“For you, it lies with that fifteen-year-old girl you had to leave behind in the tent last night. That couldn’t be more clear. Don’t worry, I’ll get her out. I’ll get them all out. I’ve already got a plan in the works that was intended for Masenak. All I have to do is adjust it to the situation. You’ve seen that I have the men, the weapons, and the helicopter to transport those girls to safety.” He added grimly, “I’d just like to try to give myself a shot at taking down Masenak at the same time if I can work it out.” He held up his hand as she opened her lips. “I said if I can work it out. It’s going to be difficult as hell. If I can’t, I’ll just go for rescuing the girls and chase down Masenak later. I won’t be any worse off than I was before you showed up at the palace trying to burgle me. And now that I have Baldwin, he could be a storehouse of information.” He was frowning thoughtfully. “I tried to line up a few different scenarios last night when I was waiting for you to show. I’ll go back to my tent and work on some more today.” He glanced at her. “You’d better go get some sleep. I’ll discuss it with you later.”

She shook her head. “What are you talking about? You’ve just said it’s a go, that you’ll do it. I’m too excited and nervous to sleep.” She could feel the excitement zinging through her. “I need to go back to your tent with you and help set it up. It’s not as if I haven’t been trained to do this.” She was talking fast, trying to convince him. “I’m not an amateur. If anyone is an amateur, it’s you. What if you do something wrong? I need to be around to provide checks and balances.”

He swore softly. “You’re impossible. Why do I feel as if you’re trying to take over the operation? Back off, Alisa.”

“I can’t. Okay, I was too pushy. Don’t shut me out. This is too important to me. I promise I won’t get in your way.” She whispered: “Please.”

He looked at the desperation on her face and slowly shook his head. “I’m not certain I can trust you. You want this too much.” Then he shrugged. “But I did have one idea that I thought you might be helpful exploring. You can come to my tent and have coffee with me and we’ll discuss it.”