Assassins Read Online Free

sounded grimmer now. “The big worry is that the SOB leader Fatima Basheer has hired one of the world’s deadliest assassins for this job.”
    Claustrophobia clutched Ravinder. He sensed something sinister straining to be unleashed, and desperately hoped the Englishman would stop.
    But Kingsley leaned in closer, intruding on his air space, denying that hope. “They have hired Binder. Leon Binder.”
    His words struck like hammer blows. Ravinder started violently. “Leon Binder? Our Leon?”
    â€œYes. Our Leon.” Edward spat out the name as though it were an epithet. “And once again, he brings nothing but death and ugliness into our lives.”
    Ravinder was blown away. This unexpected blast from the past had taken the wind out of his sails.
    Kingsley saw he had scored and drove home the advantage. “Please help us stop him, Ravinder. You’re the only one who can.”
    â€œWhy me, Edward?” A strangled croak. Ravinder was struggling to cope with this sudden ghost from a long-dead past. Never had he imagined life would again deliver all three of them to the same crossroads at the same time.
    â€œWho knows him better?” Kingsley countered. “And Ravinder…”
    â€œThis could be the ideal opportunity to prove your loyalty and redeem yourself,” Kurup arrowed in.
    Ravinder blanched as the words jabbed him, barbs of cancerous pain.
    How dare he? After three decades in uniform and everything that I have done, do I still need to prove my loyalty?
    Suppressing the urge to slap Kurup, Ravinder focused on Kingsley, searching for words to explain why he could not take on this assignment … to share the self-doubt threatening to submerge him … of not knowing whether he could successfully complete this mission. And, even worse , of knowing that when he failed, he would not survive the failure.
    Ravinder thought the MI6 man sensed it too, Kurup’s insensitivity and his self-doubts. He felt Edward’s hand on his shoulder. “Don’t sell yourself short, my friend. I can think of no one better to watch my six.”
    That unexpected touch felt like balm to Ravinder. It unleashed memories of the camaraderie they’d once shared. With that also came thoughts of Leon and the accompanying guilt those memories invoked. Right from the day Farah had died.
    How can I explain my guilt about Leon? Especially to Edward … he will never understand. But I need to know if …
    â€œThat’s your only reason for wanting to go after Binder?” Ravinder pinned Edward with a questioning look, aware how badly the MI6 man had taken his fianc é e’s, Farah’s, death.
    Has he gotten over it even now? Ravinder reflected.
    Perhaps not. Ravinder knew Edward was still a bachelor.
    Silence gripped the patio. The sun had strengthened and it was a beautiful day. However, this was lost on the three men. Like the tea service lying untouched on the center table.
    â€œAre you sure what happened back then…”—Ravinder did not take his gaze off the Britisher—“between Leon and Farah has nothing to do with it?”
    Taken aback by his directness, Edward blinked. Finally shook his head. “No. You know that’s not true, Ravinder.”
    â€œDo I?” Neither man broke eye contact.
    Edward pulled his hand back from Ravinder’s shoulder. Hurt. Perhaps also angry. Ravinder felt the chasm between them widen. It saddened him, but he needed to know.
    Kurup was watching both, riveted. Head swiveling like a Wimbledon fanatic.
    â€œCome on, man. That was…” Kingsley faltered, broke eye contact. Ravinder noticed he was trying hard to stay calm.
    Kingsley sought eye contact again. “That’s not fair, Ravinder.”
    And Ravinder knew it wasn’t. The Edward he had known was a fair man. He wanted to give Kingsley the benefit of the doubt. Simultaneously, his instincts were screaming at him to