freedom.
She chose a long green Indian-style cotton kurta with matching pantalets and stood in front of the full-length mirror in the room-size closet. The kurta’s high collar covered her neck and its long sleeves hid her arms, but the style was still distinctly, sensually feminine.
Did I really expect a change of clothing would stop my heart from racing every time I think of Rachid? I doubt even camouflage could hide the excitement in my eyes. No wonder he never believes me when I tell I don’t want him.
If I’m going to escape, I have to spend less time with the reason I want to stay.
Chapter Ten
Rachid was in his private quarters a few hours later when the head of the Royal Guardsmen knocked on his door. “Your Highness, there is a Mr. Corisi down in the foyer. He wishes to speak with you.”
Dominic? Isn’t he supposed to be on his honeymoon?
Rachid said firmly, “Tell him that I will be down in a few minutes.” He knew that whatever had happened downstairs had been serious in nature if it necessitated Marshid to become personally involved. The man added, “He’s not a patient man. It was difficult to persuade him to wait to be announced.”
I can imagine.
“I’ll be right there.”
What would have brought Dominic to Najriad? Zhang? Was there no end to the punishment for one night’s pleasure? Friendships, even ones as old as theirs, could be lost over events such as this.
Rachid found his old college friend in the foyer, flanked by two armed guards.
When Dominic made a move toward Rachid, one of the guards pointed his rifle at Dominic’s chest.
Dominic asked angrily, “Do all of your friends receive this warm welcome?”
“Only the ones who don’t call first,” Rachid said calmly in English and held up a hand to wave the guardsmen back. At first neither guard moved and Rachid’s temper flared. He ordered in Arabic, “Lower your weapons now.”
They did so, but with obvious reluctance.
Dominic said, “You know why I’m here. Where’s Zhang?”
Rachid said smoothly, “She’s safe.”
Dominic’s snarl deepened. “Not good enough. I want to see her.”
“This is none of your business, Dominic.”
Dominic took an aggressive step closer and said, “When you take a woman from my wedding and ruin my honeymoon, it damn well is my business. Abby isn’t going to calm down until she knows that Zhang is okay.” He looked like a bull about to charge. “When Abby isn’t happy, I’m not happy. Get Zhang down here.”
“That’s not possible,” Rachid said. Dominic’s anger was an unwelcome and possibly explosive complication. His future bride needed a few more days before she was going to do anything except demand her immediate release.
And that’s not going to happen.
Dominic’s temper rose and his hands fisted at his sides. “I don’t think you understand that I’m not asking.”
Rachid’s quickly mounting impatience added an edge to his words. “I have great respect for you, Dominic. We’ve known each other a long time. Curb your temper, friend. You won’t win here.”
A red flush spread across Dominic’s face. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Rachid.”
Rachid shook his head sadly. “I’m not playing, Dom. Come back on Saturday if you wish to support Zhang. You will be welcome at our wedding dinner.”
“Wedding? What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’ve asked Zhang to marry me.”
“And she said yes?”
Not exactly.
“She will,” Rachid said confidently, even though he was starting to question the surety of the outcome himself. “Either way, you need to leave the palace now.”
“I’m not leaving without Zhang.”
“Then we have a problem.”
“No, you have a problem.” He reached forward to grab Rachid by the throat, but Rachid blocked his arm.
The guardsmen rushed forward to restrain Dominic.
Rachid shook his head again and said calmly, “I probably deserve the beating you’d like to give me, old friend. However, this
She chose a long green Indian-style cotton kurta with matching pantalets and stood in front of the full-length mirror in the room-size closet. The kurta’s high collar covered her neck and its long sleeves hid her arms, but the style was still distinctly, sensually feminine.
Did I really expect a change of clothing would stop my heart from racing every time I think of Rachid? I doubt even camouflage could hide the excitement in my eyes. No wonder he never believes me when I tell I don’t want him.
If I’m going to escape, I have to spend less time with the reason I want to stay.
Chapter Ten
Rachid was in his private quarters a few hours later when the head of the Royal Guardsmen knocked on his door. “Your Highness, there is a Mr. Corisi down in the foyer. He wishes to speak with you.”
Dominic? Isn’t he supposed to be on his honeymoon?
Rachid said firmly, “Tell him that I will be down in a few minutes.” He knew that whatever had happened downstairs had been serious in nature if it necessitated Marshid to become personally involved. The man added, “He’s not a patient man. It was difficult to persuade him to wait to be announced.”
I can imagine.
“I’ll be right there.”
What would have brought Dominic to Najriad? Zhang? Was there no end to the punishment for one night’s pleasure? Friendships, even ones as old as theirs, could be lost over events such as this.
Rachid found his old college friend in the foyer, flanked by two armed guards.
When Dominic made a move toward Rachid, one of the guards pointed his rifle at Dominic’s chest.
Dominic asked angrily, “Do all of your friends receive this warm welcome?”
“Only the ones who don’t call first,” Rachid said calmly in English and held up a hand to wave the guardsmen back. At first neither guard moved and Rachid’s temper flared. He ordered in Arabic, “Lower your weapons now.”
They did so, but with obvious reluctance.
Dominic said, “You know why I’m here. Where’s Zhang?”
Rachid said smoothly, “She’s safe.”
Dominic’s snarl deepened. “Not good enough. I want to see her.”
“This is none of your business, Dominic.”
Dominic took an aggressive step closer and said, “When you take a woman from my wedding and ruin my honeymoon, it damn well is my business. Abby isn’t going to calm down until she knows that Zhang is okay.” He looked like a bull about to charge. “When Abby isn’t happy, I’m not happy. Get Zhang down here.”
“That’s not possible,” Rachid said. Dominic’s anger was an unwelcome and possibly explosive complication. His future bride needed a few more days before she was going to do anything except demand her immediate release.
And that’s not going to happen.
Dominic’s temper rose and his hands fisted at his sides. “I don’t think you understand that I’m not asking.”
Rachid’s quickly mounting impatience added an edge to his words. “I have great respect for you, Dominic. We’ve known each other a long time. Curb your temper, friend. You won’t win here.”
A red flush spread across Dominic’s face. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Rachid.”
Rachid shook his head sadly. “I’m not playing, Dom. Come back on Saturday if you wish to support Zhang. You will be welcome at our wedding dinner.”
“Wedding? What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’ve asked Zhang to marry me.”
“And she said yes?”
Not exactly.
“She will,” Rachid said confidently, even though he was starting to question the surety of the outcome himself. “Either way, you need to leave the palace now.”
“I’m not leaving without Zhang.”
“Then we have a problem.”
“No, you have a problem.” He reached forward to grab Rachid by the throat, but Rachid blocked his arm.
The guardsmen rushed forward to restrain Dominic.
Rachid shook his head again and said calmly, “I probably deserve the beating you’d like to give me, old friend. However, this
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