"This seems like a very risky plan," Abu stated, rocking back on his chair. Razi nodded, his eyes filled with worry. Maddy clutched Waleed's arm and I closed my eyes. So many people were involved in this. So many people could get hurt. Ammi rubbed my back and I leaned into her touch.

Durdana Auntie stood next to Sam, her face filled with worry."Haider, this is too risky," she said, reiterating Abu's point.

"This is the only way to do this. Sam, you'll have to be the one to take point on this," Haider continued and she nodded, her chin up. I sucked in a pained breath. Uncle Bakht had only been gone for a day and she was ready to go to battle.

I moved around and came to stand beside Haider, giving him an encouraging smile. His face softened and he gestured towards the rough plan on the board. "Some of my men will follow you," he pointed towards my father who nodded, his face grave. "You'll have to secure the two witnesses"

"And what about us?" Waleed asked, striding forward.

"We have another mission. As soon as the video leaks, the Interior Minister will order Jahangir to get Alishba. Since we can't go after her until the video leaks, we'll have a very small window," I took in a startled, sharp breath as a wave of shivers followed the glide of his knuckles across the back of my hand.

"Risky risky," Durdana Auntie repeated. Haider gave her a lopsided smile.

"Would you have it any other way?" she gave him a hard look.

"I know you can handle yourself. But her?" she said, her gaze reprimanding.

"She's taken me down more times than I can count. I know her, she'll be fine." warmth bloomed in my stomach. She raised her eyebrow and then shrugged her shoulders.

"If he's making you do this, blink twice," she countered and laughter erupted around us.

"Like I could make her do anything," Haider muttered, his head bent over the plan.

The last rays of the sun filtered into the room, bathing everything in golden light. The warmth in the room increased and everyone moved around munching on the tea and biscuits. Haider looked at me and smiled, the lines around his eyes tense.  I smiled and punched his shoulder lightly. We were going to be fine. This was going to work. He nodded, the lines on his face relaxing at my silent reassurance.

People started to trickle out in twos and threes, calling their goodbyes. Razi gave Sam a hug and exited the room hastily. Inspector Nasir followed them out, his face set in a grim expression. Durdana Auntie gave me a brief hug and left with Maddy. Haider had given me a reassuring glance as he and Waleed left to complete their planning and reconnaissance.

I tried to relax making sure that my body was well rested and not too strung out from the stress. I popped in a couple of sleeping pills and drifted into sweet nothingness.

Wednesday morning approached like an impending train. The morning started with a blast of sunshine, as if God himself was making sure that the day would go as smoothly as possible.

We were all tense at the dining table, shooting each other trepid looks and making sure to seem as normal as possible. I twisted my fingers, watching Razi shovel in as much food as he could, his gaze appreciative. He'd came in early to say goodbye to Sam and was now waiting for me. As we got ready to head out, Roomi came forward with my old school lunchbox. I stared at it. Had Ammi packed me lunch?

"Ammi, this isn't a school trip!" I cried out.

"Don't remind me and don't argue. I want the box to be empty when you get home," Razi gave me a wide-eyed look, his face set in a very stern expression.

"Let's go," I said, dragging Razi towards his car, eager to leave and get this thing over with. Abu had already left so Ammi and Zaira saw us off, their eyes filled with worry.

We stayed silent on the ride there, stuck in our own thoughts. We saw Nasir and Haider as soon we arrived at our rendevous point, both of them dressed in back. Nasir nodded to me as I got out of the car and I gave him a cautious smile.

"Are we ready to go?" Razi asked.

"Just waiting for Waleed and another one of my men. So as we discussed. You and Nasir grab Alishba, take her to your car as soon as the news breaks at 12"

"Good, so we'll have time to have an early lunch," Razi proclaimed, waving my lunchbox, that he'd grabbed from the car. My face burned and I thought I was going to melt into the ground. Nasir coughed out a laugh and moved away, his eyes on the sky.

"Elena," Haider said my name with so much shock, my eyes would've rolled if I weren't so incredibly mortified. "You brought lunch?" Razi snickered in the back and I raised my chin.

"Shall we?" I snapped. "We don't have much time," I was going to kill Razi.

Haider stepped back, his eyes filled with amusement, and gestured ahead. "I'm not used to being followed," he explained at my look. I huffed.

I stomped my way towards the farmhouse and felt Haider's presence by side.

"The last thing I expected was for you to bring lunch," The dimple made an appearance in his right cheek, and I exhaled loudly in reply. "Right through here," he said, gently grabbing my elbow and guiding me towards a nearby shed.

"So your father has invited me to his office this Sunday," he continued. We entered it and I looked around at the barren room. My heart skipped a beat as my gaze shifted to the exposed wooden beams of the ceiling. I turned my head, seeing a rustic shelves and a small trough. It seemed to be a horse stable that was no longer in use.

"What-"

Before I could even finish the sentence, he had climbed over the ladder and now had his feet on the ledge. How had he...? My gaze flicked to the narrow ridge of the wall above. He'd used that? It couldn't be wider than a few inches. I envied how he had moved so fluidly, like a jungle cat. I stepped back as he crouched on the sill outside.

He was insane.

I placed my feet on the rusty ladder, my confidence wavering a little. Heart slamming against my ribs, I jumped up, grabbed the ledge, and swung myself up just as Haider pulled me forward. My feet skidded, and I slipped, losing my balance. Before I could turn, he caught my arm and yanked me forward. Suddenly, we were inches apart, his chest rising and falling with mine.

"I think your parents know that you like me," Senses hyperaware, I watched those impossibly thick lashes lower, his gaze so intense that I had to take a step back.

"I don't like you," With an arch of one dark brow, he placed his hand over his heart.

"I would be offended, except that I know you do. Enough to be wildly inappropriate with me." A pause. "On multiple occasions."

"Dear God, I'd rather walk out and let Jahangir kill me at this point." Was this day cursed? It had to be.

"Are we pretending none of that happened?" I rolled my eyes. Haider's lips twisted into a knowing half-smile that sent a bolt of irritation streaking.

"I'm not pretending none of that stuff happened," I admitted in a low voice. "It's just that..."
"That it shouldn't have happened?" Warmth crept into my cheeks.
"It's... I don't think this is the right time for this conversation"
"I think this is the best time for a conversation. You can't run away from it," Haider brandished a smile, the one that showed the dimple.

"You're..."
"Adorable? Charming? Irresistible?"
"Impossible"
"That's why you like me," I rolled my eyes,
biting back a smile. "I've thought of something"
"Oh great"
"Maybe you and I should get married after this"
"What?"
"Couples that fight together, stay together"
"I don't think that meant getting involved in a shoot out," I gave him a tight smile to match how the muscles in my lower stomach suddenly felt.

"Tomatoe, tomato" I stayed silent, my eyes on the broken roof tiles. "Marry me, I'm serious"

"This is the worst moment to ask this question. We might die"

"All the more reason to say yes,"

"You're blackmailing me?"A half-smile appeared in the ray of sunlight cutting across his face as he shook his head."You know what? We make it out of this alive and I'll think about it"

"Fine. We make it out of this alive, you go on a date with me," I cleared the hoarseness from my throat.

"Backing off marriage now?"

"You'll say yes on the first date," His lashes swept up and I felt my face heat up.

"You're cocky"

"You're interested," he was right, I was. Not that he had to know that. "What do you say, Elena? First date? Serena? I'll pick you up at 7?" he spoke, voice deep and smooth, reminding me of rich, decadent chocolate.

I cocked my gun and switched the safety off.

"And not a second late," I declared, nervous energy zipping through me.

He inclined his head to the side, listening to his earpiece. "Waleed is in position with Jay," I assumed Jay was the new guy. He glanced at his watch. "We have an hour"

"Or you would think," three men dressed in black jumped up and grabbed at us. Yup, definitely cursed.

A gold turban flashed in the corner of my eyes and I whipped my head to identify the man. Pain exploded along my ribs as the air got punched out of my lungs. I fell to my side as fiery pain erupted along the left side of my face.

Confusion held me in its grip for only a few moments, but then I snapped out of it. Easing away from the ground, I ran. A strong arm knocked me back and shock stole the very breath from my lungs.

Tough hands hauled me to my feet and slammed me against the wall. I grunted at the impact and looked up. Crazy eyes stared back at me and I gave him a glare. Fury boiled my blood as I stared at the gray stones of the outer wall.

Jahangir emerged into my line of sight, dressed to the nines, his Gucci frames set perfectly on his face."Let me go, Jahangir"

I glared at him, feeling the swell of new hatred for the man. Haider bounded forward but was quickly forced to his knees. Three men stood at his head and they led us down the rooftop, our hands behind our backs.

"Well well well. Go, check the girl," the guy with the turban gave a short nod and ran towards the house. Haider leaped forward and was dragged back, the blade pressing into the skin of his throat. His lips thinned as he stared down at Jahangir, his eyes burning with hatred.

I closed my eyes and prayed fervently. Hopefully, Razi by some miracle was bundling Alishba in the car and was whisking her away to a safe place.

I looked at our opponents. The man holding the dagger to Haider's neck looked to be about the same age as Haider, his dark hair trimmed close to the skull. His eyes were a striking shade of pale grey, stormy like the thunderous sky. I glared at him, struggling with my restraints, trying to free myself.

"You've been a constant thorn in my side. Why couldn't you let this go?" I smiled at Jahangir, and it wasn't exactly a nice expression. "Such promise..."

I punched him across the face so hard that his head snapped back. Goon One moved forward but Jahangir waved him back. A grim smile graced my lips as blood trickled out of his mouth. "You've been stealing from this country. All those poor people are suffering because of your greed. Why are you here Jahangir? You're just a hired lackey!"

Jahangir's other hand moved lightning-quick, catching the wrist of the hand that clawed at his face. A growl of annoyance burst from me.
Jaw working as he stared down at me, he barked out a short laugh and then turned to Haider.

"Oh, she's feisty. You must have had a lot of fun with her," His finger caressed my cheek and I flinched. Haider growled. "Speaking of hired lackey's, Haider Tauqeer, I should have known you'd be involved. Why is it always you? I knew you were a troubled egg. Brilliant but that damn moral compass..."

"Let her go," Haider bit out. Jahangir tsked, his face etched with cruelty.

Haider moved again, and Grey-eyes pressed the tip of the dagger in just enough for a bead of blood swelled just below his throat and then he laughed as the trickle of blood seeped down his neck.

"No, I think I'll keep her. Such fire, such a fine face..."

"How did you know we'd be here?" I choked out, trying to gain his attention and not let Haider fall in his trap. I took in a few small breaths, my tiptoes touching the ground as he relaxed his grip.

"What did you think? How would I not know? I've got informants in the media. I didn't want to kill the girl, so I had to kill Bakht. Smart move, trying to weave a web around my name. But then again, none of you would be here if you were dumb"

"Flattered," he smiled at my sarcasm.

"Shame that it has to end," my eyes widened at the implication. He turned around to his goons. "Finish this," I crashed to the ground, gasping for breath.

Goon One ran forward with a cry, and it was all too easy to roll to the side. I scuttled backward looked up, and brought a spare brick down on the back of his head, knocking him out. Maybe doing a little more damage.

I was beyond caring at this point.

Haider stood up and jerked his head, knocking the guy behind him onto the ground. He grabbed the dagger and threw it to the side.

Goon Two came forward brandishing a knife, Haider blocked his punch and bent backward to avoid his swing.

Goon Three came to and he bounded forward, his swipe catching my sleeve, just below my shoulder. Cloth tore, and a sharp, stinging pain shot down my entire body.

Staggering back, I looked down to see my sleeve gaping open, and red dotting my exposed skin.

And there had been no time to avoid the blow that landed in the middle of my back, knocking me to the ground. My back burned, but I breathed through the fire that seemed to have ignited. I never saw the boot coming. His fingers closed around my throat, roughly lifting me off my feet. I rolled, my vision blurring for a second as I pushed out my knee, hitting him where it hurt.

A loud gunshot rang out and it seemed like the whole world had stopped.

Confused, I looked towards Haider, my heart in my throat, he stood there, his face frozen in shock.

My entire body spasmed, I dropped my arm, kicking the assassin in the stomach and watched him crash into the wall.

I lifted my head to look at the realization dawn on Haider's face. Something was in his stomach. A bullet. I watched, horrified as his left leg gave way, and he went down. I tried to run towards him, to catch him, but my legs wouldn't respond to the orders my brain was demanding.

I fell to my knees, barely feeling the impact.

My heart cracked wide open, pouring ice into my veins. Jahangir Khan stood in front of me, his face victorious, a pistol in his hand. Slowly, I lifted my gaze. Instinct lashed out and without thinking for a second, my arm curved into a smooth arc and slashed.

Jahangir's eyes widened in surprise as he held my gaze for a moment and then looked down. There was no warning—no sound, nothing. Hands trembling, I let go of the dagger and it cluttered on the asphalt. I scuttled backward, unable to look away from the glaze of shock settling over his features.

I had slashed his chest open.
He would be dead any minute now.
I'd killed him.

The hot summer breeze drifted in but I barely felt it. I watched Waleed run towards Haider, his hands working on trying to stop the flow of blood. I heard Razi call my name, but I felt numb. I feared that I would always be numb, from here until the end.

A ragged sob left me as I tried to make sense of what I had done. My face was wet and I realized I was crying. Oh, god, I had to do it. Everything about him, he had to go. Everything. I had to do it. I had to.

"Haider," I whispered and everything went black.

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