At the mention of Hakim’s name, Shelby’s knees weakened. She pressed a hand against the back of the couch to steady herself. “What’s going on?”
The woman stood. “As I said, we were sent by Prince Hakim.”
Shelby regarded the two men, her breathing returning to normal. The smaller one still rubbed his ribs, and the other pushed his lips together as if attempting not to laugh. All three had the same thick, dark hair and caramel-colored skin as Hakim. The men were dressed in casual clothing, but the woman’s pant suit gave her the appearance of someone who would be more comfortable in a board room than sitting on a yard-sale couch in a one-bedroom apartment.
“My associates and I would like you to accompany us somewhere safe where we can talk,” the woman said.
Shelby folded her arms across her chest, raising her chin and hoping she projected a confidence that she did not feel. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s happening.”
The woman sighed, lowering her eyelids partway and tipping her head forward before taking out her phone. Her manicured nails clicked on the screen. She spoke in another language, before handing it to Shelby with a scowl.
Shelby lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
“Shelby. Are you all right?”
The worried voice was achingly familiar. Shelby sucked in a breath. “Hakim?” Relief washed over her, followed by uncertainty, anger, fear, and a thousand other emotions. “Hakim, what’s going on?”
“We must get you somewhere safe. Please. You can trust Shanayze. She will explain everything.”
“Shanayze?” Shelby looked at the woman.
Shanayze glanced back and nodded, but continued her quiet conversation with the men.
Shelby guessed Shanayze was in her forties. She seemed irritated to be there and gazed around Shelby’s apartment with obvious distaste. Who was she? One of Hakim’s friends? “She will explain what?”
“I promise everything will be all right. I will talk to you soon, Shelby Jo.”
“Wait, I haven’t heard from you in over a month, and you’re hanging up without telling me anything?” Panic wriggled inside her stomach.
“Please trust me,” he said.
She could hear the strain in his quiet voice before he hung up. “He told me to listen to you.” Shelby handed back the phone, trying to read Shanayze’s expression, but finding her expression impossible to decipher.
“We will escort you to a secure location. Then we will explain everything, Miss Walker.” Shanayze tucked the phone into a pocket of her pantsuit.
“Why can’t we talk here? And why did you break into my apartment? Ever hear of calling first?”
Shanayze huffed out a sigh. “Miss Walker, we have no way of knowing if your location is compromised. We believe only a short time remains before people wishing to do you harm will find your address—in fact, they may have it already. I know you have many questions—please, accompany us, and they will be answered.”
Shanayze and her friends were apparently not ones for small talk. Shelby followed them to a car, and they rode in silence for the next fifteen minutes, before pulling up in front of the nicest hotel in town. Not exactly keeping a low profile.
The valet opened the doors to let the four out of the vehicle, and Shanayze handed him what Shelby assumed was a tip.
Then the group walked through the large rotating glass doors. A huge chandelier gleamed in the front lobby. Ornate rugs decorated the floor. Carved mahogany furniture, upholstered with beautiful fabrics, was spread throughout the waiting areas. Mirrors and fine art hung on the walls. Shelby would have normally stopped to admire the surroundings, spellbound by the stunning beauty of the place, but under the circumstances, she could only glance around, following Shanayze to the elevators.
The two men stuck close behind.
The vigilant way they scrutinized their surroundings reminded Shelby of the way Nasir had scoped out the snack shop at Bear Creek.
Inside the elevator, Shanayze slid a keycard into a slot and pushed the button for the penthouse.
After the doors opened, they entered a room with a large seating area. A colorful rug stretched over the floor beneath beautiful tapestry couches. A grand piano stood on one side of the room, and on the other, a glass dining table held a vase full of flowers. To the side was a hall with doors leading to other rooms in the suite. The windows looked out onto what Shelby imagined would be an impressive view of the city, once snow stopped falling.
The group moved to the couches and sat.
Shelby was ready to get some answers and immediately leaned forward in her seat.
Shanayze raised a hand. “Please, Miss Walker. Allow me to explain the situation in which we find ourselves, before you begin to ask questions.”
Shelby sat back against the cushions, folded her arms, and waited.
“First of all,” she said, “I will begin with introductions. My name, as you know, is Shanayze. These are my associates, Jahmal and Mujir.”
Mujir was the larger man. He removed his coat, revealing a bulky and undoubtedly well-muscled physique. His eyes bore heavy lids, giving him a sleepy look. The man who had grabbed her, Jahmal, was much smaller, with a pointy nose and goatee. His dark gaze darted around, alert, watching her.
The men tipped their heads forward in a bow.
“Ahlan wa sahlan,” Shelby returned their bow.
Shanayze raised her eyebrows. “As I said before, the three of us have been sent by Prince Hakim. We are under orders to ensure your safety by whatever means we deem necessary.”
Shelby opened her mouth but snapped it shut when Shanayze kept speaking.
“I do not know if you are aware, but at the present time, there is unrest in Khali-dar. A radical group, calling themselves Nahl, is threatening to overthrow the government. As of now, Nahl does not have many followers—however, their methods are quite violent. In English, they would be called terrorists. Nahl is the Arabic word for ‘bees’ because the group refers to their attacks as ‘stings.’ Nahl is unhappy with the Khali-dar government, because they believe Prince Hakim and his father, Sheik Rashid, have become too westernized and are leading the people away from traditional ways.”
Shanayze’s tone was matter-of-fact, as if she were reciting from a textbook. Shelby struggled to swallow. Was Hakim in danger? She studied Shanayze’s expression, wondering about her personal feelings concerning the prince or the state of her country. Shanayze’s expression and tone gave nothing away.
“Our intelligence has been unable to locate the leader of Nahl, or to locate their headquarters. We have, however intercepted various communications. One communication mentioned Prince Hakim had spent time with a woman in the United States.” Shanayze raised a brow and straightened her glasses. “We believe the recent interview you gave to the newspaper about your accident, naming your friends, ‘Hakim and Nasir’ may lead to the discovery of your identity. Prince Hakim and his personal guard, Nasir, fear your life would be in danger, should Nahl find you.”
With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Shelby remembered what Xan had said about the phone call. Were they searching for her? “But, why would they want me?” Shelby asked. “That possibility seems ridiculous. I have no influence over Khali-dar’s government.”
Shanayze lowered her chin and held Shelby’s gaze.
Shelby tried not to squirm under the intensity in the woman’s scrutiny.
“No, Miss Walker, you do not. But Prince Hakim and his father, the Sheik, are inaccessible. Security has been increased since the attack on the Sheik, and it would be nearly impossible to hurt one of them. Nahl understands this, and they also know the best way to force the hand of the prince would be to threaten someone he cares about.”
Shelby inhaled a quick breath as her heart pounded, and her stomach churned.
“There have been very similar situations in countries near Khali-dar. One instance in particular had an especially horrific outcome. The heir’s betrothed was killed, as wa
s her entire family.”
If Shelby hadn’t been sitting, she was sure she would’ve fainted. She put her head in her hands. Her family? If this group found out her identity, it wouldn’t take much for them to find her family. “What can I do?” she whispered.
“As of now, we are reasonably sure Nahl has been unsuccessful in their attempts to locate you. If they had, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Prince Hakim and Nasir feel the only way to prevent your discovery would be for you to return with us to Khali-dar.”
“What?” Shelby’s head jerked up and her pulse beat faster. “Leave the country? Didn’t you just say Khali-dar was in a state of unrest? What about the police? I’m sure there’s some sort of government agency that handles stuff like this, right?”
“Consider what would happen if you went to the police with your concerns. Would they take you seriously? Could they protect you? Do you think you would be safe if you returned to Culver Springs? You’d not only be in danger, but you’d be putting your family in danger, as well.”
Scenarios ran through Shelby’s mind. Every word this woman spoke took away another one of her options. What could she do? Where could she go? Fleeing the country was not only an outrageous solution, but out of the question. Gathering her thoughts, she said, “There has to be another way. I have a job and a home and a library book that’s due in a few days. What about my passport? I don’t have any money or clothes.” She stood. “I need time to think and figure out what’s going on.”
Shanayze also stood. “I suggest you sleep on it and make a decision in the morning. I’ll show you to a room. Please, make a list of things you need from your apartment. Jahmal and Mujir will return and gather the items. You will be safe here tonight.”
“Isn’t it dangerous to go back to my place?” She jerked a hand toward the door. “What if Nahl has already found out where my apartment is?”
“There is obvious danger, but Jahmal and Mujir have been trained for this type of operation. They will be much more effective without having to worry about protecting a civilian.”
So now sending someone to pick up my jammies is an “operation?” The adrenaline pumping through her body had worn off, and she realized how tired she was. “Thanks, Shanayze. You’re right. Once I’ve had a good night’s sleep, I’ll think more clearly and figure out what to do.”
Shelby followed Shanayze back past the elevators and to a hallway. She knew she needed clean clothes, but felt uncomfortable telling strangers where to find her underwear. When she remembered the fresh basket of laundry she had folded and left on her bed, she smiled in relief. They could just grab the whole basket. She also explained to Shanayze, who translated for the men, the whereabouts of her passport, cowboy boots, and library book—she would insist they take her to return it tomorrow.
Shanayze opened one of the hallway doors, revealing a luxurious room with a thick down comforter and pillows piled on the bed. Another door led to an enormous bathroom. “Please, make yourself comfortable. I will bring your things when the men return.” She exited the room, closing the door behind her.
Shelby turned on the faucet and filled the deep tub then experimented with some of the bath salts and sank beneath the steaming water. At last, a chance to think! She considered her situation as logically as she could. The danger was obviously real. Shanayze was right, she couldn’t go home until she was sure her apartment was safe.
Returning home to Culver Springs was also out of the question. Shelby knew if she called and told her parents about her situation, her father would insist she come home, and she wouldn’t even consider putting her family in danger.
That left the option of going to the police. Would they help her? Shelby doubted it. They might listen, have her fill out some papers, and then tell her a patrol car would drive by her place a few times a night.
What about the FBI? Or the Department of Homeland Security? Wasn’t this the type of thing they dealt with? What would they do? Put her in the Witness Protection Program? Send her to a safe house?
Then she considered Shanayze’s suggestion she go to Khali-dar. The idea was terrifying. She had only been out of the country once—to do a story on some Canadian ski resorts. But, the Middle-East? How would she even get there? She had no idea if the money in her checking account would cover something like that. Also, what would she do once she was there? Would she be able to leave?
Hearing Hakim’s voice today brought back all the feelings she’d buried since he left. Shelby didn’t want the fact that she was dying to see him influence her decision, but who was she kidding? Maybe this was a chance to see how their relationship would play out. Could she forgive him? Her heart beat faster when she remembered the desperation in his voice on the phone. He was worried and he cared about her. Chet’s words tickled the back of her mind.
Can I trust Hakim?
She felt like a teenager worrying about seeing her boyfriend at school the next day. Seriously, how could that scare her more than leaving the only world she had ever known behind and fleeing for her life?
Shelby wrapped herself in the thick hotel bathrobe and walked into the bedroom. The basket of her clothes sat on the floor next to her bed. She changed into her pajamas and curled into a soft chair, staring through the window at the falling snow.
What would seeing Hakim again be like? Did he really want her to come to Khali-dar? Or did he feel obligated to take care of her? Did she dare travel to Khali-dar? Could she trust Hakim with her life? Her heart?
Chapter Eleven
Shelby woke and looked at her surroundings, her stomach turning over as she remembered where she was. It hadn’t been a dream. The revelations of the night before sank back onto her awareness. She quickly dressed. When she stepped into the main room of the penthouse, she saw Jahmal, Mujir, and Shanayze were already awake.
The three sat at the dining table, which was set with fruit and bagels.
“Good morning,” Shelby said.
Both men nodded.
Shanayze motioned to the table. “Please help yourself, Miss Walker.”
Shelby spooned fruit into a bowl and sat at the table facing the windows. She had been right about the view. New snow glistened in the early morning light. The storm had cleaned all the pollution from the atmosphere, and the landscape spread out before her, covered in a thick layer of powder. She loved this city.
Shanayze stirred her coffee. “So, Miss Walker, have you reached a decision?”
Shelby swallowed a bite of cantaloupe before answering. “Yes…No. I need to talk to Hakim before I make up my mind about anything.”
Shanayze inhaled a quick breath.
Jahmal and Mujir scowled.
Shelby realized her mistake. “I mean, Prince Hakim. Sorry, I’m not used to using his title. Could you please help me call him?”
“Very well, Miss Walker,” Shanayze spoke in a cool voice. “Please give me a moment to see if His Highness is available.” She exited the room, leaving Shelby alone with the two men.
The tension in the room was palpable. Shelby grimaced. She would have to remember to be more careful with what she said.
Shanayze returned and handed Shelby a cellphone. She motioned to the two men, and they left the room to give Shelby privacy.
“Hello, Hakim?”
“Shelby Jo. I am so sorry to have put you in this situation.”
A wave of relief washed over her at the sound of his voice, followed by a tightening in her chest as her frustration surfaced. “Hakim, this is ridiculous. I don’t know what to do. I needed to talk to you.”
“I cannot imagine this is easy, but I promise you will be safe in Khali-dar.”
His voice was calm, but she heard an undertone of worry. “Shanayze told me about the problems over there. I just don’t understand. How could I be safe there? How could traveling to Khali-dar keep my family safe?”
“This Nahl group, they hope to intimidate me by threatening the people I care about. If you are here, they will be unable to h
ave access to cause you any harm. Once it is known you are in Khali-dar, your family will also be safe. Nasir is certain they have still been unable to find you, and once an announcement is made you are gone, they will stop searching in Colorado.”
“So, I just leave behind my life and become a refugee in a foreign land indefinitely? That can’t be the only feasible option. It’s insane.” She paced in front of the window. “What about my family? My apartment? My job?”
“I promise this situation will not be forever. We are getting close to eradicating this threat completely. The last thing I want is for you to be unhappy. Please. Trust me. To me, your safety is the most important thing. And you will love it here.” He paused. “Shelby Jo, I must admit I also have selfish reasons for wanting you to come.”
Hearing the softness in his voice, Shelby felt her anxiety calm. She sat on the couch and rested her forehead in her palm. She breathed for a moment before speaking, and when she did, she whispered. “I’m scared. Not just about this Nahl group or traveling halfway around the world.” Shelby was unsure of how to continue. “The way we left things, I…I was so angry and hurt. I don’t know if I’m ready to handle being with you again.”
“Please, can we try? Let me protect you.”
“I don’t know.” Shelby ended the call and leaned back her head onto the cushions, her mind a blur. Who could she talk to? After a few minutes, she stood, set Shanayze’s phone on the table, and walked back into her room. Shelby had left her phone charging on the nightstand. She turned it over in her hands while she was thinking.
She couldn’t call Xan. Why did he have to go and ruin a perfectly good friendship?
Lacey? This was too much for her to handle. She had a family to think about. Even knowing about this might put her in danger.
Finally, Shelby made up her mind and called home. “Hey, Mom.” Shelby swallowed her anxiety, trying to sound excited. “I actually called to tell you some news. Hakim invited me to go visit him in Khali-dar…and I accepted.”
****
After hanging up the phone, Shelby took a few minutes to get a grip on her emotions. She entered the main room and found Shanayze at the table, working on her laptop.
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