Page 32 of Hiding in the Sheik's Arms

“No,” she said, closing her eyes briefly, shaking her head before looking up at him again. “I meant, what did you mean about her sneaking out?”

“Oh,” he said, chuckling and starting their casual, forward momentum again. “She is still hurt and angry about losing her mother and being forced to live here. She’s rebelling against me and the pain she’s feeling. So, she sneaks out every night, finding a rave or a dance club. When she first started this rebellion, Marianna would stay out until around three or four every morning.” He nodded to the guards holding open the door to the next section of the palace before he continued. “More recently, she gets bored and falls into bed around two-ish. But apparently, last night’s rebellion lasted a bit later.”

“You…don’t mind that she’s going out at night?”

“Of course I do,” he said, leading her into his office. He paused by the doorway, speaking to one of the other assistants, asking them to send coffee and breakfast to his office. Then he led her in, closing the door behind them. “I’d prefer that she yell at me and get all of her anger out that way. But this is the way Marianna has chosen to do it.”

“But…she could get hurt! She’s only sixteen years old!”

“I know. I have doubled the guards protecting her. And the only men she dances with are palace guards who enterthe clubs under cover. Her guards ensure that the other rave participants don’t bother her. Thankfully, she doesn’t drink and, so far, she hasn’t tried to buy any drugs.”

Tasha stared up at him, unaware of her mouth hanging open. “That’s…brilliant!” she finally said with a stunned laugh.

He growled and pulled her back into his arms. “I have a few moments of brilliance. You should know that by now.”

Tasha laughed, her hands on his shoulders as she leaned in for his kiss. But before things could get out of hand, a knock sounded on the door.

Tasha jerked out of his arms and smoothed a hand down over her chocolate sweater and black slacks, making sure that she looked professional. “Come in!” she called out. Then realized what she’d just done and looked up at Khal. He lifted a sardonic eyebrow in her direction, but didn’t correct her.

A palace servant pushed a cart filled with a coffee service and several dishes covered in silver domes. The servant bowed and quickly left Khal’s office, pulling the door closed behind him.

“And now, we eat!” he said, lifting the silver dome, allowing the delicious scents of the food to waft into the air.

Chapter 26

Nathan wanted to punch something. “Answer the damn phone when I call you!” he bellowed as soon as Evan answered.

“I’ve been busy,” Evan countered, sipping his beer as he gazed out at the beautiful sunset. “What do you want?”

Nathan ground his teeth together, wishing that the man was here so he could…!

“I want to know why you haven’t gotten me proof yet. Is the woman with Sheik Al-Sintra? And if so, what the hell are you doing to get her out of that damn fortress?”

Evan took another sip of his beer, enjoying the moment of power. Finally, he set the beer back on the table. “No, I don’t have confirmation that the woman in the pictures last week is your fiancée.”

“Why the hell not? What have you been doing for the past several days? I thought you were going to create another explosion that would get the sheik out of the palace, and Tasha with him!”

“It’s not that easy. I’ve tried several ways to create a…diversion. But after last week’s power station explosion, everyone around here is on high alert. Hell, even the casual passers-by on the sidewalk are angsty. I put a small bomb in a backpack yesterday, but it was discovered within minutes and taken away.” Evan was really irritated about that. It had been a very pretty bomb! The impact definitely would have created several casualties and the bastard sheik what’s his name would have had to come out to inspect. And the pretty woman by his side would have been an easy target. He’d planned to capture her even if she wasn’t the O’Connor woman. If it hadn’t been her, she would have been released. Eventually.

“So, what the hellareyou going to do?”

Evan contemplated the possibilities. “I need to wait. The people here are jittery.” And with reason, he thought with an inner chuckle. “I can try again in about a month. Everyone will be back to their regular routines by then.” And he could take that hit job in Switzerland during that month. It would earn him a cool hundred thousand dollars, then he could be back here to figure out his next step.

“No! I can’t wait another month! Hell, my re-election campaign is already underway and I need my fiancée by my side.” He sighed and Evan pictured the old man running a hand through his silver hair. “The press are starting to ask questions about Tasha. I need her by my side. Damn it, I need a ring on her finger before she gets some stupid idea to release those videos of our conversations to the press!”

“She won’t,” Evan assured him. “The bitch is either here in Lativa or some other place, hiding out. After that beating you gave her,” he chuckled, “she’s dug in and isn’t going to be a problem.”

“I can’t take that chance!” Nathan snapped. He breathed in and expelled the air slowly. “I guess I’m going to have to do this myself.” Then the prick ended the call.

Evan stared at the phone to ensure that the call was over. When the small screen showed nothing, he shrugged and reached for his beer again. “Looks like I’ll get to take that job after all!” he said, then tossed the cell phone into the trash.

Chapter 27

Marianna rolled over and stared up at the ceiling, releasing a heavy breath. It was well past noon and she felt…nothing. The anger was gone and all she felt now was an odd sort of numbness.

What was she doing? She snuck out of this place every damn night and for what purpose? She hated the music at those clubs. The men she met were mighty fine, but they were all boring. The drinks were watered down and tasteless.

So, what was the point? This wasn’t who she was! Marianna loved school and learning. She’d been at the top of her class in Paris, eagerly anticipating her university days. She’d had goals and dreams. She’d wanted to become someone! She wanted to change the world!

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