Her Desert Protector, page 3
“I need to know why that kid broke in here.”
“We’ll find out.”
“I’ll go get another room for Miss Lacey,” Babak said.
“No need, Babak. Miss Lacey will be coming with me.”
2
“Like hell,” Zoey whispered. But Khalid didn’t react defensively. Instead, he moved closer to her.
“You can step away now.” She put her hands on his shoulders as if to push him away.
He looked down at her. Her silver eyes were glowing with wariness and anger. “Maybe I don’t want to.” Where the hell did those words come from? He had no idea, and didn’t have the time to think that through right now. Still, he found they were true. She looked perfect surrounded by him, like a lover waiting for a kiss.
“I ... ” Her fingers curled around his shoulders.
“The danger may not be over.” More and more, Khalid believed Kalif was somehow behind this. And Kalif was crafty. If one of his spies had caught sight of Zoey with Khalid, she could be a target. While it was a long shot, he wasn’t willing to take the chance.
“Really?” She tilted her head, and he fought the urge to lean down and kiss the exposed skin of her neck. “The guy was alone as far as I could tell, and I want to know who he is and why he was in my room.”
“Good question.” Khalid reined in his libido. “Stay here and don’t move. There is glass everywhere.” He pushed away from her tempting body and moved to her duffel bag. He pulled out socks, pants, and a top, then returned to her and put them into her arms. “Let’s get you dressed.” He lifted her into his arms.
“Khalid,” she cried.
“I don’t want you cutting your feet.” He carried her into the minuscule bathroom and set her down. “Dress and then we’ll go.” He turned to shut the door behind him.
“Wait a second.” Zoey dropped her clothes on the counter. “I don’t need to go with you. I’m perfectly fine here at the hotel. Babak said he’d give me another room.”
“The break-in proves that false.”
“Seriously.” She crossed her arms over her breasts. “I’m pretty sure it was a random act, but until the police interview him, I won’t know for sure.”
“Random at four in the morning?” He shook his head. “You will do this my way.” He pulled the door shut behind him.
Zoey took a deep breath when Khalid left the room. The man was over-the-top protective. It bothered her, yet he made every nerve in her body tingle with excitement. But he wasn’t the man for her. It was obvious he was used to being obeyed, and she rebelled against certain authority.
Stepping out of her shorts, she slipped on her pants and pulled her top on over her tank. She sat on the toilet and put on her socks, then opened the door. Khalid was there with her boots.
Without a word, she took them and slipped them on, glaring at him. “I don’t take orders well.” Yet she was obeying him. Irritation flowed through her veins as she lifted her chin, but she didn’t step farther into the room.
“Who would do such a thing?” Babak’s voice held astonishment. “I’m so sorry, Miss Lacey. I have no idea how this could have happened.” There was anger in his voice.
“It’s not your fault, Babak.” Zoey wanted to comfort the man, but Khalid stood close to her and if she moved, she was sure he’d stop her. Looking at him, she said, “I don’t need to go with you, I’m fine here.”
“No.” Khalid glared at her, but she didn’t care.
“Listen,” she started.
“Babak, let’s go find something to close that window up with and clean up the glass.” Ryan took the man by the arm, led him out of the room, and closed the door behind him.
“Ryan is a smart man.” Zoey glared at Khalid as he stood staring at her.
“You are a smart woman. You know you cannot stay here.”
“Why ever not?” She hadn’t noticed before how short his raven hair was cut, but yet there was a slight wave to it. “Because someone broke into a room?”
“Your room.”
“He was probably looking for quick cash or something.” Zoey had been rattled at first, but now she was coming to terms with what had happened. “He wasn’t quiet. He should have known breaking the glass would wake me.”
“It wouldn’t most people.”
“I’m a light sleeper.” She pushed at his chest, and he fell back a step. Her duffel bag had been zipped shut and set by the door. She went to the bed and retrieved her backpack from where she’d hidden it between the nightstand and the bed.
“You hid your backpack?”
“Yes. You don’t travel like I do and not pick up a trick or two.” She placed her folded shorts inside the front pocket, then faced him. “I don’t need to move hotels.”
He opened his mouth, but Ryan walked into the room with Babak. Ryan held a plastic sheet, nails, and a hammer. Babak had a broom and dustpan.
Khalid cupped her elbow and reached for her backpack. “You are coming with me. I’m putting you into protective custody.”
“What? Oh, no, you’re not.” She dug her heels in and pulled against his hold. “I have no idea who you are. What gives you that kind of authority?”
His chest puffed up, and a gleam filled his dark eyes. Zoey kept her chin up and held her ground.
“Miss Lacey, I’m afraid I agree,” Ryan said. “It’s very odd that this happened, especially on your first night here.”
“It doesn’t make sense.” Zoey shook her head. “Look, I can go to another hotel if necessary, which I don’t think it is. But I don’t need protective custody.”
“What if someone else tries to break in?” Khalid tightened his hand on her elbow.
“Who says someone will?” Khalid’s protectiveness rubbed her last nerve. She’d had enough of being protected as a child. As an adult she chose her own path.
“I’m not willing to take the chance.”
“Well, I am.” She yanked her arm away from him.
“You will not.” Khalid’s voice rose, and Zoey shivered at the steel behind it. “Babak, if you would forgive us for arguing.”
“It is fine.” He waved his hands. “Let us clean up this mess.”
Khalid was overreacting just like her parents used to. Zoey tapped her foot against the floor as Babak cleaned up the glass, and Ryan and Khalid nailed up the sheet of plastic. When they were done, Babak left.
“I’m not arguing with you. I am refusing to go with you.” Zoey crossed her arms over her chest.
“You have no choice. If need be, I can make sure it comes from the king himself. A royal decree.”
Zoey’s mouth dropped open. “You’re threatening me.” How dare he? She’d done a little research on the royal family. King Malik had recently married a British woman after taking over the throne from his father, who had stepped down after becoming ill. King Malik was a progressive king, but that didn’t mean he would be on her side.
“I’m giving you a promise.” Khalid leaned down. “I mean it, Zoey. If I have to use royal connections to protect you, I will.”
Damn overprotective male. He was backing her into a corner, and she didn’t like it. She looked over at Ryan. He’d be no help. Khalid employed him. Her nerves danced at being so close to Khalid. What a heck of a time for her body to realize she was a woman.
“Fine. I’ll go with you. For today only.” What choice did she have? If she kept refusing, she had a suspicion Khalid would pick her up and carry her out. It would only be for the day.
Khalid blinked and a grin played at his lips.
“Don’t look so satisfied.” She adjusted her backpack bag. “One day of protective custody. That’s it.”
Ryan let out a chuckle, and Khalid whipped his head around as Ryan started coughing, but Zoey grinned. It was apparent to her that Khalid wasn’t used to being defied. Well, if he hung around her for any length of time, he’d learn.
“I will accept that,” he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “for now.”
An hour later, Zoey wondered what she’d agreed to. Ryan had left and returned with a big black SUV, into which Khalid piled her and her luggage, and they left Bashir City. Any other time Zoey might have enjoyed the ride, but with Khalid seated next to her, she was distracted.
She wondered who he was, exactly. The local police deferred to him, as did Ryan and Babak. When he’d threatened to call the king, she’d had no choice but to back down. You don’t defy the royal family in any country.
The sun was just rising when they arrived at a large, ornate gate, and Zoey cursed herself for being lost in her own thoughts. She knew better, and now she didn’t know where she was. The guards at the gate wore uniforms of red and gold. They waved the SUV through, and it immediately turned right, but not before Zoey caught a glimpse of an ornate building.
“Why are we at the palace?” she asked, her fingers tangling in her lap. Oh, brother. Was he going to bring her before the king anyway?
“Here you will be safe,” Khalid said as the SUV pulled to a stop in front of a set of bungalows. Khalid hopped out, then opened her door for her.
Zoey started to slip out of the vehicle, but then Khalid’s hands framed her waist and he lifted her down. Tendrils of heat swept through her veins. Stop it, she ordered herself. This man is keeping you captive ... well, sort of.
He led her to the bungalow and opened the door, gesturing her to precede him. Zoey stepped into the cool interior. She blinked. This wasn’t an ordinary bungalow. The main room was bigger than a small apartment. A soft beige sofa faced a fireplace that had a big screen TV mounted above it, and there were two overstuffed chairs.
Off to her left was a small, fully equipped kitchen. There was a set of stairs that led up to what she assumed was a loft bedroom. The place was warm and inviting.
“Bedroom upstairs, along with a full master bathroom,” Khalid said. “Downstairs, living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Full satellite TV and internet. I’ll call someone to come stock the kitchen if you give a list of your favorite foods.”
“I’m only here for today.” She waved her hand.
“We shall see.”
Ryan entered with her bags before she could answer. “I’ll just put these in the bedroom. And Khalid, we have a meeting shortly.”
Khalid nodded. “I’ll send someone down with some breakfast if that is acceptable.”
Zoey nodded. “My baklava.” She’d left it in the hotel.
“I have it, Lady Zoey,” Ryan said, holding the white box as he descended the stairs. “I’ll put it in the kitchen.”
“Thank you, Ryan.” Zoey gave him a smile.
“So, you smile at him and not me?”
“Ryan didn’t extort me into coming here.”
Khalid laughed. “How else was I supposed to get your attention?” He ran his finger over her cheek, and her breath caught in her throat. Ryan stepped out of the kitchen, and Khalid backed away. “Habib will be on duty outside the bungalow.”
“Making sure I don’t run away?” Why did this man intrigue her so? Make her nerves dance with excitement?
“Making sure you are safe.” He brushed his fingers down her cheek once again. “I will return later.” With that he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.
The air whooshed out of Zoey’s lungs. Wow. That man was doing a serious number on her libido. Not that she was a virgin or anything, but it had been a while since she’d been with anyone.
She found the remote to the TV and turned it on to local news before running up the stairs and grabbing her camera and laptop. She wanted to look at those photos she’d taken yesterday. She opened her laptop, hoping to dismiss Khalid from her mind, and got to work.
An hour later, Zoey was going through the images on her laptop when someone knocked on the door. She got up to answer it. A young woman stood there with a basket in her hand.
“Lady Zoey, I am Rana. May I come in?”
Zoey stepped back and gestured for the woman to enter. The delicious scent of fresh bread wafted from beneath the cloth cover, making Zoey’s stomach growl.
“Sorry I am late,” Rana said as she set the basket on the small table next to the kitchen.
“I totally forgot anyone was bringing breakfast,” Zoey said, watching Rana pull bread, cheese, fruit, a carafe of fruit juice, and a big container out of the basket. There was also another, smaller container. Zoey went into the kitchen and found plates, utensils, and glasses. “It smells wonderful.” She set the table.
“Oh, Lady Zoey, I will not be joining you.”
“It’s just Zoey.” She looked at all the food. “This is all for me?” Zoey shook her head. She might be hungry, but there was no way she could eat all this.
“Yes. The big container has eggs, potatoes, bacon, and sausage. It will easily reheat in the microwave. I will leave so you may eat. If you need anything ask your security, and they will call me.” With that, Rana left.
Zoey shook her head, but sat down and opened the big container. The smell of bacon tickled her senses. She dished up a plate and then grabbed a piece of flatbread.
The eggs were fluffy, bacon crisp, the potatoes were seasoned with a spice she couldn’t identify, and the bread melted in her mouth. Within minutes she’d polished off her meal. Carefully wrapping up the leftovers, Zoey put them into the fridge and then opened the small container.
There were small round cookies. She took one and popped it into her mouth. Butter and vanilla burst upon her tongue as the cookie practically melted. Zoey closed her eyes and let out a groan. She took two more cookies out of the container before sealing it and putting it in the kitchen.
If she ate too many of those, she’d gain several pounds. With her stomach full, she grew sleepy. Grabbing her laptop and camera, Zoey climbed the stairs to the bedroom.
She cleaned up and changed, then crawled between the covers.
The mattress curved to her body when she turned over. A small grin played over her face. So much better than a too hard or too soft hotel bed. Her lashes drifted shut. A short nap would refresh her.
Khalid strode up to Habib. “How is everything?”
“Quiet. Rana delivered breakfast and left. Nothing since.”
“Good. Syed will be here in five minutes to relieve you. Go get some rest.”
Habib nodded. Khalid looked up. He could picture Zoey curled up in the bed. Was she wearing the shorts and tank top? His dick jumped, and Khalid shook his head. He didn’t have time for a woman in his life.
His need right now was to figure out why someone had been in her room and keep her safe. That was it. Now, if he could just convince his libido. His phone rang. “Yes, okay, I’ll be right there.” Another small incident in town, but it needed his attention.
3
Khalid woke with a start, then stood and stretched. Yesterday had been an early and busy day. He glanced at the clock. Five. He’d slept six hours; that was the longest he’d slept at once in a while.
He hadn’t purposely avoided Zoey yesterday. There had been a series of little incidents in the city, forcing him and his team to spend all day and some of the night investigating. He’d deal with her anger at having to spend the night later. He and his team were trying to figure out what Kalif was up to. Yesterday he’d read the police report on the man who broke into Zoey’s hotel room, all while trying to keep his mind off her. Khalid shook his head. Like that had worked. All he could see was her creamy skin in those shorts and tank top, wondering how she’d look in nothing at all. The woman had gotten under his skin, and he couldn’t seem to get her out. Probably because he didn’t want to.
He made his way down to the family dining room to get coffee and a bite to eat before he found Rana. He instructed her to take breakfast to Zoey around eight before he made his way back to his office. Ryan would arrive at any moment, and they could go over what they knew and what they didn’t. Unfortunately, Khalid had a feeling they knew less than what they needed.
“Good morning, Khalid,” Ryan said, walking into his office with a mug of coffee in his hand.
“Morning. All quiet with Zoey?” He’d fully expected one of the guards to come and get him when he’d returned last night.
“No issues that I’m aware of.”
Should he be worried? Probably. But for now, he had other things to deal with. “Good. Let’s go over the map.”
Almost two hours later, Khalid straightened from his desk. “Then we’re agreed. We need to send more people out to the east to do recon?”
“Yes.” Ryan drew his hand through his hair. “But it will take time, even by vehicle. We’re talking at least a day past the last village. I agree with your suspicions that Kalif’s base has to be close to the mountains in the east.”
“Talk with the men and figure out who is the best to send out.”
Khalid rolled the map back up and set it aside. While Kalif’s base might be in the east, he had his men everywhere. That thought brought Khalid back to Zoey. Why had someone tossed her room?
“Anything more from the local police about the guy we caught in Zoey’s room?”
He didn’t know for sure if the men following her had been Kalif’s men or not. They’d seemed more intent on mischief than anything else until they’d seen him and run. He had followed, but lost them when they’d blended into the crowds of the marketplace. Why come to her room?
“Nothing but the report we both read,” Ryan said.
The report hadn’t said much. The man was insisting he thought it was his room. He’d been out late and didn’t want to wake his girlfriend. Khalid didn’t believe one word of the report. The local police were still holding him on break-in charges. This was a mystery he intended to solve.
A knock sounded at his door.
“Come in,” he said.
Rana opened the door and stuck her head in. “I’ve taken Lady Zoey breakfast.”
“Is she awake?”
“Yes, Prince Khalid.”
“How is her mood this morning?” he asked.
