Page 36 of Hot & Heavy

"Stay with me," she said. Almost immediately, she regretted pleading st with the man.

"I can't," Ian said.

She shot him a sideways look. "You are going to abandon me?"

"It's not my call. You're an alleged terrorist, and as such I've got to turn you over to the authorities." To give him credit, he did look sorrowful. But sorrowful counted for naught if her life was in peril.

"Are they going to lop off my head?"

His eyes widened with surprise. "Of course not."

Then he grinned and teased her, "They might lop off your tongue, though."

Now he makes a jest. "You brought me here," she accused him, refusing to yield to his mirth. "Why did you not leave me behind if this was your intention?"

"It's my duty."

"Your first duty is to yourself. What honor is there in giving a mere woman over to enemy forces?"

"Are you questioning my honor?"

"Oh, go away. I will fight my own battles… as I always have."

Ian looked as if he wanted to say more, but all he said was, "I'll see you later, if I'm able."

"Do not do me any favors." Raising her chin high, she walked up to the leader, leaving Ian in her wake.

For some reason, her heart felt crushed at his betrayal, but she could not think of that right now.

Ian came up to stand next to her. She'd thought the traitor would have scooted off. He gave the general a sharp salute from the forehead and said, "Lewd-tenant Ian MacLean of Force Squad, Eighth Platoon, SEAL Team Thirteen, reporting as ordered, sir."

The commander did the same salute back at Ian and said, "At ease, Lewd-tenant."

Ian, who had his hands linked behind his back, stood just like the commander, as if he had a lance up his arse. Which looked really silly with that black face paint.

"Why are you all standing like you have lances up your arses?" she said under her breath.

"Shhhh!" Ian said.

She would like to shhhh him.

"Good job, Lewd-tenant," the general said. "I will expect a full report in my office in an hour. That gives you time to shower and settle in."

"Yes, sir."

Then the leader turned to her and asked in a stern voice, "Yasmine Bahir?" His body remained rigid as he stared down at her.

"Nay."

"Oh, shit," Ian murmured beside her.

"Nay?" he and the men beside him asked.

Thick-headed lackwits! "That's what I said. Nay."

"You are not Yasmine Bahir?" the leader said, his voice a trifle shrill with distress.

"I already said I was not. Dost have a hearing problem?"