Hard Choices (Blood Brothers #6)

by Manda Mellett

  “Nafisa,” she says, giving a little wave. “I’ve taken over from Vanessa.” Ah yes, Nessa, who’s now the wife of Sean, another Grade A operative, who is off doing some secretive work with Jason Deville. I seem to remember hearing that Nessa is pregnant, although now’s not the time for idle chit-chat to catch up.

  There’s a knock on the door, and the tech who I’d last seen taking my stuff away appears. Remembering the sex tape Hunter said they’d been playing, half thinking, hoping, it had been a joke, before anyone else can talk I speak up. “What am I doing now, Mason?”

  He smirks. “Resting quietly. From what they heard, you need it.”

  Chuckles go around the table. Hunter hadn’t been joking. I feel my cheeks flush.

  “Which brings us to the first question.” Ben gives me a sharp look and takes over. “Do we let them know we’re on to them, or keep up the pretence?”

  “I’ve been thinking about that,” Jon answers him. “We’ve already agreed we need to get the princess out of the country, and any misdirection we can offer will help. I propose we keep feeding them false info until she’s safely away. That way they, whoever they are, won’t be on the lookout for her at airports.” My eyes widen. Just how much appetite for sex does he think I have? Surely they won’t play that tape over and over.

  “Kadar’s sending the family jet.” Nafisa’s voice gets my attention to her. She’s consulting her tablet. “It will be ready to leave Heathrow tomorrow morning. She only needs cover for tonight.”

  “She’s sitting right here,” I snap. Hating they’re talking about me, not to me, and making plans without any consultation. “I don’t want to go back to Amahad. My work’s too important here. I can’t leave.” The last place I want to return to is my homeland. I shake my head. “You’ll have to come up with something else.”

  “Work remotely.” Ben has no sympathy as he addresses me directly. “I shouldn’t have to spell out, Princess, that you’ve put yourself in danger by entering the UK alone, let alone taking an unsecured residence.” His eyes examine me accusingly. “I almost hate to ask… How did you get to and from work? You had no driver assigned to you.”

  I raise and lower my shoulders and admit, “Using public transport, of course.” I came to escape, to live as a normal person.

  There’s a collective groan around the table. “Fuck it, Princess.” Hunter looks apoplectic, his face a dark shade of red. “Have you no fucking brains in your head?”

  That makes me bristle. “I’ve been careful to keep off the grid.” I shoot him a glance, showing I’m not happy with his criticism.

  Hunter just shakes his head and casts a weary look towards Ben. “Not careful enough, obviously.”

  Given the events of today, I suppose I can’t argue with him. Instead, I ask a question of my own. “Why am I being targeted? And by whom? Have you found out anything yet?” Know thy enemy. That’s what they say, isn’t it? It’s my view there’s no point discussing what’s gone on in the past, it’s how to move forwards that’s more important.

  “And that’s the six-million-dollar question.” Ben’s nodding. He passes his hands over his cheeks as he pulls his thoughts together. “Let’s see where we’re up to. Amahad has recently been in the headlines, as the first oil has been extracted and pushed through the pipeline. Once it starts flowing, Amahad and the neighbouring countries are going to reap dividends, and the West gets more fuel for consumption. That’s something Amir al-Farhi worked hard to prevent. We can’t rule out the international terrorist being at the bottom of this.”

  “Or it could be someone wanting to kidnap you for ransom,” Jon puts in. “Anything’s only conjecture at this stage.”

  “My money’s on al-Fahri,” Ben almost rebukes his partner. “That’s the worst threat. Once he’s got his sights on something, he doesn’t give up.”

  Both proposals put forward come down to one thing. Kidnap. I shudder, imagining myself in the hands of unknown men, in their power, my life or death under their control.

  I run through my options. Obviously I have to do what I can to avoid being taken for whatever reason and by whom. I can’t make it easy for any would-be kidnapper. On the other hand, neither do I want to deliver myself into the hands of my autocratic brother. A man and family I barely know. Thinking fast, I tap my fingers on the table top. “Why can’t you protect me in England?” The last thing I want to do is to go home. “I could drop out of sight, work remotely as you suggest, Ben. Or we could find some way to make whoever it is show their hand. Surely that’s better than not knowing?” If we don’t know the direction the threat’s coming from, who knows how long I’ll be in Amahad. I might never get away.

  “Kadar would never agree to you being used as bait, Princess. Wherever we try to hide you, if you’re working, your IP address can be traced.”

  Not if I speak to Cara, Nijad’s wife. She’s an expert at that sort of thing. “There will be ways around that. Bounce the signal around…”

  “Princess,” Ben drawls. “You don’t have a choice in this. Kadar has tasked me with getting you home, and that’s what I’m going to do. You can speak to him while you’re there about making other arrangements. Tomorrow morning you will be getting on that plane.”

  My temper flares and I push back my chair. “In that case, Ben, there’s no point in this sham of a meeting. Your minds are already made up. This is no discussion, you’ve told me what I’m supposed to do.” The sooner I can leave here, the sooner I can think of an alternative myself.

  Jon rises opposite me. “Please sit back down, Princess. We need to try to figure out who we’re up against, and for that we need your help.”

  My outburst stops at that. If they can identify who it is and negate the threat, I’ll be able to get back to my life. If we can do that tonight, maybe I won’t be getting on that plane in the morning. Briefly I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “What do you need from me?” As instructed, I sit.

  Hunter leans forwards. “Have you seen anyone following you? Has anything happened that’s made you concerned?” He ruffles his hands through his hair, pushing back the lock that’s fallen over his forehead. “Tell us anything at all, however insignificant you thought it at the time. It might help.”

  I cast my mind back over the past few weeks. “There’s been nothing, Hunter. Nothing to raise my suspicions.” Okay, flirtatious looks on the tube, I’m used to those. And the underground trains are usually so crowded it’s hard to distinguish one person from another. “I haven’t noticed anything, but then again, I didn’t know I was supposed to be looking.” I break off, seeing Hunter’s giving me a strange look. “What?”

  Again he shakes his head, his features tight. “You should be aware of your surroundings at all times. Weren’t you taught about that? Or did you just not fucking listen?”

  It’s a combination of all of that. Of course I was lectured about safety, but at the time it didn’t seem relevant. I couldn’t live my life constantly looking over my shoulder. Though I’m not completely daft. “I try to be careful, Hunter. I avoid dark alleys and keep to populated areas…”

  Swiping his tousled hair back from his forehead, Hunter glares. “What you were doing was clearly not enough. They’ve tagged your stuff, bugged you, and have obviously been watching you for a while. Someone’s been in your flat, Princess. And today wasn’t the first time.”

  I have nothing to say at the reminder.

  Chapter 4

  Hunter

  I want to pick Aiza up and shake her. No, spank her until her little ass turns red and she’s begging me for forgiveness. I can’t believe she’s been so naïve, coming to the UK without anyone knowing she’s here, or even giving Grade A a heads-up. If she’d been upfront with us she’d have been living in a secure apartment with top-notch security, and we would have regularly swept it to check no one was keeping tabs on her the way that they have.

  I glance at Ben, immediately seeing he’s also angry and irritated. Although we weren’t resp
onsible for providing the security arrangements in Switzerland, by not knowing his young sister’s whereabouts he’ll be feeling like he’s failed our most important customer, Emir Kadar al Kassis. Grade A should have had their ears to the ground, and it shouldn’t have slipped by us that Aiza had entered the country. In some respects, she’s been clever, staying as hidden as she has.

  I push back my chair and get comfortable, crossing one leg over the other, my right ankle resting on the opposite knee, and turn my attention back to the woman sitting opposite. I’d first officially met her when my dearest friend, Cara, married Nijad. She’d appeared, walking alongside her new sister-in-law, looking like the first glimpse of sun on a cloudy day, her beauty immediately overshadowing everyone around her. It was clear she didn’t know it. Had no idea that every man was entranced by her, that no male past puberty could keep their eyes off her. As women looked on with envy, Aiza remained oblivious. Her love for life, her vivaciousness captivating us all.

  Cara glowed on her wedding day, Aiza’s presence somehow serving to enhance her radiance. Instead of diminishing others in her proximity, they basked in her reflected glory. Simply by being there she made everyone feel alive. The women wanted to be her. The men, well, it probably wasn’t right to think what I—and every man there—was envisioning doing to her.

  I’d stood, supposedly watching the ceremony, unable to take my eyes off the young beauty until I realised having a rock-hard cock was perhaps inappropriate under the circumstances, and forced myself to look elsewhere.

  The Kassis brothers were overprotective when it came to Aiza, although their protection was given from afar. They were content to live in a bubble, believing at that time, at her age of twenty-two, meant she’d barely grown out of playing with dolls. Two years on, and she’s only become more beautiful.

  I know something they don’t. She certainly was playing with toys, just not the one’s they envisioned. Even then she wasn’t the innocent virgin they thought she was. They lived in blissful ignorance while I, though I hadn’t then known who she was, had seen her playing in clubs, and not the kind where you risk losing money at cards. No, she likes to frequent BDSM clubs, picking the ones that can guarantee her anonymity so she could conduct her illicit activities discreetly. The same clubs I go to for a similar reason, preferring to avoid those which any of our clients might visit.

  Affording her the privacy she’d clearly been seeking, when I’d realised who she was, I’d always kept out of sight, watching from a hidden vantage point. I’d been successful, and she’d never caught a glimpse of me. Whenever I saw her I was unable to take my eyes off her. Perhaps I’m as bad as the stalker we’re now trying to identify?

  The memory of her playing has a predictable reaction, and I sit forwards again, pulling my chair into the table to hide the swelling in my jeans. Now that she’s got herself into trouble, I’m determined it’s going to be me who takes charge of her. Yes, I’ll jump at the chance to get to know Aiza Kassis a whole lot better. For once in my life it goes beyond sex. I want her in my life, as well as my bed.

  Kadar doesn’t like me, wouldn’t want me for his sister. Maybe I can get into his good books if I’m the one who now keeps her out of trouble and protected. Raising my hand, I hide my grin, keeping the eagerness off my face and trying to look professional. It won’t be easy, nonetheless I’m determined to tie this independent woman to me. Get permission from her older brother to make her mine. I’ve watched you for years, Aiza. And now I’m going after what I want.

  “Yeah, Hunter. You’ll be going with Aiza to Amahad.”

  Hearing my name, I come back to my senses and suppress a smile as Ben’s unknowingly played straight into my hands.

  I’m not even deterred when Aiza snorts, “No way. There must be some other option. I am not going home.”

  “Think you are, darlin’,” I drawl, my American accent coming to the fore. “Your brother has spoken.”

  She huffs, and as she folds her arms pulls her ridiculously tight t-shirt around her. Her action serving to make her nipples more apparent, and there I go, having to fight with my libido again.

  “Be sensible, Princess.” The way he snaps shows Jon’s losing patience with her. Yeah, she’s a brat. One that needs a firm hand. My hand. “Until we identify who’s interested in you, and for what reason, it’s makes sense for you to go home.” Jon glares at her as she goes to speak. “If it is the terrorist organisation that’s had eyes and ears on you, we’d have to put every man we’ve got onto keeping you safe if you were to stay in England. If it’s an opportunist kidnapper, maybe we could have a lighter touch. At the moment we’ve fuck all idea who these pricks are who are watching you. I, for one, would prefer out of the country, and somewhere it’s easy to ensure your safety.”

  Aiza bites her lip, again making me adjust myself in my pants. That mouth… “Can’t you trace the bugs or something?”

  “Of course we’ll be doing that,” Ben assures her. “However, tracing where they came from is going to take time. Go back to Amahad, Aiza. If we can remove the threat quickly it might not be too long before you can come back.”

  She shoots me a worried look. “Kadar might not want me to leave.”

  Fuck. She’s her brother all over again. “I doubt Kadar will use pressure to keep you there.” I glance at Ben, who gives me a slight nod. “I promise to make sure you’re not kept in Amahad against your will. If there’s any sign that’s your brother’s intention, I’ll get you out of there before you can blink.”

  Opposite me Ryan huffs a laugh, and I recall it was he who’d once made a similar undertaking to Jasim, Aiza’s middle brother. Against all odds, Jasim, in the end, hadn’t wanted to come back, had made Amahad his home, giving up all his assets in the UK. Jasim. An idea clicks in my head.

  Ben bangs his hands on the table. “Until Mason’s analysed the equipment that was in your flat and we’ve got something concrete to go on, there’s no point discussing anything further tonight. Princess, you will be on that plane in the morning. Hunter, you make sure of it.” The way he’s looking at me shows he doesn’t expect me to fail. “Okay. So everyone knows what they’ve got to do. The last thing to decide is where Hunter and the princess will be staying tonight.”

  Aiza looks beaten. I hate to see the life go out of those gorgeous eyes as she slumps, resigned, and says, “I presume you’ll be taking me to the embassy.”

  “I was thinking a safe house,” Ben contradicts. “The embassy could be under surveillance. If Mason’s tapes don’t fool them, it’s the first place they’d go looking.”

  There’s a suggestion in my head. Dare I voice it? I’ll out her if I do. Almost everyone sitting around the table is already a member, or even an owner. I glance at Harry—he’s the only one who didn’t want to join—but he’s clued in to what we all do. The words come out of my mouth before I can stop them. “Club Tiacapan.”

  Ben snorts. Aiza’s eyes open so wide they seem to take up all of her face. Jon’s burying his head in his hands, Seth and Ryan are chuckling.

  It’s Aiza who’s the first to speak, her eyes now narrowing and focused on me. “That’s Jasim’s club. I can’t go there.”

  Jon’s recovered quickly. “Actually, Princess, you’re wrong. You’re out of date. Jasim sold his shares when he got married. The club belongs to me and Devil now. Hunter has made a good suggestion. It’s one place where you can be guaranteed privacy. No one can get onto the grounds, and Jasim’s old apartment is still there and unused. Perfect for you to stay in tonight. Good call, man.”

  I don’t bother acknowledging Jon’s nod. I’m too busy watching Aiza’s face. A myriad of expressions cross over it, finally settling on a flicker of interest. She thinks for a moment longer, then grins and shrugs, looking down the table at Jon. “Can I get temporary membership for tonight?”

  Now there’s an audible gasp around the table. Not from me. I just smirk.

  With a bemused expression on his face, Jon leans forwards. “You know
what kind of club this is, Princess? It’s not the place for a girl like you.”

  Suddenly Aiza’s on her feet, her eyes blazing as she brings her fist down. “It’s a BDSM club. The most exclusive in the UK. Don’t presume that you know anything about me.” The others are shocked, me not so much. Except I didn’t expect her to come clean.

  Silence. Then Ryan laughs. “You a sub, Princess?”

  Ben looks like he wants to kill him, but can’t keep his eyes from going to the woman who’s looking incensed. But it’s not for the reason we’re thinking when she informs us in a haughty tone, “I’m a Domme.”

  I very much doubt that. Oh, I’ve seen her playing the part, but I think there’s something she’d prefer better. However, I’ll go along with it for now.

  Taking pity on her, I crane my head so I can address him directly. “Jon, the princess has got experience. I’ve seen her in a couple of clubs on the continent, and one in the States. I can vouch for her if necessary.”

  Her eyes widening again, Aiza retakes her seat and throws me a look which somehow combines thanks and also concern that I’ve seen her play, when she hasn’t seen me.

  Ben leans his head towards Jon and they have a murmured conversation. No one else speaks. Well, it’s not every day a princess is outed for enjoying kink. I hope Jon agrees, selfishly on my part, though also for her. Give her this last night of freedom. It might make my job tomorrow easier when I have to get her on that plane.

  Finally, Jon shakes his head. “Not what I was expecting from tonight. If Hunter vouches for you, explains the rules to you and you stay out of the private rooms, I’ll make a call and get a temporary membership sorted.” As Aiza’s eyes light up, he continues, raising his hand and pointing it at her, then at me. “On condition you make no further objection to returning to Amahad tomorrow and give Hunter no trouble.”