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Shi’s mind raced. He needed an out—therehadto be an out—but he could think of none. Shi wavered.Better the US than China,he thought.At least I’ll have a second chance there.With a final, bitter breath, Shi’s shoulders slumped in defeat.

“Wise decision.” Slash rapped on the bulkhead next to the pilot’s curtain. “Does anyone in the cockpit speak English?”

“I do,” said one of the pilots cautiously.

“Please come out here and witness a statement by Mr. Shi.” When the pilot emerged, Slash asked him to take a seat near Shi. “Please note that Mr. Shi is making this statement of his own free will. I’m not holding him under duress, and I’m not carrying a weapon to threaten him. Now, Mr. Shi, do you wish to relinquish your Chinese citizenship and defect to the US? Do you do so knowing you are not promised favorable conditions or immunity from prosecution for any crimes that you may have committed against the United States? I need two yeses from you. One for defecting and the other that we have not promised you any favorable treatment or immunity. Understand?”

The humiliation was overwhelming. He couldn’t even look at the pilot or Slash. The honorable thing to do would be to commit suicide, but he didn’t have any means and he wasn’t sure he could do it even if he had. This was his point of no return. He wanted to plead with Slash for some other option. What could he trade? He stole a quick look at the American. He couldn’t see his eyes, but he knew Slash would not negotiate any more than he would have if the situation had been reversed.

“Yes, and yes,” he said quietly.

“I need you to say it louder. I want to make sure we know that you want to do this of your own accord.”

“Yes, damn you,” he shouted, his anger and frustrations breaking lose. “Yes, yes, yes, yes, whatever.”

Slash turned to the pilot. “You may report this conversation to whoever in China needs to hear it.”

Slash leaned forward and grabbed Shi’s arm, yanking him into the aisle and frisking him like he was a common criminal. Slash took his wallet, phone, passport, and everything he had on him. Slash then pulled him none too gently off the plane and down the steps. When they reached the tarmac, Shi was cuffed, and Slash faced him one last time.

“These officers will hold you until a plane arrives in a few hours to transport you to the US. Do not attempt to bribe them. They were not fooled by you and Maivia. They faithfully protected the prime minister from your attempts to harm her and her family. Also, they do not have to put you on the airplane in pristine condition, so I wouldn’t irritate them.”

Slash started to walk away, then turned back to face Shi. “You were right about one thing though,” he said, a smile crossing his face. “Fate is fickle and fair. But she was never working for you, Shi. She worked for me.”

Shi glared as he was dragged away and shoved into the waiting police car. He watched from a distance as Slash pulled out his phone and spoke into it. He was pretty good at reading lips, so he narrowed his eyes to make out what Slash was saying.

“Did you get all that, Candace?” Slash asked. “Looks like we’re going to need that plane after all.”

Shi wasn’t sure what his future held. It wouldn’t be good, but at least it was a future.

FORTY-FIVE

Lexi

Iawoke to the soft breaking of waves on the beach and the rustling of palm trees coming from the open French doors at the back of the bungalow. I stirred, stretching luxuriously as the warm sunlight streamed in, casting patterns across the floor. I stretched and sat up, the view of the ocean beyond the veranda immediately bringing a sense of calm. A light breeze danced through the room, and with it the salty scent of the sea.

Slash slept beside me, one muscular arm resting against the pillow, breathing deeply. He’d arisen while it was still dark out to go to the airport and meet the Americans and the plane that had arrived to pick up Shi. Apparently, all had gone well, because when he returned and snuggled in, he’d whispered it had all been taken care of, and he’d sounded happy.

Now, he looked peaceful and at rest. As I watched, his dark lashes fluttered open. When he saw me sitting there with the sheet pressed to my chest, he smiled.

“Good morning,cara.” His voice was still husky with sleep.

“Good morning, Slash.”

He snaked his arm across my waist, pulling me toward him until I lay next to him, my cheek resting against his warm chest. I snuggled in closer, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath my fingers. His hand slid down my back, resting comfortably on my hip.

“I can’t believe we’re here, alive, and still married after everything that happened on our honeymoon,” I murmured.

“Why still married?” he repeated, sounding amused. “You think I’d leave you because of a coup?”

“No. I think you’d leave me because of a black cloud, even if it’s ours now.”

Slash pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “It may not have been the honeymoon I imagined, but it’s ours. Andcara…you know I will never leave you. Ever.”

“I hope you mean that, because I don’t think that little black cloud is ever going to leave us alone. You know, Slash, this time I really believed we were going to lie on the beach all day, drink cocktails, and complain about sand in weird places.”

“And as usual, we got more than we bargained for.” Slash cupped my cheek, and I leaned into his warm hand. “But we made it. Against all odds, we’re still standing…or lying down, in our present case.”

I lifted my head to look at him, and he gently brushed a strand of hair from my face. “I’m just glad we got out of that mess, the prime minister is okay, and Shi will be locked away forever. I came a lot closer to losing you than I care to admit, and it scared me.”