Page 47 of Passion and Deception

“How was your trip?” he asked, not showing any of his irritation. “Did you destroy any new trade agreements?” He poured them each a cup of coffee. He didn’t want coffee though. He wanted to see Maggie. Why hadn’t she stopped by? Or sent a message that she wanted to see him? Was she finished with him? Had their two weeks together been all that she wanted?

Ciara accepted the cup and held it in long, slim fingers. “First of all, I’d like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent our country. It’s nice that you trusted me with the trip.” She took a sip of her coffee, then set the cup down. “I spoke with the leaders of all six countries. I also worked out deals with several new manufacturers. They want to build factories here in Ditra, but warned them that our minimum wage was going up in six months.”

“And what did they say?” he asked, settling down in the leather chair as he listened.

“They were more hesitant, which is a good thing. We don’t need low wage jobs, Ramit. You’ve improved the university system here in Ditra. We want the research jobs. We want to attract the higher paying companies that will allow the people here to have more power for their voices.”

“I think they have a powerful enough voice in you, dear sister.”

Ciara rolled her eyes. “I don’t know all of the battles that need to be fought. And don’t be sarcastic. You want the higher paying jobs too.”

He sipped his coffee, wondering if he should switch to tea. It would be a sort of mental support for Maggie, since she still couldn’t drink caffeine. Were there other ways he could support her? He made a mental note to tell his assistant that he wanted to cancel any meetings tonight. He needed to see Maggie more than he needed to speak with anyone else. Plus, what would she think about a position as an advocate for those who don’t have a voice? Maybe she would feel more useful if she had a mission? She was certainly passionate about women’s rights, he though, remembering her impromptu lesson at the museum the first day he’d met her.

“Zayed and Falk are here. Did you forget about them?” Ciara asked, bringing his attention back to the current issue.

Ramit groaned. “No, I haven’t forgotten about them. We’re talking about the bridge system over the Yazee River this afternoon.”

Ciara snorted. “You’re playing poker for the rest of the night,” she countered.

Ramit tilted his head slightly. “That might have been our plans in the past, but I want them to meet Maggie tonight. Will you join us for dinner as well?”

She contemplated that offer for a moment, then nodded. “Sure. I can bore all of you with news from my trip.” With that, she stood up and grinned down at her brother. “And since I’ll be seeing all of you tonight, I’ll take my leave and go meet my new niece.”

Ramit was jealous. He missed Nadia, ached to hold her in his arms. He’d have to tell his assistant that he needed time with Nadia every day. That had to be non-negotiable. These back to back meetings that took up eighteen hours of every damn day had to stop. He had a wife and a daughter now!

Speaking of wives, he called out, “When are you setting the wedding date?”

That stopped Ciara’s momentum. She turned, opened her mouth to say something, then changed her mind. “Soon,” was her only reply, then she headed out of the office.

Ramit sighed with frustration. Did she not know that she was engaged to the wrong man? Ciara was a smart woman! Why was she persisting in hiding behind this ridiculous betrothal to Zayed? Falk was becoming impatient as well. He wondered if the other man was finally going to take matters into his own hands.

Or maybe there was a way to make that happen sooner, Ramit thought. Perhaps if he created a project where Falk and Ciara had to work together…?

Before he could come up with a plan, his assistant pushed into the room. “Your Highness, the matter you asked me to monitor…!”

“Yes?” he demanded, turning to the shorter man. “What’s happening with Todras?” The man had been threatening to hurt Maggie. He’d made several very distinct threats, which was why he’d had to get Maggie and Nadia out of harm’s way. The pictures Todras had been threatening him with were gone, the idiot was deeply in debt, and his social circle was made aware of the man’s lack of funds. Unfortunately, Humphrey and Barney were desperate and desperate men made bad decisions.

The shorter man hesitated, then said, “Mr. Humphrey Todras stumbled down a flight of stairs yesterday evening, Your Highness. His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.” There was a pause, then the man said, “He was killed instantly but….”

“But what?” Ramit prompted, his shoulders tense as he waited for whatever his assistant was hesitating to say.

The man took a deep breath, then said, “There is some speculation that the fall wasn’t…accidental,” he finished.

Ramit stared at the man for a long moment. Yes, he should be saddened by the loss of life, but he was also intensely relieved that Maggie and Nadia no longer had that pathetic excuse for a man threatening their lives. Not that Ramit would have allowed the slime to get close to his family.

Then he thought about the information that his security team had discovered about the man. “That’s very unfortunate. Please send flowers and condolences to his grandmother. I know that they were close.” Actually, Ramit didn’t know that fact at all. He knew that the man was living with his grandmother, but he wasn’t aware of the extent of their personal relationship.

His assistant nodded and looked down at the tablet in his hand. “I will have flowers delivered immediately.”

Ramit sighed, relieved that the threat was over and saddened that the man hadn’t done more with the life he’d been given. Except that the man had threatened his family. Still, he nodded his acknowledgement of the news. “Thank you for telling me.” He thought for another moment, then made another snap decision. “When is my next meeting?”

“It is in five minutes.”

“Push it back thirty minutes. I need to inform my wife of this news.” He didn’t. Telling Maggie about Humphrey was merely an excuse to see her.

When he walked into their suite a few moments later, it was to find her holding Nadia on her lap, clapping the little girl’s hands together and making silly faces. Nadia was happily laughing and playing along.

“Maggie,” he called, his tension easing when she looked up and he saw the excitement in her eyes.

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