Her Desert Protector, page 14
“He cleans up well, doesn’t he?” Sara commented.
“You can say that again.” Zoey held her breath as Khalid walked up to her.
“Good evening, my beautiful Zoey.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss against her lips. “You look ... I wish I spoke as many languages as you do so I could say how divine you look.”
Zoey’s cheeks turned hot, but she smiled at him. “You look more than handsome, I’ll have to beat the women off with a stick.”
“Good thing I have my sword with me because I’ll be fighting for your hand.”
Sara let out a laugh. “Stop the flirting you two, or you’ll be late.”
“Yes, Lady Sara.” Khalid bowed to Sara, then drew Zoey’s hand to the crook of his arm and led her down the stairs. Habib and Ryan stood there waiting for them, both in dress uniforms, which consisted of red and gold.
“I have several men already at the venue,” Ryan said.
Khalid nodded, and they went out to the SUV.
Zoey tried to quell her nerves as the vehicle pulled up in front of the venue. Press and people were lined up behind rope. There was even a red carpet. Khalid emerged first, and the crowd went wild.
He reached back and helped her out of the vehicle. The crowd went silent for a moment, then burst out in cheers. Camera flashes went off, almost blinding her. Khalid tucked her arm into his and led her up the walkway into the building.
She breathed a sigh of relief when they made their way into the foyer. Her nerves were dancing an Irish jig inside her body. Maybe she shouldn’t have allowed herself to be talked into this.
A man in what looked like a butler’s outfit grinned when he saw Khalid. “Your Highness.” He nodded to the other two men standing inside the doors. The man stepped through, and Khalid followed.
“His Royal Highness Prince Khalid and Lady Zoey,” he announced in a loud clear voice. All eyes turned to them, and Zoey wanted to sink into the floor.
“Smile,” Khalid whispered, and she found herself obeying as he led her into the room.
Everyone was dressed to the nines, and she wasn’t comfortable in situations like this. She was more of a hang out with the guys and gals at the local bar drinking beer type than someone who’d attend a big fancy party.
But she kept her head high and smiled as they walked. Khalid stopped and introduced her to person after person. Zoey’s head spun with all the names. She’d never remember them all.
When music started playing, Khalid swung her into his arms and onto the dance floor. Zoey was grateful she’d taken dance lessons a few years ago for a coworker’s wedding.
“I’m never going to remember all those names,” she whispered.
“It will come in time,” Khalid said.
Zoey sighed and relaxed into his embrace. Tonight wasn’t for thinking about how little time she had left in Bashir and with Khalid. She wanted to enjoy the time she had with him and being in his arms tonight was very enjoyable.
When the music stopped, Khalid took her over to the buffet table. “Why don’t you pick out a plate full, and I’ll go get us something to drink?”
“All right.” She watched him walk away, observing how all the women’s gazes followed him. She filled a plate, and then found a small table away from the dance floor for the two of them. She hoped Khalid would see her, as there was a big potted plant next to her.
“Did you see her?” A woman’s voice carried past the plant.
“Yes. She doesn’t belong,” another woman said.
Zoey nibbled at a cracker. Who were these women talking about, and why were women so catty?
“Another foreigner with her sights on the last bachelor prince. Khalid can do better than her.”
She almost choked on her food. They were talking about her.
“And that outfit.”
“One of Ramala’s. I don’t know why the queen uses her. Her clothing is old-fashioned and ugly.”
Zoey glanced down at her dress. It wasn’t ugly. In fact, it looked damn good on her. But it didn’t stop feelings of inadequacy from raising their ugly head. Stop, she ordered herself. She wouldn’t allow them to pull this crap. If they did this to her, what about other women in the country?
“I wonder how she garnered his attention. I heard she’s a photographer or something.”
“He’s probably keeping an eye on her so she doesn’t do something embarrassing.”
Like hell. Zoey rose to her feet to see Khalid standing there, his face furious. She shook her head and rounded the plant.
The three women looked up, their faces going pale. “Umm, Lady Zoey,” one blurted out. This was the one who’d said she was a foreigner.
“Excuse us, Lady Zoey,” the other one said. This was the first one who’d talked.
“You are not excused.” Zoey allowed her gaze to sweep up and down each woman. “Please don’t let me stop your little critique session.”
“We were just talking, Lady Zoey,” the third one said in a quiet voice.
“Now it’s Lady Zoey instead of that foreigner.” Zoey shook her head. One thing she couldn’t stand was the cattiness of other women. “Is your clothing so tight it cut off the blood to your brains?” The women stayed silent, but their gazes wouldn’t meet hers. “For your information, Ramala’s dresses are not ugly, and I’m proud to be wearing one of her creations. I’m a travel blogger and journalist, not just some photographer.” The room had gone silent, but Zoey didn’t stop. “As for embarrassing. I think you three accomplished that all on your own.”
“They have,” Khalid said, coming up behind her and putting his arms around her waist.
The host of the party, whose name Zoey couldn’t remember, came bustling up. “Prince Khalid, Lady Zoey, I am so sorry.”
Zoey turned to him and smiled. “You have nothing to apologize for. The party is lovely.”
The host waved his hand, and two men came over. “Please escort the women out.”
“But Saleem,” one woman started.
“No. I will not have such disgraceful women at this celebration.” The women were escorted away. Saleem raised his hands, and the music started once again as people resumed talking. “My apologies again, Lady Zoey.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “The people of Bashir think highly of you.” Then he turned and left.
Zoey’s face was hot when Khalid led her back to the table. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, trying to control the small tremors inside her. Confronting those women had been hard, but dang it, she couldn’t let their comments slide.
“Zoey.” Khalid slipped his arm around her shoulders.
“I should probably leave.”
“No.” His voice was adamant. “Look around the room, Zoey. What do you see?”
She forced herself to turn her head. “Everyone is dancing.” She fully expected everyone to be staring at her and whispering.
“Yes, they are.” There was a hint of laughter in his voice. “Saleem wasn’t kidding when he said the people of Bashir love you.”
“He said they think highly of me,” she corrected.
“They love you.” He squeezed her shoulders. “You’ve been out among them, helping them, talking to them. They are well aware those three women have never done a day of work in their lives. You’ve gained our country’s respect and love by being you. Never stop.”
His words brought a flush of pleasure and made her heart swell. “Really?”
“Yes, now eat something. I want to dance so I can hold you in my arms.”
Zoey yawned as she filled her coffee cup the next morning. While the party had broken up around eleven, Khalid had brought her back to his room, and they had made love half the night. But the words of those women still bounced around in her brain, as did Khalid’s words.
She had never felt at home as much she did here in Bashir. She was going to be sad to leave. Zoey shook her head and pushed her negative thoughts aside. She needed to make some headway on the pictures she’d been taking. She usually kept up nightly with them, but between the party, stuff going on at the palace, Khalid, and other things, she’d gotten behind.
The sun was out, and Zoey didn’t want to be cooped up inside. She ran upstairs, grabbed her laptop, and made her way into the garden. Catherine had told her she’d been working to make the garden more enjoyable by adding benches, tables, and chairs.
Zoey found one of the sets of tables and chairs, and sat down with her laptop. The air was crisp and clean. At least she had a full charge on her laptop, plus she had her external battery, so she could spend several hours out here. She opened her photo gallery and began going through and sorting the pictures.
“Zoey.” Bobbie’s soft touch on her shoulder made Zoey jump and turn her head.
“Hey, Bobbie.” Zoey sat back and groaned as her back protested. “How long were you standing there?”
“A couple of minutes; you were totally lost in your work.”
“Yeah.” Zoey looked at the clock on her computer. “Yikes, I’ve been at this for hours.” It was so easy for her to lose herself in her work. She usually set an alarm but today she wasn’t worried about time.
“Habib mentioned you were out here. I thought maybe you’d like to share lunch.” Bobbie lifted the small basket she carried and put it on the table.
“You are a saint.”
Bobbie laughed. “Don’t tell Rafi that. He likes my bad parts.”
Zoey closed her laptop and pushed it to the side as Bobbie unloaded the basket with chicken sandwiches, chips, and fruit juice. “And for dessert,” Bobbie said pulling out a container with a flourish. “Chocolate chip cookies.”
“Oh, my God, give me.” Zoey held out her hand. She hadn’t had a good chocolate chip cookie in a while.
Bobbie laughed and handed Zoey the container. Zoey opened it and the bliss of their scent had her groaning. Then she shut the lid and set them aside. “I better eat real food first, or I’ll eat all those cookies.”
“You have to share,” Bobbie said with a laugh.
The two talked and laughed as they ate. Bobbie shared tidbits about being part of the royal family, and Zoey shared about her work and her life.
“I had another reason for this impromptu lunch,” Bobbie said.
“Oh.” Zoey popped another chocolate chip cookie into her mouth. At this rate, she was going to gain ten pounds if she wasn’t careful.
“We heard about the women at last night’s party.”
Zoey’s enjoyment of the cookies fled. She closed the container and took a deep breath. “Are Catherine and Malik upset?”
Bobbie laughed. “Oh, hell no.” Bobbie reached across the table and patted Zoey’s hand. “Zoey, you did the right thing in calling them out. Catherine was so appreciative of your standing up for Ramala’s creations.”
“They’re beautiful clothes. Those women were just being catty, and I can’t stand that.”
“Most of us can’t, but Catherine, as queen, has to be a little more circumspect. These three apparently have harassed her at a couple of events as well.”
“Oh, no. Have I made things worse?” Zoey bit her lower lip. It was the last thing she wanted to do to Catherine or the other women who made her feel so welcome.
“Actually, you made things a lot better.”
“How?”
“Word has been circulating about them and what they said last night and how you confronted them. There have been calls and letters all day advising that the women have been disinvited to the anniversary parties.”
“Oh, no, that will just make things worse.” These women would be angry at her and the family. This wasn’t good.
Bobbie shook her head. “Zoey, you take on too much. These women are from good Bashir families. Those families are very embarrassed. You see, Bashir children are raised to embrace differences, to look beyond the color of one’s skin, how much money people have, all those things. Yes, there is still work to be done, but as a whole, Bashir is a very tolerant country.”
“How did the country become so tolerant?” Zoey was curious, but also this would help her articles. She really needed to get to reading those books she’d bought on Bashir history.
“From what I know, the brothers’ grandfather wasn’t very modern, but he believed in equality. When their dad took over, he took it a step further. Making sure every child was educated and teaching them about the world, not just their own country.”
“I forgot you’re a teacher.”
“Yes. Right now I’m just teaching Zain, but I want to teach at one of the schools eventually.” Bobbie shook her head. “Malik is continuing like his father to make sure Bashir survives as a country.”
“That’s great, but it still doesn’t mean those women won’t want to get even.”
Bobbie laughed. “Trust me when I say they won’t. They’re going to be upset, yes, but they’ll learn their lesson. And if you happen to run into them again, they’ll be very polite.”
“If you say so.”
“I do. Can I see what you were working on?”
“Sure.” Zoey showed Bobbie some of her photos. As they were going through them, she noticed that in a series of photos she took, the same man was in the background. When Bobbie left to go help Rafi in the stables, Zoey went through the series again. There were thirty, all with this man in them.
A shiver slid up her spine. There was something about him. A vibe she got even through the photos. Shutting her laptop, she grabbed her stuff and went to find Khalid. She found him in Malik’s office.
“Do you two have a minute?” she asked. She didn’t want to disturb them if they were in the middle of something important.
“Come on in, Zoey. You’re a far better sight than my brother,” Malik said.
“The same could be said for you.” Khalid brushed a kiss over her cheek when she sat down. “Is there something wrong?”
“Yes and no.” Zoey set her computer on Malik’s desk and opened it up. “Bobbie and I had lunch together. I was showing her my photos when I noticed the same man showing up in them.” She brought up the photos as Malik rounded his desk to look.
Both men swore as they looked at the photos. “That’s Kalif,” Malik said.
“He’s in Bashir City, and we didn’t know it.” Khalid drew his hand through his short black hair. “How did I miss this?”
“Khalid,” Malik started.
“No, Malik. It’s my job.”
“Khalid,” Zoey said softly. She waited until she had his attention. “Look at these pictures. He’s not making himself known. He’s staying in the shadows, and not making it obvious that he’s there.” Zoey didn’t want Khalid to beat himself up over this. “He’s leaning against the building like he’s just a normal everyday guy.”
“But he’s not,” Khalid said.
“No, but he’s not doing anything to make anyone suspicious or to make himself stand out,” Zoey pointed out.
“Zoey’s right,” Malik said. “Can you go through the pictures again?”
“Sure.”
They went through the pictures one by one, three more times. “It’s obvious he was waiting for someone,” Malik said.
“Someone who didn’t show up.” Khalid rubbed his chin. “Zoey, when did you take these?”
Zoey went to her file directory. “Three days ago. I’m behind on going through my photos.”
“Do not blame yourself,” Malik said. “It’s amazing you even found this.”
“Yes, whatever Kalif is up to, at least we know his contact didn’t show up,” Khalid said.
Zoey nodded. “If you see anything more in the photos, let us know,” Malik said.
“Of course.” She was being dismissed. Closing her laptop, she stood and cradled it in her arm. Khalid took her by the elbow and escorted her to the door.
“Thank you, Zoey,” he whispered.
“You don’t need to thank me.”
“I do.” He dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers. “Later we’ll have some fun.”
Her blood heated at his mention of fun. “I’d like that.” She brushed her fingers over his cheek before stepping around him and out the door.
Khalid spent the next few hours in Malik’s office with Ryan, strategizing about what Kalif might be doing in Bashir City and what they could do.
“The final parade is next week, and there’s only one additional event the family is attending,” Ryan said.
“True,” Khalid said as he looked over the schedule.
“So Kalif is either going to try something at the parade or the last event,” Malik said.
“We’ve got everything covered,” Ryan said. “We’ll have extra security at the event.”
“The parade makes the most sense,” Khalid said. “We’ll have security there, but with the crowds and everything, we’re not going to be able to cover it all.”
“True, which is why I wanted to ask about bringing in a couple of sharpshooters,” Ryan said.
Khalid stiffened and stared at Ryan.
“Yeah, I know, you’ve been resistant to the idea, but if Kalif does try something, at least we could possibly mitigate casualties,” Ryan said.
“Or cause more,” Khalid said.
“Khalid,” Malik said. “What is the issue with sharpshooters? You’re one yourself.”
“Too many variables. The chances of an innocent person being hurt are too high.” He should know.
“And you don’t think the chances of people being hurt are high with Kalif?”
“Umm, excuse me,” Ryan said, slipping from Malik’s office.
“It’s just too dangerous,” Khalid said to his brother. The more people in the mix, the more dangerous. Especially with sharpshooters, things went wrong.
“Why is it too dangerous? I trust you and Ryan to pick the right men. Men who won’t take chances if things get out of hand.”
“There are things that can’t be controlled.” Khalid fought to keep his temper down. Malik didn’t understand. Accidents happened. Innocent people died. He’d seen it, he’d been a part of it, and he would never forget it. Which was why he rarely used his sharpshooting skills in the field, only in practice to keep himself sharp.
