Read Online SEAL's Deception (Take No Prisoners Book 8) by Elle James - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Elle James
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feel off balance, or poised and ready to sprint. Thankfully, the limousine pulled up to the steps of the aircraft, and she didn’t have to walk far to get on the jet.
Having Ben by her side made the whole ordeal that much easier to stomach. At the same time, she regretted getting him and his friends into this situation in the first place. These men were the heroes of their country. Taking them into an unsanctioned operation could jeopardize everything they’d worked for. Why the CIA had sent them in the first place, she could only guess. Perhaps, because they’d been in on the initial operation, unearthing the plot to use biological weapons against populations. She supposed that was enough of a reason to send them into the palace of a prince in the heart of Saudi Arabia. Nothing about this operation seemed easy. She hoped her disguise would be enough to get them inside. From there, they’d have to be clever enough to move around the interior of the palace undetected.
At the bottom of the steps leading upward into the aircraft, a man in traditional Arab dress of a white robe with the red-and-white headpiece waited to greet her.
As she approached, the man dipped his head slightly. “Princess Aliya, I am Muhammad Rashad, Prince Khalid’s trusted servant. It is my pleasure to escort you to his palace in Riyadh. Do you speak Arabic, or would you prefer English?”
His lip curled on one side in what Yasmin could only describe as a sneer. “My Arabic is quite rusty. I would prefer English, for now.”
Muhammad again tilted his head. “As you wish.” He waved his hand toward the steps. “Once you and your luggage are on board, we can proceed.”
Before she could move forward, Muhammad stepped in front of her and climbed the steps.
Yasmin squashed her annoyance at the man’s rudeness, telling herself he was a typical Saudi male, used to disregarding the comforts and needs of females. She would be hard-pressed to keep her temper in the male-dominant society. But, for the sake of the mission, she must. She cast a quick glance at Ben.
He nodded toward Irish, who sprinted up the stairs after Rashad.
When Irish reached the top, he ducked inside. In a few moments, he returned to the door and gave a thumbs-up signal.
Yasmin went next.
Ben followed close behind, leaving Stingray to bring up the rear.
Once they were all inside, the two security guards from the van joined them, pulling the stairs up and into the plane.
Khalid had spared no expense on the interior of the aircraft. The seats were covered in fine, butter-soft white leather. Tables were of highly polished mahogany, and all metal trimmings were gold. Yasmin would bet it wasn’t just gold paint.
Rashad waved his hand to indicate she should take the chair opposite him. If she’d had much of a choice, she’d rather have sat with the SEAL team. Rashad would likely bore her to tears within minutes of takeoff.
Then again, she hadn’t slept much the night before. Perhaps falling asleep in front of her escort wouldn’t be a bad idea. A six-and-a-half-hour nap would leave her refreshed and ready to take on the entire House of Saud upon her arrival. Settling into the seat across from Rashad, Yasmin had the urge to pull her scarf over her face.
The plane’s engines roared to life and the craft taxied to the end of the runway. A few moments later, they were flying southeast, on their way to their destiny.
Yasmin eased her grip on the arms of her seat, trying to relax. This would be one of her toughest assignments. Maintaining a cool, calm exterior would be an important part of keeping her true identity from being discovered. From here on out, she had to think, breathe and be Princess Aliya.
Rashad stared at her, his eyes narrowed.
Yasmin fought the urge to squirm. Rashad’s glance made her feel as though he could see through her to the secrets she held close.
If he knew she wasn’t the real princess, he didn’t say so.
Instead, he leaned back in his
Having Ben by her side made the whole ordeal that much easier to stomach. At the same time, she regretted getting him and his friends into this situation in the first place. These men were the heroes of their country. Taking them into an unsanctioned operation could jeopardize everything they’d worked for. Why the CIA had sent them in the first place, she could only guess. Perhaps, because they’d been in on the initial operation, unearthing the plot to use biological weapons against populations. She supposed that was enough of a reason to send them into the palace of a prince in the heart of Saudi Arabia. Nothing about this operation seemed easy. She hoped her disguise would be enough to get them inside. From there, they’d have to be clever enough to move around the interior of the palace undetected.
At the bottom of the steps leading upward into the aircraft, a man in traditional Arab dress of a white robe with the red-and-white headpiece waited to greet her.
As she approached, the man dipped his head slightly. “Princess Aliya, I am Muhammad Rashad, Prince Khalid’s trusted servant. It is my pleasure to escort you to his palace in Riyadh. Do you speak Arabic, or would you prefer English?”
His lip curled on one side in what Yasmin could only describe as a sneer. “My Arabic is quite rusty. I would prefer English, for now.”
Muhammad again tilted his head. “As you wish.” He waved his hand toward the steps. “Once you and your luggage are on board, we can proceed.”
Before she could move forward, Muhammad stepped in front of her and climbed the steps.
Yasmin squashed her annoyance at the man’s rudeness, telling herself he was a typical Saudi male, used to disregarding the comforts and needs of females. She would be hard-pressed to keep her temper in the male-dominant society. But, for the sake of the mission, she must. She cast a quick glance at Ben.
He nodded toward Irish, who sprinted up the stairs after Rashad.
When Irish reached the top, he ducked inside. In a few moments, he returned to the door and gave a thumbs-up signal.
Yasmin went next.
Ben followed close behind, leaving Stingray to bring up the rear.
Once they were all inside, the two security guards from the van joined them, pulling the stairs up and into the plane.
Khalid had spared no expense on the interior of the aircraft. The seats were covered in fine, butter-soft white leather. Tables were of highly polished mahogany, and all metal trimmings were gold. Yasmin would bet it wasn’t just gold paint.
Rashad waved his hand to indicate she should take the chair opposite him. If she’d had much of a choice, she’d rather have sat with the SEAL team. Rashad would likely bore her to tears within minutes of takeoff.
Then again, she hadn’t slept much the night before. Perhaps falling asleep in front of her escort wouldn’t be a bad idea. A six-and-a-half-hour nap would leave her refreshed and ready to take on the entire House of Saud upon her arrival. Settling into the seat across from Rashad, Yasmin had the urge to pull her scarf over her face.
The plane’s engines roared to life and the craft taxied to the end of the runway. A few moments later, they were flying southeast, on their way to their destiny.
Yasmin eased her grip on the arms of her seat, trying to relax. This would be one of her toughest assignments. Maintaining a cool, calm exterior would be an important part of keeping her true identity from being discovered. From here on out, she had to think, breathe and be Princess Aliya.
Rashad stared at her, his eyes narrowed.
Yasmin fought the urge to squirm. Rashad’s glance made her feel as though he could see through her to the secrets she held close.
If he knew she wasn’t the real princess, he didn’t say so.
Instead, he leaned back in his
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