfall.Dylan was unfazed.Nothing Carl said mattered, not any more.Dylan exchanged a look with Dwight; there would be time to celebrate later.However, their joy was short-lived.About twenty minutes later, a soldier returned, reporting that they
Inga was supposed to be dead, but Dylan assured him that he’d killed her, even brought back her charred corpse.And the witness secured by Mindy couldn’t be Inga.Dylan must have made the switch.Carl was right to suspect him; his protégé had betrayed him.Carl glared resentfully at Dylan, at the culprit who crushed his dream of presidency.Dylan leaned against the wall, hands in pockets, unfazed.‘Dylan!’ Carl bellowed.The general seemed to have aged in a matter of minutes.Dylan gave him a mischievous smile. ‘Did I do something wrong, General Conway?’‘You—’ Carl yelled, ready to tear into Dylan for the betrayal.But glancing around the room, he halted.Others were present—Harriet, Dwight, and the three cabinet ministers.To reprimand Dylan would be akin to admitting to his own crimes.Fury painted his face as he contemplated his next move.Dwight glanced at Carl.The situation resembled a chess game, with Carl in the inferior position.He should sense his disadvantage, understandi
Carl waited in his office, too worked up to sit still.A knock on the door, and then Mindy entered. ‘Dad, it’s done. We have the witness and evidence. Everything will unfold just as you want.’Joy sparkled in Carl’s eyes, grateful for his daughter’s assistance. ‘Good, Mindy. Get Dylan here immediately. I want Elias’s trial to begin ASAP.’Mindy nodded, a wicked smile on her face, and left to find Dylan.She brought Natee along, with the woman’s face veiled to conceal her identity.Meeting Dylan, Mindy relayed Carl’s instructions.Dylan’s eyes lingered on her earlobes, adorned with the pink pearl earrings. ‘You did an excellent job. Your dad is right to be proud of you. I am, too.’Mindy shrugged. ‘It was easy.’Dylan shifted his focus to Natee. ‘Mindy, go get changed. I’ll handle your witness. We’ll gather everyone in half an hour.’‘Alright!’ Mindy nodded.***The Kurtazagg border weather was frigid, and the air threatened to freeze.Dwight, draped in a wool coat, moved towards the m
But Dylan’s eyes remained ice-cold as he swiftly secured the earrings onto her earlobes. ‘Done.’Standing on her tiptoes, Mindy gave him a quick kiss on the lips. ‘Thank you.’Dylan didn’t reciprocate the kiss.He just looked at her with a smile, concealing the disgust he felt.Duty called, and Dylan left the dorm shortly after.Usually, Mindy would have been disappointed.But tonight, she had other plans—meeting the leader of Kurtazagg’s largest militant group and collecting the evidence framing Elias.Once the trial was over, Elias’s fate would be sealed, and her father would be one step closer to the presidency.Mindy shed her luxurious coat for a sleek black suit and donned a plain black mask.She examined her reflection in the mirror and noticed that the pink pearl earrings seemed a bit conspicuous.About to take them off, she remembered Dylan’s words and kept them on.These were Dylan’s gifts, and she’d wear them always.Ready, she stepped out of the dorm and found two men in bl