And when she appears, again dressed in the tunic and trousers worn by the people of my country, it’s hard not to miss the well-satisfied look on her face. That had been my intention, a visible sign to help convince everyone this marriage is real.
While we both know it’s not.
I leave her after breakfast, going to the offices where Kadar, Nijad, and Rais are already waiting.
Nijad stands to greet me, and I grasp the hand he holds out. He examines me carefully, and then barks a laugh, “You had a good night, brother.”
Shit. Perhaps it’s not just her face that will give us away.
I shrug, “I have to thank you for the toys you provided, Nijad. And for the use of your suite.”
“Did you go to the dungeon?”
“No.” I’m not going to go into details.
Kadar’s looking at me strangely, one side of his mouth turned up.
Rais’s face is impassive. “Sheikhs, Emir,” he starts, “We should go over today’s course of action.”
I jerk my chin toward him as I take a seat, “You’ve been planning?” At Nijad’s nod, I raise my eyebrow, “And?”
Kadar leans forward, elbows on the table, his hands steepled. “We wanted to leave the girl out of it.”
Woman. I correct silently. Very much a woman now. And no, I want Janna kept safe and away from danger.
“But we’ve reached the conclusion that’s sadly impossible. We believe Fadi will want to see her. Will need to see the two of you together to be convinced that the marriage is genuine.”
“It needn’t be,” I refute, raising my chin toward Nijad, letting him know I’m thinking of his first marriage to Cara, “He wanted to force her, he’d understand if I’d used coercion as well.” It’s one of the primitive practices of our country that I detest. “Surely my word will be sufficient?”
Kadar’s shaking his head. “At the very least he’ll need to be convinced the marriage has been consummated.” Hmm, well it certainly was that. “And I think her behaviour, and yours, will go a long way to persuade him of it. Breaking off, he chuckles, “Your expression is worth more than any picture. It’s good, brother, that there’s a fire that blazes between the two of you.”
“As with any Dom and a new sub.” I stare at my older brother, wanting to nip any ideas of a permanent arrangement in the bud.
He doesn’t comment.
“I’m not happy involving her.”
“If you want to get the other woman back, we need to use everything to convince Fadi. She’s going along, brother. We’re agreed on that.
I’m not, but can’t be certain I’m thinking logically. As I quiet and keep further objection to myself, I realise I’m being asked a question.
“Does she ride?” Rais enquires, “We can’t approach other than on horseback.”
I frown as I’m reminded how little I know about her. “I have no idea.”
Kadar waves dismissively, “She can ride with Jasim if not.”
The desert sheikh continues, “Overnight we transported horses and men as far as we could drive. Fadi will have already been warned we’re on our way.”
“A show of force?” I draw in a breath, hollowing my cheeks, unsure what the rogue sheikh will think about that.
“He must know he’s in trouble. Which means he won’t be surprised.”
“But it’s impossible to mount an attack.”
“A siege?” Kadar reaches for the coffee pot, and tops up his cup.
“No, brother,” Nijad is fast to dismiss his suggestion, “He’ll be well stocked up, and we can’t leave the woman with him for too long, that will risk him harming her if only to make the point that he’s serious. Any rescue will need to be done fast.”
My coffee cup is empty, but I don’t fill it back up. Raising my eyes, I offer to play my part. “I’ll take the lead. Janna with me. We have copies of the documents and photos to prove we are wed.”
“You’re not going alone,” Rais growls, “I’ll have my men right behind you. And you’re not getting too close. We need to draw him out.”
“And take him prisoner.” Kadar’s not taking this insult to our country lightly. “He must know he’s sacrificed his liberty.”
“Which makes him dangerous,” Nijad states what I’m thinking.
“No harm must come to Janna.”
“Or to you, brother. A dead husband leaves her available again.” While Nijad might have a point, I hope even Fadi wouldn’t be so stupid as to kill a prince of the land. And if he is, hopefully his men will stop him. Retribution would fall on every man of his tribe.
Rais points to a map, and for a moment we study it. The castle in the clouds is reachable only by a single file horse track leading up to a small valley, where ancient accommodation has been built within a natural rock fortress surrounded by buttresses of solid stone.
“Water?”
Rais taps to the rear of the castle, “A spring.”
I feel a moment of sympathy for the primitive conditions the innocent videographer is being kept in. “How far have you’ve been able to take the trucks and horses?”
“They’re waiting here.” His finger’s resting on a plain not too far away.
Examining where Rais is indicating, I query. “And we’re flying in? And will meet up with the horses?”
He nods to confirm, “I’ve been in touch with my men, there’s been no movement from the fortress. We had hoped there was a chance, but it seems our presence isn’t drawing Fadi out.”
No, and it wouldn’t me either if I knew my life was on the line. Fadi will stay put, forcing me to go to him.
“Right,” Kadar bangs on the table. “Jasim, you go collect your, er, wife, and meet us at the helipad. We’ve done enough talking. Let’s get this mission underway.”
“Kadar, you should stay here.” My brother’s the emir. He shouldn’t be risking his life.
“Perhaps,” he gives a twisted grin, “But I’m not going to.”
Rais looks shocked, “Excellency, I must protest. You are risking the crown if you accompany your brothers.”
Kadar stands, sweeping his robes around him, and walks around the room.
“Rais is right, Kadar. We have to consider what will happen if this goes pear-shaped and Fadi gets the upper hand. We don’t know how many men he has with him.” I’m hoping we can carry out this rescue without bloodshed, but must consider the alternative. “You can’t come along.”
The emir swears, “Jasim, I feel guilty. If I hadn’t have called you back...”
I stop him there, “The wheels were put in motion the night I helped Janna. Allah took it from there. It’s not down to you, or me, that this has happened. It’s not on you, Kadar.”
He stops his pacing and stares at me, then comes over and rests his hand on my shoulder, reaching out he touches Nijad in just the same way, “Brothers, I love you, and would give anything to be by your side. But the fact I cannot is yet another unwanted burden upon the emir.” He pauses, and then continues with a growl, “But you both come back, you hear me? You take no unnecessary risks.”
“We could forfeit the woman.”
I round quickly on Rais at his unacceptable suggestion. Leave Janna with Fadi? Unthinkable. Seeing my face, he raises his hands in supplication.
Once I’m certain he’s got the message, I stand, and Kadar pulls me in for a hug, slapping my back, then kissing me on both cheeks. “Be safe,” he whispers, and for a second I see a glimmer of moisture in his eyes.
I step back and nod, and then leave to collect my wife.
Remembering that she’s not the best flyer, I take Janna’s hand as we step onto the helipad and approach the waiting helicopter. My brother has the controls, with Rais seated beside him. That leaves me free to give Janna my full attention. I help her into the back, taking some time to make sure she’s comfortable in her harness and has her headset on correctly.
“Okay?”
“Yeah, Ni. We’re set.”
I hold h
er hand as we rise, and Nijad expertly turns the craft toward the open desert, leaving the palace of Z̧almā behind.
Once we’re flying straight, Janna turns to me, her brow furrowed, “What’s the plan, Jas? We turn up, tell Fadi we’re married, and he gives Sally back?”
“In a nutshell,” I agree.
“Or we hope it will be as simple as that,” Nijad adds, rather unhelpfully in my opinion, from the front seat.
“Do you ride, Sheikha?” Rais asks over his shoulder.
I have to give her a nudge, “That’s you, habiti.”
“What? Oh.”
I smile at her look of surprise, “While you’re my wife you have a title. You should get used to it and respond to it, habiti. It will help convince Fadi.”
She nibbles at her lip, and then remembers she’s been asked a question, “No, I don’t ride, Sheikh Rais. When I was a child, I was more interested in music than being out in the fresh air.”
The fact she’ll be in my arms on a horse again makes me recall the chase through the sands. My warrior blood boils, it’s the right place for my woman to be. “You’ll ride with me.”
An almost imperceptible shifting of her body suggests she’s remembering it too. Her eyes meet mine, there’s a sparkle there. “No tent today,” I say softly, cruelly bringing to both our minds the way I divested her of her virginity. Her mouth opens in a delightful O. I grin.
Chapter 26
Janna
I’m either getting used to flying in a helicopter, or it’s the calming presence of the man sitting beside me, but my stomach doesn’t dip and churn as we take off and start flying over the desert. Maybe it’s because all my senses were turned upside down last night. Just reminiscing makes me shiver. The things this man does to me, which I let him do to me. I had a safeword I could have used at any time. I just didn’t want to.
And now he’s gone and reminded me of that night in the desert, thoughts I really don’t need at this serious time. Am I always going to be in a constant state of arousal around him? Or will his effect on me eventually wear off? I hope that it does, and at the same time as his attraction to me. I have to keep reminding myself, I’m not really his wife. Only until we get Sally back, and a short period after that until we’ll part and go our different ways. It’s so easy to day, but as my gut clenches, it’s not because the helicopter is swooping over a dune, already, I’m fear I might never be ready to let him go.
Sally. Think of Sally. What is she going through? Is she harmed? Afraid? I turn to look out of the window, but don’t take any notice of the sand below us. She’d found the desert romantic, but her delight in it must surely have worn off now. I can’t see any pleasure in being held captive. A dreamy idea that must surely have been destroyed by reality.
Frowning, I think back. When Sally had been directing the filming, I don’t remember seeing Fadi. I hadn’t been introduced to any of the other riders, or taken much notice of the robed men. At the time, my main concern was that the horses they were riding weren’t going to run me down. And then, of course, Jasim had come and swept me up into his arms and we’d left everyone else behind.
What kind of man is Sally’s kidnapper? He can’t be particularly young or attractive, else why would he need to kidnap another woman so he could demand me in her place? My mind conjures up an overweight, heavily bearded, middle-aged man. My nose wrinkles, as I go on to imagine a sweaty, smelly man with a heavy paunch. Cunning and sly, with an unpleasant personality to go along with his looks. My thoughts make me shudder, Jasim squeezes my hand.
What if he doesn’t give Sally back? Would I be able I offer myself in exchange? Goosebumps appear just thinking about it and I dismiss the notion fast. Swap the man by my side with the unknown nightmare I’ve just conjured up in my head? No, I couldn’t do it. But how will I feel if he carries out his threat? Can I allow someone to be harmed just so I can enjoy my life? All at once I grow scared. If he’s not convinced by our marriage, what could we do then? And what exactly will be expected of me?
“Are you okay?”
I can’t lie so give a shake of my head. “I’m just thinking about what will happen. What if Fadi hurts Sally?”
Jasim growls, and his fingers tighten. “He’d be a fool to do that. He knows he’s committed a crime against his country by kidnapping a foreign citizen. He won’t compound his folly.”
“He is facing a prison sentence. We can bargain with that.” As Rais breaks in, I jump, having forgotten we were all on the same radio wavelength.
“You’d let him live if he lets Sally go?” Nijad asks.
“Kadar seemed adamant that incarceration would be the penalty. But for how long? The length of his sentence could be used as a starting point for any negotiation,” Jasim confirms.
“We’re coming up close,” Nijad advises. Straining my eyes, up ahead I can see lorries, men, and a corral. “We’ll be landing in a minute.”
As the helicopter gently settles down, the sound of the rotors makes the horses start. I notice a horse as black as midnight rearing, and Nijad gives a barked laugh of surprise as he shuts down the engine. While the rotors stop turning, Jasim helps me down.
Quickly leaving the pilot’s seat, Nijad walks smartly away in the direction of the horses’ corral. Jasim gives a little tug at my hand, and we follow behind. The black horse comes thundering over, Nijad stretches out his hand for it to nuzzle.
“Amal, my old friend. It’s a long time since I’ve seen you.” With an indulgent smile on his face, Nijad strokes the dark as night horse’s face.
Man and horse seem to recognise each other. “Is he yours?”
“Yes, Janna. This is my stallion. Rais, my friend. Thank you for bringing him here.”
I hadn’t heard Rais approaching, but see him grinning at Jasim’s brother. “I knew you’d welcome the chance to ride him. It brings back memories, my old friend, doesn’t it?”
As they reminisce, I notice another horse, one who’s colour looks familiar, his dark bay coat standing out from the rest. “Is that…?”
“Yes, habiti.” A simple confirmation that was the horse Jasim rode to take me to my special surprise night in the Arabian tent.
Rais signals to his men, and soon a pile of tack disappears as horses are bridled and saddled. To my astonishment, Nijad and Jasim jump the fence and start tacking up their own mounts. The ease with which they do so showing a familiarity bred from practice. In no time at all, they’re ready and men start to mount up.
Following his brother’s example, Jasim is soon astride the dark horse. He holds out his hand, and his strong arm pulls me up so I’m sitting sideways in front of him. My position should feel precarious, but he’s holding me tight and makes me feel safe. Nijad’s horse is rearing, but he only laughs, and I think, encourages him.
“Show off!” Jasim growls.
There’s an army behind us, fifty or so warriors astride their steeds. If I’d come to Amahad wanting adventure, I’d have certainly found it. The thought that Sally would be in her element flits through my head, a salient reminder of just why we’re here. Jasim turns the horse, facing it toward what looks like an impenetrable mountain in front of us, and high on the side, I can make out what looks like a fort.
“Is that where we’re going?” It looks high up; any path must be steep and dangerous.
“Yes.”
Rais, riding a grey, comes alongside us. “Ready?”
Jasim jerks his head, squeezes his legs, and the horse beneath us jumps forward. I clutch at Jasim’s arms to keep my balance.
“It’s alright, I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.”
As the horses move off, thundering hoof beats sounding behind us, the sun blazes down, and I pull my hijab up over my face to keep the blowing sand out of my face, sparing a thought for the riders following in our wake. Jasim arranges his headdress so only his eyes are visible, transforming him into a dangerous warrior. As my bum slides back into him, I feel his hard cock press into my behind, and I’m
glad he can’t see my face, and know how much, despite the seriousness of the situation, his closeness and touch is turning me on.
Then my thoughts turn to our destination, and what lies ahead. My brief enjoyment of being held by my man starts to fade, as the uncertainty of what we will find returns. What state will Sally be in? Has Fadi hurt her? How scared will she be, not knowing that help and rescue is on its way? Does she think she’s been abandoned? She must feel so alone. Does Fadi even speak English? And what does she know of his plans? Oh God, she must be terrified.
After the brief burst of speed, we slow to a walk, it’s the middle of the day, and both horses and men will be wilting. Jasim explains they’re conserving their energy in case they need to fight. Fadi must know we’re approaching, from his vantage point he won’t have missed the lorries and horses, and the small army that’s now approaching.
It isn’t long before we’re travelling over rocky ground, the sound of the hoofbeats echoing around. I start feeling nauseous, and it isn’t the rhythm of the horse affecting me. I’m scared.
Rais comes alongside, “He must know we’re on our way.”
Jasim pulls back on the reins, his horse stops. “Will he come out to meet us?”
Examining the path ahead, holding his hand over his eyes to shield them from sun’s rays, Rais studies the route ahead, “I doubt it. He’ll expect us to go to him.”
Nijad comes up to join us, “Rais. You and I will go ahead. Explain the position and that the woman, sorry,” he throws me an apologetic look, “Janna, is no longer available.”
“Leave your men here, Rais. I’ll go ahead with you. Your word may not be enough, Ni.”
“It should be.” Nijad’s snarl of disagreement reminds me he’s the ruling sheikh of the desert.
Dark Horses: (Blood Brothers #5) Page 25