“Why? You seem to stop and slow down when you’re looking at me, so I think I’ll remain just as I am until you take a breath.”
She turned and glared at him. “I don’t have time to take a breath! I have things that are falling apart even as we speak!”
“Shower!” he ordered roughly, dropping his hands and coming towards her. But he didn’t touch her. Nope! He stopped several feet away, frowning down at her. “Now! And after you’re showered and dressed, you’ll meet my friends. They have some ideas on how to fix things.”
Chapter 12
An hour later, Ilara walked beside Jabril, but she couldn’t stop the anger and resentment from bubbling up inside of her. She had so many things to fix and she wasn’t making any progress. But would he let her go back to her office and finish working? Nope! He wanted her to meet his friends! He said he had solutions! Well, where the hell had he been for the last week with his miraculous solutions?!
And she hadn’t figured out how to stop feeling these…feelings for him! She hated that he could walk back into her life and look so incredibly good while Ilara felt as if she were falling apart! He looked happy, healthy, and vital. Ilara knew that she looked like a crazy woman! Or a zombie, depending on the day. And she couldn’t think because anytime she slowed down even slightly, she wondered if he thought about her. Unfortunately, she thought about him all the time! At the most inopportune moments and she just…she wanted to stop! But she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about him. Wondering about him. Hoping that he was happy and healthy and…with her here!
“I’m not taking another step until you tell me…”
“Good morning, Your Highness,” a tall, strangely scary man said, stepping forward. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Ilara shook the coldly scary man’s hand. “A pleasure to meet you as well.”
Jabril spoke from behind her. “Ilara, this is Sebastian Hughes. He owns the bank…”
“Yes! The HB Bank! My apologies, Mr. Hughes. I should have recognized you immediately.”
The man smiled…uh, sort of…and bowed. “No offense taken,” he told her in a surprisingly charming voice.
Ilara tilted her head slightly, seeing the man differently now. That voice was so deep and rich and filled with…something…that it changed her perception of him. She imagined that, if he ever relaxed enough to smile, he would be almost painfully handsome. And a smile might warm up some of the chill that seemed to surround him.
Goodness, Ilara wondered what kind of a woman might actually thaw a man such as Sebastian Hughes. A better woman than she was, Ilara thought with absolute conviction.
“Welcome to Ditra. I hope that…”
Jabril interrupted. “Sebastian isn’t here as a tourist, Ilara. He’s here to help you.”
Ilara blinked. Not a single muscle in his entire face moved. Impressive! “Help me?”
He bowed again and she wondered if he was ticklish. What a fanciful thought! And one she didn’t dare experiment with! No way would she tickle a man such as Sebastian Hughes! Her fingers might freeze!
“Yes, Your Highness. Jabril called me last night and explained some of the issues you are struggling with here. I’d like to offer my services.”
“Why don’t we sit down?” Jabril offered. “Could you bring some coffee?” he asked of a servant, leading all of them into one of the smaller rooms where they could sit and discuss Sebastian’s offer.
“Go ahead, old man,” Jabril urged as everyone sat down.
Sebastian turned and looked at Jabril, cocking an eyebrow in question. Ilara watched as Jabril lifted both of his eyebrows in response.
“When is our next night?” Sebastian asked smoothly, his hand moving over the expensive material of his slacks, as if he were wiping away a speck of dust. Ilara almost snorted at the absurdity. As if a speck of dust would have the courage to land on the man! Craziness! Even dust was probably afraid of Sebastian Hughes!
“Three weeks from now,” Jabril replied promptly.
Without any other response to that mysterious interchange, Sebastian turned back to Ilara. “Here is my suggestion. I have a team of employees that specialize in short term, small loans. Your people need currency in order to get their businesses back up and running. Unfortunately, Ditra doesn’t have a viable currency right now. In order to get money moving through the country, businesses have to reopen. But they can’t reopen because there is no currency.”
She smothered a sigh of frustration. “Yes. I’ve had this conversation with several others recently. We’re working on a plan for the currency to be revalued.”
He nodded. “That would be an excellent long term goal. I’m offering my bank’s services and infrastructure to come in and assist in getting small loans out to your people now, which will help jump start businesses and the economy. It’s only a short term solution, but it will have immediate and positive effect, in my experience. Five hundred US dollars isn’t a large risk for my bank, but here in Ditra, it would buy enough inventory for a grocer to stock their shelves with the basics.”
“True enough,” she agreed, starting to grasp the ramifications of his proposal. “But there aren’t any people who can afford to buy the groceries now.”
“Exactly,” Sebastian agreed. “But if the merchant down the street also obtained a small loan to open their business, and the others on the same street were to have the same small loan, they would use that money to stock their shelves, while also using a small amount to buy the basics for their families. Including groceries.”
For the first time in weeks, Ilara felt a spark of hope. “It’s not a lot,” she whispered, leaning forward. “But it’s a start.”
“Exactly,” Sebastian agreed. “Enough to get people to believe in a better future. It’s all about hope, Your Highness. I’ve seen it before,” he paused. “As soon as people believe in hope, then a great deal can be accomplished. The absence of hope crushes the soul.”
Ilara blinked at the man, suddenly struck with the realization that this man was hard but…not hopeless. He was cold and ruthless because someone had crushed that precious part of him.
Again, she wondered if there was a woman out there who might melt that coldness. He was obviously a generous person, if he was willing to come in here and do this for her people.
“What’s in it for your bank?” she asked abruptly.
The man smiled. Okay, not really smiled. He tilted his head as the only acknowledgement of her question.
“My bank will gain exposure. The small loans are not lucrative enough to be a big business, but the exposure and publicity will be invaluable.”
She had to admit that it sounded like a very reasonable offer. “And what happens when the banks here get back on their feet?”
He did that slight head-tilting thing again. “Perhaps we could be of service there as well. Your central economy is in chaos right now. In a month or two, when the cash starts to move throughout the economy again, the banks can reopen within Ditra. I am more than ready to offer your banks a good rate for start up currency. I can step in to offer the small loans to your people as well as larger loans to your banks until things settle down and the economic infrastructure returns. At that point, my staff will then leave and return to their usual positions.”
Ilara couldn’t believe her good luck. “Why would you offer such favorable terms?” she asked, thinking his offer was just too good to be true.
“Because Jabril is a personal friend of mine,” was all Sebastian said. A moment later, he stood up. “I’ll leave you to discuss the details with Jabril. My staff is standing by, ready to begin, but we will leave if you have alternatives that are more profitable.”
And with another bow, he left the room.
At the doorway, there was a commotion. Ilara’s mouth fell open as three huge, even scarier men stepped into the room. But what was even more astonishing was that the three scary men greeted Sebastian Hughes as if they were brothers! They did the one armed Bro-Hug, their massively muscular arm
s wrapping around the coldly formal man, then moving on. Even more astonishing, Sebastian Hughes, who Ilara would have wagered money would reject any form of touch by other human beings, accepted their hugs, slapping the men on the back before moving off.
Ilara was still staring as the three men stepped into the room. All three men were massively huge, even bigger than Jabril, which she wouldn’t have thought possible. One man had dark hair and seemed to be the most serious. Then there were two others that looked surprisingly similar, with brown hair and green eyes. Brothers?
“Ilara, this is Ryker Thune, Oz Cole and Jayce Cole.”
“Your Highness,” each man greeted, taking her hand and kissing her fingers. Oz and Jayce were charming and almost irreverent, a sparkle to their mischievous green eyes. Ryker seemed to be rolling those stunning blue eyes at his partners, but he was much more formally respectful.
“It is a pleasure to meet each of you,” she said, then stepped back. For some reason, she needed to be close to Jabril. He must have felt the same need because his hand brushed along her back.
“Guys, how about if you explain your brutish presence here in Ditra before you scare my wife with your annoying intimidation tactics.”
Oz chuckled. “From what I’ve heard, not much can intimidate your wife.”
That compliment warmed her and she smiled at the charming man. “Thank you,” she laughed, feeling a bit lighter now.
“Stop flirting with my wife you two,” Jabril growled. “Ryker, why don’t you tell her what The Solutions Group can do.”
The two men in question chuckled but Ryker, obviously the serious one, leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You have a major security issue in your country, Your Highness. Your palace guards are demoralized, ill trained, and slacking off. As we came into the palace a few minutes ago, we found three of them sitting back with their feet up instead of being vigilant.”
Ilara sighed, and tried to excuse her people. “I know, but in their defense, they’ve been in prison cells for I don’t know how long.”
“No excuse,” Oz replied, his teasing demeanor replaced with an intensity that was powerful and oddly reassuring.
Jayce agreed. “Every soldier deals with hardship at some point during their careers. It’s not an excuse for laziness.”
They had a point. She noticed several scars on their forearms. Obviously, these men had dealt with their share of hardships, so they knew what they were talking about. “Okay. What do you suggest?”
Jayce smiled slightly. “It’s not just your guards. Your police are corrupt. They’re taking bribes so the citizens don’t trust them.”
Bribes? That was bad! Ilara rubbed her forehead. “They are desperate. They need money for their families,” she defended again.
“No excuse,” Ryker interrupted. “Police should be in the communities to protect and serve. They can’t do that if the people they are protecting are terrified of them.”
He was absolutely right. “Your suggestion?” she asked, wondering if Ditra could afford it.
“We’ll train the police, interrogate any officer accused of corruption, and put them in jail. Once word spreads that bad behavior won’t be tolerated, it will dissipate. Plus, our training will give them back their self-respect. We’ve provided this training to other governments around the world and we know what to do.”
“I’ve seen them work,” Jabril assured Ilara. “Their tactics are tough, but they also work miracles.”
Ilara turned back to face the three men and she had to explain why she was hesitating. “I don’t know if I can pay for…”
Jabril understood where she was heading. “Piara will loan you the money. Once Ditra is back with a flourishing economy, you can repay me.”
“I can’t…,” she started to shake her head, but he stopped her with a look.
“You can. And you should,” he urged. Leaning forward, he took her hands. “Ilara, this is what countries do for each other. Trust me.”
“You should, Your Highness,” Ryker agreed.
Looking into Jabril’s eyes, she knew what she should do. It was only his absence over the past few weeks that made her want to say no. She was being stubborn for no good reason, she thought. In the end, she had to remind herself that this wasn’t personal. This was for Ditra and she couldn’t let pride or hurt feelings get in the way.
“Fine.” She turned to the three men. “Okay, when can you start?”
“Today,” Ryker replied promptly. “We brought a team and they are standing by. They are good men who will train your guards hard. They saw the same things we witnessed and are eager to establish discipline and order. We can get more of our men and women here to assist in the training as our teams come off missions around the world.”
That was both startling and reassuring. “Around the world? You mean that you do this for others?”
Ryker smiled ever so slightly. “We resolve…issues, that are a bit more delicate in nature, Your Highness. Missions that governments can’t, or won’t, resolve.”
Ilara had no idea what that meant, but she nodded. “Okay. What you are proposing sounds good. Your assistance is going to be a huge help.” She stood up and extended her hands. The three men stood as well. “Report back to me weekly on your progress.”
“Will do,” Ryker said, then bowed as he walked out of the room.
When they were alone, Ilara turned to Jabril. “Thank you for your assistance here today,” she said formally. “Mr. Hughes and The Solutions Group will be a huge help in rebuilding Ditra.”
“I’m relieved to offer my help,” he replied. He opened his mouth to say something else, but his cell phone rang. Jabril’s mouth snapped shut and he shot her an apologetic look. “Just a moment,” he said to her.
Ilara watched with increasing frustration as her husband of almost a month walked away from her yet again. The trials of being in a position of power, she thought with irritation. With a sigh, she turned, heading to her office where she was fairly certain twenty or thirty new problems had been discovered in the past twelve hours.
Chapter 13
“Enough!” Ilara snapped. It was midnight and she was exhausted, but sexual frustration was keeping her awake. Every night, Jabril came to her bed and pulled her into his arms. And every morning, he was gone by the time she woke up. Either he wanted to be married to her and have a real relationship, or he didn’t. “No more of this limbo!” she announced to the empty room. Either they were married or they weren’t. “But I’m not sleeping in his arms every night and not getting more!”
Pulling open her wardrobe, she sifted through the various clothes. Designers had been sending things to her over the past week but most of them weren’t appropriate for her to wear in public. Like the pink, leather miniskirt? Seriously? Why would any designer assume that she would wear something like that? The simple blue suit was nice, but…was it too conservative?
Ignoring the blue suit, and the brown one, the white one that would show everything she spilled or brushed against during the day. No, none of these outfits were right for…anything! Who wore a feather lined coat?! There was no weather that would justify wearing a coat lined with pretty pink feathers. A down coat she could understand. If it were cold enough, a down coat would be appreciated. But this coat wasn’t down filled – it was literally lined with bright, pink feathers!
She tried to get out into the streets at least once a week to talk with the people, see for her own eyes what was going on. She’d learned her lesson while staying back in California. Never again would she rely upon someone else’s word that things were going well. During these trips, she wore simple clothes, such as pants and shoes she could easily walk in, topped with a simple sweater. It didn’t seem right to be extravagant in her clothing choices when her people were still struggling to eat.
So she pushed the buttery leather pants with the silver studs running along the hem out of the way. That wasn’t the look she needed for her mission tonight. Nope, she had so
mething altogether different in mind. And if this didn’t work…she was going to…Ilara stopped, her heart wrenching at the thought that popped into her mind.
When she touched on the silk nightgown, she knew that was exactly what she’d been looking for. It was soft and, as she let it slip over her figure, the material ignited her body to a whole new level of awareness and excitement. Looking at her figure in the mirror, she knew that, if this nightgown didn’t tempt Jabril, then nothing would. And she’d have to take action.
“This is it,” she told her reflection. Grabbing the matching silk robe, she cinched the belt tightly and turned, determined to have it out with Jabril. No more half marriage. Either this was a whole marriage and they were going to put some effort into the relationship, or they needed to…do that other thing that she didn’t want to say, not even in her mind.
Ilara ignored the startled glances of the guards when she walked out of their private apartment. And she ignored the cold marble under her bare feet. Determination was driving her now. And probably a bit of insanity created by exhaustion and sexual frustration, but she wasn’t acknowledging that. Not at the moment! She was tired of waiting. Tired of wanting a man who probably didn’t want her any longer but was too kind to tell her so. So much for those pretty words on the road. Words where he’d said how much he wanted her and blah blah blah. Empty words!
Furiously, she stalked into the High chamber where the law books were kept. She ran a finger along the dusty spines of the oldest books, not exactly sure which one she needed, but she knew the date on which the stupid marriage law had been enacted. Leather bound books that recorded every law ever created in Ditra were held in this room. Because her country was relatively young, there weren’t as many as there might be in countries where the laws could date back hundreds of years, but there were still a lot. Especially since many of their laws were based on the ancient laws of Piara. Ditra had broken off from that country only a few decades ago and, out of expediency, continued to use many of the traditional laws in Piara.
Resisting the Sheik's Commands (The Diamond Club Book 1) Page 13