Trusting A Sheikh (Playgrounds of Power 1) by Rosie Pike Page B

thinking it over.
    "What do you mean? Go on television?" Tariq asked, surprised at the suggestion.
    "No – I don't think that's the best route."
    "What then?" Tariq asked, confused. "Spit it out!"
    Chloe grinned. "Okay, okay. I'm not saying I've got the answer, but what I think I would do if I was in your shoes is meet this guy, sit down with him and discuss his concerns."
    Tariq nodded thoughtfully, but Khalid spluttered his displeasure. "What the fuck is that going to do, you stupid girl?"
    "If you'd let me finish," Chloe jumped in before Tariq could respond to his junior's unspeakable rudeness, though she could see the anger in the blood rushing to his face, "instead of being so rude, then you'd know already." She had no idea what possessed her to speak so firmly, but the look of building rage on Khalid's face was a victory in itself, and the sight of stifled grins on Omar and Abdul's faces was food for thought.
    "What I'm suggesting is that on the one hand, you invite him over to discuss your concerns – that way the public sees that you're taking this seriously. On the other hand, you invite the right people from government to dinners and breakfasts and lunches and butter them up, pointing out everything you're doing to address Rashid's issues.
    "You do it that way, the government will be eating out of your hand," Chloe finished to a room filled with silence. She looked around nervously for a couple of seconds, wondering if perhaps she'd misread the mood in the room, and was relieved to see Omar and Tariq nodding slowly in approval.
    "That's a damn good plan," Omar agreed, slapping his thigh. "What are we paying all those monkeys back at the embassy for, eh, if you can do it all? Where did you find her, Tariq?"
    Chloe resented the fact that Omar felt that Tariq had found her anywhere, as she certainly didn't approve of the suggestion that Tariq deserved any of the credit for her idea – no matter how good he might be between her legs. Nevertheless, it felt good to get some external validation from time to time. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Abdul peering at Khalid, and realized that he was looking for a cue to know which position he should take. Unfortunately, his master, or so it seemed, was just sitting in his chair and smoldering.
    "Well, if you've got him convinced," Tariq smiled. "then that's good enough for me. Abdul," he barked, interrupting the man's own attempts to interrupt Khalid.
    "Yes, boss?" Abdul whimpered, his head snapping around in surprise.
    "Get in touch with the embassy. I want to set up a meeting with the ambassador, this Rashid character and myself on embassy grounds. Press outside, but not in. You got that?"
    Abdul looked caught between two minds, as though he wanted to stay and find out Khalid's opinion, but knew that ultimately he reported to Prince Tariq. Chloe filed that piece of information away for future reference – he might not be as unpleasant on the surface, but if his behavior was anything to go by, then Abdul was no more than Khalid's lapdog.
    "Yes, boss."
    "What are you waiting for?" Tariq questioned. "Hop to it." Abdul fled, clearly unwilling to be on the receiving end of another tongue lashing. "As for the rest of you – Omar, I just need you on the Eurofighter deal. Khalid – I want everything you have on this Rashid. No holding back, do you understand?"
    Khalid nodded sullenly in a manner that gave Chloe the distinct impression that trusting his agreement even as far as she could throw it would be a significant mistake.
    "Okay. We've all got work to do, let's get to it."
    Everyone began filing out the room, Chloe politely waiting her turn. Just as she was about to leave, Tariq called out to her. "Chloe – do you have a second?"
    For half a second, she considered pretending as though she hadn't heard his request, but dismissed the urge just as quickly as it had come. Whether this was about business, or pleasure – if it could be called that, she decided to face