KHALID’S VILLA
5:45 p.m.
I enter the villa and find myself face to face with Hakim and Khalid.
They both stare at me, puzzled. They try to pull out their weapons, but I immediately point mine at them.
"I suggest you stay calm because right now, I’m itching to put a bullet in both your heads."
Khalid growls.
"What do you want, kid?"
I raise an eyebrow.
"Did you just call me a kid, or am I hallucinating?"
"Inara came crying into your arms so you could come save her like Prince Charming, is that it?" spits Hakim.
"You, shut the f**k up. I’m not talking to the lackey. Get lost."
"Hakim, leave us. I need to talk to Alexander alone."
Hakim nods and heads toward the villa’s front door. As he walks past me, I shoulder-check him hard enough to make him lose balance. He glares at me and
