Page 6 of At the Sheikh's Bidding
“Leonora,” said Janey, wanting to change the subject and focus on work. “You mentioned earlier that there was someone who could help me gain access to the harem quarters. You were going to introduce me to them.”
Leonora laughed. “I guess I didn’t. Your reaction sidetracked me.”
Janey frowned in confusion.
“It’s Amare,” said Leonora. “I’ve asked him to help you with your research.”
Her head was ringing as if she’d been slapped. Perhaps she’d misheard. She certainlyhopedshe’d misheard. “You’ve done what?”
“Asked Amare to work with you.”
“Why would you do that?” Her voice had dwindled to a croak.
“Because without him, you won’t be able to access the harem,” said Leonora, visibly perplexed. “And without him, your chances of finding the diamond are reduced.Heis the key to your research.”
“He is? Why? Who is he?”
“I thought you knew him from years ago, otherwise I’d have introduced you properly.”
Janey shook her head. “All I knew was his name, Amare. Nothing else.”
Leonora grinned. “Must have been quite some night.”
“It was,” said Janey, but she didn’t smile, she didn’t laugh. The memory was too bitter-sweet, too painful.
“Janey, Amare is Darrius’s youngest brother.”
Janey’s mouth dried as a sense of dread filled her.
“But… Amare isn’t the name of either of his brothers. It’s not. I checked. I…”
“It’s his middle name.” Leonora shrugged. “I guess he prefers it. Anyway, he’s the contact I told you about. The person with information on the diamond which has been passed down orally, which isn’t written down anywhere.”
“Impossible! I can’t work with him.”
“If you want the diamond. You’re going to have to work with him. There’s no other way you can do it.”
CHAPTER3
“No.No,” she repeated, more decisively. “That won’t happen,” said Janey. If she had to, she’d work with someone else, but not him.Neverhim. There could be no other way. She wasn’t prepared for anything else, and she couldn’t cope with anything else. There was no way she could be in Amare’s company without being destroyed, piece by piece, as he took control of her. She knew what that was like. After all, she was raised by a father who had control down to a fine art.
Leonora shook her head. “It’s all arranged.”
She shot a look at Amare, who sat opposite his brothers, facing her. His eyes caught hers and she abruptly looked away. His gaze was like a trap—the kind of old-fashioned trap which, if even only a part of you grazed it, it would snap its sharp claws into your tender flesh.
“Then it needs to be un-arranged. Ican’twork with that man.”
“Amare? Why on earth not?”
“Because…” Janey pressed her fingers against her pounding forehead and closed her eyes as she tried to assemble her thoughts. “He’s impossible.” She opened her eyes and tried to convey the urgency of her thoughts to Leonora. “He’s… controlling.”
Leonora’s face relaxed. “Oh, don’t worry about that! They all are. But underneath that facade, he’ll be like Darrius.” She shot a glance at her new husband. “Putty in your hands.”
“No! You don’t understand! What he said to me. It took control to a whole other level.” She shook her head. “I can’t work with him, Leonora. I simply can’t.”
But, before Leonora could reply, a blast of music filled the air, and they both turned to look at Darrius, who stood in front of Leonora, his arm extended. “It’s time,habibti.”
To Janey’s consternation, Leonora didn’t demur, but took his hand. Her attention had shifted away from Janey and her dilemma and was now focused entirely on Darrius. Which it should be, thought Jane, suddenly feeling guilty at forcing her own concerns on Leonora on her wedding night. But still… As the newly married couple walked away through clouds of confetti accompanied by cheers and laughter, she felt eyes on her. Not just anybody’s eyes, but someone whose gaze seared her skin.
