Her Desert Protector, page 17
“Get him here. I want him to see his woman die.”
“Not going to happen,” Khalid muttered. “Come on, baby, move your head just a little.” Zoey was in the line of fire, and he wouldn’t take any chances with her. “Keep him talking, Ryan. I don’t have a shot.”
“Come on, Kalif. You don’t want to die.”
Kalif let out a laugh. “Do you really think he’ll let me live?”
“Khalid is not a killer,” Zoey said.
“Shut up.” Kalif tightened his grip on her.
Khalid fought to breathe. If the knife slipped or his shot missed ... No, he wouldn’t think about that. He blocked out the voices and zeroed in on his target.
Zoey’s arm moved. What was she doing?
Zoey inched her fingers to her side pocket and began easing the knife from its place. She was only going to have one shot at this. Khalid had to be watching from the scope on his sniper’s gun. That would be the only reason he wasn’t here in front of her.
They’d spoken at night in bed about his time with the UK special forces, not that he said much, just how he was a sharpshooter and, while he’d kept up with his skill, he only used it on very rare and needed occasions. If there was ever a time for him to use his special skill, it was now.
Kalif kept her positioned very carefully, so Zoey knew she would have to make a bold move. Ryan didn’t take his eyes off Kalif as she pulled the knife free. She closed her eyes and sent a quick prayer, then plunged the knife into Kalif’s leg.
He roared in pain, and the arm around her neck dropped. Zoey dropped to the ground, and a shot sounded. She felt the thunk of someone falling before Ryan was at her side.
“Zoey, are you all right?” He half lifted her off the ground.
“I’m ... ” Her head was spinning, and her heart was pounding. She’d never stabbed a man before. She glanced behind her to see Kalif lying in the sand with a hole in his head and the knife sticking out of his leg, blood flowing.
“Zoey,” Khalid yelled as he slid to his knees in front of her, his gun thrown over his back with a strap across his chest. He was breathing hard, and she realized he must have run flat out from his position.
“I’m fine,” she whispered as she looked at his worried face. Her eyes filled with tears, and then suddenly she was sobbing.
Khalid pulled Zoey into his arms as she cried. “Zoey, honey.”
“It’s the shock of everything, Khalid,” Ryan said. “The SUVs should be here within the hour. Unless you want to call in the helicopter?” A blanket was produced and thrown over her. “Let’s take her away from this.” Ryan waved his hand at Kalif’s body.
Khalid nodded. Ryan slipped the sniper rifle from his back, and helped Khalid to his feet. Khalid carried her to the edge of the camp, and then sat down in the shade provided by one of the tents. Ryan set his rifle next to him and then left them alone.
“I’ve got you, baby.” He rubbed her back. “No one will ever hurt you again,” he whispered against her ear as he held her close.
“I’m fine. I really am,” Zoey said two days later, as Catherine, Sara, and Bobbie entered her room to find her sitting at her computer.
She actually couldn’t blame the women for wanting to see her and wait on her. When Khalid had arrived back with her, Hassan had taken over. She’d been in shock, but also mildly dehydrated. She’d been put to bed and given a mild sedative.
Hassan wanted to take her to the hospital, but Khalid vetoed it. Instead, he stayed with her, making her drink every time she woke up for the first twelve hours. For the next forty-eight hours he refused to leave her side. She’d finally got him to leave her a few hours ago, so he could shower, change, and talk with Malik. The lines of strain were apparent on his face.
It didn’t matter. She had told him she would be fine, but apparently he’d sent the women to check on her and make sure she didn’t overdo it.
“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Bobbie said.
“It’s good she’s up and moving around,” Sara said.
“I can’t believe you stabbed Kalif,” Catherine said.
“Catherine,” Bobbie and Sara shouted.
Zoey smiled. “It’s all right.” She’d come to terms with what she’d done. From the time she’d spent in Iraq, she was aware not everything was black and white. The choice had been to stab Kalif or let him kill her. She’d made the decision to go out fighting, and she had.
The women sat down. “Ryan told us what happened,” Catherine said.
Zoey nodded. The entire drive back to the palace, she’d been aware of Ryan’s gaze, the approval in it. Habib had made sure the blanket stayed wrapped around her while giving Khalid water for her to drink.
Now she was feeling like her old self. But there were things she needed to get out of her head, and she found writing them down really helped. She’d kept an electronic journal for so long it was habit, but today she really needed it.
So as the women talked, she typed, and typed, and typed. She was good at multitasking, keeping up with the conversation and typing. By the time Zoey was finished, she had more than twenty pages, and the women were calling for food.
Sara walked up to Zoey. “All typed out, now?”
Zoey looked up at her. “Better.”
“Good.” Sara touched Zoey shoulder. “If you have any nightmares, or issues with sleeplessness, fear, super alertness, or anything out of the ordinary, please don’t keep it to yourself. If you don’t want to tell Khalid or Hassan, come to me.”
Gratitude filled Zoey. “Thank you, Sara.” Zoey stood and hugged Sara.
“What happened to you was a trauma, and I don’t want you to suffer.”
“Honestly, I think what I saw and experienced was worse in Iraq, but I do appreciate the offer. I’m worried about Khalid.”
“Why?”
“He took a life. That has to weigh heavily on him.” Did Sara not know about what happened in the UK? Had Khalid not told anyone but her? It was possible. The man was tight- lipped about certain things.
“He’ll talk to Hassan.”
“Food is here,” Catherine said as she opened the door.
Four hours later, Zoey found Khalid in the garden. “You should be resting,” he said when he saw her.
“I’ve rested enough.” She walked into his open arms. “I think you could use some sleep.” She ran her fingers over the lines of tiredness creasing his handsome features.
He shook his head. “When I close my eyes, all I see is that knife to your throat.”
“I’m safe. We’re both safe.” Zoey ran her hands over his back. “Have you talked to Hassan?”
He shook his head. Zoey stepped back and led him over to the bench. “You aren’t sleeping, you’ve never slept well. Khalid, you have to let someone help you.” She kept her arms around him.
“I can’t,” he whispered.
“You can.” She rubbed his back. “What happened wasn’t your fault.”
“My head says that’s true, but my heart ... ” He rubbed his chest.
“Khalid,” Zoey said, placing her hand over his.
“My Zoey,” he said, his forehead coming to rest against hers. “I love you.”
He loved her. She inhaled. Her heart squeezed. “Oh, Khalid. I love you too.” There, she’d said the words. It was a relief to finally tell him of her love.
His dark eyes flared with heat. “You love me.”
“Of course I do.”
“But I overheard Bobbie and Catherine talking about your leaving?”
“Yes. Khalid, I didn’t want to burden you with my wanderlust. You understand why I can’t sit still.”
“I do, but there has to be a way.”
“How? You’re a prince, part of the royal family. They need you. You’re head of security.”
“I need you.”
“As I do you.” She shook her head. “Let’s not talk about this now. Tomorrow is the anniversary parade.” It had been delayed a few days because of her kidnapping and rescue. “You can’t let down the people of Bashir.”
He shook his head. “My Zoey, always thinking of others.”
Zoey wandered around the crowds for the parade, snapping pictures. Her lips curved into a smile. The people loved the royal family. Khalid had wanted her with him, but she finally convinced him to let her take her pictures among the crowd.
A float went by with the peace symbol, and the crowd cheered. Khalid had told her that one of the elders had told his grandson about the peace sign being used as a symbol for the people to resist. The grandson had told his friends. They were the ones who were painting it on the buildings, to give the people a symbol.
Habib was right beside her. Ryan and the others were protecting the family, but with Kalif dead, everyone was more relaxed. She stopped and took pictures as the parade went by. She was allowed to be on the edge of the street so she could take her pictures. Habib made sure of that. Being able to be here so close was a rare chance to photograph a parade in a small Middle-Eastern country. Her shutter constantly clicked, the viewfinder rarely more than a fraction of an inch from her eye.
As the float with the royal family came into view, Zoey pointed her lens toward them and zoomed, finger pressed to the shutter. She moved between them and the people. This was going to make for a feel-good article. Her stomach clenched.
She would be leaving soon. She couldn’t stay, as much as she wanted to. Maybe in ten years or so, she’d be able to settle down in one place, but she couldn’t ask Khalid to wait that long. She loved him, and she was willing to let him go. It wasn’t fair to make him choose between his duty and her.
The crowd grew louder as the royal family’s float moved closer. Zoey took picture after picture. Later she’d put them all together and smile. She stayed in front of the float until Habib put a hand on her arm.
“Habib?”
“Wait, Lady Zoey.”
She turned to see Khalid jump off the float and stride over to her. The crowd went wild. He took her hands in his. “We have a solution, but more about that later. Right now.” He knelt before she could question him.
Zoey’s heart pounded. What was he doing? “Lady Zoey Lacey, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Zoey’s eyes widened. “Ummm.” He was proposing? In front of everyone? After her telling him she couldn’t stay? Her stomach clenched.
“Trust me,” he whispered.
“I do,” she whispered back. The crowd grew quiet. She gathered her courage. She was going to let her heart speak for once. “Yes, Khalid. I’ll marry you,” she said in a loud voice.
The crowd went crazy. Khalid stood, scooped her up into his arms, and climbed back aboard the float. Everyone was clapping, and Catherine had tears in her eyes.
Sara beamed, and Bobbie almost jumped up and down. The men just looked pleased.
“Now, you ride with the family. Because you have always been a part of us.” Khalid lowered his head and took her lips with his. Zoey melted into the kiss and his arms. His plan better be good, because she didn’t want her heart broken.
Later that evening, they finally made it back to the palace. Zoey entered the family room to see Khalid standing by the bar. Otherwise, the room was empty. She walked over to him, and he drew her into his arms.
“Khalid, today was magical, but it changes nothing. You know I love you, and I love your control in the bedroom, but I can’t give up my work. Not after my parents.” He had to understand.
“Baby, I know.” He drew her closer, resting his forehead on hers.
“I’ve found a way you don’t have to leave,” Malik said, entering the room.
Zoey turned within Khalid’s hold. “What do you mean?”
“Khalid told me about your need not to feel hemmed in,” Malik said. “Not like any of us hadn’t noticed.” He grinned. “It took a bit of work, but there is a solution.”
Zoey’s heart lightened. “There is? What is it?”
“How would you like to be Bashir’s official international ambassador?” Malik asked.
“International ambassador?” She tilted her head to the side.
“Yes, your translations skills are something we need, and as our international ambassador you would still be able to travel,” Malik said.
“But Khalid?”
“I’ll be with you every step of the way.” He tightened his arms around her waist.
“How?”
“Between Ryan and the others, they can protect the family while I’m gone. Habib and I will be with you.”
“And now that Kalif is gone,” Malik said, “we really don’t have that many security issues. The tribal leaders are happy to take over the area where Kalif was growing poppies and make the land profitable for livestock.”
“Khalid?” Zoey looked up at him. “Are you sure about this?”
“I love you, and I don’t want to lose you. This way we both get what we want. And you can continue with your blog and travel articles, there are plenty of countries that want to work with us.”
“I’ve had requests pouring in for months. You’re going to be very busy,” Malik said, then he turned and left the room.
Zoey turned to Khalid. “You’re really sure about this?” She could scarcely believe it.
“Yes.” He brushed a kiss over her nose. “I took your advice.”
“What was that?”
“I talked with Hassan about what happened in the UK. With Kalif gone, the imminent threat to the family is gone. I can now concentrate on myself a bit. I trust Ryan and the others. They’ve been trained well and know how to do their jobs.” He leaned back. “Besides, no one but me is going to guard the woman I love.”
Zoey laughed. “I guess that means I better learn how to be an ambassador.”
“You’ll do great.” He grinned at her. “You convinced me within minutes of meeting you, you were the woman for me.”
He covered her lips with his. She was where she wanted to be. In the arms of the man she loved.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Zoey let out a breath as she surveyed the room. The year from the anniversary parade to her wedding had been a busy one. True to his word, Malik had made her Bashir’s international ambassador, and the requests had come pouring in.
Bashir itself prospered during the year as well. They were selling crops and animals to other countries. Exports and imports were at an all-time high. The marketplace was always bustling with people and tourists.
She smiled. Four royal weddings would do that. She glanced around the room and found her husband talking with Ryan. She shook her head. He couldn’t stop being who he was in terms of security.
Her husband. She looked down at the gold band on her finger. Earlier today he’d placed it on her finger, and they’d said their vows. The people of Bashir had gone all out for their wedding. She’d been surprised when her parents had attended her wedding and her father had walked her down the aisle. But they were already on their way back to their hotel, refusing to stay in the palace.
Now, she wanted to escape with Khalid and have some quiet time together. Between traveling and the preparations for the wedding, she was ready for a little downtime.
“They make one heck of group of handsome men,” Sara said, coming up next to her.
“They do.” Ryan had left, and Khalid’s brothers had joined him. All of them stood there decked out in their royal colors.
“You were a beautiful bride,” Catherine said, dabbing at her eyes.
“Don’t cry again,” Zoey said. Catherine had been crying off and on all day.
“She can’t help it,” Bobbie said joining the group.
“Did you get Zain to bed?” Six months ago, the adoption of Zain had come through for Bobbie and Rafi. The little boy was still coming out of his shell, but today he’d run around and played with the other children at the reception.
“Yes, he fell right asleep.”
“I could take a nap myself,” Catherine sniffled, and Zoey was worried.
“Catherine, is there something wrong?” Zoey asked. Just then the men shouted.
“Well, I guess Malik told them,” Catherine said and smiled. “I’m pregnant.”
“Congratulations. That is fantastic,” Zoey said, and the women all hugged.
The men sauntered over. “I guess she told you,” Malik said, slipping his arm around his wife’s waist.
“She did,” Sara said, taking her place at Hassan’s side. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Me too,” Bobbie said.
“We picked good women,” Rafi said, pulling Bobbie into his arms.
“We did.” Khalid put his arms around Zoey’s waist and pulled her back against his body. Heat filled her.
“So, Sara, you’re next,” Catherine said.
Sara’s face flushed. “Not just yet. You and Malik needed an heir. Hassan and I can take our time.”
“Yes, it’s fun practicing,” Hassan said.
The group laughed when Sara looked outraged at Hassan’s words, but then she laughed too.
“Now that all of us are married, and Bashir is prospering, what shall we accomplish next?” Malik asked.
“I think you all deserve some time off,” a male voice said.
They turned to see Jamal and Anna at the door, grinning ear to ear.
“I thought you two were on your way back to the summer palace,” Khalid said. His parents had attended their wedding but wanted to get back to the summer palace where they were now living.
“We were,” Anna said gliding into the room. “Then we decided that we should spend a few days here while all of you took some time off.”
“Time off, what is that?” Hassan asked.
Everyone laughed. It was rare any of them took more than a day off from their duties. Not that any of them complained.
“Starting now, everyone is off duty. Ryan will take care of security. The hospital will take care of itself. The stable hands have everything covered, and I’ll take care of the country,” Jamal said.
Malik started to protest, but Jamal held his hand up, silencing his son. “I’ll contact you if I need you, but for the next thirty-six hours I want all of you to spend time together with your wives.”
