Sophia took a moment to digest the new information. “Even so, Genevieve, you may not be safe with him. You need to think about that when you consider your child.”
Genevieve listened not knowing how to respond. What was she to say of her fictitious unborn child’s welfare, especially when she herself had worried over her own safety?
“We don’t know anything about these men,” Sophia continued with a note of anxiety in her voice. “Except they had the map and were able to find you.”
“Which is exactly why we’re no longer safe here,” Genevieve argued, grasping at the leverage her mother had given her. “Please, let us go back home… to England.” She pleaded.
Sophia reached out and put a comforting hand on her daughters shoulder. “Akeim,” she addressed the warrior, “I believe we’ll be escorting these men to Aswan. Will you please further disarm them?” She noticed her daughter’s look of panic, and then added insightfully, “Without doing them harm, please.”
Genevieve relaxed visibly. She almost wanted to jump for joy, but did her best not to look too pleased about her victory.
Akeim smiled menacingly toward the men. He pointed toward Alec with his sword and said, “You first… slowly.”
Alec did as requested and slowly tossed his gun belt and a knife to the ground. Because he wore a thin lawn shirt and a pair of beige pants which fit him like a glove, it would have been noticeable if he’d carried more within his clothing. He looked down his person implying as much with the motion.
Akeim nodded. “Now, empty the boots.”
Slowly, Alec took out his knife from one boot and then a small pistol from the other adding them to the knife on the ground between them. It didn’t sit well with him that this was the second time he’d had to give this bastard his weapons.
Satisfied, Akeim nodded toward Samuel, “Now you.”
Samuel did the same as Alec, adding another two knives and a pistol to the pile. Akeim wasn’t satisfied. Though Samuel was dressed much the same as Alec he also wore a jacket with several pockets. Akeim motioned for him to empty them… three more knives joined the pile.
“All of them.” He commanded.
With a sigh, Samuel reached up behind his neck and pulled a thin knife from his collar. Brass rings from an interior pocket fell to the growing pile of weaponry, followed by three, small throwing stars. He then looked towards Akeim with hands up, implying he was finished.
Akeim took the added precaution and turned to Alec once again, “Anything else?”
Alec shook his head in the negative.
Akeim sized him up. This one was either capable of defending himself without a weapon, or was too cocksure. He didn’t know which. The other was too slippery to trust either way. He pointed the sword to Samuel again and warned, “All of it.”
Samuel rolled his eyes before pulling a straight razor from his boot. “That’s it, I swear.” He looked to Alec and added, “I feel as naked as a newborn.”
“Like I said, don’t give them any ideas.” Alec practically swore, wondering if they’d be stripped down next.
~*~
The fire crackled between the two pair of men sitting before it. They had just finished their dinner, which included a lizard and two snakes that had been roasted on sticks over the flames.
Samuel licked his fingers, enjoying for the most part the fresh meat. “Mmmm… snake kabob… what a rare treat.” His voice was filled with sarcasm. “Alec, would you care for another?” Samuel held a piece of the skewered meat up for his inspection.
Alec shook his head as he continued to watch every move the warrior and the Dragoman made. Having been used much like slave labor, dinner hadn’t settled well with him. He and Samuel had collected the wood the river had washed down stream, as well as set up the tent for the women’s use.
It was something he would have done anyway, but having to follow the dictates of the warrior named Akeim was enough to put him in a foul mood. He’d really like to be back in charge of his life and keep it that way for more than a day.
Alec had only a brief glimpse of Genevieve as she’d disappeared within the tent. Her mother’s watchdog hadn’t let either Samuel or himself out of his sight and still now he eyed them over the flames. It was going to be another long night, Alec thought wearily.
“Well I’ll be damned,” Samuel exclaimed as he examined his next morsel.” They do have horny toes.” He showed Alec his find, amazed that the hind leg of the lizard actually sported several spikes that jutted out from its toes.
“Hmm,” he curiously took a bite. “Tastes like chicken, sure you wouldn’t care to try it?”
“You do realize that you’ve just managed to eat the only specimen that we’ve actually seen?” Alec briefly looked at him.
“I take it that’s a no,” Samuel picked at his teeth. “It is a little gristly if you ask me.”
“I’ll be sure to write that in my notes when I submit my findings.”
Samuel slowly pulled out his flask as the warrior monitored the movement and took a swig. “Care for some of this instead?” He held the silver container out to Alec. When he declined, Samuel carefully replaced it, stifling a yawn. “I’m bushed,” he stretched. “Yes, indeed. I think I’ll hit the dirt,” taking a blanket he made a place beside the fire.
“You do that,” Alec kept his eye on the Arab who was still watching them. The man had to have the blackest eyes he’d ever seen.
“Look on the bright side.” Samuel adjusted his bedding as he lay down. “At least your new father-in-law seems to have taken a shine to you.”
“Yes, I’ll feel much better sleeping now that I know he’s watching over me.” Alec commented dryly, seeing the man for the first time as his father-in-law.
Unbelievable!
Chapter 12
Alec awoke to find the warrior still watching him. Bloody hell! Does this guy sleep? The man was in the exact same position as when he himself had finally nodded off.
“I’m betting he sleeps with his eyes open,” Samuel whispered from his place by the fire. “It’s almost enough to give you the heebie-jeebies.”
“More like a nightmare,” Alec sat up as Samuel stoked the fire. He really didn’t think things could get worse until Lady Sophia joined them by the fire.
“Gentlemen,” she stood before them. “I trust you slept well.”
“Good morning.” Both Alec and Samuel greeted her as they stood up.
If the black stares of the warrior and the guide hadn’t been enough to make one uncomfortable, a moment later she informed them that she would like to talk to Alec about his marriage to her daughter… It was remarkable, how fast everyone else found another place to be. The guide disappeared first, then the warrior.
“I guess he’s gone to sharpen his sword,” Samuel commented as he watched him go. Catching her eye, he too left saying, “I’ll just go see to the camels.”
Alec remained standing while his mother-in-law seated herself on a log by the fire then chose a spot opposite to her.
“Tell me young man,” Sophia looked directly at him, getting right to the point. “What are your intentions regarding my daughter?”
Alec cleared his throat… Should he confess they had decided to annul it? The truth would hardly get him what he wanted… and Genevieve had told her a much different story. It might make it easier to win the daughter if he could win over his mother-in-law.
“If she’ll have me,” he declared, “I intend to make her the best husband that I can possibly be.”
“Would you put her happiness above your own?” Sophia asked sharply.
“Yes.”
“What of her welfare?”
“I would die for her,” he stated emphatically.
She watched him for a moment. He noticed a sadness enter her eyes as she finally spoke. “Let us hope it doesn’t come to that.” She started to stand.
Alec stood as well. “I’d like to ask a question of you, if I may.”
She paused, “I’ll
not answer any questions regarding the map.”
“How did you know that Langston sat at that table?” When it looked as though she was not going to answer, he continued. “I’m asking as a matter of safety. I’d like to know if he is a threat?”
“I wish I could answer that,” Sophia spoke softly. “My husband, Jonathon, died trying to protect us. It seems we were betrayed by someone close. Unfortunately, Lord Langston was very close.”
“He died protecting the map?” Alec could hardly believe it when she nodded. “Why not just get rid of it?”
“It’s not that easy,” she sighed wearily as she stood. “As for your question about Lord Langston, the answer is yes, he is very dangerous.”
He returned to his feet as she rose, but there was no further conversation. She left him to speak with Akeim. Apparently, she’d accepted what he’d said, for even Samuel remarked on the vast difference in their treatment from the warrior a little later.
“I don’t know how you did it, but it seems to have worked.” Samuel commented as he headed off toward the temple to do some more sketches. “Don’t suppose you could offer him your firstborn son in return for our weapons?”
Alec raised his brow in answer.
“No?” Samuel feigned regret. “I didn’t think so.”
Genevieve awoke to find her mother and Akeim sitting by the fire talking quietly.
“Good morning, dear,” her mother greeted her as she poured her a hot cup of kaf.
Genevieve accepted it and inhaled the aroma. “Mmm, thank you.” It smelled delicious and tasted even better. She didn’t know how Alec achieved such a bitter brew. Thinking of him, she looked around. Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be seen. She could see Samuel up on the hill busily sketching the exterior of Ramesses temple, but there was no sign of Alec anywhere near him. She was about to ask after him when her mother spoke.
“Sir Alec is down by the river fishing for our breakfast.” Sophia smiled. “Why don’t you take him some kaf and see how he’s doing?”
Genevieve was stunned that her mother had actually suggested she find him. What had happened while she slept, she wondered, walking toward the figure she could see down by the water’s edge.
After yesterday, she assumed Akeim would continue to treat the men as criminals. Something had happened… she just didn’t know what yet. She looked back receiving a wave from her mother. Something had definitely happened.
“Good morning,” Alec called out to her as she approached him. She smiled in return and held up his cup. He nodded. “Let me have another go at this and I’ll be right up.” She stood on the bank above him watching him as he slowly wound the net back into his arms.
She could see that he’d taken his boots off and set them on the shore. He’d also rolled up his sleeves and pant legs, but it hadn’t prevented him from getting wet. In fact, his whole front was soaked from his efforts.
There was something about him that made her heart skip a beat as she watched. He looked like the wet Adonis who had entered her tent on their first night. Only now he was playfully hauling in his catch, which somehow made him even more appealing.
“Akeim didn’t trust me with a spear so it was the net or nothing.” He smiled at her again over his shoulder as he worked. There was a flash of silver from a small fish that had become entangled within the netting. His eyes danced with merriment as he caught it in his hand and showed her his prize. It was only about four inches long, but he was acting as if he’d just hauled in Moby Dick. She felt a serious pull on her heartstrings as she watched him.
The fish wiggled free of his grasp and flopped back into the water. Alec lunged for it, but lost his balance on the slick bottom of the bank and fell. With a splash, he ended up sitting waist high in the water. He looked over at her and shrugged his shoulders as she laughed. “If you think that was graceful wait ‘till you see me dance.”
She had a fleeting glimpse at what it might be like in his arms dancing across a ballroom floor. Complete with a few toe-stomping steps. She wished she could see him dance. Truth was… she’d almost give anything to be the one that he held in his arms.
Genevieve felt her heart sink as she glanced back toward her mother. Sophia had been right, they knew nothing about him. She worried her lip as she looked back toward Alec. He was so beautiful she knew she was in trouble, despite her efforts to guard her heart from him. She was only falling deeper under his spell.
He caught her watching and laughed, “Don’t worry, I’ll catch another.”
She smiled in return and watched as he gathered the net once again, tossing it high over the water. It spread out like a fan before disappearing.
“That’s the best one yet,” he said in regards to his technique. “You should have been here on my first attempt. It dragged me right in with it after I tossed it.” Alec motioned with his arm so that she could see that he’d tied the net to his wrist.
He definitely wasn’t a fisherman, she decided as the movement almost made him lose his balance again. Once he had regained his footing, he grinned at her again, making light of his abilities.
She laughed as watched him. He was actually rather graceful she decided a moment later as he braced himself against the current and rhythmically wound the net back in. The sinuous movement of his bulging muscles against his wet clothing might have had something to do with it. Her throat was dry by the time he’d gathered it up again.
He must have used every muscle in his body, she decided having watched spellbound, unable to tear her eyes away. Alec gifted her with another of his grins that showed the dimple in his cheek as he looked up at her and said, “One more time.” She noticed the mischievous glint in his eye as he added, “Kiss for luck?”
He grinned at her surprised expression, but his eyes darkened with pleasure when she blew him a kiss. He threw his head back and laughed before he let the net fly.
Alec started rhythmically winding up the net again, “Would you look at that!” The water churned in front of him as he hauled it in. Caught within the line was a large fish. She was just relieved he hadn’t hauled in a crocodile.
“Your breakfast awaits my lady,” he called proudly, “And the best part is that Akeim will have to clean it.” He laughingly explained, “It was our deal, since he would not allow me a knife.”
Excitedly he gathered up the net, careful not to let it escape this time. Keeping the fish in the net until he was on shore, he strung it on a line, slipped his boots on and flung the net over his shoulder.
He was breathing heavy from his efforts as he stepped closer, accepting the cup she’d been holding. He took a big swallow, “Mmm, much better than mine isn’t it?”
She tried to say something positive, but nothing came out.
“I’ll admit that it’s not my forte.” Watching her as he was, his expression said his forte was something else entirely. He stood close enough to kiss her, but didn’t. Instead his eyes longingly caressed her face until they found her lips. “Thank you for the good luck kiss.”
Genevieve smiled bashfully, casting her eyes down. Alec couldn’t help but laugh at his beautiful, blushing bride.
~*~
Sophia watched as her daughter and Alec walked toward them. “What do you make of him?”
Akeim turned toward the couple at her question and groaned when he saw the fish.
Sophia raised her brows at his response, “That bad?”
“No, it’s that I hate to clean fish.” He nodded as Alec held up the catch for him to see. “He dares much,” he said of Alec’s action. “I am glad it is to him that she is wed and not the other,” he added as he watched the two.
“Why is that?” Sophia asked curiously.
He considered this for a moment. “The one called Samuel is flighty and like the wily fox, I do not trust him.”
“What of Alec?” she prompted.
“It does not appear that he mistreated Genevieve despite what the Sheik forced upon him.”
“No, it doesn’t, does
it.” She was lost in thought as she continued to watch the young couple walk toward them. They were laughing at something and looked for all intents and purposes to be deeply in love. “Do you think he is safe?”
Thoughtfully Akeim turned to her, “I think the lion has yet to bare his teeth.”
Samuel who was making his way down the hill, hollered over toward Alec, just then, “I say, good catch ol’ boy.”
Considering they both approached from the opposite directions, Akeim stood up out of long years of training. They might be safe, but he wasn’t about to offer them an opportunity either.
“Fantastic! Look at the size of it,” Samuel called out in appreciation as Alec held his catch up. “Hmm, I for one can’t wait for a decent meal,” he caught Akeim’s eye. “Not that shisk-kabobb-ed snake isn’t one of my all-time favorites,” he laughed when Akeim gave him a non-appreciative glance in return.
Alec shook his head at Samuel’s antics as he headed for a large boulder to set the prized catch upon. Irritating the warrior had apparently become far more entertaining than trying to get a rise from him. Under normal circumstances, he would have welcomed the reprieve. In this case, it might not be the wisest choice.
Alec lifted the net and placed it on the rock, turning slightly away from the task to look back at the group. He froze when he noticed all eyes on him. It wasn’t their attention that made him stand deathly still. It was the knives flying his direction. He let out the breath he’d been holding as they flew past him.
“Holy hell!” He turned in surprise to see what had elicited such a response. A large cobra withered a few feet away from him. The net he’d had over his shoulder had hidden it from his view. Obviously, it hadn’t kept the others from seeing it. All four knives had struck their mark, two in the head, one in the neck and another at the tail.
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