Her Desert Protector, page 7
Zoey sat perfectly still as he created a work of art around her hand. The rope was soft against her skin, and Khalid never pulled the rope tight enough to affect her movement. When he was done, she held up her hand.
She didn’t know how to explain it. It was like a fingerless glove with a pattern. “That is fantastic.” She wiggled her fingers, enjoying the feel of the rope against her skin.
Khalid smiled, then undid the rope. Regret flashed through her for not getting a picture of his work but also because he removed it. Zoey wondered if he’d ever worked with a live person. And why did it make her hot to think about him tying her up with rope? She enjoyed a little kink in her life, but it had never gone beyond toys or a little spanking. Maybe having her lover hold her hands over her head, but nothing more than that.
The SUV stopped just as Khalid undid the last of the knots. He took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed her fingers. “Your skin is so fair, I will need to be careful.”
Careful? Was he thinking about tying her up? Her blood heated. She looked at her skin. It was a little pink, but nothing that wouldn’t fade in a few minutes. A thrill of excitement went through her at his words. Was she crazy? She was only here for a little while and then would be on to her next job.
That didn’t mean she couldn’t have a little fun while she was here. Khalid opened the door and helped her out of the SUV. What was she thinking? He was part of the royal family. One didn’t just have a fling with royalty.
They walked down the street to the small printing business she’d noticed the other day. Inside, computers were set up for people to print photos. Khalid went and talked with the owner as she sat down and plugged in the flash drive. Within minutes, she had the photos selected and sent for printing.
The sound of voices had her looking at the door. People were crowded there, talking in low tones, watching her. Khalid walked over to the group and motioned them back.
Zoey wondered what was going on. She put the flash drive away, then joined the owner.
“The photos will be ready in just a minute, Lady Zoey,” he said.
“Why do you call me Lady Zoey?” She’d noticed that the other day at the palace but had forgotten to ask why.
“It is a sign of respect in our country, especially for one who is part of our royal family.”
“I’m not part of the royal family.” Where was he getting that idea? Heck, she’d only been in Bashir a few days. Was that all it was? A couple of days? So much had happened, and inside her heart she wouldn’t trade those days for anything.
The man just smiled, then turned to get her photos. He gathered them up and put them into an envelope for her. “Here you go, Lady Zoey.”
“Thank you. How much do I owe you?”
“Oh, no, all has been taken care of. Go. Enjoy.” He waved his hands. Zoey wanted to protest but decided against it. She stepped outside the shop to see Khalid surrounded by people.
Unable to help herself, she pulled out her camera, slid the envelope in her backpack, and started taking pictures. She captured the way the older men stood waiting for their turn, the older women beaming at him, the children clamoring for attention by tugging at his legs.
Her vision blurred for a minute. These people loved and admired him and probably the rest of the royal family too. Zoey turned and took pictures of the street. The marketplace vendors were just setting up, and she was able to get some great pictures. “You are an artist with the camera,” Khalid whispered in her ear.
Zoey ducked her head. “I enjoy it.” Putting the camera away, she turned to him. “I’m done. Are you?”
He glanced over his shoulder. While the crowd was still there, they no longer surrounded him. “Yes.” He cupped her elbow and escorted her back to the SUV.
“Is it like that whenever you go out?” she asked as they drove back to the palace.
“Not always. The people of Bashir are excited about the anniversary, and they were asking question about the parade and such.”
“Parade?” She hadn’t read much on the anniversary party, something she needed to do.
“Yes. The royal family participates in a parade. It’s going to be a security nightmare.”
“You worry a lot about your family, don’t you?” He worried about everyone. It was too much for one man. She wondered if she’d ever get him to see that. Wait a second, was she thinking long term? No, she had to stop that. Once her job was done, she’d be off again.
“Yes.” He let out a sigh. Just then a pop sounded and the SUV wobbled. “Down.” He pressed her down sideways against the seat and covered her body with his. A second pop sounded.
Habib was yelling and the driver swearing as the SUV wobbled along. “Help on the way,” Habib grunted out as the SUV stopped.
“No one get out. Keep the doors locked.” Khalid sat up. “Zoey, stay down.”
Zoey’s heart pounded in her chest. “What is going on?” It felt like they’d blown a tire.
“Someone shot out the tires.” Khalid’s head turned as he looked out the back window. “Habib, are you armed?”
“Always, Khalid. So is the driver.”
“Are you expecting a shootout?” Zoey trembled. This was very unexpected. Bashir was a safe country from what she read. Even Rafi had said last night this wasn’t normal.
“No.” Khalid ran his hand down her back. “There’s no reason to worry, I will keep you safe.”
“I know you will.” And she did. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t frightened. Zoey shifted so she could keep her gaze on Khalid. This was so very different from Iraq, at least to her. While there had been some intense moments with insurgents, this seemed more intense. This was different. This seemed more personal.
In Iraq, she hadn’t usually been a target or even in a situation where she could get shot. She’d been in towns where shootings had happened while she was there, but it had never happened to her or right in front of her.
How long before help arrived? Khalid seemed calm as he kept watch. Habib and the driver were silent. How much longer? Her racing heart calmed a bit, but her stomach turned over and over.
Finally, after what seemed to be hours, two SUVs pulled up, and armed men jumped out. Khalid reached for the door.
“Khalid.” She grabbed his hand, half sitting up.
“My security forces,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze and flashing her a brief smile before opening the door. “Stay here,” he said, and the door shut behind him.
Zoey took a breath as she sat up. “All is well, Lady Zoey,” Habib said before he got out. Zoey wasn’t so sure about everything being well, but at least for now they were safe.
She waited until Khalid finally opened the door and gestured for her to get out. “The area is clear.”
“Did they catch whoever did this?” She scanned the area.
“No, but we’re still searching. I want you to go back to the palace.”
“What? If there’s no danger. I can wait while the tire is changed.”
“Zoey.” His tone became deep and firm.
She put her hands on her hips. “If I go back, you go back.”
He shook his head. “Be reasonable.”
“Reasonable?” Her anger rose. “Someone shot out the tires on the SUV. They were shooting at you.”
“You don’t know that. You could have been the target.”
“Please.” She marched up to him and poked him in the chest. “There’s no reason for anyone to shoot at me, but you ... ” She poked him again. “You’re royal.”
“I’m fine.”
“And so am I. Get this straight. I’ll go back when you go back.”
“Stubborn woman. Don’t you understand your safety is the most important thing to me?”
“Thank you, but you need to understand I won’t leave you behind.”
Habib chuckled, and Khalid glared at him before turning his gaze back to her. “Which is why you’re not going to like this.” He picked her up in his arms and set her in the waiting SUV. “I’ll be back at the palace soon.”
“You’ll ... ” She was so angry she couldn’t get the words out. Zoey looked down. While he’d talked, he’d somehow used his rope to tie her wrists together, and now they were fastened to the seatbelt he’d put around her.
“Habib will untie you when you arrive at the palace.” He slammed the door shut, and the vehicle moved away.
Zoey swore under her breath as she struggled, but he had her expertly tied. Oh, they were going to have a talk about his hero complex when he got back, because she was beyond angry with him.
Malik was standing on the steps of the palace along with Rafi when the SUV pulled up. Habib jumped out of the front seat, opened her door, and untied her hands. “Thank you, Habib,” she said. She wouldn’t be rude to him. He was just following orders. She snagged her backpack from where it sat on the seat next to her and marched up the steps. “Your brother is a stubborn, bullheaded idiot,” she said as she walked past the two brothers.
“I think that describes all of us at one time or another,” Rafi commented as they followed her into the palace.
“Well, Khalid takes it to a new level.” Zoey stopped at the stairs and turned to the men. “Is there a room with a big table I can use?” She needed to use up some nervous energy.
Malik nodded. He led Zoey down a hallway. “Khalid said you had a flat tire.”
“We did have a flat tire, yes. Two of them. Someone shot them out.”
“What?” Malik’s voice rose. “Someone shot at you?”
“At the vehicle.” She stopped and stared at him.
Rafi rubbed his chin. “Khalid failed to mention that. Should I ... ”
Malik shook his head, “I’ll deal with our uncommunicative brother when he gets back. Are you okay, Zoey?”
“I’m fine.” She waved his concern away. “Except I’m more worried about Khalid. What if the shooter comes back?”
“All will be fine,” Malik said, giving her shoulder a squeeze. “Here we go, this is a conference room we use for meetings.”
Zoey glanced inside the room. Black executive chairs sat around a big, gleaming oak table. The room had dark paneling. It would do.
Rafi walked in and opened the curtains. “Thank you.” Zoey placed her backpack on the table. “I’m going to get my laptop and start going over these.”
“Do you need anything else?” Malik asked.
Knocking some sense into Khalid would be nice, but ... Zoey shook her head. Hopefully she’d be able to concentrate and not worry about Khalid. But her stomach clenched. She’d just met him and only kissed him once, but her emotions were already involved. He had to be safe. He’d better be safe, or he’d answer to her. Oh, he’d answer anyway, because he wasn’t going to get away with wrapping her in cotton wool; she’d had enough of that as a child, and it was time Khalid learned that.
Khalid knelt and picked up the spent shell casing with a glove. Long range. He straightened and looked at Ryan. “Well, whomever it was, they were sloppy in leaving the shell casings behind.” Khalid dropped the evidence in the bag Ryan held.
“They were aiming for the tires, not the vehicle,” Ryan said.
They’d inspected the vehicle and the only damage was to the tires. A sharpshooter. He felt his level of tension rise. A sharpshooter could be dangerous and unpredictable. He should know.
“All our vehicles are bulletproof, so that makes sense. The question is why?” He kept asking himself that question.
“You could have been the target.”
“I’ve thought of that, but then why didn’t they try to attack us after we were disabled?” Khalid rubbed his chin. Nothing made sense right now. Once the SUV had been stopped, it took time for help to arrive. Whether the vehicle was bulletproof or not, they could have swarmed the SUV. His cell rang. “Khalid here.”
“You lied to me.”
His brother’s furious voice caused Khalid to wince. “Not really. We did have a flat tire.”
“Khalid.” Malik was in full king mode. “I expect a full report when you get back, which will be in the next thirty minutes, or I’ll come get you myself.”
The line went dead, and Khalid shook his head. Yes, his family worried about him. But he was more worried about them and what Kalif was up to. “I’ll let you and the team finish up. I’ve been ordered back to the palace.”
Ryan laughed. “As if you’d listen if you didn’t want to.”
Khalid shook his head. Ryan was right. He loved his brother, his entire family, but he chose to go back to the palace now rather than to keep investigating. He didn’t want to stir the hornets’ nest just yet, and he still had Zoey’s ruffled feathers to smooth over.
Twenty minutes later, Khalid walked into his brother’s office. Malik glared at him. Khalid held his hands up. “I needed to investigate.”
“I understand, but next time tell me the truth. When Zoey mentioned being shot at, I thought the worst.” Malik gestured to the chair. “So, tell me what happened.”
Khalid explained about the tires being shot out, his sending Zoey back to the palace, and what he’d found before he was ordered to return.
“Do you think this has anything to do with the explosions yesterday?” Malik frowned.
He was worried, and Khalid didn’t blame him. “Nothing points to Kalif, but who else would do something like that?”
“I’ve been communicating with the tribal leaders. Since they denounced Kalif, he hasn’t bothered them.”
“That is good. The tribal leaders are still supporting you, right?” There had been some issues with them in the beginning, but Khalid was sure his brother had finally won them over.
“Yes. They are beginning to understand that while I encourage their teaching the old way of life, we have to move forward. If we stay in the past, our country will die out. No one wants that.”
“No, we don’t. Where is Zoey?” He’d half-expected her to be waiting to pounce on him the second he walked in. He rubbed his hand over his face, trying to think of how he was going to deal with her.
A gleam flashed in Malik’s eyes. “Conference room, going over the photos.” Malik stood, and Khalid followed suit.
At least she was working. That was probably a good thing for him. “I’m going to go check on her, then I’ll be in my office.” Khalid strode out of Malik’s office and straight to the conference room. Zoey stood there rearranging the photos on the table, then moving them again. “Anything?”
Her head lifted from her task. “Khalid.” She maneuvered around the table and threw her arms around him. “Everything okay? Are you all right?”
He closed his arms around her, enjoying the feel of her body against his, especially in a surprise hug. “I’m fine.” She was worried about him, and his heart swelled. Why did this feel different than Catherine being worried about him? Or his brothers? Or Sara and Bobbie?
“Good.” She stepped back and punched him on the arm.
“Hey.” His eyes widened. Damn, this woman had a good punch. No one but his brothers had ever hit him, and that had been in fun when they were children.
“Don’t ever do that to me again. Never send me home when you could be in danger. And you lied to your brother about it.” She stomped around the table and back to him. “I’ve been worried sick, and I’m so angry with you.” She threw her hands in the air.
“Would it help if I said I’m sorry?” He fought against grinning. She was magnificent when she was angry.
“No.” She glared at him. “You tied me up.”
The hurt in her eyes almost broke him. “I couldn’t protect you and investigate at the same time.”
Her eyes turned glacial. “Get out of here and let me work.” She turned back to her photographs.
Khalid rubbed the spot where she’d hit him, but a grin played around his lips. She cared. Otherwise why would she be so upset? “I’ll be in my office, it’s just down the hall on your left. If you need anything, let me know.”
“Go.” She waved her hand at him. He was tempted to stay and see what she’d do, but instead he shook his head and left her to her work. Later would be soon enough to discover more of the fire beneath her calm surface.
Zoey breathed out a sigh of relief when Khalid left the conference room. She was angry, but she was also happy he was safe. She wanted to hold him the rest of the day and keep him from harm, but that wasn’t realistic. Realistic or not, her heart begged her to go after him, but her head fought back. She didn’t need a man to complete her life, and she had work to do.
Pushing all thoughts of Khalid away, she turned her attention back to the photos and began rearranging them once again. There it was. Snagging one of the executive office chairs with her foot, she sat down, then pulled up the same images on her computer and enlarged them.
The series of photos showed the men who’d followed her. They’d been by the intriguing design she’d taken a picture of. She pulled up the design and stared at it.
It didn’t have a meaning to her. It was just a beautiful design, but that didn’t mean it didn’t mean something to the Bashirian people. She looked up as Ryan was walking past the conference room.
“Ryan, are you on your way to see Khalid?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Would you please ask him to come in here and have him ask Malik as well? I think I’ve found something.”
Ryan’s eyes lit up. “Wonderful, give us a few minutes.”
Zoey put away the photos she didn’t need and then arranged the other ones in the order they needed to be in. She’d just finished up when Khalid, Malik, and Ryan walked in.
“Ryan said you had something,” Khalid said.
“Yes. And I’m hoping one of you knows what it means.” She motioned them over to her. She showed them the photos, one by one, then showed them the design. “I think this is why they were following me. Because I took a picture of it.”
Malik straightened. “I’ve seen that before.”
