Page 14 of The Prince's Secret Twins

Silently, Joran moved through the quiet, dark neighborhood, his attention fixed on the one house with lights still on. It was just past midnight, and he knew that he should be searching the shadows for danger, but he couldn’t seem to take his mind off Tila and his babies. They were in danger, he knew. He couldn’t identify what that danger was, but he’d felt it in his gut as soon as they’d parked their vehicles a mile away.

So, now he was doing what he’d vowed never to do while out on one of these missions; he was allowing his team to guard his back. His mental distraction told him that he should be more careful, but he couldn’t stop the increasing awareness that something wasn’t right.

Back at the palace, he knew that Raj, Marianna, Khal, and Tasha were helping to get everything set up and ready. It was a monumental task to prepare the palace for a baby and doubly difficult to get it ready for twins.

The night air was cold, but there was no dampness. The arid nature of this region meant that even sweat evaporated quickly. Looking around, Joran felt the expected adrenaline spike as his senses alerted him to danger.

Nearing Tila’s home, he searched the area, trying to understand what bothered him so much. Something was definitely wrong, but nothing moved. The shadows were still, the birds silent, and the trees tranquil.

Tila’s small home was set back from the road, like most of the homes in the area. It was an older neighborhood, the homes built perhaps a hundred years ago. So, the yards were larger, the landscaping more mature.

Nothing moved, so what was bothering him? What was making his muscles twitch? Lifting a hand, he gave the silent signal for his team to stop. Immediately, everyone crouched low, twisting around so that their field of vision created a three hundred and sixty degree view of the area.

Nothing moved. Everything was silent. The only light came from the moon and Tila’s windows.

He saw the curtains move inside Tila’s home and knew that she was still awake. Had she slept since that hour last night…uh…early this morning? Probably not, he thought with grim determination. He wanted to protect Tila not just from outside dangers, but also from her need to do this all alone. Raising twins alone was possible, but it was killing her. Had she eaten the food he’d had delivered? After his assistant had found the food delivery service, he’d made the call himself, describing Tila’s favorite foods, as well as things he remembered she disliked. He’d demanded that the delivery service describe their meal options and he’d personally chosen what would be sent to her.

Focus, Joran mentally admonished. He couldn’t think about what Tila ate for the past eighteen hours. Once he got her back to his home, he’d ensure that his staff fed her whatever her beautiful heart desired. And he’d make sure that she slept for more than an hour at a time. He’d personally take care of his sons, so that she could sleep, if that would give her the reassurance that would allow her to relax enough to do so.

Damn, he’d been dreaming about having her in his home while his team waited silently for his signal. He wasn’t focusing. It was time to get this over with.

He moved his gaze over the area one more time, then lifted his arm, giving the hand signal for the next step in themission. Immediately, his team moved into position. He tapped the radio button that sent the signal to the team waiting with the vehicles.

When he saw his men were in their assigned positions, only then did Joran move in.

Chapter 8

Tila heard the stealthy sounds and turned, suddenly feeling her heart pound frantically against her ribs. Nothing. Had she only imagined the soft noise? She stood very still, watching, rubbing Laith’s back as she watched, waiting.

A moment later, a shadow moved past her window. Normally, this would be cause to call the police emergency line. But in her heart, she knew the shadow was Joran coming back to her.

Tila tried to ignore the excited thud of her heart. He was going to emotionally hurt her again. He’d popped in and out of her life too many times to think he would suddenly change.

Tila refused to be a naive fool anymore. Tonight, she would stand her ground! She would simply tell Joran to leave her and her babies alone. She couldn’t do this crazy is-he-isn’t-he going to show up thing anymore. She had far more important things to do.

All day, she’d mourned the loss of Joran, because she knew she’d have to tell him to stay out of her life. And in her heart, Tila knew this was no way to live. Even now, as she waited, she reminded herself for the hundredth time. A man, a father, who flitted into her life only in the darkness of the night was not a healthy relationship. She should have stopped this madness long before she’d gotten pregnant. But at the time, it had been exciting.

However, it wasn’t exciting anymore. True, her heart was racing, but her heart wasn’t in charge. Not tonight. Her mind was in control and it was past time to move on. She couldn’t keep waiting for Joran. Not anymore. Never again. This was the end.

So, she didn’t scream with alarm when a black-clad leg poked through her window. It was a little startling when the leg jerked back out of her window though. She stopped bouncing Laith in her arms and stared. He was asleep again and she should be too. She’d quickly learned that sleeping whenever both boys were asleep was her only path to survival.

There were some unexpected grunts from outside. Had Joran fallen? Was he struggling to get up? There was a fig tree right outside that window. Had Joran damaged it? Fig trees didn’t have strong branches. The limbs were pretty spindly compared to most other trees. But they could poke and make life uncomfortable. She knew that from experience. Tila had snuck out through that window more than once during her younger years.

The fig leaves shook and there were more grunts and odd sounds. What in the world was going on out there?

She took a step closer, craning her neck to peer out the window. But it was Joran’s face that came into view. Tila forced her shoulders to relax as Joran pulled himself through the window. Why he hadn’t just come in through the front door? But when he stepped into the small bedroom where her sons usually slept, Tila felt a wave of anger. He could have woken up Rafi or Laith! What was he thinking, coming through that particular window? Joran had absolutely no respect or understanding of how much effort it took to get her sons to sleep!

She tried unsuccessfully to tamp it down. When Joran towered over her, she opened her mouth to rebuke him, but his mouth covered hers in a powerful, demanding kiss.

Tila melted, pressing closer, but Laith was still in her arms and Tila couldn’t get as close as she wanted.

Then Joran pulled away and Tila moaned wistfully, needing to keep the kiss going. She’d missed his kisses. No one kissed like Joran. He put his entire soul into kissing her, tasting her, making her want him. Her thoughts had been so consumed over the past few months with babies, that she’d nearly forgotten about the desire that Joran could always stoke within her.

“We need to go.”

Tila froze, confused. She blinked several times, staring up at him as she tried to interpret his words. But they didn’t make any sense. “Go? Go where?”

Joran sighed heavily, then reached out to lightly grip her upper arms. But Tila knew better than to let him touch her. Not again. She’d vowed to tell him to go away, but she’d kissed him back as soon as he’d touched her.

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