Wicked Fantasy by Nina Bangs Page B

didn’t miss the real concern on Kim’s face.
    â€œDon’t you think you should discuss this with Gabriel before you make a decision?” Kim ran her finger along the edge of Fo’s case.
    Fo considered that as Kim turned her screen to face Gerry again. “I suppose he’ll want to know.” She brightened. “Maybe he can come, too. He’s more powerful than I am, but I’m a lot more outgoing.”
    Brynn grinned. “Translation: Fo never met anyone she didn’t love talking to.”
    Gerry shifted slightly glazed eyes toward Conall.
    He nodded. “Fo, talk things over with Gabriel. If everything’s a go, we’ll start the search for Gerry’s serial killer tomorrow night.”
    â€œI’ll have to let Holgarth know I want to stay until the end of the week and then hope Burke takes his time getting here.” Growing anticipation gleamed in Gerry’s eyes.
    Conall waited until his friends had left before guiding Gerry toward the Sultan’s Palace entrance. “Let’s have some fun to celebrate our new partnership.” The Sultan’s Palace was not a good idea. He recognized the fact, acknowledged it, and then ignored it.
    Once inside, he waited while Gerry stared wide-eyed at everything.
    â€œWow, I’m impressed.” She turned to Conall. “The gold dome, the oriental rugs, the super-plush everything. It looks like a real sultan would live here. So what’s the fantasy?”
    Conall had already beckoned Sonya over. “Sonya will take you to the harem’s quarters.”
    â€œHarem’s quarters?” Gerry eyed Sonya’s wide expanse of bare stomach. “Wait, I don’t know if—”
    Sonya smiled as she urged Gerry toward a door. “You’ll love this. We’ll get you some makeup and into an outfit so you’ll be ready for the sultan.”
    â€œSultan?” Gerry threw Conall a panicked glance as Sonya led her away.
    Conall smiled and waved at her. Then he turned to Ben, who was manning the ticket counter. “Tell Julio to take this next fantasy off. I’ll play the sultan.” Ignoring Ben’s grin, he headed toward the men’s costume room.
    Gerry glanced around warily. She was comfortable in her job. Chasing bad guys wasn’t scary. This was scary. Sitting on a thick rug, she was propped up by a mountain of colorful pillows.
    With all the eye makeup Sonya had slapped on her, she probably looked like a crazed raccoon. And her clothes? Hah. Clothes covered the body. What she was wearing were strategic pieces of cloth. There was the tiny bra with a playful fringe of beads and bells then nothing until well past her navel. A filmy piece of cloth masquerading as a skirt clung to her lower abdomen with brave tenacity. Go, skirt.
    Relax. We’re having fun here, right? But for the life of her she couldn’t remember ever having even one fantasy about being a member of some sultan’s harem. Conall should’ve asked her opinion.
    â€œMen don’t have a clue, do they?” The amused female voice reminded Gerry that there were three “harem girls” with her.
    â€œAbout what?” All three women were beautiful and blond with pale eyes she’d seen somewhere before. Where had she seen . . . ?
    â€œAbout what a woman wants. From your expression, I’d say a man chose this fantasy for you.” The woman shrugged. “This is a guy fantasy. I bet he’s even arranged to be the sultan.”
    Gerry smiled. “Probably. And yeah, I don’t fit the harem mold. Definitely not soft, sweet, and simpering.” But a male harem? Now that was a fantasy. “Do you work here all the time?”
    They all laughed. “No, we’re just filling in for the regulars. They all ate at the same place and came down with food poisoning. Oh, and I’m Tullia.” She nodded at the other women. “These are my sisters, Fulvia and