ANotefromDianaPalmer

DearReader,

OneofthefirstnovelsIeverreadasagirlwasTheSheikbyE.M.Hull.Ilovedsheik(orsheikh,asit
issometimesspelled)books,andafterIdiscoveredromancenovels,Iwantednothingmorethanto
writeasheikbookofmyown.Well,thewayitturnedout,myheroisdefinitelyArabic,buthedoesn't
haveadeserttenttohisnameandhehasn'tkidnappedtheheroine.Sheisforcedtolivewithhim
becauseheisbeingprotectedfrompotentialassassinsbygovernmentagents.Thegovernmentagent
inthisoneiswiththeCIA.Iusedalittlepoeticlicensehere,becauseactuallyit'stheSecretService
thatusuallyprotectsforeigndignitaries.ButIalreadyhadLangPattersoninplaceandIhad
establishedhimasaCIAagentwhenIwrotethissequeltoNightofLove.Ihavethegreatest
admirationfortheCIAandtheFBI.Ialwaysdid,longbeforeIbecameaddictedtowatchingthe
exploitsoffictionalagentslikeMulder,ScullyandSkinner(myfavorite!)in"TheX-Files"onTV.So
inthisbookIgottodotwoofmyfavoritethings―writeasheikbookandrootforthe
intelligencecommunity.IhopeIaccomplishedbothwithoutundueembarrassmenttoeither.(Noteto
theCIA:Ispentfouryearson&collegecampuswaitingforyoutorecruitme,andyounevershowed
up.Comeon,guys,I'monlyforty-nine,andIcouldloseweight,honest!)Love,DianaPalmerChapter
One

IthadbeenthelongestthreeweeksofBriannaScott'slife.Shehadenoughtroubleasitwas,withher
twelve-year-oldbrotherinacoma.Tadhadbeenintheunconsciousstateforthreeyears,sincethe
tragicdeathofhisandBrianna'sparentsinanautomobilewreck.Brianna'sfingersstilledonthe
computerkeysasshefedaletterintothemachine'smemory.Shedidn'tlikethinkingabouthowmuch
longerTadmightremaininthecoma.HisfullnamewasTimothyEdward,buthe'dbeenTadsincehe
wasborn.Shewastenyearshissenior,andshe'dtakentogivingbottlesandchangingdiapers
immediatelyafterhewasborn.Theirmotherhadneverbeeninverygoodhealth,andTad'sbirthhad
beenamajorsetbackforher.Briannahadbeenhandyaroundthehouse,thankgoodness,orthe
adventofanewchildintothefamilymighthavebeenadisaster.WithBrianna'shelp,hermotherwas
abletoregainherhealthandtakepropercareofthelittleboy."Youlookthoughtful,"MegShannon
Rykermused,pausingbesideBrianna'sdeskwithDaphne,herhusband'ssecretary."Iwasjustthinking
aboutsomething,"Briannasaid.Shesmiledupatthelovelyblondwomanwho'dmarriedthetop
executiveofRykerAironlytwodaysago.Ithadbeenastormycourtship,andalong-standingone,
butthemarriagehadn'treallysurprisedanyone.ThewayStevenRykerandMeglookedateachother
wasenoughtosetoffmajorfireworks."I'mtakingDaphneoutforlunch,"Megsaid."Canyoucope?"
"Aslongasheisn'taround,"theyoungerwomansaidgrimly."Steventookhimoutforlunch,"Meg
assuredher."He'llprobablygorightbacktohishotelafterward.Aftertheshoot-outheendureda
whileago,it'samiraclethathe'sstillalive.SteveandIcan'teventakeahoneymoonuntilwegetthis
messstraightenedout.""Aha,"Briannasaidmerrily."Youhatehim,too,don'tyou?""Notreally."
Megchuckled."He'sverynice.""Nottome,heisn't,"Briannasaidshortly."Helooksatme.""You're
verypretty,youknow,"Megsaid,notingBrianna'sexquisitecomplexionandbigblueeyesintheir
frameofshort,straightblackhair."Thatisn'twhatImeant,"Briannacorrected."He...glowersatme.
Glaresatme.Staresdaggersatme.Thatsortoflooking.""Isee.Well,youdidthrowapaperweightat

him,"Megpointedout."Heinsultedme,"theyoungerwomanmuttered."Itwasn'tmyfault!Ilove
barbecue.EverybodyIknowlovesbarbecue.HowwasIsupposedtoknowthatallhiscolleagueswho
werealsocabinetministersfromSaudiMaharawereMoslemsandtheycan'teatpork?""Wedidn't
tellyou,sowegettosharetheblame,"Daphneoffered,smiling."I'msorry.Imeantto,butwegot
busy.""We'veneverbeensobusybefore,"Megagreed."ThisnewcontractforSaudiMahara'sjetshas
beenonelongheadache,althoughIcertainlydon'tblameAhmedforit.I'mgladwegotthejob.It
meansastablebudgetforthecompanyforyearstocome.""Iknowthat,"Briannasaidsilently."But..."
Hereyesbulged."Isn'tthatLang?"sheasked."Oh,Lord,don'tletStevenseehim,"Megsqueaked,
becauseshe'dspottedthetall,huskygovernmentagent,too.Langwaswellbuilt,inhisearlythirties
andhandsomeenoughtoturnheads.Hewasawildman,though,andStevenRykerdidn'tappreciate
hisdevil-may-careattitude."Whatishedoinghere?"Daphnewondered.Langnoticedthethree
womenstaringathim.Hemovedtowardthemwithagrinonhisfacethatwasreflectedinhisdark
eyes.Hewasimpeccablydressedinadarksuit,whiteshirtandconservativetie.Theconservative
lookwasabald-facedlie.Langwasalawuntohimself."Iknow,youcan'tresistme,"Langsaid,
nodding."Butyou'reamarriedwoman,now,Meg.Controlthoseurges.Yourhusbandalready
offeredmybossabribetosendmetoAntarcticaonafact-findingmission.""Insideawhale,ifI
remembercorrectly,"Megmused."Whyareyouhere?"Briannaaskedworriedly.Heevadedher
searchinggaze."You'llfindoutsoonienough,"hepromised."I'mwaitingforyourhusband,"he
addedtoMeg."Stevendidn'tmentionthatyouwereexpected,"jDaphnesaidcuriously."Iaskedhim
notto.We'reverycloak-and-daggeraboutthis,"heexplained."Noleaks.Nolooselips.""It's
somethingtodowithAhmed,isn'tit?"Briannaaskedcoolly."Goahead,tellmeitisn't.""He'strying
toavoidbeingassassinated,"Langremindedher."He'saforeigndignitaryandwe'resworntoprotect
him.Wecan'tletsomebodytakehimouthereinWichita.Badforourimage,"headded."Can'tyou
sendhimhomeandlethisownpeopleprotecthim?"sheaskedplaintively."Notreally.Twoofthe
ringleadersofaterroristsquadthatwecapturedbeforetheydidhimharmgotlooseonthewayback
toSaudiMahara.Theircolleagueshaveorganizedasecondcoupattemptinasmanyweeks.Thisis
goingtobeonetouchyissueuntilweresolveit.""ButIthoughtAhmedwasbeingsenthome,too,"
Megbegan.Langshookhishead."Tooriskynow.We'vecomeupwithawaytokeephisidentity
secretandtoprotecthimandhisking.We'reinstallingamanimpersonatingthekingintheHilton
witharmedguardsonthewholefloor.Hewon'tleavehisroom,andiftheymakeatryforanybody,
he'llbefirst.He'soneofourmen,ofcourse,"Langaddedwithagrimace."Gettingtheroyal
treatment.Lobstertailseverynight.Fullbreakfastservedinbedeverymorning.Ivolunteered,God
knowsIdid,I'dneverhavemindedtherisk.ButtheythoughtIwastooeager,"hesaidwithdisgust.
Thewomentriednottolaugh.Heflexedhisbroadshoulders."Anyway,I'mgoingtohavemyhands
full.Speakingoffullhands,guesswhojustwalkedin?"StevenRykerandAhmedbenRashidwere
aboutthesameheight,bothdarkhairedanddarkskinned,butSloven'seyeswerealightsilverycolor
andAhmed'sfaceshowedhisArabheritage.Hehadamustache,too,unlikeSteven.HesmiledatMeg
andDaphne,butthelookhegaveBriannacouldhavefriedanegg.Shegaveitbackwithinterest.
"DaphneandIweregoingtolunch,"Megbegan."Goahead,darling,"Stevensaidgently,pullingher
closetokissher."Ican'tturnlooseyet.Wehavesomebusinesstodiscuss.""Youaren'tleaving?"
LangaskedBriannasuddenly.Shehesitatedaminute,startledbythequestion."Well,no,notyet...."
"Good."HeturnedtoSteven."We'dbettergettoit.""Allright.Seeyoutonight,sweetthing,"Steven
toldMeg,andthesmiletheysharedmadeBriannafaintlyenvious.Sheturnedherattentionbacktoher
work,whileDaphneandMegcalledtheirgoodbyesandLangwentwithStevenonintotheexecutive
office."Yes?"BriannaaskedAhmedwithaglare."Didyouwantsomething?""Youareobnoxious
evenbeforeyouspeak,"hesaidcurtly."Inmycountry,youwouldliveonbreadandwaterforever
withsuchanattitude.""I'dratherliveonbreadandwaterthansitataneleganttableeatinglobsterwith

you,"shesaidwithsmilingmalice."Asifyouwouldeverreceivesuchaninvitationfromme,"he
returnedwithfaintcontempt."Ihavemypickofwomen,yousee.""TheSheikofAraby,"shesaid
underherbreath."Ibegyourpardon?"Sheliftedhereyestohis."Idohopeyouenjoyyourtripback
homewhenyougo,andthesoonerthebetter."Hegaveheranindifferentappraisal."Awomanwitha
tonguesuchasyoursshouldwelcomeeventhemostcasualconversationfromaman.Iamcertainthat
youareunmarried.""Yes,Iam,"sheagreedhappily."Didmyhappyexpressiongivemeaway?"He
frowned."Giveyou...away?""Diditbetraymystateofunbridledbliss?"Shecorrected.Hedidn't
seemtofindhercommentamusing."Womeninmycountrydelightinmarryingandproducing
children.""Womeninminedon'thavetogetmarriedandhavechildreniftheydon'twantto,orwear
aveil,orjoinaharem,orbecomethepropertyoftheirhusbands,"sherepliedsweetly.Heglaredat
her."Youareinsulting.Suchanundisciplinedtonguewillonedaycostyouanypossibilityofmaking
agoodmarriage.""Onecanonlyhope,"sheagreedwithasigh.Hesaidsomethinginhisown
language.Itsoundedmusicalandinsulting,andBriannaglaredathim."Uh,Ahmed,couldweseeyou
foramoment?"Langcalled,tryingtoavertadisaster.AhmedglancedathimandbackatBrianna.He
wasstandingstifflybesideherdeskandreluctanttoleavethefield.Thewomanmadehimangrier
thananyoneinthiscountryeverhad.Thedeaththreats,theassassinationattemptswereall
insignificantbesidemakingthiswomantreathimwiththerespectthatwashisdue.Womenusually
felloverthemselvestryingtocatchhiseye,gethisattention.Thisoneonlyinsultedhim,makinga
jokeofhisstatus.Hecouldn'trememberfeelingsuchrage."Ahmed?"Langcalledagain,more
insistently."Oh,verywell,"theArabsaidirritably.

ChapterTwo

Briannadidn'tseeAhmedagainthatday.Butthenextmorning,hewalkedpastherdeskandgavehera
looksoicythatitmadehershiver.Shereturneditwithcolddislikeashepassedthroughtheoffice
whereshedidhersecretarialduties.Ifshedislikedhim,thereversewasalsopatentlyobvious.
BriannafoundthetallArabsomethingofapuzzle,asmanyoftheotheremployeesalsodid.He'd
beenintroducedasAhmedbenRashid,acabinetofficialoftheArabrepublicofSaudiMahara.Buthe
hadthearroganceofanemperorandatempertomatch.ShewonderedifLangwassomewhereclose
by.TheCIAwasmuchinvolvedinhisprotection,andtherewassomethinggoingon.Ahmedhadbeen
intheofficejustyesterday.Whywashebacktoday?Wasn'titariskforhimtobeseeninpublic?

Ifthebodyguardhecarriedaroundwithhimwasanyindicationoftheesteeminwhichhiscountry
heldhim,theUnitedStatesgovernmentwoulddowelltokeephimsafe,Briannathought.Butforher
part,theycouldguardhimonAlcatraz.Shetriedtoimaginehisregalpresencesittinginadampcell
andherblueeyestwinkledwithmischief."Nothingtodo,Brianna?"StevenRykeraskeddrylyfrom
behindher.SheturnedtofacethepresidentandCEOofRykerAir,ix.clfaced."Oh.Certainly,Mr.
Ryker,"shestammered."Iwasjust,uh,just,uh...""Hedoesn'tlikeyouanymorethanyoulikehim,"
Stevenpointedout."Thedifferenceisthathehidesitbetter.""Hedoesn't,youknow,"shereturned
stiffly."Hecalledmenames,heinsultedme,hehadmeintears____""Yougoteven,"hereminded
her,smilingreflectively."Doyouhaveanyideahowcloseyoucametocausinganinternational

incident?""Onecanonlydream,sir."Shesighed,andsmiled,pushingbackhershortblackhair.
"You'rehopeless,"hemurmured,laughing."Stopglaringathim.He'soneofourbestcustomers."
"He'sbuyingjetfighterstokillpeoplewith,"shebegan.

Hehelduphishand.SincehismarriagetoprettyMeg,he'dmellowedjustalittle."Hisgovernment
is,"hecountered."Samedifference."SheglaredaftertheArab'sretreatingback."Whyishehere
againtoday?"shemoaned."It'sasecret,"hesaidwithanoddlook."Butithassomethingtodowith
thefactthatsomebodyblewuphisJetlastnight."Hereyeswidened."Who?""Wedon'tknow.
Fortunatelyitwasdesertedatthetime.Thepilotwasjustonhiswayacrossthetarmac.Bunthe
governmenthasdecidedtoconcealhimhereuntilhispeoplebackhomecatchthetwoconspirators
whoescapedfromcustody.Theythinkhemaystillbeatarget."!"Oh,brother,"shesaidheavily,
rememberingalltoo]wellthatAhmedhadalmostbeenkilled,andStevenandMegandhisprivate
secretaryalongwithhim."Theonlygoodthingisthattheydon'tknowexactlywhatAhmedlooks
like.ThemenwhocouldhaverecognizedhimareintightcustodyinSaudiMahara.""Aretheygoing
totakehimtoWashingtontoprotecthim?"sheaskedhopefully."Whywouldtheywanttodothat?"a
deep,amusedvoiceasked.BriannaandSteventurnedtofacethenewcomer.Itwasdark,handsome
Lang.TheCIAmanhadsavedSteven'snewwifefromwould-bekidnappersashortwhileago,but
Stevenwasstillirritatedathimbecauseofthemannerinwhichhe'dsavedMeg.SteventhoughtLang
wasreckless."Ifitisn'tthesecretpain-in-the-neckagent,"hemuttered."Hello,Lang."

"Wemeetagain,"theothermansaidwithagrin."Hi,Brianna,howaboutlunch?Orwouldyourather
skipallthepickystuffandjustgetmarriednow?"Shelaughed."You'drunamileifIsaidyes."
"Probably.Youcouldtryandsee.""No,thanks.Ihaveworktodo.""Indeedyoudo,"Langsaid,taking
herarm."Comealong,Ryder.You'reinonthis,too.""Iam,butIdon'tlikeit.""We'vefoundthe
perfectplacetohideAhmed,"hesaid,hurryingthemtowardSteven'soffice."It'sgreat.It'ssafe.It's
thelastplaceinthecountrythey'deverlookforhim.""Where?CanIask?"Briannaqueried.Lang
pausedatthecloseddoorwithhishandontheknob."Why,inthebosomofhisdeadliestenemy,of
course.Figurativelyspeaking,"headded,andarchedhiseyebrowsseveraltimesatBrianna.Shefelt
herjawdrop.Hecouldn'tbethinking...meaning...''Comein,andI'llexplain."Langopenedthedoor.
Ahmedwasstandingatthewindow,hishandsneatlyfoldedbehindhim,hisprofilesharpand
aristocraticashegazeddownontheparkinglotbelow.HeturnedasStevenandBriannacameinwith
Lang,andhisliquidblackeyesmadethreateningflasheslither."Ahmed,"Langsaidbrightly,"look
whoI'vebroughtwithme.It'syourcousinbymarriage,withwhomyou'llbelivinginyourguiseofa
poormigrantcowboy."

Briannapinchedherself,butitdidn'tdoanygood.Ahmedglaredviciouslyatthegovernmentman.
StevenRykerhadtosmotherlaughter."Staywiththatshe-cobra?"Ahmedaskedhaughtily.''Ihave
toldyoualready,Ishouldratherliveinthezoo!"''Thatwouldsuitme,too.Youcanstickhiminthe
cagewiththesnakes!"Briannasaid.SheglaredatLang."Ilivealone.I'masinglewoman.Idon'tlive
withmen.Idon'tlikehim.Iespeciallywouldnotlivewithhim."ShepointedatAhmed."Everybody
knowsthat.Whichiswhynobodywilllookforhimatyourapartment.Andtomakeitevenbetter,

we'regoingtogivehimthecredentialsofaMexicanininerantlaborer,acousinofyoursfrom
ChihuahuawhokitlosthisjobinTexasandneedsaplacetorestupandlookformorework.Where
betterthanwithhisfavoritecousin?""Idon'thaveanycousinsfromChihuahua!""Nowyoudo.Lucky
girl,"Langadded.Brianna'sfistsclenchedbesideherneatgrayskirt.SheglaredhotlyatAhmed'sstiff
face."Idon'tevenhavemalevisitors.Myreputationwouldbeshot!""Arelativecanhardlybe
consideredablightonyourreputation,"Langtoldher.

"You'llbeunderconstantsurveillance,andyou'llbesafe.Moreimportant,sowillhe.""No."She
daredLangtoargue.Hemovedcloser,lookingapologetic."Youhaveatwelve-year-oldbrotherina
coma,"hesaidquietly."He'sinintensivecareinthelocalhospitalandyourinsuranceisabouttorun
out.Iftheinsurancestops,he'llhavetobemoved,andthespecializedtreatmenthe'sbeengettingwill
alsostop."Brianna'sheartclimbedintoherthroat."Howdidyoufindthatout?""I'masecretagent,"
Langsaidcalmly."Nosecretissafefromme."Shedrewinaroughbreath,awareofAhmed's
curious!stare."Whatpointareyoutryingtomake?""Ifyouhelpus,wehelpyou.Ahmed's
governmentispreparedtoincurtheexpenseofyourbrother'streatment,hospitalizationandeventual
rehabilitationifandwhennecessary."Itwasalmosttoomuchtobelieve.Briannamovedtoachairand
satdownheavily.Allherworstfearswerebeingbroughtintothelightandvanquished.Tadwasall
shehadleftofherfamily.Sheadoredhim.Itwaslikeamidacle.Almost.HavingtohaveAhmedin
herapartmentwasnotgoingtobepleasant.

"Thinkaboutit,"Langadvised."Takeadayorsotodeliberate.Thenwe'llgetbackintouch.Butwe
can'twastemuchtime,youunderstand.Ifyourefuse,we'llhavetotakeothermeasures.Thatwill
negateouragreementtolookafteryourbrother."Briannawinced.Shecouldn'trefuse.Herbrother's
well-beingwaseverything."Ifhemovesinwithme,"shebegan,glancinguneasilyatAhmed,whose
darkfacewastotallywithoutexpression,"howlongwillhehavetostay?""Untilwecatchthetwo
escapedassassins,"Langsaid."We'reprettysurethatthey'llcomeheretoWichitaandmakeatryfor
him.We'llbewaitingifandwhentheydo.""Whatiftheydon't?""You'llhavehadtheopportunityto
learnalotofArabcustomsandyourbrother'sbillswillhavebeenpaid."Sheloweredhereyestothe
floor.Shewasgoingtoregreatthis.LivingwithamanlikeAhmedwouldbeterrible!''I'llbebackin
touch,"Langsaidwhenshewassilent."Idon'tneedtothinkaboutit,"shesaid,raisinghereyes."I
can'trefuse.Youknewit,too.""IliketothinkI'veplannedwell,"hesaid,nodding."Iwon'tbehis
personalslave,"sheaddedshortly,andhereyesshiftedtoAhmed.Hisdarkeyebrowslifted."God
forbid,"hesaidfervently."Ihaveveryhighstandardsforservants."Hereyesnarrowed."AndIhave
highonesforhouseguests.Iwon'tbeimposedupon.Youwon'tinterruptmyroutine."Heshrugged.
"Myrequirementsarefew."Shedidn'tknowwhy,butthewayhesaiditmadeheruneasy.Shehada
suspicionthatbehindthattranquilexpression,hewasalreadyplottingwaystoupsether.

Shewasright.Ahmedmovedinthatveryday,arrivingwithavirtualentourageofpeoplecarrying
furniture,suitcases,trunksandotheritems.LangwaswithAhmed,andtwomenaccompaniedhim.
"Thisisgreat,"Briannasaid,glaringatallofthemasshestoodasidetoletthemintoherapartment.
Downthehall,doorshadopenedandtwocuriousfacespeeredattheexcitement."Justgreat.Why

didn'tyouhireoneofthoselightedsignstoputoutsidethebuildingandannouncethatyouwere
movinghiminhere?"Langgrinned."Becausewealllooklikepoorworkingcowboys,don'tyou
think?"

Shestaredatthemintently.Well,theydidratherlooklikeworkingpeople.Noneofthemwaswearing
asuit,]includingLang,whowasdressedinapairofthemost!disreputable-looking,faded,tattered
jeansshe'dever!seen,withbootsandadenimshirt.Hedidn'tlooklike81secretagentatall.Lang
interceptedthatcuriouslookandgrinned."It'sthelatestthinginspydisguises.InthissleeveisaTV
camera,"hesaid,holdingoutabig,longarm,"andintheotherisaminiatureguidedmissile."She
glaredathim."Whatamazesmeisthatyoustillhaveajobatall!""Oh,theycan'tfireme,"hesaid
confidently."IhaveanauntinCongressandanuncleinthePresident'scabinet.""I'mimpressed,"she
said."SoamI,"heassuredher."Itellpeopleaboutthemallthetime―especiallymybossesin
D.C.""Whydoesthatnotsurpriseme?"shemurmured.Hechuckled.Ahmedcameinbehindtherest
oftheloadcarriersandlookedarounddisdainfully,withhisleanhandpalmdownonhishipsanda
disgustedlookonhismustachioedface."TothinkthatIshouldcometothis,"hemutteredhaughtily.
"ByAllah,atentwouldsuitmebetter!""Nothalfaswellasanarrowboxwould,"Briannabegun.
Lungdraggedherofftooneside."Now,now,"hesoothed."He'sjustnotusedtoAmerican
apartments.You'llhavetogivehimtimetoadjust.He'llgetusedtoIt.""Iwon't,"sheassuredhim
darkly."Havingtospendevenaweekwiththismanisgoingtorequireeverythreadnlpatienceinmy
entirebody!""Therewillbecompensations,"Langpromised."Yourbrother'smedicalbillswillallbe
paid,andyouhavetoadmitthatitwouldbeworthmostanysacrificetohavethat.""Itwould,"shehad
toagree."Youcan'timaginehowworriedI'vebeen―"Shestoppedandtookadeepbreath.
Tad'sveryspecialtome."Isthathisname,Tad?""Youknowit'sTimothyEdward,"shemused,
smilingknowinglyathim.Therewasn'tmuchthatgotpastLang."ButI'vealwayscalledhimTadfor
short.""He'stwelve,right?"Shenodded,avertinghereyes."Hewassoyoungwhen"shepaused
"―whenwelostourparents.""Nevergiveuphope,"hesaidquietly."I'veseenmiracles|.Even
thedoctorsadmitthattheystillhappen."''Iguessso.Butafterthreeyears,hopedwindles."Hepatted
herontheshoulderawkwardly."Youmightenjoyhavingourfriendhereforawhile,"hesaid."He's
notbadcompany."Shestaredathimwithoutblinking."Giveitachance,anyway,"hecoaxed.He
glancedupatoneofthemenwithhim,who'dgoneovertheplacewithsomesortofelectronic
equipment."Anything?"haskedtheman.Hiscolleaguegrinnedandshookhishead."Cleanaice."It
wasasmallelectronicinstrument.BriannaglancedatLang'ssleevewithrealcuriosity."Iwaskidding
abouttheTVcamera."Hechuckled."Andmaybeexaggeratingalittleaboutthemissilelauncher.""I
sawamoviewithoneofthosefiber-opticearnerthings,"sheremarked."Iwasimpressed.""I'llwear
onetheverynexttimeIcometovisit,"promisedwithawickedgrin."WhatdoIcallhim?"sheasked
withresignation.

"Ahmed?"Hepulledoutabrand-newIDcardanddriver'slicenseandpassportandgreencard,allof
whichwereintendedtogracethepocketsofherhouseguest"PedroRivera,"hesaid."Agethirty-four,
nativeChihuahua,Mexico,occupation,farmlaborer.""Ishereallygoingtoworkonafarm?"sheask
hopefully.Hersmilewasevil."Ahmed?"Langfoundthathilarious."No,he'ssortofbetweenjobs,
andhe'sdependingonyoutosupporthimwhilehelooksforwork.He'lllookveryhard,we'llseeto

that.Applicationsinallmajorlocalbusinesses,asoforth.""Youcouldgethimajobtranslating,"she
said."Thatwouldbetricky.""Oh?"Herblueeyeswerecurious."Why?""Well,he,uh,doesn'tspeak
anySpanish."Herfacewidenedintoagleefullookoftriumph."None?Noneatall?Howinteresting!
Andhe'ssupposedtobeaMexicanlaborer?""HesaidSpanishtastesterribleinhismouthandheiiI
usestolearnit,"Langadmittedwithagrimace."HespeaksFrenchquitewell.""Thenwhynotlethim
poseasaFrenchman?""Itwouldtaketoolongtoexplain.Trustme,"headded."Thiswillwork.It's
almostfoolproof.""LiketheTitanicwasalmostunsinkable.""Pessimist,"heaccused."Thinkofthe
serviceyou'redoingyourcountry!"

"ByharboringaMiddleEasterncabinetofficial?HowIntheworlddoesthathelpmycountry?I'mnot
Arabic,"sheaddedcoldly,glaringtowardAhmed,whowasstillmutteringabouthisinferior
surroundings."Hiscountry'sstrategiclocationmakesitofgreatvaluetous,"Langexplained."The
MiddleEastisalightedMickofdynamiterightnow,withallsortsoffactionslightingforcontrol.We
dependonoilfromthatpartoftheworld.""Weshouldn't,"shepointedout."Irealizethat,"hesaid.
"Butthefactremainsthatwedependonforeignoilandwehavetohaveitorourtechnologygoes
downthedrain.Wehavetokeepalotofpeoplehappyoverseastoensureourcontinuedsupply.
Ahmedisoneofthepeoplewehavetokeephappy.""Ithoughthiscountryhadaking.Whydon'twe
havetoworryaboutkeepinghimhappy?""IfwekeepAhmedhappy,itwillkeephimhappy,"Lang
assuredher.Sheshrugged."Okaybyme.Butformymoney,"sheadded,"theycouldboilhiminoil
andservehimonabedoflettuce.""Whatamind.Andyoulooksosweet,"Langcommenteddryly."I
wassweet,untilyouandtheValentinocloneoverthereinvadedmylife!"Langhadtobiteback
laughter.Hedidn'tdareshowamusement,especiallysinceAhmedhadoverheardherandwasjoining
them,spoilingfortrouble."Ibegyourpardon?"heaskedBrianna,andhisliquidblackeyesmadeher
feelintimidated."Isaid,Ihopeyou'llbecomfortablehere,"shelied."I'mgoingtocookmyspecialty
forsuppertonight.""Notbarbecue,please,"Langsaidoutofthesideofhismouth.Shegavehima
speakinglook."Actually,IthoughtsomethingSpanishmightbeinorder.Chili,forexample,"she
added,smilingatAhmed,"withjalapenopeppersandrefriedbeans.""Ah,spicyfare,"Ahmedsaid,
smilingback.Shehesitated."You...like...spicyfood?""Indeed,"heagreedreadily."Ihavenotastefor
blandmeat."She'dhavetoremembertocookhimsomeunsaltedspaghetti."Arewethrough?"Lang
calledtohiscohorts.

"Youbet!"Onetallmancamelumberingup."Everything'sinplace―bugs,surveillance
equipment,theworks.""You'regoingtospyonus?"Briannachoked."Theymightaswell,"Ahmed
saidhaughtily,givingheranappraisalthatspokevolumes."Orwereyouhopingtheymighthave
somethingtolookat?"Sheclenchedhersmallfistsathersidesandforcedthoughtsofpaidmedical
billstothefrontofhermind."I'drathereatnails,"sheassuredhim."Nodoubtyoucould,witha
mouthlikethat,"heagreedpolitely.Langgotbetweenthem."He'syouradoredcousin,"hetoldher.
"Youlovehim.You'regoingtotakewonderfulcareofhimbecauseyourcountrywantsyouto."
"Thenwhycan'tmycountrylivewithhim?"Langshookhishead."Believeme,I'dlikenothinglatter,"
hesaidwithadiplomaticsmileinAhmed'sdirection."ButIhavesomeleavecomingandIthoughtI'd
godowntoTexasandvisitmybrotherandhisfamily.""Whycan'the―"shepointedatAhmed
"―godowntherewithyou?ThereareplentymoreMexicansinTexasthanyou'relikelyto

findinWichita."

"Oh,I'dhatetodepriveyoutwooftheopportunitytogettoknoweachother,"hesaid,tongue-in-
cheek."Thinkwhatitwilldoforinternationalrelations.Besides,myplansmaychange.''Theystared
ateachothercoldly.Langmovedoutofthelineoffire,motioningtohiscolleagues."Well,hereyou
are,then,"hesaid."Niceandcomfy,makeyourselfrightathome.I'msureBriannawilltakeexcellent
careofyou.""Areyou?"Ahmedasked."Andwhatofmybodyguards?""They'llbearound.Sowill
ourpeople,"Langsaidsomberly."Justdon'ttakeanyunnecessaryrisksordeliberatelymakeyourself
atarget.Mostlywe'dlikeyoutostayintheapartmentwhileBrianna'satwork.Ifyougoout,mention
outloudthatyou'regoing,andwhere.We'llhaveyoutrailed.""Thisisoutrageous,"Ahmedsaid
curtly."Iseenoreasonwhymyownbodyguardcouldnot..."'Becauseyou'reonAmericansoil,"Lang
remindedhim."Inthiscountry,we'reresponsibleforthewelfareofforeignnationals.Sobekindto
governmentworkersandletusdoourjobs.Okay?"Ahmedshrugged.Hemovedtowardthewindow
andstoodthere,lookingoutasifhefelttooconfinedalready."Anddon'tspendalotoftimeinfront
ofthewindow,"Langpleaded."Youmakeanexcellenttarget.Wecan'tpossiblywatcheverywindow
ineverybuildingin!Wichitatwenty-fourhoursaday."Ahmedmovedbackintotheroom,nodding
hisconsent.Langwasthelastofthegroupoutthedoor."Well,I'llleaveyoutoit.""Onemoment,"
Ahmedcalled."Whoisgoingtounpackforme?Ihavenoservantshere."Langhesitated.Heglanced
atBrianna,whotookupabelligerentstancethatnoonewithnormalperception,couldmistake."Uh,
well,we'llseeaboutthatlater.Goodday.""I'vebeenstabbedinthebackbymyowngovernment,"
Briannamutteredoncehewasgone,herblueeyesspittingatherhouseguest."Don'texpectmeto
helpyoupushtheknifeinfarther.Iamnotaservant.Idonotunpackformyguests.Youhavetwo
perfectlygoodhands.Youcanunpackforyourself."

Helinkedhishandsbehindhimandstaredather.Theintensityofthelookmadeherverynervous,
andshere

�.treatedtothekitchen."I'llstartworkingonsomethingtoeat."Heliftedtheedgeofa

hand-crocheteddoilyandexaminedit."Iprefershrimpcocktailforanappetizer,"heremarked
absently."AndwithMexicanfare,IshouldthinkanagedBordeauxwouldsuffice."Shecameoutof
thekitchenandlookedathim."Nowlisten,"shesaid."Idonothaveawinecellar.Idrinkan
occasionalglassofsweetsherryorwhitewine,butIknownothingaboutvintagesorwhichcolor
winegoeswithwhichfood."''Aminorimpediment,"hesaidwithacarelesswaveofinhind."You
canlearn."

"Ihavenowishtolearn,muchlessdoIwantastaggeringArabtoputtobedatnight,"sheadded,
pleasedattheshockedliftofhiseyebrows."Furthermore,mybudgetdoesn'truntoshrimpcocktail.I
makeagoodsalarybutafterIpaythebills,thereisn'talotleftoverforfancyfood.You'llhaveto
makedowithwhatIcanprovide.Hesighedwistfully."FromcaviarandBrietothis,"hesaidina
long-sufferingtone."MonDieu,howarethemightyfallen."Shewentbackintothekitchen,muttering
underherbreathabouthowshe'dliketofellhimherself.

ChapterThreeBriannawenttothehospitaltoseeherbrotherthatnight,leavingAhmedcomplaining
aboutthemeagerchannelsshehadonhercableTV.Hedidn'taskwhereshewasgoingandshedidn't
volunteeranyinformation.ShesatbyTad'sbedside,asshedidmostnights,watchingthefacethatwas
somuchlikeherown.Hiseyeswereclosed.Butwhentheyhadbeenopen,theywereablueashers.It
seemedsolongagonowthatTadhalaughedandplayedlikeanormalboyhisage.Shemissedhis
mischievouspersonality.He'dbeensuchahappychild.Why,oh,whyhadthistohappen?

Sometimesshefeltoldwhenshesatwithhim.Hhadn'twastedtoobadly.Theyfedhimintravenously,
anthenursesturnedhimandcheckedhisvitalsignstomakesurehewasgettingwhatheneededto
supporthisyounglife.Oncethedoctorhadtalkedtoheraboutshuttingoffthelifesupport,but
Briannacouldn'tdoit.Shecouldn'tgiveuphope,notaftertheytoldherthathisbrainseemedlobe
functioningwithsomenormalcy.Sherefusedtoquit.Thelastthinghermotherhadsaidtoher,inthe
wreckedcar,bleedingandgaspingforair,was,"Don'tletTaddie."Ithadbeenanoddthingforherto
say,butBriannahadn'tforgotten.Tadwasinnopain,andBriannahadhope.Shecouldn'tgiveup.

Shetalkedtohim.Sheheldhisfrailhandandtoldhimallaboutherlife,aboutherjob,aboutwhatshe
wasdoing,Shedidn'ttellhimaboutAhmed.Itwasthefirstsecretshe'dkept,butitwoulddohimno
goodtoknow.Shetalkedabouttheapartmentinsteadandhowshewasgoingtoredecoratetheguest
roomforhimwhenhecouldcomehome.Bythetimeshegothome,tiredanddispirited,Ahmedwas
inbed.Shewentintoherbedroomand,onanimpulse,lockedthedoor.Shewastootiredtoworry
abouthavingamaninherapartmentandsoonfellasleep.Whenshegothomethenextafternoon,
afteraparticularlylongday,shewastotallyunpreparedforthefiercethuddingsoundscomingfrom
herbedroom.Itsoundedasifthewholeplacewerecomingdownaroundherears.

Shegotabiggersurprisewhenshemadeittothedooranddiscoveredthathewassupervisingfour
darkmeninbusinesssuits,whowereputtingawayhisclothes.Intheprocess,theyhadunearthedhalf
ofBrianna'spossessionsandhaddepositedtheminchairs,ondressers,andinthehall.Shedropped
herpurseinthemiddleofthefloorandgasped,"Whatareyoudoing?""Makingroomformy
things,"hesaidfromhisloungingpositioninherbesteasychair."Thesequartersarehopelessly
inadequate.Thatclosetintheguestroombarelyholdsallmysuits.Theotherthingsmustgoinhere."
"Thisismyroom!"shewailed."Youcan'tmovemythingsout!""Iamyourtenant,"hesaid
comfortably."Youmustaccommodateme."HestoppedandcalledoutsomethingincurtArabic.The
menstoppedwhattheywere'doing.Onespokefortherestinwhatsoundedlikeanapology.Ahmed
rattledoffsomemoreArabicandmadeadismissingsignwithhiseleganthand.Themenwentback
towork."Tellthemtostop,"shesaid."Theycan'tdothis.Ihavetohaveclothestoweartowork.I
can'twearthemall;rumpled...!""Yourclothesarehardlyofanyconcerntome,"|Ahmedsaid,
surprised."Itismyownappearancewhich]isofprimeimportance."Shecountedalongwaypastten.
Itdidn'thelp."Yougetthosemenoutofmybedroom!"sheshouted."Andyoufollowthemrightout
thefrontdoor!"Heignoredher.Sodidthemen."Youcan'ttakeovermybedroom!"shetriedagain.
"Theguestroomisinadequate.Thebedislumpy.Ihavenointentionofsleepingonalumpybed."
"Thenwhydon'tyoucallthePresidentandaskifyou,canstaywithhimattheWhiteHouse?"she
raged.Heconsideredthatforamoment.Thenheshookhishead."Itisabadtime,"hesaidsimply.

Sheglaredathim.Sheglaredatthemen.Everybodyignoredher.Shepickedupherpurseandwent
intothelivingroom.Atleasthehadn'ttriedrearrangingthatyet.

Themenleftandhecamesaunteringoutinawhiteand-goldcaftanwithsilverthreads.Helooked
moreforeignthanshe'deverseenhimlookintheprincelyregalia.Shehadn'tconsideredbeforehow
alonethetwoofthemwere.Thenightbefore,she'dbeentovisitTadandthesightofhimhadaffected
hermuchmoredeeplythanbefore.She'darrivedlate,andshehadn'tseenAhmedatbreakfast.She'd
gonestraightintowork,thinking,sillyher,thatitwasworkingoutverywell.Ha!''Youmustdo
somethingaboutthetelevision,"hebegan

�""Therearetoofewchannels.IwanttheFrenchstations.

Anotherthing,thereisnofaxmachinehere."Hegesturedimpatiently."HowamIexpectedtoattendto
mattersofstatewithoutafacsimilemachine?Ineedatelephonelineuponwhichthesejuvenile
neighborsofyoursarenotalwaysdiscussing―whatdoyoucallthem/

�arcadecomputer

games!"

Shejustlookedathim.Hestilldidn'tunderstandherbudget.Hemadeitmoreobviousbytheday.
"Andthese...plants,"hemuttered,fingeringtheleafphilodendronwithdistasteandglaringata
trailingIvyplant,"theymaketheroomfeellikearainforest.Ipreferdesertplants.Theymakeme
feelathome."

"I'llsendrightoutforsomestingingnettlesandcactus,"''Sheassuredhim.Hisblackeyesnarrowed.
Hehadanarroganceofcarriagethatsometimesmadehimlookdangerous.Hewasusingitnow.
"Youmockme.Fewhavedaredthatovertheyears."'Whatwillyoudo,cutoffmyhead?"she
challenged.

''IbelieveI...we...outlawedbeheadingsomeyearsago.''Hewavedhishand."Itwasbecoming
politicallycorrectwithourallies.Theyfounditoffensive."Shycouldn'tbelievehewasn'tkidding.
Shemovedtowardthekitchen."I'llfixsomethingtoeat."Sheturned."Noshrimp,"shesaid."Andno
wine.Ihadinmindsomehotdogs.""Hot...dogs?"Hiseyesbulged."Hotdogs!""Ilikehotdogswith
chili,"shesaid."Youservedchililastnight,"hebegan."AndI'musingupwhatwaslefttonight,onhot
dogsShesighed,exasperated,andfrowned."Don'tyouunderstand?Idon'tthrowawayfood,ever!,I
stretchit.IfIhaveleftoverbread,Imakebreadpudding.Iwastenothing!Ican'taffordto!"Itdidn't
register."Youhavecreditcards,surely.""Ioweuptothelimitrightnow,"sheexplained."Ijust
boughtanewbed,formybedroom,"sheemphasized!"becausethemattressIwassleepingonwasso
lumpy.Untilthen,therewasn'tabedintheguestbedroom,Luckyyou,nottohavetosleeponthe
floororthesofa!sheaddedsarcastically."Iwouldneverdosuchathing,"hesaidabsently.''Itwould
beunseemly.Whatisthislimit?Ihavenolimit.'"Whydoesthatnotsurpriseme?"sheaskedthe
ceiling.Helookeduptoseewhoshewastalkingto,andshewalkedoffandlefthim."Iwillhave
vichyssoiseinsteadofhotdogs,"he"Iprefercreamandchurnedbutter,"headdedwithsmile.She
tookdownaboiler,filleditwithwaterandputhotdogsinit.Sheturnedontheburner.Thenshetook

awholepotatofromthebin,walkedintothelivingroomandhandedittoAhmed."Thereyougo.
Instantvichyssoise.Justpeelitandaddcreamandchurnedbutterandalittlewaterandsimmeritfor
halfanhourorso.Shouldbejustdelicious,"sheadded,andwalkedrightintoherbedroomand
closedthedoorwithasnap.

Whenshecameback,hewasnowhereinsight.Thepotatowaslyingonthecounterinthekitchenand
theguestroomdoorwasclosed.Hertelephonehadbeenunpluggedandremovedfromthetableby
thesofa.Shefrowned,wonderingwhathecouldbeupto.

Minuteslater,hecameback,carryingthetelephone.Hesetitonthetableandsprawledonthesofa,
youmightplugitbackin,"shesuggested."Why?"heasked."Iunpluggedit,afterall,andpluggedit
intothebedroomwall.Iamfatigued."Helaidhisheadbackonthesofa."Andveryhungry.Ihada
hamburgerfromthecornerdinerforlunch."Hemadeitsoundasifsheshouldfeelguiltyaboutthat.
Withfries?"sheaskedcheerfully."Theymakegoodfries."Iloathfrenchfries,"heinformedher.
She'dmarkthatdownmentallyandsoonshe'dservehimsome,shedecidedirritably,Shedishedup
herhotdogandaddedmustardandcatsuptothebunshe'dplaceditin."There'soneleftifyouwant
it,"sheoffered.Heglaredather.Sheshrugged."Starveyourself,then."Shesatdownatthetable.Just
assheliftedthehotdogtohermouth,thedoorbuzzersounded.Ahmedgotupandpressedthebutton
besidethedoor.''Yes''heaskedhaughtily.TherewasaspateofArabic,whichheansweredin
kind,pushedthedoorrelease.

"Youcan'tdothat!Whatifit'sthepeoplewhoareafteryou?They'llkillusall!"sheraged.Hegave
heralook."Itismymen,"hetoldher."DoyounotthinkIknowthembynow?"Shestartedtoargue,
decidedagainstitandwentbacktoeatingherhotdog.

Herpeacedidn'tlastlong.Anentourageofmeninsuitscarryingboxesmarchedin,displacedher
fromthetablewithintimidatinglooks,andspreadoutafeastfitforakingforAhmed.Thentheyleft,
withoutreceivingawordofthanks.Herubbedhishandstogether."Ah,"hesaid,inhalingthearomas
oflobsterandfreshsauteedvegetablesandfresh-bakedbreads.Hewentintothekitchen,gotaplate
andutensilsandproceededtofilltheplate."Youmayjoinmeifyouwish,"headdedcarelessly.She
glaredathimanddeliberatelytookabiteofthehotdog.Hehidasmile.Proud,hethought.Itwasan
emotionofwhichhewasnotignorant.Shewasnobeauty,butshehadspiritandcompassion.Perhaps
hewouldbuyheracarwhenthischaradewasfinished."Youdidn'tthankyourmenforbringingall
thattoyou,"sheremarkedwhenshewaswashingup.Hisfaceregisteredsurprise."WhyshouldI?Itis
myfatetobeserved,andtheirstobemyservants.""YousoundlikeaprophetquotingtheKoran,"she
said."IunderstoodyoutosaythatyouwereraisedaChristian.""Iwas,"heagreed."ButIunderstand
andrespectthereligionofmypeople,"headded.Heturnedhisattentionbacktotheexquisite
cheesecakehewasjustfinishing."Amostadequatemeal,"hesaidfinally,gettingupfromthetableto
sprawlbackonthesofa.Theremainsofhismealwerestrewnalloverthetableandthecabinet.
Brianna,alreadytired,eyedthemesswithdistaste."Youmayclearawaynow,"hesaidoffhandedly."I

mayclear―Youmayclear!"sheraged."Thisismyhome.Nobodyordersmearoundinmy
ownhome!I'mnotaservant!""Youaremylandlady,"hesaidimperturbably."Andyoucanhardlysay
thatIamnotpayingformystayhere."ThatbroughtTadbacktomind.No,shethought,shecouldn't
saythat.Hewasn'tpaying,buthisgovernmentwas.Shehadtoadapttohim.Perhapsitwouldn'tbefor
muchlonger.Thethoughtcheeredher.Shepackedawaythetrashandwashedupthefewremaining
dishes."Ishouldlikeacupofcappuccino,"hemurmuredashechangedthechannelsonthetelevision.
"Sweet,butnottoosweet.""Idon'tknowhowtomakecappuccino."Heturned,hisexpressiononeof
amazement."Youcannotmakecappuccino?"Hemadeitsoundlikeamortalsin.Sheshifted."No."
Shehesitated."Whatisit?""Cappuccino?""Yes.""Youarejoking."Sheshookherhead."Isitsome
sortofafter-dinnerdrink?"

Hisexpressionsoftenedasherealizedjusthowunworldlyshewas.Hegotupfromthesofaand
approachedher,noticinghownervousshebecamewhenhepausedveryclosetoher."Itisacoffee
withfrothedcreamandcinnamon,verysweet.Iamfondofit."Hecaughtherarm,eversogently,and
heldherinplace."Oh.Well,Ican'tmakeit.I'msorry,"sheadded.Histouchbotheredher.Howodd
thatitshoulddisturbherso.finetestedhisholdandfoundhimwillingtoletherbreakIt.Shestepped
backandthenlookeduptoseehisreaction.Hewasamazinglypatient,almostcontemplative,ashe
lookeddownather.Hisblackeyesmirroredhisintrospectivemood,sweepingslowlyoverher
exquisitebonestructure,overherstraightnoseanddowntohersoftbowofamouth."Womenare
propertyinyourcountry,aren'tthey?"sheasked,feelingchilledatthememoryofwhatshe'dread
aboutsomeArabnations."Notinmine,no,"hereplied."Weareamodernnation.Therearethoseof
ourwomenwhoarenotdeeplyreligious,whoconsidertheveilarchaicandrefusetowearit.Our
womenworkinpublicjobsandholdresponsiblepositionsingovernment."Hesmiledruefully.
"Needlesstosay,Iamlabeledaninfidelbysomedisgustedneighbors.""Iexpectyourkingis,too,"
shereplied.Heclearedhisthroat."Ofcourse.""Arabicispretty,"shesaidafteranuncomfortable
silence."Ihaveafriendwhocanspeakafewwordsofit.It'smusical.""Sotheysay.""Butitis,"she
argued,smilingnicely."WhenyouspeakEnglish,yourvoicehasalilt.Itsounds,very...intriguing,"
shesaidafteracarefulchoiceofwords.Heliftedonedarkbrow."Intriguing?Notsexy?"Sheflushed,
andhesmiledagain."Vousetesunenfant,Brianna,"hesaidquietly."Une^tresbellefleuravecles
yeuxcommelamer."Shefrowned."Idon'tunderstandFrench,"shesaid,hesitantly,registeringthe
depthandsensualtoneofhisdeepvoiceashestaredathermuchtoointentlyforamereacquaintance.
"Itisjustaswell,"hesaidwistfully."Comeandwatchtelevisionwithme.""Whatareyougoingto
watch?"sheasked,becausesheknewalreadythatitwoulddonogoodtodemandaccesstoherown
television.Hewasbeinggenerousrightnow,butitwouldn'tlast.Hedidn'thaveitinhimtobe
considerateforlong."Aspecialprogramontheconnectionbetweenstressandtheimmunesystem,"
hesaid,surprisingher."Itisanewstudy,onewhichhasbeenchallengedbymanyscientists.ButIfind
thepremiseaninterestingone."

Shedid,too.Herdoctoroftenworriedaboutherobsessionwithbeingatthehospitalfouroutof
everyfivedaystositwithTad.Shenevermissed,evenifitmeantfreezingorgettingsoaked,or
waitinghalfanhourforaride.Hesaidthatonedayshewasgoingtofallvictimtosomedebilitating
illnessbecauseofthestrain.Sheneverhad,though.Notyet.Therewasaminorcoldandaboutwith
theflu,butnothingmoreseriousthanthat.However,asshewatchedtheprogramwithAhmed,she

begantounderstandtheconnectiontheyweretryingtopresent.Itwasalittledisturbing.Tadmightbe
inacomafortherestofherlife.Whatthen?Shefeltasurgeofpanicassherealizedwhatshehadn't
inthreeyears―thatshemightneverseethelightattheendofthetunnel.Itwasthefirsttime
she'dconsideredthathopemightonedaybelostforever."ThisisnotwhatIexpectedtosee,"hesaid
suddenly.Hechangedthechannel."Illnessdepressesme.Ihadhopedforsomethingscientific.Ah.
Thisismuchmorepleasant."Heleftitonthepublic-televisionstation,whereanewSherlockHolmes
adventurewasjustbeginning.

Shewastakenabackbyhisabruptaction.Shecouldn'tfindtherightwordstoexpresswhatshefelt.
Illnessdepressedher,too,butshehadnochoiceatallexcepttodealwithit.Shecouldn'tchangethe
channelofherlifetosomethingmorepleasant.Shewatchedtheprogramwithhim,absentlyrubbing
theedgeofherblousebetweenherfingers.Theblousewasgettingfrayed.Shewouldhavetoscrapit
beforetoomuchlonger.Thatwasdisturbing.Shedidn'thavemuchmoneyforclothes.Afterafew
minutes,sherealizedjusthowtiredshewas.Shegotupfromthesofa."There'sabottleofcolainthe
fridge,ifyougetthirsty,"shesaid."NoPerrier?"heaskedwithoutlookingawayfromthescreen.
"Dreamon."Shesighed.Hedidn'treply.Shemovedtowardherbedroom,glancingbackasshewent
downthehall.

Heobviouslyhadn'trealizedyetthathewasgoingtosleeponthatlumpymattressintheguestroom.
He'dprobablygettheideaverysoon.Shewasn'tgivingupherbrand-newbed.Shewentintothe
bedroomandclosedthedoor.Thenshelockeditandplacedachairunderthedoorknob.Shenodded.
Thereyougo,shethought.Getthroughthat!Mindfulofanyhiddencameras,sheturnedoutthelights
beforeshedisrobed.Shewasblissfullyunawarethattheagencyhadinfraredcamerasandfilm,and
alsothattheywerediscreetenoughnottobugherbedroom.Well,notwithacamera,anyway.Having
donnedherlonggownandbrushedherhair,shegotintobedandpulledthecoversupwithasigh.She
wasalmostasleepwhensheheardthesoftwhineofthetelevisioncutoffandfootfallscomingdown
thehall.Therewasasuddenstop,anexclamation,andthenseveralloudwordsinArabicatthedoor
toherbedroom.

"Youmightaswellcalmdown,"shecalledthroughit.''I'vedoublelockedthedoorandthere'sachair
underthedoorknob.Itwilltakeabatteringramtogetinhere.Thisismybed,andI'msleepinginit.If
youdon'tlikeit,youcancallsomebodyandcomplain!""YouthinkthatIwillnot?"camethehaughty
reply."Youwillbesurprised!""No,youwill,"shemusedaloud."Becausenored-bloodedAmerican
gentlemanisgoingtotrytoforceawomantogiveupherbed."Shelaybackdownwithasmileand
closedhereyes.Shedidn'tevenfeelguilty.Hehadnoideahowhardandlongshe'dworkedtoafford
thismoderatelypricednewbedandmattressandboxspring.Heseemedtohavenoideaatallwhat
thingscost.Presumablyhisgovernmentfulfilledhiseverywhim.Itmustbenice,shedecided,tobein
thediplomaticservice.Ifshe'dthoughtshewashomefree,shewasinforasurprisethenextmorning.
Hestillwasn'tupwhensheleft,andshedidn'tleavehimanybreakfast.Afterhisthreatsofthenight
before,shedidn'tthinkhedeservedany.Butherconscienceplaguedherallthewaytowork.Onceshe
gotthere,Mr.Rykercalledherintohisoffice.Langwassittingcross-leggedinachair.Hesmiledas
shecamein."Oh,no,"shepleaded."Notyouagain.""You'llbreakmyheartifyoukeeptalkinglike

that,"hecomplained."AndhereIamtocomplimentyouonthewayyou'retakingcareofyoursweet
cousin.""Heisn'tsweet,"shemuttered."He'sabarracudainamustache.Hecommandeeredallthe
closetsandallmydrawerspace,andheeventriedtogetintomybedlastnight!"Langgasped."Why,
Brianna,I'mshocked!""NotwhileIwasinit,"shesaidimpatiently."Imeanhetriedtotakeoverthe
masterbedroom!""Yes,Iknow.Hetelephonedmybossthismorning,early.Healsotelephonedthe
Pentagon,theJointChiefsofStaffandtheSecretaryofState.Nottomention,"headded,"the
SecretaryofDefense."Heshookhishead."Youhavenoideahowmuchtroubleyou'vecaused.""He
didn'tcallallthosepeople.Hecouldn't...wouldn't!""Hedid."Hesmiledruefully,pushingbackastray
lockofdarkhairthatfellontohisbroadforeheadwhenheleanedforward.Herestedhisforearms
overhisknees."Infact,I'vebeenchewedoutsincedaylightthismorning.Ifyoudon'tlethimhavethe
masterbedroom,I'mafraidhisgovernmentmaydeclarewar!"Shesatbackinherchair,herface
almostthecolorofthesoftredturtlenecksweatershewaswearingwithhergrayskirt."Idon'tbelieve
this.""You'dbetter.I'mnotevenjoking,"headdedsol-,emnly."Thisisamanwho'squiteusedto
gettingeverythinghewants.He'sneverbeenrefusedinhislife.He'srichandpowerfulandheisn't
usedtobeingdenied―leastofallbyayoungladyofyourageandposition.""He'sonlya
cabinetminister,"sheprotested."Howcanhehavethatmuchinfluence?""Hehasrelativesinpowerin
SaudiMahara,"heexplained."Oh.""We'llfurnishyouwithanewbedfortheguestroom,"heoffered.
"Andanewvanityandachifforobe.Howaboutthat?"Shehesitated."Whynotjustlethimbringabed
ofhisowntotheapartmentandsleeponthat?""Greatidea.We'llsuggestittohim.""Couldyoudoit
beforeIhavetogohome?"sheasked."I'mbeginningtorecognizeseveralwordsinArabic,andI
don'tthinkthey'reverynice.""Icanguaranteeit."Hegrinnedsheepishlyatherstartofsurprise."The
bugs.,'.?""Yes.Thebugs."Sheturnedherheadalittle."You,uh,youdon'thaveanycamerasinthe
bathroomoranything?"Hechuckled,noticingthatStevenRykerhadputhishandstrategicallyover
hismouth."No,wedon't.Ipromiseyou.Wedon'thavecamerasanyplacewherethey'dembarrass
you."Sheletoutalong,audiblebreath."Oh,thankGod.I'vebeendressingandundressinginthe
closet.""Noneedforthat.Noneatall."Hehesitated."There'sjustonelittlething.Howdidhegetyou
tocookhimvichyssoiseandlobster?""ButIdidn't,"shesaid."Ihavenoideahowtomakethose
things.Hehadhismenbringtheminlastnight."Langwassuddenly,starklyserious."Hewhat?""He
hadhismenbringallthatstuffin.""Well,I'llbe.Youtakefiveminutestogotothemen'sroomand
lookwhatyoumiss!''"Ithoughtyouhadthetelephonebugged,"Briannasaid."Idid.ButCollins
trippedoverthewireandbrokeit.Weweretryingtomakeasplice____Oh,nevermind.Callingout
forlobster,washe?Well,we'llseeaboutthat!"Langstoodup,andhelookedveryangry.Brianna
brightened.Shewishedshecouldgohomeandwatchhim:giveAhmedhell.Shecouldn't.Butjustthe
thoughtofitgotherthroughthewholeday,smiling.

ChapterFour

ButwhenBriannagottotheapartmentthatnighttherewasabsolutelynothingoutoftheordinary.
Nothingveryvisible,atleast.Ahmedwassittingonhersofaglaringatthetelevision,whereasoap
operawasplaying.Twopeoplewereinbed,makingpassionatelove.Thesoundsofitwere
embarrassingtoBrianna,whosideskirtedthesofaandwentstraightdownthehalltoherbedroom.
Shetookoffherjacketandstretched,stifffromhoursofsitting.Assheturned,shenoticedAhmedin

thedoorway,watchingherwitheyeswhoseexpressionshecouldn'tdefine.Shedidn'tknowthatthe
stretchingmotionhadoutlinedheryoungbodyinthemostsensuous,arousingkindofway.Orthat
Ahmed,aconnoisseurofwomen,hadstoppeddeadjusttolookather."Whatisit?"sheasked."They
haveremovedthetelephonedirectoryandtheinformationservicedoesnotfunction,"hemuttered.
"Thisisyourdoing."Shegrinned."Yes,itis.Didn'tIdogood?Furthermore,Iamsleepinginthis
verybedtonightandyouaregoingtohaveanice,newbedintheguestroom.Ididthat,too.""You
didnosuchthing,"hedenied."IhavespokentoyourfriendLang.Heissendingoverabed.Butitis
youwhowillsleeponit.Iamoccupyingthisroomasoftonight.""Youarenot!Thisismyapartment,
buster,andnobodykicksmeoutofmyownbedroom!""Ifyoudonotvacateit,therewillbean
internationalincidentofproportionswhichyoucannotimagine,"hecounteredsmugly."Youspoiled
oldbrat!"Hegapedather."Ibegyourpardon!""Langtoldmethatnobodyeversaidnotoyouin
yourlife.Well,it'stimesomebodydid!Youcan'tjustwalkinandtakeover.Youhavenoright!""I
havemorerightsthanyou,"hecountered.Hefoldedhisarmsacrosshischest.Thebluesilkshirthe
waswearingmadehiseyeslookevendarker."CallLang.Lodgeaprotest.Hewillnottakeyourside
againstme.Hewillnotdare.""Idon'tgiveafroghairwhoyouareorwhatyoudo,thisiswhereIlive
andI'mnotbudging!"sheraged,herSoutherndrawlemphasizedinanger.Hewasfrowning."Frog
hair?"HeshookhisheadandmutteredsomethinginArabic."Thesefrogs,theyhavenohair.Areyou
demented?""Yes,"sheansweredhim,"Iamdemented.That'swhyIallowedthemtotalkmeinto
lettingyoustayhere!"Hisdarkeyessketchedherangryfaceandloweredtothesmooth,sleeklinesof
herbodybeforetheyreturnedtocaptureherstartledeyes."Howoldareyou?"heasked.4'Thatis
noneofyourbusiness,''shesaiduncomfortably."Icanfindout.""Gorightahead."Shefeltalittle
shaky."Now,ifyoudon'tmind,I'dliketochangebeforeIhavetostartcookingagain.""Hadyounot
complained,wecouldbothbeservedwithlobsterthermidor,"heremindedher."Idon'tlikelobster,"
shemuttered."Atleast,Idon'tthinkIdo.Icouldneveraffordany,eventotaste."Hescowled."Youare
paidagoodsalary.""OfcourseIam,"sheagreed."Butitdoesn'tstretchtofoodslikelobster.Ihavea
littlebrotherinacoma,don'tyouunderstand?"sheaskedsoftly."Everysparepennyhasgonetoward
hiscomfort,untilnow."Heseemedsurprised.Hemovedalittleawkwardly."Yes,yes,Ihaveheard
abouttheboy.""Well,he'smorethangossiptome,"shereplied."Itookcareofhimafterhewasborn,
playedwithhim,fedhim,diaperedhim....Ihadto,becauseMotherwasn'twellforalongtime.Buthe
wasajoy,notaburden.He'sasmartboy,"sheadded,hangingontothegoodtimesforallshewas
worth,fightingthehopelessnessandfear."He'llgetupoutofthatbedoneday,andplaybaseball
again―"'.Ahmedwastouchedbyherreluctantshowofemotion.Hefoundhimselfwondering
abouttheboy,abouther.Hehadn'tbeencuriousbefore,butnowhewas."Whatdothedoctorssayof
hischancesforrecovery?""Theysayaslittleaspossible,"shereplied,havingregainedheralmost-
lostcomposure."Medicalsciencecan'tdoanymorethanitalreadyhas.Thebrainisstillverymuch
anunexploredterritory,youknow.Comasareunpredictable.""Hishaslastedlong?""Threeyears."
Shemovedtowardthedoorandheldthedoorknobimpatiently."Ifyoudon'tmind?"Hemovedback
intothehallandsheclosedthedoor.IthurttothinkhowlongTadhadlaininthehospitalbed,
knowingnoone.Shewasgoingtoseehimtonight,butlikealltheothernights,itwouldbean
exerciseinfutility,inlossofhope.Shewasgrowingmoredepressedastimepassed.Shechanged
intojeansandaloose,long-sleevedwhiteknitshirtandsocks.Shedidn'tbotherwithherhairorher
face.Afterall,Ahmedwasnotaninvitedguestwhomshewantedtoimpress.Hewas,atbest,a
positiveirritant.Whenshereachedthelivingroom,hehadthetelevisionblaringonthenewschannel.
Sheignoredhimandwentintothekitchentocook.Itwasgoingtobemeatloaftonight,shethought
heavily.Shewassotiredofmeatloaf,butitwouldstretchtotwodays.SheglancedatAhmedand
wonderedhowhewasgoingtolikesomethingthatunglamorous."Whatculinarydelightareyou
planningforthisevening?"heaskedwithresignation."Meatloaf,mashedpotatoesandgreenbeans."

Hemadeaterribleface.''There'salwayssoup,"shecontinued.Hemadeaworsefaceandturnedaway
fromhertoglareatthetelevisionscreen."Whydon'tyoucalltheCIAandtellthemyou'restarving
here?Maybethey'llfindyouanicenewplacetolive."Hedidn'treply.Helookedevenmore
unapproachablethanheusuallydid.Shewentonwithherchores,hummingsoftlytoherself.Ifhe
wantedtostarvehimselfratherthaneatwhatnormalpeopledid,thatwasjusttoobad."Thinkofitas
anexplorationofethnicfare,"shetoldhimwhenshe'dputeverythingontocookandshewassitting
inthebigarmchairbythesofa."ThisiswhatAmericanseateveryweek.""Nowonderyourcountryis
souncultured.""Uncultured?"sheasked,affronted."Andwhatareyou,Mr.Camels-in-the-desert-
under-a-tent?"Hegapedather."Ihavenocamelsinadeserttent!""YouknowverywellwhatImean,"
shereturned."Youliveinacountryfullofcamelsandtentsanddeserts.""Wehavecities,"hesaid.
"Opera,symphonyorchestras,theaters.Wehavelibrariesandgreatuniversities.""Andsandand
desertandcamels."Heglaredather."Youknownothingofmycountry.""Youknownothingofmine
shereturned."Mostofushaveneverexperiencedthatpurifiedairyoubreathewhenyou'reoverhere.
Steakandlobster,five-starhotels,chauffeuredlimousines____Doyouthinkthemajorityofthe
peopleinthiscountryknowwhatanyofthatHescowledather."Youdonotunderstand.Thesethings
aremyright.""Youhaveittooeasy,"shesaidcurtly."Youshouldhavetoworkforminimumwage
andliveonleftoversanddriveacarthatalwayssoundslikeit'sgothalfapotatoshovedupitstail
pipe!Thenyou'dknowhowtherestoftheworldlives.""AllthatconcernsmeishowIlive,"hesaid
simply."Therestoftheworldmustcopeasitcan.""Whataselfishattitude!""Therewillalwaysbe
peoplewhoarepoor,"hesaidphilosophically."WhyshouldIdenymyselfbecausetherearepeople
lessfortunateintheworld?""Youmightconsiderdoingsomethingtohelpthelessfortunate,like
takingacutinyoursalaryandgivingupsomeofthetrappingsofyourluxuriouslife-style."Hedrew
uponelongleg.Hewaswearingjeans,verytightones,andshefoundthesightofhimloungingon
thesofaverydisturbing."Mylife-style,asyoucallit,ismyheritage.Iintendgivingupnothing.
However,IhavedonewhatIcanformyownpeople,"hesaid,ignoringherglare."Andyour
definitionofpovertymightfindsomeresistanceinmycountry.Ournativenomadictribesmenfind
theirlife-stylesatisfyingandsuperiortothespiritualpovertywhichexistsinourcities.Theydonot
considerthemselvespoor,despitethefactthatindustrializedWesternerslookdownonthem."She
frowned."Idon'tunderstand.""Thatisobvious."Hisdarkeyessmiledfaintly."Youthinkthatbecause
youhavegreatmachinesandfactoriesthatyouaresuperiortolessdevelopedpeoples."Shehadn't
consideredthequestionbefore."Well...weare.Aren'twe?""Haveyoubeentocollege,Brianna?"She
feltsomethingflowerinsideheratthewayhespokehername.Hemadeitsoundmusical,somehow.
Shehadtostopandthinktorememberthequestion."No,"shereplied."Itooksomebusinesscourses
toimprovemytypingandshorthand."

"Whenyouhavethetime,andyourcircumstancesareimproved,youmightbenefitbyafewcourses
insociologyandracialdiversity.""Isupposeyouhaveacollegedegree,"shesaid."Indeed.Iaman
Oxfordgraduate.""In...?"Hesmiled."Science,withamajorinchemistryandphysics.Myfather
greatlyapprovedmychoice.Ourpeoplewerethefoundersofscience.""Inthatcase,withsucha
background,"shesaidimpishly,"perhapsyoucouldchemicallycreatealobsterfor

�yourselfinthe

kitchen."Hefrowned.Thenthewordsmadesenseandhechuckled.Thesoundwasverypleasantto
Brianna'sears,deepandrich."PerhapsIcould,giventherightingredients,"hemused.Anitemonthe
newscaughthisattention.HeturnedbacktolistenandBriannaescapedbackintothekitchen.Aftera
fewmutteredcommentsaboutthelackofpropersilverwareandchinaandlinennapkins,whichmade
herglowerathim,hesettleddowntothemealwithsurprisedpleasure."Ihavenottastedsuchfood

before,"hesaid."Itisgood.""Youneedn'tsoundsosurprised.I'mnotexactlyhopelessinthekitchen.
Mymotherwasawonderfulcook.Shetaughtmehow."Sheliftedhereyes."Doesyourmother
cook?"Helaugheduproariously."No.Herhandswereneverallowedtodoanythingsomenial."She
feltreprimandedandflushedalittle."Yes,well,inAmericaitisn'tconsideredmenial."

"Ibegyourpardon,Ididnotmeantoinsultyou,"hesaidsurprisingly."Youareagoodcook.""Thank
you."Hetookalastbiteofthemeatloafandsippedsweetened,creamedcoffeewithobviouspleasure.
"Yousaidherhandswereneverallowed,"sheasked."Isyourmothernolongeralive?""Whatasoft
wayyouhavewithwords,Brianna,"hesaidwithacurioussmile."Alwaysthepassive,nottheactive
voice,whenyouasksomethingthatmightbehurtful."Heputdownhisfork."Yes,sheisdead.Sois
myfather.Theyweremurdered."Shedroppedherfork.Itclatteredagainsttheinexpensiveceramic
plate,thenoiseloudinthesuddensilence."Oh,Iamsorry,"shestammered."Itwasalongtimeago,"
hesaid."Thestingisstillthere,buttheirmurdererswerecaughtandexecuted."Allthatremindedher
thatAhmedwashimselfatargetofwould-beexecutioners.Shegrimacedasshelookedathis
impassiveface."Aren'tyouafraid?""Whywasteenergyinsuchfutility?"heasked."Iwilldiewhen
mytimecomes."Heshrugged."Itisourdestinytodie,isitnot,oneday?""Well,ifassassinswere
gunningforme,Iwouldn'tbequitesocasualaboutit!"Hesmiled.''Youareacuriousgirl.''"Woman,"
shecorrected.Heliftedaneyebrow,andhiseyeswereoldandwise."Girl,"herepliedsoftly.Shegot
upalittlejerkilyandcollectedtheplates."Imadeacherrypiefordessert,"shesaid.'Ah.Myfavorite."
"Isit?"Shewassheepish."Mine,too."

'Athingwehaveincommon.Shallwefindmore,Iwonder?"Shedidn'tanswerhim.Hewasgetting
underherskin,nodhefrightenedherinemotionalways.Shewasn'teagertolethimturnherlife
upsidedown.Theyfinishedthepieinsilence.Hewentbacktothetelevisionwhilesheclearedthe
table,washedupthefewdishesandwenttogethercoatandpurse."Whereareyougoing?"heasked,
lookingatheroverhisshoulder."ToseeTad."Hegotupandturnedoffthetelevision."Ishall
accompanyyou.""Now,waitaminute,"shesaid."Theysaidyoushouldn'tleavetheapartment."

Hewasputtingonhiscoat,ignoringher."TheywillknowthatIamaccompanyingyou.Theywillbe
watching."Shethrewupherhands."Ineversawamansoenchantedwithhisowndemise!"Hejoined
heratthedoor,ignoringhercry."Shallwego?"Shegaveup.Shecouldhardlyrestrainhim.Hewas
verytall,closeup,andsheimaginedhewasveryfit,too,ifthosemusclesshe'dseeninhislegsand
armswereanyindication."Doyouworkout?"sheaskedsuddenly."Inagym,youmean?Notreally.I
ridemyhorsesandworkwiththem.""Youhavehorses?"Shewasimpressed."Ilovehorses.What
sortarethey?""Lippizanerstallions,"hesaid."ThosehugeAustrianones?Butaren'ttheyterribly
expensive?""Astronomical."Henoticedhersuspicionandchuckled."Theyaretheking's,"he
explained."Butheallowsmetotrainthemforhim,duringmysparehours.""Oh,Isee.Howniceof
him."Helookedverysmug,andlightsdancedinhisblackeyes."Indeed."Itwasn'tgoingtobesucha
badevening,shethoughtHewasinagoodmood.Anditlastedjustuntiltheyreachedherlittlecar.He
stoppedandgapedatitsbruisedfrontfender,itsrustspotscoveredwithBondoinpreparationforthe
paintjobshewashavingdoneontheinstallmentplan.Itwasgoingtoberedoneday.Rightnowit
wasorangeandrustandgray.Itstiresweregood,though,anditsseatswerehardlyraggedatall.

Therewasthesmallcrackinthedash...."Youexpectmetorideinthat!"heexclaimed,bug-eyed."It's
theonlycarIown,"sheinformedhim."Itis...pitiful."Sheputherhandsonherhipsandglaredupat
him."Itisnot!It'sadiamondintherough.Justbecauseitisn'tcosmeticallyperfect...!""Itisapieceof
junk!"hesaidharshly."Whydoyounotbuysomethingnew,insteadofridingaroundinthisdeath
trap?""Becauseit'sallIcanafford!"shecounteredproudly."Doyouthinkeverybodycanjustwalk
intoacardealershipandbuyanewonewhenevertheyfeellikeit?ThisisthebestIcando,andyou
havenorighttomakemefeelashamedofmycar!''Hestartedtospeakjustasacarpulledslowlyup
tothecurb,asinister-lookingblackone,andstoppedinfrontofBrianna'scar.Shesawitandwithout
eventhinking,shesuddenlypushedAhmedagainsthercarandtuggedhisheaddown,sothathewas
betweenthecarandherbody."Whatareyoudoing?"heexclaimed,fightingherhold."Willyoube
still?"shesqueaked."Whatifit'sthem?""TheCIA?"hesaid"Theassassins!"shereplied."Oh.Oh,I
see."Hechuckled."Howveryflattering,Brianna.""Willyoukeepyourheaddown?"Hisleanhands
foundherwaistandgentlypushedherawayfromhim."Brianna,look,cherie."Heturnedherface
towardtheblackcar,whereLangwasloungingbythebackfender.Heseemedlazilyamused.Brianna
flushed.ShequicklysteppedbackfromAhmedandpushedatherdisheveledhair.Langwalked
towardthem."Hello,littlelady,"hedrawled."Iwasjustpassingandsawyouandyourcousinhere
andfiguredyoumightlikealift.

Havingcartrouble?""Yes,indeed,"Ahmedagreed."ThenI'llbegladtodriveyoutwowhereveryou
wanttogo."AhmedputBriannainbackandhimselfinthepassengerseatbesideLang.Shewasstill
seethingaboutAhmed'sinsults.Shelovedherlittlecar,dentsandall.Arrogantjerk,shethought,
glaringatthebackofhishead."WouldyoumindtellingmehowitisthatIhaveaMexicancousin
whenI'mveryobviouslyofIrishancestry?"sheaskedLangirritably."Bymarriage,ofcourse,"he
said,chuckling.Heglancedatherintherearviewmirror.ShelookedflushedandAhmedwas
unusuallysilent."DidyouthinkIwasgoingtoshoothim?"heasked,gesturingtowardhis
companion."Ididn'tknowitwasyou,"sheprotested."Ijustsawabigblacklimousine.Nexttime,I'll
pushhimoutinthestreet,"shemutteredunderherbreath."Heinsultedmycar.""Thatisnotacar!"
Ahmedjoinedintheconversation."Itisapieceoftinwithspots.""Howdareyou!""Excuseme,"
Langinterrupted."Butwherearewegoing?""Tothehospital,"Briannasaid."Ishouldhave
remembered.Yougoalmosteverynight."Lang'seyesmethersintherearviewmirror."Howlongdo
youthinkyoucankeepitupbeforeyoucollapse?""I'vemanagedforalmostthreeyears,"shesaid
tautly."I'llmanageforaslongasittakes."Hedidn'tsayanotherword,buthisexpressionwasstark.
Ahmedsatquietlyponderingwhathe'dlearnedofBriannaallthewaytothehospital.Itsurprisedhim
todiscoverthatsheintriguedhim.Itmustnotbe.Theywereworldsapart.Shewasaninnocent,as
well.Hemustmarryonedayforthesakeofheirs,buttheywouldofnecessityhavetobebyanArab
woman.Theseflightsoffancymustbesuppressed.Theywereunrealistic.BriannaleftLangand
Ahmedinthewaitingroom.Shewasallowedintotheintensivecareunitalone,whereshesatholding
Tad'sfrailhandandtalkingtohimabouttheweatherandherday,asshealwaysdid.Hisdarklashes
layonhispalecheek,hisunrulydarkhairfallingontohisforeheadashesleptinhisoblivion."Oh,
Tad,I'dgiveanythingifyou'dwakeup,"shewhisperedhuskily."I'dgiveanythingIowned!"Buthe
didn't,couldn't,answerher.Langleanedbackagainstthewall,watchingherthroughtheglass,withan
uncommunicativeAhmedathisside."Torture,"Langsaidheavily."That'swhatitmustbeforherto
gothroughthiseveryday.""Istherenootherfamily,someonewhomightshareherburdenand
lightenit?"Ahmedasked."There'snoone...justherandtheboy."Heletoutalongbreath."Nurses
couldbearranged,youknow,"hesaid."Aroundtheclock.Thebestinthecountry.""Ahmed,nurses

can'tcureacoma,"Langsaid."Youknowthat.""Theymightspareher,"hereturned,noddingtoward
Brianna."Doyoureallythinkshe'dstopgoingtoseehim,evenifyoucouldputround-the-clock
doctorsintherewiththeboy?"Langmused."No.Youareright,ofcourse,Iwasnotthinking."His
eyeslingeredontheyoungwoman."Sheisfragiletolookat.Butunderneath,thereisgreatstrength."
HeturnedhisattentiontoLang."Doyouknowsomethingofhowthatcameabout?"headded,
indicatingTad."Therewasawreck,"Langsaid."Theyweregoingonvacation.Aspeedingcartooka
curvetoofastandhitthemhead-on.Thecarrolled.Brianna'sfatherandthedriveroftheothercar
werekilledinstantly.Brianna'sbrotherwasknockedunconscious.Hermotherwas..."Hehesitated.
"Hermotherwasfatallyinjured,"hesaid,sparingtheothermanthedetails."Sheliveduntilthenext
morning.Shediedjustbeforehelpcame.Ifanyonehadspottedthecarevenanhoursooner,she
mighthavelived,butitwentdownanembankmentandwashiddenfromthehighway."vAhmed
movedcloser."Briannawasinthecarallnight?""Yes.Trapped.Shehadtwocrackedribsanda
brokenhip.Youmayhavenoticedthatattimesshemovesalittleawkwardly.""No.Ihadnot.""She
wasinterriblepain,andshe'dlostsomeblood.ButTadwastheworst.IttookBriannaoverayear,
andtherapy,togetpastthenightmares."Ahmedstudiedherinsilence."Shehasgreatcourage.""Yes.
She'sanextraordinaryyounglady.""Howold?"HestaredatLang."Howoldisshe?""She'stwenty-
two,Ithink."Hiseyesnarrowed."Ifyouseduceher,"hewarnedquietly,"I'llcomeafteryou.Idon't
giveadamnaboutyourstatusorcompanyorders,I'llmakeyoupayifyouhurtherinanyway."
Ahmed'seyebrowslifted."Youaresmittenwithher?""Iamprotectiveofher,"Langcorrected."She's
myfriend."Ahmedsmiledquietly."Sheisarosebud,waitingforthesun.Iwouldbeafrosttodeny
herthehopeofblossoming,"hesaid."Iammuchmoreawarethanyouthinkoftheconsequences.I
havenoevilintentionstowardher.Inbetweenbattles,Ifindhercharmingcompany."Hegloweredat
Lang."Youwillnottellherthis,ofcourse.Onecannotaffordtoparadeone'sweaknessesbeforean
enemy."Lang'srigidstancerelaxed.Heevensmiled."No,onecan't."

AhmedclappedLangontheback."Despiteherenmitytowardme,didyouseehowquicklyshe
jumpedtomyaidwhenshethoughtyouwereanassassin?"hemused."Shedelightsme.""Asifthat
tincanwouldhavestoppedabulletfromevenasmall-caliberweapon."Langchuckled."Sheknows
nothingofgunsorwarsorassassinations,"Ahmedsaid."Norshallshe.Imustmakecertainthatshe
takesnochancesonmybehalfagain.Therecouldhavebeentragicconsequenceshaditbeenatrue
attemptonmylife."Theothermansoundedresignedandsomehowsad.Langfoundhisresponseto
Briannacurious.Ahmedwasarake,inhisownfashion,althoughhewascuriouslyprotectiveof
Brianna."We'rekeepingacloseeyeonbothofyou,"Langassuredhim."She'llcometonoharm."
"Shehadbetternot,"Ahmedreturnedgrimly,andhisdarkeyesmadeathreatoftheirownasthey
soughtLang's."Iconsiderherwelfarenolessimportantthanmyown.Youunderstand?""Ido,"Lang
saidwithaslowsmile."ButIwonderifyoudo?"Ahmedscowledwithcuriosity,butbeforehecould
takeLangupontheoddstatement,BriannacameoutoftheICU,hadabriefwordwiththenurseand
joinedthemenatthedoor."Anychange?"Langasked.Sheonlyshookherhead,hereyeslowered.
"Canwego?"sheaskeddully."I'mverytired."ChapterFive

Briannadidn'tsleepwellthatnight.Theblacklimo,thehopelessnessofTad'scondition,the
argumentswithAhmedwereallcombiningtomakeheremotionsawreck.Atleastthenightmares

hadn'tcomeback.Shegotupthenextmorningfeelingdrained.Foronce,Ahmedwasawake.She
foundhiminthekitcheninthatlong,foreign-lookingcaftanheloungedin,tryingtodiscoverhow
hercoffeepotworked."I'lldothat,"shesaid,andmoveduncomfortablywhenhisdarkeyesslidover
herslenderfigureinhernightgownandpinkrobe.Shewasperfectlydecent,exceptforherbarefeet.
Shewonderedwhyheshouldbestaringatherso."Youshoulddressfirst,"hetoldherquietly."Itis
unseemlyforamaidentoappearbeforeamaninhernightclothing.""Oh,Ican'tdoit,butit'sall
rightforyou?"shechallenged,indicatinghiscaftan.

Hesmiledslowly."Yes.""IcanwearmynightclothesinmyownapartmentifIwantto,"sheinformed
him.Hemovedcloser.ItwasasortofmovementthatBriannahadneverexperiencedbefore,sensual
andpredatoryandfaintlythreatening.Hiseyesdidn'tmovefromherface,didn'tblink,andallthe
expressionlefthisfeatures.Theonlythingalivetherewasthegrowingdarkglitterofhiseyes."I'll,
uh,justgetdressed,whydon'tI?"shestammered,andranforit.Whenshecameback,hewasdressed,
too.Shemadebreakfastandheateitwithoutcomplaint.Hegavenoindicationthatanythingoutofthe
ordinaryhadhappened.ButBriannatingledalldayrememberingthelookinhiseyes.Whenshecame
homethatafternoon,itwastofindAhmedsittingonthetopstepinherapartmenthouse.Hewas
playingwithaSlinky,asmall,dark-hairedlittleboysittingbesidehim."Again,"thechildpleaded.
"Oh,myachingback,"Ahmedgroanedcomically."YoumeanImustdoitstillagainandchasethis
coilofwiredownthesteps?""Yes!"Thechildlaughed.Ahmedchuckled."Verywell,then.Butthisis
thelasttime.'""Okay."TheSlinkycameslowlydownthesteps,pickedupspeedandtoppledrightat
Brianna'sfeet.Ahmedcamedownbehindit,spottedherandsmiledasheretrievedit."Wewere
havingabitoffun,"heexplained."SoIsee.Langwon'tlikeit."

"Whathedoesn'tknowwon'tbotherhim,"Ahmedinformedher.HehandedhertheSlinky."Myfriend
Nickwillletyouplay,ifyoulike.Won'tyou,Nick?"heaskedthelittleboy."Sure!"Briannasmiledat
thechild."AndyouknowI'dloveto.ButIhavetofeedmycousin.""Aww,Pedroisn'thungry,are
you,Pedro?""Pedro"grimaced."Well,myboy,actuallyIam,abit.'Doyoumind?Wecandothis
againsometime.""No,wecan't,"Nickwailed."Ihavetogostaywithmygrandmaforaweek.We're
leavingassoonasmydadgetshome.""Iamtrulysorry,"Ahmedtoldhim."Ihaveenjoyedour
games.""Me,too.Willyoucomebackandseemeagainsometime?"Nickasked,hisbigeyes
pleading.Ahmedsmiled,smoothingoverthedarkhair."Sometime,"heagreed."Okay,then."Heran
backupthestairs,makingplentyofnoise.AhmedledthewayupthestairstoBrianna'sapartmentand
heldthedooropenforher."Youlikechildren,"heobserved."Verymuch.""Youshouldmarry,and
havesomeofyourown,"hetoldher."IhaveTadtolookafter,"shesaidevasively."Ineedtochange."
Hestoppedher,withouttouchingheratall,juststandinginfrontofhersothatshecouldn'tgetpast
him."Thereissomethingmore,somethingdeep,"hesaid,searchingherevasiveeyes."Youhaveno
desiretomarry.Icanseeitinyourface."

"We'renotallcutoutformarriage."Herfacewasflushed."Please.Ihavetochange."Hisleanhands
gentlyclosedonherthinshoulders.

�Tellme."Sheclosedhereyes.Hewasimpossiblethisway,so

lenderandcompassionatethatheseemedalmostanothermanentirely."Ican't,"shewhispered.Her
bigblueeyesopenedstraightupintohis."Pleaseletmego!"Heaccommodatedher,standingback.

"Asyouwish,"hesaidquietly.Shewentquicklyintothebedroomandclosedthedoor.Sheleaned
backagainstit,herfacetwistedinanguish,herlipverynearlybittenthrough.Whydidhehavetoask
questionsthathurther?shewondered.Whycouldn'thejustmindhisownbusiness!Shestartedtogo
intothekitchen,asshedideveryday,whenhestoppedher."Langhasreconnectedthetelephone,"he
murmureddryly."AndIhavetakenadvantageofthesituation.Wait.""Youhaven'torderedoutagain?"
shesaidnervously."It'stakingtoobigachance,evenIcanseethat!""Myownmenareattendingto
myneeds,"hesaidsimply."Thereisnoriskofinfiltrators.""Theneighborsherearenotblind,"she
said,exasperated."HowisapoorMexicanlaboreraffordingallthatexpensivefood?Peoplewill
wonder!"Hescowled."PoorMexicanlaborer?"Heechoedherwords."You!"Heshifted,asifhe
foundthedescriptiondistasteful."Icannotliveonhotdogs,"hesaidcurtly."Ididenjoythemeatloaf
andvegetables,butIamaccustomedtoricherfare.""You'lldieofhighcholesterolandgout,"she
accused.Hiseyebrowsarched."ThisfromawomanwhoItcontemplatingamealofhotdogs,which
oozechaolesterol?""Ilikehotdogs!""AndIlikequenellesofsoleandsauteedasparaguswithcrepes
flambefordessert,"hereplied."Yourpoorstarvingpeople,"shemuttered."Dotheyknowthatyou're
eatinglikeakingwhiletheychewoncoldmuttonintheirdeserttents?"Hepursedhislips."Mostof
themeatcouscousandlambcurry,"hereplied."Andsemolina.Coldmuttonishardlyappealing.""I
wasmakingapoint."

Theknockatthedoorsparedhimananswer.Helethismenentertheapartment,ladenastheywere
withcardboardboxesofuncertainorigin.Noneofthatlookedlikeexpensivefood.Itlookedlikethe
contentsofayardsale.Ahmedgrinnedather."Disguisedcuisine,"hesaid."Don'tyouapprove?"He
threwordersattheArabs,whodispersedthecontentsoftheboxesontothetableandleftthe
apartmentminuteslater."Lobstertails,"Ahmedindicated.Heobtainedafork,spearedamorseland
heldittoBrianna'sstartledlips."Taste,"hesaidgently.Shetookthebitoflobsterintohermouth,
disconcertedbythewayAhmed'sattentionsuddenlyfellonherlipsasshesavoredit."It's...very
nice,"shesaiduncertainly."Youhaveaflakeofitonyourchin.Bestill."Hetookitonthetipofhis
fingerandoffereditatherlips.Holdinghereyes,heeaseditontoherbottomlip,butthemovement
ofhisfingertipwassuddenlyverysensual.Henudgeditpastherteethandintohermouthandwatched
withpleasurethewayhercheeksflushedandherbreathingchanged.Thetipofhertongue
encounteredhisfinger.Shejerkedbuck,andshesawtheexpressioninhiseyesdarkenandthreaten.
Withherlastinstinctforself-preservation,shesteppedawayfromhim,shaken."Thankyouforthe
taste,"shewhispered."ButIthinkIstillpreferhotdogs.""Asyouwish."Hewasfindingithardto
breatheandactnormally.Heshouldnothavetouchedher.Itwouldmakethingsworse.Shefixed
herselfahotdogandopenedasmallbagofpotatochips."Evenmorecholesterol,"hesaid,pointing
atthepotatochipswithaforkfulofchive-and-butter-and-sour-cream-chokedpotato."Lookwho's
talking,"shereturned.Hechuckled."Youhavespirit.""Aroundyou,Ineedtohaveit,"shemuttered.
Hefinishedthepotatoandpushedtheplatecontainingitandtheremainsofhislobsteraway.He
retrievedthecrepewithitsexquisitefruitfillingandnibbledatit."Wouldyoucaretosamplethis?"he
asked.Sheflushed,rememberingherearlierweakness."Idon'tlikesweets,thanks,"shelied.Hedidn't
reply.Shewassuddenlyverytransparentandhefeltaweakeninginhimselfthathedidn'tlike.Lang
wasright.InvolvementwithBriannawouldbetragic.Thenightmareshe'dstavedofffortwodays
camethatnight.Shehadn'tgonetoseeTad,becausetherewassuchaterriblerainstorm.Thethunder
andlightningfrightenedher,butshepulledthecoversoverherheadandtriednottonoticethem.Clad
inhersilkygreengown,,became;itwasanunusuallywarmnightforautumn,shelaystifflyuntilthe

worstofthelightningabatedandshefellintoanuneasysleep.Butthenightmarecametoreplacethe
storm.Shewastrappedinthecar.Herfatherwasdead.Shecouldseehisface.Hermother'spainwas
vocal,almostvisible.ShebeggedTadtowakeupandtalktoher.ShebeggedBriannanottolethim
die,nottoletthemkillhim.Hervoicewentonandon,whileBriannastruggledwithpainthatracked
herinagony.Shehadtogetout,tosavehermother.Shehadtogetout,buthermothercriedoutand
thelightwentoutofhereyes____"No!"shescreamed,fightingthehandsthatweretryingtolifther,
tosaveher."No,no,no!Iwon'tletherdie...!""Brianna!"Shefeltthewhiplikemovementofsteely
handsonherupperarmsandhereyesopenedbyreflex.Ahmedwassittingonherbed,hisface
solemninthelightofthelampbythebed.

Hewaswearingsomesortofsilkydarkpajamabottoms,buthisbroad,hair-coveredchestwasbare.
Helookedoutofplaceinherfrillybedroom."Brianna,talktome,"hesaid,unconvincedthatshewas
completelyawakeevennow."I'm...allright.Itwasthenightmare,"shewhispered,shivering."You
screamed.Ithoughtthenightmareswereathingofthepast,"headded.Shedidn'tknowthatLanghad
toldhimaboutthewreck.Shesoughthisdarkeyes."Theywere,"shesaiddully.Hisgazedriftedover
herfaceanddowntothedeepCleftofherbreastsundertheopaquelacybodiceofhergown.She
hadn'trealizedbeforethatthelaceleftherdarknipplesquitevisible.Butthen,nobodyhadeverseen
herinthegownbefore.Herhandsbegantolift,becausehisraptgazewasdisturbing.Hernipples
wentsuddenlyhard,tinglingwithunknownsensations,andsheblushedattheblatantevidencethat
wouldtellhimhowmuchheaffectedher."Beautiful,"hesaidgently,watchingthemchange."They
areastheblushofduskontherose."Herhandspausedinmidair.Shewatchedhim,puzzled,curious.
Helookedintohersoft,puzzledeyes."Hasnomaneverdescribedyourbodytoyoubefore?"he
askedquietly."Noone...hasseenit,"shebeganhuskily.Hisbrowsjerked.Hiseyeswentoverher
again,appreciatingthecreamysatinofherskinabovethegown,atthepulseinherthroat,atthesoft
swellofherlips.Hehadn'ttouchedher.Heonlylooked.Thatwasenough.Hemadeherafraid.She
didn'tunderstandthefeelingsheengendered.Shewasn'tsurethatshelikedthem."Youmustgo,"she
whisperedshakily."Inamoment,"heagreed."First,though,cherie,Iwanttobecertainthatthe
nightmaresaregone.""Theyare....""Letusmakesureofit."Helookedsomber,veryadultand
mature."Thebestwaytostemanightmareistocreateanexperiencetosupplantit.Doyounot
agree?""Thatdepends...ontheexperience...youhaveinmind,"shemanagedbreathlessly."Something
veryinnocent.Likeyou,macherie,''headdedwithatendersmile''."Thereisnothingtobeafraidof,
onlyacontactwhichwillprovetoyouthatinnocencecanbeasaridasmydesert."Ashespoke,he
liftedherfromthepillowandsmoothedthespaghettistrapsofhergowndownherarms."You
mustn't!"sheprotestedwhensherealizedwhathemeanttodo.Buthepulledherfaceintohisthroat
andcontinued,pushingthegowntoherwaist.Thenheslidhislean,warmhandsaroundherbareback
andbegantomoveherbare,hard-tippedbreastsagainsthishair-roughenedchest.Shegasped.The
sensationwasbeyondherunderstanding.Itmadeherbreastsswell,herbodyswell.Therewasa
suddenuncomfortabletautnessinherlowerbody,arushofheat.Herhandsstiffenedwherethey
restedonhisbareshoulders,feelinghisstrength.Relax,''hewhisperedatherear,hisvoicelazily
sensual,amused.Shewaslikeatightlycoiledspring,butherbreastswereexquisite.Helikedtheir
softness,theirhardlittlepointsdiggingintohismusclesasheteasedherbodywithhis."Doyoulike
it?"hebreathed,lettinghishandsslideunderherarmsnow,tobrushherfromsidetosidewith
damningsensuality.

Hernailswerebitingintohimunconsciously."Youmust...stop,"shestammered,shiveringashis
thumbsworkedontothesoftswellofherbreastsandbegantocaressthem."Onlythis,Ipromise,"he
whispered.Histeethnibbledgentlyatherearlobe."Nothingtocompromiseyou,nothingtoshame
you.Letmetouchyou,Brianna."Hervoicebroke.Histouchwasmaddening.Hemadeherwant
shamefulthings.Sheshivered,anddespiteherreluctantmind,herbodydrewawaytogivehim
completeaccesstoherbreasts,whileherfaceburrowed,ashamed,closeragainsthiswarmthroat.
"No,no,"hecoaxed,loweringhismouthtohertightlyclosedeyes."Donotbeashamedtoenjoywhat
Icangiveyou.Imeanyounoharm."Hismouthpressedhungrilyathertemplewhilehisfingers
trespassedontothefullnessofherbreastsandtracedpatternsthatmadeherwrithebeforetheycame
torestoverthehardtipsofherbreasts.

Sheclungtohim,bitingherlowerlipalmostthrough,lettinghishandscaressherwhilehisthumbs
andforefingersmoldedhernipplesuntilherwholebodyached."Youdelightme,"hewhispered
roughly.Hemoved,slidinghisexploringhandsupanddownhersilkybackinlazysweepswhilehe
heldhernakednessagainsthimoncemore.Shecouldfeelthethunderofhisheartbeatshakingthem
both,andshehadn'tthewilltoaskhimtostop.Shewantedittogoonandon,toneverend.Shehadn't
knownthattherecouldbesuchjoyinaman'stouch.Shedidn'tknowthatherhandswereinhishair
untilshefelthimgentlyremovethem.Heliftedherawayfromhimandlaidherdownagainstthe
pillowfirmly,hishandsonherwristswhilehisglitteringeyesdroppedtoherbarebreasts.Thenext
step,sheknew,wouldbetolethimpeeltherestofthegownaway.Shewouldfeelhiseyesonher,and
thenhishands,and..."No!"shegasped.Ifhedidthat,hewouldseeherhip.Shecouldn'tbearforhim
toseeit!Hewasincrediblyperceptive.Heknewthatshewasn'tprotestingthethoughtofhiseyeson
herbody.Hehadagoodidea,fromwhatLanghadsaid,whyshewassoreluctant."Whichhipisit,
cherie?heaskedsoftly.Shestoppedmovingandstaredupathim,red-faced."Whichhip?"She
hesitated."The...theleft."Hesmiledapologetically,andwithslow,gentlehands,movedthefabricof
hergowndownoverherhipsanddiscardedit.Shelayfrozenwhilehemovedtheelasticofherbriefs
togivehimafullviewofthedamagethathadbeendoneinthewreck.Therewerescarsagainstthe
smoothflesh,fromtheinjuryaswellasthesurgerythatwasneededtorepairit.Sheheldherbreath,
almostafraidtolookathim.Butwhenshedid,hiseyesweregentle,patient."Ah,"hesaidsoftly."Is
thatall?"Sheshivered,inreliefmingledwithuncertainty."Brianna,suchabodyisagiftofthegods,"
hesaidveryquietly."Afewsmallscarsareofnoconsequence,exceptasmarksofbraveryand
sacrifice.Youareexquisite."Shefeltodd.Embarrassmentshouldhaveovercomeher,butshedidn't
feelit.Shesearchedhiseyeswithcuriosity,wonder."Andnowtherewillbenomorenightmares,
yes?"heaskedsoftly,smiling."Youwillsleepanddreamofmyeyesuponyou."Heatburnedintoher
cheeks.Hesmiled."Thisisshyness,"hesaid,tracingtherednessacrosshercheekbones."Itdelights
me."

Withoutawkwardness,hepulledhergownbackupandreplacedthesmallstrapsonhershoulders.He
bentandbrushedhislipsgentlyacrossherclosedeyelids."Youhavegivenmeagiftofwhichyouare
trulyignorant,areyounot?"hewhispered."Youhaveinvitedmetobeyourfirstlover.""I...didn't
meanto,"shereplieduncertainly.Heliftedhishead,andhiseyesweretender."Nothingwouldgive

megreaterpleasure,"hesaidwithsincerity."Butwearefatedfordifferentrolesinlifethantobe
together.IwouldtakeyourinnocenceonlyifIcouldofferyouthefuture.Icannot."Hewasclosinga
door.Shefeltsad,butitwasnothingshehadn'tknownalready.ShehadTad,andAhmedwasfrom
anothercountry,anotherculture.Herhandliftedtohisface,hesitant,untilhecarriedittherestofthe
way.Shetracedhiswide,firmmouth,hismustache,hishighcheekbonesandthethickridgewherehis
darkeyebrowslay.Hishairwasthickandblackandcooltothetouch.Shefoundhimdevastating,as
dozensofwomenbeforehermusthave.Hetookherpalmtohislipsandsavoredit.Hisheartbeatwas
stillvisible."Bonnenuit,machere,"hewhispered."Idon'tunderstand,"shebeganshyly."Youdon't
understandwhat?"heteased."French,orwhyyoupermittedmesuchaliberty?""Both,perhaps.""You
areveryyoung,"hesaid."Curiousandshy.Ifinditadisturbingcombination.Oneday,amanwill
carryyoutobedinhisarmsandyouwilllearnthatascarmeansnothingtoamaninlove."Heputher
handbackdownandpulledthecoversoverher."Sleepwell.""You,too."Heturnedoutthelampand
rosefromthebed,tallandsuddenlydear.Hepausedbeforeheclosedthedoortolookbackather
withaninscrutableexpression.Briannaslept.Andtherewerenomorenightmares.Therewasanew
familiarityandanequallynewtensionbetweenBriannaandAhmedafterthatnight.Hmadecertain
thathenevertouchedher,nordidherefertowhathadhappened.Briannacouldhavebelievedfrom
hisbehaviorthatithadneverhappenedatall.Forherownpeaceofmind,shesupposedthatshe
shouldtry.Buthewastenseandhebecamemoresoasthedayspassed.Langdiscoveredthathewas
stillhavingfoodimported,andaconfrontationrapidlyensued."Icannotliveonoblongorange
containersofmeatofmysteriousoriginwrappedinbuns!"Ahmedraged,wavinghishands
expressively."Ihaveapalate,whichisunaccustomedtocommonfare!""Hotdogsarenoworsefor
youthanthathigh-pricedcream-coveredslopyoueat!"Briannashotback.Langlookedheavenward
forguidance."Look,"hesaid,steppingbetweenthemtofaceAhmed,"youhavetocooperatewithus
orwecan'tprotectyou.""Itismyownmenwhohavebeenimportingfoodforme,"Ahmedinformed
him.HewasastallasLang,althoughnotquiteashusky.Hewasformidablelooking,justthesame.
"Theyhavebroughtitinplainbrownboxes,andnotintheirsuitsornativedress.""Yes,butthe
restaurantwherethey'regettingthefoodisapublicplace,"Langargued."They'vebeenseencoming
aroundtothebackladenwithcardboardboxes.Thepolicearewatchingthem.Theythinkthey've
stumbledontoasmugglingoperation!"Briannahidherfaceinherhandsandchokedonlaughter.
Ahmedwasunamused."Youmightenlightenthem,"headvisedLang."Ihave,"hesaidirritably."At
considerableexpensetomyskin.Theydidn'ttakekindlytobeingleftinthedarkaboutthe
circumstancesofyourstaywithBrianna.""Thatishardlymyconcern,"theArabsaidwithcold
hauteur."Itshouldbe,"Langcountered.Hepaused,rubbinghishandoverhischin,theotherhand
jammedintohispocket."You'reonemajorheadache.""IfIwereincharge,"heinformedLang,"I
shoulddrawtheassassinsintotheopenanddealwiththemmyself.""We'dloveto,"Langreturned
curtly."Butwehavenoideawheretheyarerightnow.We'vesearchedthecity,butwecan'tunearth
them.We'refairlycertainthattheyhaven'tmadeitintothecountryyet,althoughtheywerespottedon
theYucatancoastearlierthisweek.Meanwhile,itwouldbeofgreatbenefittoyou,andtous,ifyou
couldbealittlemorediscreet!"Ahmedshrugged."Ihavebeendiscreet.""Stopimportingexotic
food!""Tellher―"hepointedatBrianna"―tostopshovingoblongorangecontainers
ofsuspiciousmeatwrappedinbunsatme!""Hotdogs,"Briannacorrected."They'rehotdogs!"
"Brianna,ifwebringyousomegroceries,canyoucookhimsomethingelse?"Langasked,tryingto
compromise."Bringmesomemushrooms,"shesaidwithavenomoussmile,"andhemlockandbeef
steak.I'llfixhimamealhe'llneverforget!""Youcan'tpoisonforeigndignitaries,"Langexplained
patiently."Theyhavetobecarefullyhandled.""Spoilsport!""We'llgetsomethingrightover,"Langpr
Ahmed."Now,willyoupleaseleavethecateringalone?"Ahmedwasreluctant."IsupposethatIcould.
Sheisapassablecook,"headdedwithoutlookingatBrianna."I'magoodcook,"sheretorted."Make

anapplepiewithwhippedcream,andI'lljoinyouforsupper,''Langsaid.Shesmiledathim."Would
you,really?Bringmesomeapplesandwhippingcream,then."Hechuckled."I'dbedelighted."
Ahmedmovedbetweenthem."Abadidea,I'mafraid,"hetoldLang."Youhavebeenseenbymostof
theterroristgroup.Itwouldhardlybepoliticforyoutobeseenhere."Langgrimaced."He'sright,"
hetoldBriannasadly."Icansaveyouapieceofapplepie,"shesaidwithadefiantlookatAhmed.
"That'sadeal.Well,I'llsaysolong."Shewalkedhimtothedoor,awarethatAhmedwaswatching
everymoveshemade.Shefeltanewtensionandwonderedwhy."Watchoutforhim,"Langsaid,
noddingtowardthemaninthedistance."He'saladies'man,andyou'dbeawholenewexperiencefor
him."Shesmiledathim."Thanks,Lang.ButI'mnottotallystupid.I'llbefine.""Okay.Takecare."
"You,too."

Sheclosedthedoorbehindhim,gratefulthatshewasabletokeepherexpressionblank.Itwouldn'tdo
toletLangseethatAhmedhadalreadydiscoveredherforhimself.Shefeltshakyinsideremembering
thefeelofhimagainsther.Shecouldn'taffordtofeellikethat,either.Thiswasjustapassing
experience.Shehadtoremember..Shewentbackintotheapartmentandforcedasmile."Howabouta
cupofcoffee?"sheofferedbrightly."Langisattractedtoyou,"hesaidshortly."Heleadsadangerous
life,andhewillnoteasilygiveitup.""Iknowthat."Shewasshocked."IhavenointerestinLang,
exceptthathe'sverysweetandIlikehim."Hestaredatherforamoment.Thenherelaxedandturned
backtodropontothesofa."Iwouldenjoyacupofcoffee.""Thankyou,"sheprompted.Hefrowned.
"Thankyou,"sherepeated."It'scourteoustothankpeoplewhentheyoffertodothingsforyou."
Ahmedcontinuedtofrown."Alittlecourtesymakespeoplefeelofvalue,"shecontinued."Youmight
tryit."Hehesitateduntilshewentintothekitchenandstartedthecoffee.Butwhensheputitonthe
table,helookedup."Thankyou,"hesaidstiffly.Briannasmiled."You'rewelcome!"ChapterSixLang
didn'tshowupthatnightwhenBriannawenttoseeTad,andAhmedinsistedonaccompanyingher.
Thatmeanthehadtobecrammedintothepassengerseatofhertinyvehicle,andhecomplainedall
thewaytothehospitalparkinglot."Ifyouhatemypoorlittlecarsomuch,whyinsistoncomingwith
me?"sheaskedangrily.''Becauseitisdangerousforawomantobeoutsideafterdarkalone,"he
said,"inanycity."Hewasconcernedforher.Therealizationmadeherfeelwarminside,protected.
Shestaredathim,entranced.Hetouchedherfacelightly,awarethatshewascreatingasortof
weaknessinhim.Shepleasuredhim.'Hewithdrewhishandwithreluctance,noticingthatshehad
leanedcloserinvoluntarily,tryingtomaintainthelighttouch."Youdisturbme,Brianna,"hesaid
huskily."ItisaweaknesswhichIcanillafford.Come."Heunwoundhimselffromtheseatandwaited
forhertogetout.Heescortedhertothehospitalwithafirmhandunderherelbow.Butbeforethey
gottothefrontdoor,hishandhadbeguntoslidedownuntilhislongfingerscouldintertwine
sensuouslywithhers.Shestopped,awareofexplosivesensationscausedbyhistouch.Helooked
downather,hisjawtautasthesamefeelingsworkedonhim.Hisfingerscontractedaroundhers,
pressinghispalmhardagainsthers,andforlongminutestheystoodonthesidewalkundera
streetlightandsimplystaredateachother."Thisisunwise,"hesaid,hisvoicedeepandhusky.Buthe
movedcloser,sothathisbodywasrightupagainsthers."Yes."Shelaidhercheekslowlyonhis
chest,overthetrenchcoat,andlistenedtothehard,heavybeatofhisheart.Hishandfreedhers.His
armscameup,slowly,andaroundher.Hedrewhercloseandbenthisdarkheadoverhers.Herocked
hergentlyagainsthiminthedampdarknessandwonderedatthepeacehefelt.

Whenhelethergo,shewashard-pressednottowobbleonherfeet.Sheclungtohishandasthey
wentupintheelevator.ShelefthimreluctantlytogoseeTad.Hewaited,hiseyesunseeingashe
staredatthecarpetedfloor.Briannawasbecomingtooimportantinhislife.Hewasn'tsurehecould
lethergowhenitbecamenecessary.Howoddthatshe'dmanagedtoinstillfeelingsinhimthatallthe
experiencedwomenofhisacquaintancecouldn't.Hefelttendernesswithher.Itwasanewfeeling
entirely,forhimtofeeltendertowardawoman.Whenshecameback,hewasmoredisturbedthan
ever.Hetookherhandandledherbacktothecar,gentlyhelpingherintothedriver'ssidebeforehe
gotinbesideher."Howishe?"heasked.Sheshookherhead."There'snochange."Shestartedthecar
anddrovebacktoherapartment.Thistimewhentheygotout,hekeptadistancebetweenthem.When
theyenteredherapartment,heexcusedhimselfwithapleaoffatigueandclosetedhimselfintheguest
bedroom.Briannawassurprisedbyhissuddenchangeofattitude.Shehadn'tknownwhattoexpect
fromhim,butthiscertainlywasn'tit.Heseemedsuddenlydistantandunwillingtolethernearhim.
Thenextmorning,whenshedressedandwenttofixbreakfast,sheoverheardhimspeakingtoLang
onthetelephone.Whathewassayingstoppedherinhertracks,outofsightinthehall."Itellyou,I
cannotstayhere!"heraged."Thesituationisbecomingunbearable.Youmustmakeother
arrangements."Therewasashortpausewhilehelistened."Talktothem,then,butIexpectsolutions,
notexcuses!"HeslammedthetelephonedownandBriannaretreatedtoherroom,almostintears.So
itwaslikethat,wasit?Hecouldn'tbeartobearoundheranymore.Washeafraidthatshewasgoing
toembarrasshimbyfallingtoherkneesandconfessingundyingloveorsomething?Sheflushed.She
musthavegivenawaysomethingofhertumultuousfeelingsthenightbefore,whenshe'dlaidher
headsotrustinglyagainsthischestatthehospital.Howcouldshehavebeensoweak?Heattracted
her,madeherawareoflongingsshe'dneverexperienced.Shewantedhim.Buttherewasmoretoit
thaneventhat.She...caredforhim.

Shestaredatherwhitefaceinthemirror.Thiswouldn'tdo.Shehadtogetagriponherself.Shemust
fixbreakfastandgotoworkandnotletthisupsether.ShehadTadtothinkof,andnohopeofa
normallifeaslongashewascomatose.ShehadtothinkaboutTad,notherself.Withthatfirmlyin
mind,shepinchedsomecolorintohercheeksandwentbackdownthehallagain.Ahmedwassitting
onthesofa."I'llfixsomethingforyoutoeatbeforeIleave,"shebegan."Thatisnotnecessary.Iam
nothungry."Shepickeduphercoatandpurse."Suityourself.Goodbye."''Areyounotgoingtohave
yourtoastandcoffee?"heaskedsuddenly."I'mnothungry,either,"shesaidwithoutlookingathim.
Sheopenedthedoorandwentout.Shefeltsickallover.Ithadbeenbadenoughbefore,whenthey
argued.Nowitwasworse.Hecouldn'tbeareventobeintheapartmentwithher.She'donlyjustmade
ittothestepswhenheopenedtheapartmentdoorandcalledtoher."What?"sheaskedstiffly."Itisnot
healthytogowithoutbreakfastwhenyouareaccustomedtoit,"herepliedformally.Shelookedback
athimwithglaringblueeyes."Icantakecareofmyself,thankyou."Hisfaceclosedup."Eat
somethingatwork,then,"hesaidshortly."Presumablyyouhaveacoffeeshopnearby.""I'lleatwhenI
feellikeit!"Hisdarkeyesslidoverherlikeseekinghands.Sheflushedandhemadeanannoyed
sound.Hewentbackintotheapartmentandclosedthedoorwithanaudiblesnap.Langcamebyher
officeatlunchtime.Heperchedhimselfonthedeskandstudiedherwithtoomuchinterestfora
casualobserver."You'vebeencrying,"heremarked."AndIdon'tneedthreeguesses.""Hewantsto
getridofme,"shesaidfuriously."AndIwanttogetridofhim,too!Ihatehavingmycooking

insulted!"Hesmiledwistfully."He'sprotectingyou,"hesaid.Shescowled."What?""He'sprotecting
you,"herepeated."Idon'tthinkherealizesit,buthe'stryingtogetyououtofthelineoffire.He
thinksyou'reindangeraslongashe'saround.Youare,butwe'reJohnny-on-the-spot.You'rebothas
safeasyoucanget.Andmovinghimoutoftheapartmentwon'tsolveanyproblems,itwillonly
createmore.Itoldhimthat.""Whatdidhesay?"sheasked,tryingtosounddisinterested."Thatyou
mustn'tbehurt,whateverthecost,"hesaid,smiling.Sheflushed."Howveryniceofhim.Thatwasn't
howhesoundedonthephonethismorning.""He'sgotalotonhismind.""Isupposehedoes,"she
agreedreluctantly,"withspiesandassassinsfollowinghimaroundeverywhere.""Andhisown
bodyguard,"heremindedher."That,too.""Youdon'tbelieveme,doyou?"hemused."YouthinkI'm
makingupexcusesforAhmed,tokeepyouinourgoodgraces.""Youspiesareallalike,"shesaid.
"Youdothejob,whateverittakes.""Well,Imighthaveexaggeratedalittle,"heconfessed,"butnot
much.IstillthinkAhmed'smainconcernisthatyoumightgethurt.''"That'snotwhathesaid."He
studiedthefabricofhisslacks."Notexactly.""Whatdidhesay,exactly?""Thathe'dbeclimbingthe
wallsinanothertwodaysifIdidn'tgethimoutofthere,"heconfessed."Hewon'tbetheonlyone,"
sheshotback,infuriated."He'sdrivingmebatty!"Hestudiedherflushedface,seeingfarmorethan
shewantedhimto.Hepursedhislipsandsmiledalittleandshewentscarlet."I'llseewhatIcando,"
hepromised,risingfromthedesk."Thanks,Lang.""Meanwhile,wearpajamasatnight,willyou?"
Shegasped,horrified."Heonlysaidthatyouhadanightmare.Andyouwerewearingagown
designedtoundermineallaman'sgoodresolutionsandmoralcharacter.""Itwasnot!"sheexclaimed.
"It'sjustacommon,ordinary,run-of-the-millgown,andIneveraskedhimtotakeitoffme!"Lang
whistledandavertedhiseyes.Shelookedevenmorehorrified.Herfacewentfromscarlettostark
whiteandherhandscoveredhermouth."Nowonderhe'sclimbingwalls,"Langsaidwickedly."You
gethimoutofmyapartment!"shesnapped."Withallhaste,Ipromise,"hesaidcomfortingly.
"Meanwhile―"heleanedcloser"―wearpajamas!""I'llweararmor,"shemuttered.He
chuckledandlefthersittingthere,dreamingupwaysandmeansofstranglingherapartmentdweller.
Howcouldhe!Howdaredhe!Shefumedalldaylong.Whenshegotbacktotheapartmentthatnight,
she'dreachedflashpoint."Howdareyou!"Sheexplodedtheminutesheclosedthedoorbehindher.
AhmedraisedbotheyebrowsandpushedtheOffbuttononthetelevisionremotecontrol."HowdareI
what?"hechallenged."HowdareyoutellthatPeepingTomthatIhadonagown!"Helookedstunned.
"Isaidnosuchthingtohim,"hebeganslowly."NorwouldIhave.Thememoryofitisadeeply
personalthing,forthetwoofusalonetoshare.Itwouldoffendmysenseofhonortodivulgeitto
anyoneelse."Shestopped,touchedbythewayheexpressedthememory."Buthesaid...""Yes?"He
lookeddangerous.Shehesitated."Well,hesaidyouwantedtoleaveherebecauseIwasdrivingyouup
thewalls."Hesmiled."Youare."Shewasconfused,andlookedit.Hegotupfromthesofaandtook
awayherpurseandcoat,depositingthemonachair."Sitdownandhavesomecoffee.Imadeit.Itis
surprisinglygood,forafirstattempt."Shecouldn'thaveimaginedAhmedmakingcoffee.Buthewas
right.Itwasgood.Hesatnearherandleanedforward,hisdarkeyesintent."ItoldLangnothing
exceptthatIdisliketheriskofremaininghere.""Becauseofallthatcateredfood?"sheprompted.
"BecauseIfindyoumuchtoodesirable,"hesaidsolemnly."Youhavenoknowledgeofmen,orofthe
deceitevenanhonorablemancanemploywhendesirerideshimhard.Itwasdangerous,thewaywe
weretogetherlastnightatthehospital.Youarevulnerabletome,andItoyou.Ihaveexplained
alreadyhowIfeelaboutthesituation.""Yes,Iknow."Shesippedhercoffee."Thenifyoudidn'ttell
Lang,howdidheknow?"Thecoffeecuphunginmidair."Cameras...!""No,"heassuredher."There
arenocamerasinthebedroom.Ihadmyownmensweepit,tomakecertain.Itdisturbedmethatyou
mightbespieduponasyouslept.""Thankyou.""Whereisthegownyouwore?""Iwasheditand
hungitinthewindowtodry."Shecaughtherbreath."Sothat'show...!""Atelescope,nodoubt,"he
mused."Andtherearemicrophoneswhichcanpickupaheartbeatfromagreatdistance.""Oh,dear,"

shegroaned."Langwouldnotpermitsuchablatantviolationofyourprivacy,"hesaid,"andmymen
wouldnotdareeavesdroponme.""Ihopeyou'reright.Itnauseatesmetothinkthatsomeonemight
havewatched,listened_____"Hisdarkbrowsdrewtogetherslightly."Youknowverylittleofthe
world,"hesaidgently."Therearemenwhothinknothingof..."Helaughed."Nevermind.Itisnotfit
talkforyourears.Drinkyourcoffee.""Isupposeyouhaveyourpickofwomen,"shemurmured
withoutlookingathim."Inyourposition,Imean.Diplomatstravelinhighsocialcircles,andyou're
notbadlooking.""Youflatterme."Hereyeslifted,searchinghisimpassiveface."I'veneverhadmuch
timefordating.Iwentoutatimeortwo,butMamawasunwellalotafterTadwasborn,andIhadto
helpherlookafterthehouse,andafterhim.Mostboysweren'tinterestedinmeanyway.Iwasalways
thin."Shefingeredthecoffeecup."Afterthewreck,Ithoughtmyhiplookedhorrible."Helaughed
gently,withoutmalice."Andnow?"heteased."Whatdoyouthinkofitnow?"Shesmiledback."I
thinkthatyouwereverykind.""Ihadagreatdealmorethan'kindness'inmind,Brianna,"hesaid
softly."Youareverydesirable.Ifindmyselflustingafteryou,andthatiswhyIwishtoleavehere.An
affairbetweenuswouldbeatragicthing.""Theremustbemanywomeninyourlifewhowould
gladlygiveyouwhatyouwant,"shesaiddemurely.Helookedveryintrospective."Perhaps.Butitwill
bebestifLangcanfindotheraccommodationsforme.Thisenforcedtogethernesswillleadto
disastereventually.""Ihaven'tanyplanstodrapemyselfnudeacrossyourbed,"sheremarked.He
lookedatherwithlazyappreciation."Eventheprospectmakesmyheadswim,"hemurmured."You
realizethatIwouldfinditimpossibletoresistyou?""Iwouldfinditimpossibletobehaveinsucha
way,"sheconfessed."Iwanttoexplain..."Theringingofthetelephone,anunusualevent,stoppedher
inmidsentence.Shedivedforit,listenedforaminuteandwentdeathlypale.Shehungup."Brianna,
whatisit?"heaskedsoftly."It'sTad,"shesaidnumbly,hereyestragicandshocked."He'sgotten
worse.Ihavetogotohim____""Youareinnoconditiontodrive.Getyourcoat."Hephonedfora
cab,certainthattheagencyhadbuggedthetelephone.Sureenough,whentheygottothecurb,there
wasLangwiththelimo.HepackedtheminsidegrimlyandspedtowardCityGeneralwithoutaword.
Tad'sfrailbodyconvulsedoverandoveragain.Briannawatcheduntilshebegantocry.Ahmeddrew
herintohisarmsandcomfortedherallthroughit.Herefusedtoleaveher,evenwhenthedoctor
cameandgaveherasedative."Howisshe?"LangaskedwhenAhmedreappearedfromtheroom
they'dgivenher."Sheisnotwell,"hereplied."Shehasspirit,butevensomuchwilleventuallygive
way.Theboy'sconditionisdangerous.Hemayverywelldie.""Andifhedoesn't?"Langasked.
Ahmedpursedhislips."Thenhemaycomeoutofit,"hesaidwithasmile."Thisiswhatthedoctor
hopes.Itisevidenceoffreneticbrainactivity,whichcangoeitherway.ForBrianna'ssake,Ihopethe
boyrecovers.""Whenwilltheyknow?"Langasked."Soon,Ihope."Anditwas.Minuteslater,Ahmed
wascalledinbyDr.Brown,whowaslaughingwithtearsrunningdownhischeeks."Comeandlook,"
hesaid."ThenI'llletyouwakeBriannaandtellher."HedrewthetallArabtotheICU,whereayoung
boy'seyeswereopenandhewasbeingexaminedbyanotherdoctor.HelookedatAhmedwithfuzzy
curiosity."Hewillrecover?"Ahmedasked."Withtreatmentandtime,ofcourse!"Ahmedpausedlong
enoughtotellLangbeforeheburstintotheroomwhereBriannawassleepingrestlessly."Wakeup,
darling,"hewhispered,unawarethathe'devenusedtheword."Wakeup,letmetellyou."Sheopened
hereyesheavily,peeringathimthroughafogoftranquilizers."Whatisit?He'sgone?"sheasked
suddenly,chokingontheword."No!He'sawake.He'scomeoutofthecoma,Brianna.He'sgoingto
beallright!"Shesatup,clingingtoAhmed'sstrengthwhileshefoughttobelucid."Tad'sallright,"
sheechoed."Oh,thankGod!"Heheldherwhileshecried,thenhelpedherasshestruggledtogetto
herfeet."Steady,darling,"hesaidgently."You'llkeelover."Hehelpedherintohershoes,unawareof
theendearmentshewaswhisperingtoher.SheleanedonhisarmandwalkedintotheICU,dazedand
stunnedanddeliriouslyhappywhenshesawTad'sblueeyessparklewithsuddenrecognition."Sis...
ter?"hewhispered.Hisvoicesoundedstrange.Itwasthelongperiodofdisuse,Dr.Brownassured

her."Tad,"Briannawhisperedback,smoothinghisdarkhair."Iloveyou,Tad.""Loveyou,"he
managedtosay."Mom?Dad?"Shelooked,anguished,atthedoctor.Henoddedsolemnly.Shelooked
backatTad,formingwordsshedidn'twanttospeak."Welostthemboth.I'msosorry."Hebeganto
cry.Thesoundwashaunting.Briannahadhadthreeyearstocopewiththeloss,buttoTad,theywere
onlyminutesbeyondtheterriblewreck.Hesobbed,shakingallover,andBriannagatheredhimupas
bestshecouldwithallthetubesandwires,andheldhim,murmuringcomfortingwords.Whenhewas
calmagain,shelaidhimbackdownanddriedhistears."Westillhaveeachother,"shetoldhim."You
cancomehomeandlivewithme.We'llbefine,Tad.Reallywewill.""Headhurts,"hemurmured."We
cangiveyousomethingforthat,"Dr.Brownsaid."No!"Tadgrabbedthedoctor'shand."Mustn't!"
"Don'tworry,"Dr.Brownsaidgently."Youwon'tgounderagain.Youhavetotrustme."Helookedat
Brianna,terrified.Shenodded."It'sallright.Noneofuswantstoloseyounow.It'sbeensuchalong
time,Tad.I'vecomeeveryotherdaytoseeyou.I'vehardlymissedadayatall.""Iknow."Hefrowned.
"Remember...yourvoice."Shelaughed,delighted."Itoldyou,"shesaidtoDr.Brown."Whoishe?"
Tadasked,lookingatAhmed."Sawhim...throughtheglass.""Thisis,uh,Pedro,"shestammered.
"He'sacousinofours.FromChihuahua,"sheaddedhelpfully."Nocousins...inChihuahua,"he
murmured."Oh,now,Tad,yourememberUncleGonzales,don'tyou,whomarriedAuntMargie?"
ShebitherlowerUp."Don'tremember...much,"heconfessed.Sherelaxed."Youwill,"shepromised.
"Fornow,youneedtogetsomerest.Tad,it'ssogoodtohaveyouback!""Good...tobeback."He
smiledandclosedhiseyes.ShelookedquicklyatDr.Brown."He'llbeallright,"heassuredher.
"Don'tlooklikethat.He'llbefine!""You'resure?""I'msure."HelookedatAhmed."Takeherhome,
youngman,andgivehertwoofthese.She'llsleep.Sheneedsto,"HehandedAhmedthetablets."I
shallseethatshedoes,"Ahmedassuredhim.HedrewBriannatohissideandalongthewalltothe
elevator.Shelethimtakeherdowntothecar,whereLangwaswaiting,beaming.He'dalreadytalked
tothedoctor.Briannalistenedtotheconversation,butshewastoomuzzyandexhaustedtoregister
muchofit.Whentheygottotheapartment,Langleftthematthedoor.Ahmedherdedherinsideand
gaveherthetablets,makingsuresheswallowedthemdownwithaglassofwater."Thankyou,"she
whispered.Hesmiledather."Forwhat?""Forallyoudid.""Ididnothing.""That'swhatyouthink."
Sheknewthetabletswouldtakeseveralminutestotakeeffect,butshewasalreadydrowsy."I'llsee
youtomorrow.""Certainly.Sleepwell."Shenodded,wanderingdownthehalltoherroom.She
closedthedoorandwalkedtothebed,andpassedoutonit.Ahmedfoundhersprawledthereminutes
laterwhenhelookedinonher.Hechuckled.Itseemedtobehisroleinlifetoplayvalettoher.He
removedherclothesandputherintohergown.Healmostremovedherbriefsaswellbutthatwould
probablysendherintohysterics,hedecided,whenshewoke.Heslidherunderthecoversandpulled
themupoverher.Hersleepingfacewasveryvulnerable.Hestudiedherinsilence,watchingherlips
partasshebreathed.Shelookedsofragilelikethis,andhefeltguiltyforbeingaburdentoherduring
hisoccupancy.He'dhavetobemorepatient.Therewas,ofcourse,nohopeofleavingtheapartment
now.Shewouldneedsomeonewithher,andTadwouldbecominghomesoon.Hewouldbeneeded.
Thatwasanew,andstrangefeeling.Noonehadeverreallyneededhimbeforeonapersonallevel.
HefoundhimselffeelingprotectiveofnotonlyBrianna,butofheryoungbrother,aswell.Odd
feelingsforamaninhisposition.Well,hecouldsortthemouttomorrow.Hestartedtorise,but
Briannacaughthisarmandpulledittoherbreasts,murmuringsomethinginhersleep."Whatisit?"
hewhispered."Don't...go,"shesaiddrowsily,hereyesclosed."Stay."-Hechuckledsoftly.Shewasin
formorethanafewshockswhenshewoke,itseemed.Hepulledlooselongenoughtodivesthimself
ofeverythingexcepthisownbriefs.ThenheclimbedinbesideBriannaandcurledherintohisbody.
Sheflinchedalittleatfirst,attheunfamiliarcontactwithaman'snearlynudebody.Butafteraminute,
sherelaxedandcurledtrustinglybackagainsthim.Itwasn'tgoingtobethemostcomfortablenightof
hislife,hemuseddryly,buthecouldn'trememberatimewhenhe'dfeltmoreatpeace.Heclosedhis

eyes.Tomorrowwassoonenoughtofacetheimplicationsofwhathe'djustdone.

ChapterSevenBriannafeltaweightonherarm.Shemovedandfellevenclosertoawarm,muscular
sortofpillow.Shemustbedreaming.Herhandmovedoverwhatfeltlikeafurryanimal.Itpaused
andmovedagain."Careful,cherie,"avoicewhispereddrowsilynearherear."Suchcaressesare
muchtoodangerousearlyinthemorning."Sheopenedhereyes.Apairofliquidblackonessmiled
intothem.Shejerkedup,shockedtofindherselfinbedwithAhmed.Thesheetcoveredhiswaist,and
hischestwasbare.Sowashers,shediscoveredasthecoverfellandsherealizedthatshewasnude.
Shejerkedthecovercloser,flushingviolently."Itwasyouridea,"hepointedout."Youfeltthatthe
gownwastoohot,soyouremovedit.And,uh,apparentlyeverythingelse.Thenyoucurledintomy
bodyandwentimmediatelybacktosleep.Iconfess,Iwasunableto.Ifeellikeamanwhohasbeen
throughtherigorsofhell.""Thetranquilizers,"shestammeredapologetically."I'mnotusedtodrugs.
They...sometimesmakemebehave...strangely.""Ididnotice.Youmadearatherblatantrequest."She
groanedandpulledthecoveroverherhead."There,there.Iunderstand.""I'mruined!""Notyet,"he
mused."However,ifyouarestillofthesamemindyouwereinlastnight,Ifindmyselfmorethan
capableofaccommodatingyou."Shegroanedagain."Oh,don't!"Hechuckled,stretching."Itwasa
revelation,tofeelyoulikethatagainstallofme."Hegroanedsoftly."IconfessthatIremovedtherest
ofmyownclothing,sothatIcouldenjoythesilkywarmthofyouevenmore.Ittookallmy
willpowernottocarrythrough.Youweredeliriouslysoftandsensuous."Shewasstaringathisface.
"Youmean...youhavenothingon?"shegasped.Herolledoverontohissideandproppedhimself
uponanelbow."Notastitch."Shechewedherlowerlipalmostthrough."Ihavetogetup.Heswept
hisarmtowardthesideofthebedinvitingly."Ican't...withyoulooking.""HowcouldInotlookat
somethingsocaptivatinglybeautiful?"heaskedsimply."Youareaworkofart."Sheflushed."Well...
youmustn'tlookatme,allthesame.""Thenyouwishtohavemegetoutofbedfirst,n'est-cepas?"
"Please."Hesearchedhereyeswithadeeplaugh."Delightfullittlewretch.Willyouhideyoureyesin
yourhands,Iwonder,andthenpeekthroughthemtoseewhatlookslikewhenheisarousedand
needfulofawoman?"Sheflushed."Youstopthat!Iwon'tlook!""Asyouwish."Hethrewbackthe
coversandgotup,stretchingsothathisbodywastautandthemusclesrippledallthewayupand
down.AndBrianna,withherhandsoverhereyes,partedherfingersjustenoughtogetashocking,
blatantviewofhim.Surprisingly,shecouldn'tmanagetocoverherfacebackup.Shetookherhands
away,herheartpounding,herthroatdry,andheturnedcompletelytowardher,lettingherlook."Itis
notsomethingofwhichyouneedbeashamed,"hesaidsoftly."Oh,my,"shesaidonashakybreath.
Hesmiled."Youflattermewiththosebigeyes,cherie,buttheymakeitallthemoredifficultformeto
practicerestraint."Heturnedawayfromherandfoundhissilkbriefsandpajamabottoms.Heslid
themupoverhisslimhipsandsnappedtheminplacebeforeheturnedtolookather.Thecoverhad
dipped,sothatonlythetipsofherbreastsremainedcovered."Stillsoshy,"heaccused."Youslept
withme."Sheflushed."Not...likethat.""Wesleptnude,ineachother'sarms,"hesaid."Likelovers."
"Butwearen't!"Hesmiledgently."Wewillbe,"hesaidsoftly."Theprospectofitmakesmedizzy
withpleasure.You'resilkandsatin.Innocentandsweetandbrave.Whatmorecouldamanaskoflife
thansuchawoman?""1won'tbeyourmistress,"shemanaged."Oh,Brianna,"hesaidtenderly,"never
couldIaskyoutobesosmallapartofmylifeasthat."Shewaspuzzled.Hereyessoughthisand
foundonlydancingmischiefinthem."Well,then,whatdoyouwant?""Whatyouwhisperedinmyear
lastnightasyouslept,"hesaid."ButIdon'tremember.""Youwill,attheappropriatetime.Getdressed
whileImakecoffee.Tadwillbeawakeandimpatienttoseeyou!""Tad!"Shelaughed."Itwasn'ta

dream,then!""No.Notatall.Getup."Hewentout,closingthedoorbehindhim.Shejumpedoutof
bedandrushedtowardthebathroomjustasthedoorsuddenlyopenedagainandAhmedstaredather
withraptdelight."Stopthat,"shesaid.Heshookhisheadandsmiledapologetically."Icouldn'tresist.
Hurry,now."Heclosedthedooragain.Shedartedintothebathroom,embarrassedandexcited.She
hadanewleaseonlife,itseemed,andAhmedwaspartofit.Tad'seyeslitupwhenBriannawalked
intothenewprivateroomhe'dbeengiven.Helookedmuchbetter,withsomecolorinhischeeks,and
hisspeechhadimproved,too.''IfeellikeRipVanWinkle."Hechuckled,hisvoicealittlerustybut
muchmoreanimatedthanithadbeenthedaybefore."Hi,cousin!"headded,smilingatAhmed.
"Goodmorning,youngcousin,"Ahmedsaidindulgently."Itrustyoufeelmoreyourself?""Ifeel
muchbetter.IwasworriedaboutBri,though,"heconfessed,fallingnaturallybackintohisold
familiarwayofaddressingher."Theytoldmeshehadtobesedated.""I'mfinenow,"sheassuredhim.
"Ihadagoodnight'ssleepandI'mallright.""I'msorryIgaveyouafright,"hesaid,wonderingather
faintcolor."Youcangivemeallthefrightsyouwant,"shetoldhimwarmly."It'ssowonderfulto
haveyouawakeandalertandtalkingtome.Tad,you'reallI'vegotinthewholeworld,"sheadded
huskily."Notquite,cherie,"Ahmedsaidfrombehindher,hishandgentlysmoothingherhair.She
flushed,lookingupintodark,possessiveeyes."WhencanIgetoutofhereandcomehome?"Tad
askedeagerly,changinginssubject."I'llaskyourdoctor.I'llpesterhimfivetimesadayuntilhe's
desperatetoletyouleave,"shepromiseddryly."Thanks,sis!"Butitwasn'tthateasytopersuadeDr.
Browntodismisstheboy.HeinsistedthatTadstaylongenoughformoreteststobeconducted,and
untiltheywerecertainthathisbodycouldmanageonitsown.However,headdedwithagrin,ifTad's
appetitewasanyindication,keepinghimfedwasgoingtobethebiggestheadacheBriannawould
have.SincethenightBriannahadspentinhisarms,Ahmedwasconvincedthatmarriagetoherwould
solvesomeofhismostpressingproblems.Themajoronewouldbehishungerforher,whichgrew
bytheday.Hewantednotonlyherperfectbodybutherwarmheartandbravespirit.Theminor
problemwouldbehiscountry'srelationswiththeUnitedStates.Surelyitwouldpavethewayfor
betteronesinfutureifhehadanAmericanwife.Themorehethoughtaboutit,themoreconvincedhe
becamethatitwouldbeawisemove.Thedetailscouldcomelater.Nowitwasenoughthatthe
decisionhadbeenmade.HedrewLangtoonesidewhileBriannawaswithherbrother."Youmust
makehastetosolvethisthing,"hetoldLang."Icanwastenomoretimewaitingforassassinstodo
theirdeadlybusiness."Lang'seyebrowsrose."AreyouandBriannaateachother'sthroatagain?""It
isnotthatatall,"hesaid."Iwishtogohomeandbemarried."Langwasshockedandtryingnotto
showit."Isn'tthisabitsudden?"heasked.Ahmedwavedhishandexpressively."Ihavewaitedmostof
mylife.Nowthisassassinationplothasmademeawareofmyownvulnerability,oftherisktomy
peopleifIdiewithoutissue.Itellyou,Ibelievemybrother-in-lawismixedupinthis,"headded
solemnly,hisdarkeyesunblinkingontheotherman'sface."Heistheonlyonewhocouldmove
againstmewithsucheaseandwithcooperationfrombribedofficials.Nodoubtbehasmademany
promises.""Youmentionedthatoncebefore.We'veactedonit.Wehaveoperativesmakingevery
efforttowrapitupquickly."Ahmednodded."Ihopethatitwillnottakemuchlonger.NowthatIhave
madethedecision,Iwishtoimplementitassoonaspossible.""Isupposecongratulationsarein
order,then,"Langsaid,thinkinghowhardthiswasgoingtohitpoorBrianna,whowassoobviously
infatuatedwithAhmed.Themandidn'tevenseemtonoticethat!"Yes.Anotherthing,wemusthavea
largerapartmentforthedurationofthischarade,"hesaid."IfTadcomeshomewithus,andIassume
thathewill,theapartmentshenowoccupieswillnotbelargeenoughforthethreeofus/'"Wehavea
safehousenearby―""Unwise,"Ahmedsaidatonce."EvenifBriannadidnotfindit
suspicious,theboymight.""You'reright.Anapartment,then,inabuildingwherewehaveafloor
undersurveillance.Willthatdo?"Ahmedsmiled."Yes.Thankyou.""Wheredoyouplantobe
married,inSaudiMahara?"Langasked."Itmustbethere,obviously,"theotherrepliedimpatiently.

"Thedutiesofstate,"headdedsadly."Imyselfwouldprefersomethingquietandsimple,butitwould
beunthinkablenottohaveallthetrappings.""Iunderstand.Well,I'llgettheballrolling,"Lang
replied.Ahmed'sdarkeyestwinkled."Youlooksad.Youareabachelor,too.Oneday,perhapsyou
willfindawomanwhocanmakeyouhappy.""Ialreadydid,"Langsaidruefully."Butbeingthe
brilliantfellowIam,Ikickedheroutofmylifeandsentherrunning."Helaughedcurtlyatthejoke
hemadeandwentinsearchofatelephone.BriannawassoexcitedaboutTadthatshehardlynoticed
thepassingoftime,ButAhmed'scuriouslytenseattitudedisturbedherandwhenshecouldmanageit,
shemaneuveredLangintoanalcovetoquestionhim."Ahmedisveryquiet,"shetoldhim."Has
somethinghappenedthatIshouldknowabout?"Hegroundhisteethtogether."Sureyouwanttohear
it?"heasked."I'vegotTadback,"sherepliedsimply."IthinkIcantakeanythingnow.""Ihopeso.
He―"henoddedtowardAhmed,whowasreadingamagazineinthewaitingroombeyondthe
hall"―isimpatienttogohomeandgetmarried."Getmarried.Getmarried.Briannaheardthe
wordswitheveryheartbeat.Shehadn'trealizeduntilthatmomenthowmuchAhmedmeanttoher.
Nowitdawnedonherthathewouldcertainlyneedtomarryawomanfromhisowncountry.Hewasa
highcabinetofficial.Ofcourse!Howwoulditlookifhemarriedaforeigner?Howcouldshehave
beensostupidlyblind!"Isee,"shemanagedtosaythroughatightthroat.Sheevensmiledata
concernedLang."I'vebeenlivingindreams,haven'tI,Lang?"Hegrimaced."Brianna,Iwish...""It's
allright,"sheassuredhimnumbly."I'vebeenexpectingit.Goodheavens―"shelaughed
"―hecouldn'tverywellgetinvolvedwithanAmericanwoman,couldhe?"Lang'seyeswere
sympathetic."Ididn'twanttotellyou."Shetookanothersteadyingbreath.Fatehasgivenmeatrade,
shethought.It'stradedmeTadforwhatImighthavehadwithAhmed.Shewantedtolaugh
hysterically,butitwouldnotchangethesituation.She'dbeenaminoramusementforAhmed.She'd
beenfallinginlove,buthe'dbeenteasing,playing,whileheplannedallalongtomarrysomewoman
backhome.Shefeltlikeafool."IneedtogoandseeaboutTad.""Timedoeshealthings,somewhat,"
heremarked,hishandsdeepinhispocketsandasudden,painedlookinhiseyes."Iknow."She
touchedhisarmgentlyandthenwalkedbacktowardtheintensivecareunit.Shedidn'tlookin
Ahmed'sdirectionatall.Shedidn'tchangeherattitudetowardAhmednoticeably.Shewaspoliteand
courteous.Butthedistancebetweenthemgrew,andhenoticedherreticencewithoutunderstanding
whatwaswrong.Langhadn'ttoldhimthathe'dmentionedAhmed'supcomingmarriage.ButLang
hadtoldhimthattheyhadanagentpretendingtobeAhmedinstalledinaclassydowntownhotelbeing
veryobviouslyguardedinhishotelsuite.Andtherehadjustbeenanattemptontheman'slife.Ahmed
wasconcernednowforBrianna'ssafety,andTad's.Ifhewasdiscovered,alltheredherringsinthe
worldweren'tgoingtostoptheterroristsfromstrikingathim;norwouldtheycareiftheyhappened
tokillsomeinnocentpersonwhosimplygotintheway.Ahmed,andLang,wentwithBriannaevery
timeshewenttothehospitalnow.ButAhmed,sensingherwithdrawal,didn'tcomeanycloser.Hewas
protectiveandtender,butnotamorous.Notatall.Shewasn'tsureifsheshouldbehurtorgrateful.
Afterall,hehadsomebodyelse,andhehadn'tevenbeenhonestenoughtotellher.Tad'sanimated
presencealmostmadeupforAhmed'sreticence.Shedelightedinhiscompany,spenteveryavailable
minutewithhim.Andwhenthedoctorsaidshecould,finally,takehimbacktotheapartment,sheall
butdancedaroundtheroomwithjoy."IhavealreadytoldLangthatwemusthavealargerapartment
sothatweeachhaveabedroom."Thatwasn'tallhe'dtoldLang,butshedidn'tsayanymore."Itmight
bewise"wastheonlycommentshemade.Hescowled."Youarewithdrawn,"hesaidquietly."Since
thenightIsleptwithyouinmyarms,youhavehardlyhadthreewordstosaytome.""I'vedecided
thatitwasamistake,"shesaidwithoutlookingathim."Idon'twanttogetinvolvedinarelationship
thathasnofuture."Hisbrowsjerkedtogether."Whatdoyoumean,nofuture?"Sheturnedherhead."I
thinkyouunderstandme.I'mnotgoingtobeyourplaything.Notwhenyou'vegotawomanback
homealready."Heavertedhiseyes."Iamaman,fullgrown.Ifeeltheoccasionalneedforawoman

inmybed.Iwillnotapologizeforbeinghuman.""Ididn'taskyouforanapology,"shereturned."I
simplysaidthatI'mnotstandinginforanotherwoman.""Therewouldbenoquestionofthat.""Good.
I'mgladweunderstandeachother."Sheputthecarintogearanddrovehome,withAhmedquietand
contemplativebesideher.He'dalreadystartedplanningastatewedding,andherewasBriannaall
upsetabouthismistressandrefusinghim.He'dalreadytelephonedtotellthewomanbackhomethat
hewasmarrying.He'dgivenherahandsomecompensationandprovidedforheroldage,andthey
partedfriends.ButapparentlyBriannacouldn'tacceptthathehadapast.Itmadehimsad.He'dthought
hermoreforgivingthanthat.Andshestilldidn'tknowitall.Inwardlyhewasrememberingjusthow
greatadeceptionheandLanghadworkedonBrianna.Therewasatruthshehadn'tyetdiscovered,
onethatwouldcertainlyhavechangedtheirrelationshiporevenkilleditoncesheknew.Hehadn't
wantedtotellher.He'dplannedtowait,tofindtherightwords,therighttime.Butsheseemed
unwillingtoevenspeakofafuturewithhimnow.He'dwaitedtoolong.Helookedathersadly.She
wasveryyoung,ofcourse.Perhapsheexpectedtoomuch,toosoon.Hewouldhavetobidehistime
andhopethatshewasn'tasunaffectedassheseemed.Bythenextday,Langhadfoundthemanew
apartment.IttookallofadaytohaveeverythingmovedintoitbyAhmed'sfriends.Briannawas
shockedatthewayhedidthings,literallysnappinghisfingerstogetpeopletodowhathewanted.
She'dneverbeenexposedtoanyonewithsuchasenseofpowerandconfidence.Shestoodinaweof
him,butshewasdeterminednottoletitshow.Thewomanbackhomewaswelcometohim,shetold
herself.Shedidn'twanthim!Whilesheunpacked,AhmedspokeprivatelywithLang."Theboywillbe
safeherewithus?"heaskedworriedly."Iwouldnothavehimhurtnowforalltheworld.""Hewon't
be,"Langsaid."You'llallbeassafehereasyouwouldbeinabombsheltertwentystoriesdown.
You'recompletelysurrounded.Therearebugsandcameraseverywhere,"headdedmeaningfully.
"Foryourownprotection.Rememberthem.""DoyouthinkImightneedtorememberthem?"Ahmed
laughedheavily."Shehasnointerestinmenowthatherbrotherisconscious.Ihavebecomethe
forgottenman."Langcouldn'thelpbutfeelthatitwasthebestthingtohappen,sinceAhmedwas
makingmarriageplans."I'msorry.Iknowhowyoufeel,"Langreplied,andhiseyesweredistant.
"I'vehadyearsofbeingtheforgottenman."Ahmedscowled,curious.Langlookedverydifferent
whenhespokethatway.''Therewasagirlbackhome,''hetoldtheArabwryly."Imadeamistake.I
triedtoapologize,butitwastoolate.NowIcan'tgetnearher.Shehatesme.""Iamtrulysorry.""Me,
too,"Langreplied.Hegottohisfeet."Lifegoeson.I'llleaveyoutoit.We'llbesomewhereclose
whenyoubringtheboyhere.Nomorecateredmeals,"headded.Ahmedraisedbothhands."Very
well.IsupposethatinanemergencyIcanlearntoeatcursedhotdogs."HegloweredatLang."My
counterpartenjoysfiletmignonandcherrycrepesjubileenightly,Isuppose?"Langchuckled."One
oftheperksofhis'position.'"Yes.Well,tellhimnottoenjoyittoomuch,"camethehaughtyreply.
"Hispositionisverytemporaryindeed.""Hecertainlyhopesso,"Langinformedhim."We'revery
closetoasolution.Ican'ttellyouanymorethanthat.AndI'msorrytoaddthatyouwererightto
suspectyourbrother-in-law.""Andwhatofmysister?"heaskedsolemnly."Idon'tknowyet."Ahmed
waspreoccupiedasherodewithBriannatothehospitaltogetanexhilaratedTadthatveryafternoon.
Briannawasapparentlyinhighspirits.Herbosshadgivenherthedayoff,andthewomeninthe
officehadgoneintogethertogetaspecialpresentforTad.Theyhadn'ttoldherwhatitwas.They'd
wrappeditup,anditwasverybig.ShewasascuriousasTadaboutthecontents."Iwouldhave
broughtitwithme,"shetoldTad,"but,theboxwouldn'tfitinherewiththethreeofus."
"Unsurprising,"Ahmedsaidwithdisgust,lookingaroundhim."Idonotfitinhere.""You'llhaveto
askyourbossforaraise,Bri,soWecargetabettercar,"Tadsaid."Ilikethisone,thankyou,"she
returned."Onceit'spainted,it'sgoingtobebeautiful"Tadmadeasoundinhisthroatandshesmiled,
butthesmileneverreachedhereyes.Ahmedthoughtthathe'dneverseenherlooksohelpless.It
infuriatedhimthatshewaswillingtothrowawaywhattheyfeltforeachotheroutofmisplaced

jealousy.TheyunloadedTadandhisthingsandgothimupstairstothetenth-floorapartment.Thisone
hadthreebedroomsandalivingroom,withaspaciouskitchen.Briannahummedassheworked,
puttingtogetheraspecialmeal.Meanwhile,Tadhadopenedthesuspiciousboxandletoutawhoop.
Briannastuckherheadaroundthedoorwaytoseewhathehad.Sheburstoutlaughing.Itwasa
collectionofeverythingfromafootballhelmettoabaseballandbat,allthatayoungmanneededto
jointhehumanraceagain,includingaWalkmantapeplayerandseveraltapestoplayinit."I'venever
heardofanyofthesepeople,"hemurmuredashelookedatthetapes."You'llprobablylovethem,"
Briannasaid."Marjorieboughtthetapes,I'msure.Shehasasonyourage.She'llknowwhat's
popular."Shefrowned."Mygoodness,Tad,we'llhavetoseeaboutgettingatutorforyou,sothatyou
cancatchuptoyouragelevelinschool.""Thatiseasilyarranged,"Ahmedsaidgently."Later,
though.Nottoday."Shedidn'tlookathim."Ofcoursenottoday,"shereplied.Shewentbackintothe
kitchenandfixedabalancedmealworthyofTad'sfirstnighthome,withallhisoldfavorites."Thisis
great."Hesighedwhenhe'dcleaneduptheverylastofthechicken-and-ricecasseroleandthecanned
apricotsandhomemaderolls."Bri,thatwasthebestfoodI'veeverhad.""Youflatterer,"shesaid,
smilingathimwarmly."I'mgladyoulikedit.YourappetiteiscertainlygoingtopleaseDr.Brown."
Heleanedbackinhischair,studyingAhmed."Howdidyouwinduphere,CousinPedro?"heasked
curiously."DidourauntandunclesendyouupherefromChihuahua?""Why,yes,"Ahmedlied
easily,andhiseyessmiled."Tolookforwork.AndIhave,"hecontinued.Langhadplacedallsortsof
applicationsfrom"Pedro"instrategiclocations.Butnoonehadcalledhimaboutwork."Sure."Tad
smiledwithsomepuzzlement."ButthatSpanishaccentofyoursistheoddestI'veeverheard.""It's
beenyearssinceyou'veheardone,"Briannaremindedhim."Well,yes,Iguessso."Heflexedhislegs.
"It'ssogoodtobeabletogetupandwalk.Idon'tguessanyofmyoldfriendsarestillaround?"he
added."ToddBrockis,"shesaid,smilingathissurprise."Hecallseverymonthorsotocheckon
you.Hehaseversincethewreck.""Wow!Doyouhavehistelephonenumber?CanIcallhim?""Of
course,I'llgetitforyou."Shehesitated.Thiswasgoingtopresentmanycomplications.Shecouldn't
lethimtellToddwherehewas,orwhowaslivingwiththem.Shegrimaced."You'reworried,"Tad
said,suddenlycurious."Youdon'twantmetocallhim.Why?What'sgoingon?"

ChapterEightBriannastoodinthemiddleofthefloorwithamindthatrefusedtowork.Shecouldn't
thinkupagoodreasontosatisfythatsuspiciouslookinheryoungbrother'seyes."Shehasonlyjust
managedtoreacquireyoufromthehospitalafterthreelongyears,"Ahmedsaidsoftly,smilingatthe
boy."Isitnotnaturalthatsheshouldjealouslyguardyourcompanyforatleastthefirstfewdaysyou
arebackatherside?"Tadcoloredandlaughedroughly."Mygosh,yes.I'msorry,sis.Thatwas
thoughtlessofme,really!"Shewalkedoverandhuggedhimwarmly,hereyesmirroringher
gratitudetoAhmedoverTad'sshoulder."I'msorry,"shesaid."It'sjustthatwe'veonlyjustbecome
reacquaintedandIdon'twanttoshareyouforafewdays.So,doyoumind?""Idon'tmindatall."His
blueeyestwinkled."Toddcanwait.""Thanks,Tad."Heshrugged."Whatarebrothersfor?"hemused,
andthenlaughed.Onedisasterwasaverted.Briannafounditdifficulttoavoidthequestionsthatkept
coming,though.InevitablyTadnoticedhowcarefulBriannaandAhmedwereaboutwhattheysaid,
aboutgoingout,aboutlettinganyonein.Hewasasharpboy.Hedidn'tvoiceanyofhiscuriosity,but
itwasthereinhiseyesjustthesame.Hehadhisowntelevisioninhisroom,andhewasquicklyand
eagerlycatchinguponthreeyearsofnewsandnewdevelopmentsinhisfavoritesubject,science.But
hewasgivinghistwocompanionslooksthatbecamemoreperceptivebytheday."Tadissuspicious
ofus,"AhmedtoldBriannaoneeveningwhentheywerealoneinthekitchenafterTadhadgoneto

bed."Yes,Iknow.It'sastrainforallofus,"shereplied."Butitwon'tbeformuchlonger,willit?""I
hopenot,"herepliedquietly.Hisdarkeyesnarrowedinimpatience."Ilongtobefreeofthenecessity
forthisstealthanddeception.""SodoI.""Youdonotlookatmeanymore,Brianna,"hesaidsuddenly,
lounginginthedoorwaywitheyesshefounddifficulttomeet."Youlookbeyondmeoryoutalkto
mychin.Youavoideyecontact.Why?"Shedeliberatelydriedadish.Therewasanicedishwasherin
theapartment,butthereweretoofewdishesforaload.Shelikedthefeelofthewarmsoapywateron
herhands."Ihadn'tnoticeddoinganysuchthing,"shesaiddefensively."Talktome!"hesaidcurtly.
"Explainthisviolentchangeofattitude.IsitbecauseyoulearnedthatIoncehadamistress?"She
droppedtheplateinthesoapywaterandfisheditbackoutquickly,withtremblinghands."Your
privatelifeisnoconcernofmine,"shesaidthroughnumblips."You'llbegoinghomesoon,won't
you?"Heshiftedirritably."Yes,Imust,oncethissituationisresolved.IhaveresponsibilitieswhichI
cannotshirk.""Weallhavethose,Iguess,"shesaidsadly.Shewashedthelastofthedishesandletthe
wateroutofbothsinks.Hejerkedawayfromthedoorfacingandcametostanddirectlybehindher,
soclosethatshecouldfeeltheheatandstrengthofhistallbody."Haveyoutraveledatall?"heasked.
Hiswarmbreathstirredherhair.Shereallyshouldmoveaway,shetoldherself.Andshewould,in
justaminute."Notreally,"shereplied."I'vebeentoMexico,butthatwasjustaquicktripoverthe
borderfromElPasowhileonvacationwithmyparentsandTad,whenIwasinmyearlyteens."
"Haveyouneverlongedtoseeotherplaces,othercountries?"hecontinued.Shecouldhearthesoft
whisperofhisbreath.Herbodytingledathisnearness.Shehadtoconcentrate.Whathadheasked?
"Yes,I'dlovetotravel,"shesaidhuskily."It'sabigworld,andIknowverylittleaboutit.Tadwould
likeit,too.Butitwillbealongtimebeforethatcanhappen.Heisn'tfitforlongvacationsjustyet."
"Heisyoung.Hewillrecoverswiftlynow.""Helikesyou,"sheremarked."AndIlikehim,Brianna.
Hehascharacter,thatone.Likehissister."Hishandshadgonetoherwaist,stronghandsthattugged
herbackintothecurveofhisbody.Hischeekwasagainstherhair,andhewasbreathingmore
heavilynow.Shecouldn'tmove.Sheclosedhereyesandsavoredthesweetnessofthecontact."What
hasgonewrongbetweenus,cherie?"heaskedquietly."Whyhaveyouturnedawayfromme?"Shebit
throughtheskinonherlowerlipandwincedattheself-inflictedpain."We'reverydifferent,"she
began."Different."Hishandscontractedroughly."Andyet,soalikeinmanyways.IamaChristian,
didyouknow?IneveracceptedtheMoslemfaith.""Yes,Iremember."Herfingersrestedlightlyover
hisstronghands,feelingtheroughnessofskinandhairandthesteelystrengthofthemastheyheld
her."Ienjoyclassicalmusic,asyoudo,"hecontinuedquietly."IwouldliveasimplelifeifIcould."
Oddphrasing,shethoughtcuriously."Whycan'tyou?""BecauseofthosedutiesandresponsibilitiesI
toldyouabout,"hereplied."Manypeopledependonme."Herfingershadbecomeinvoluntarily
caressingoverhis.Herbodythrobbedwithinsistentpulses.Shemovedbacktowardhim,alittlestir
ofmotionthatarousedhimviciously.Hisleanfingersduginatherwaistandhismouthdroppedto
presshotlyintothesideofherneck.Henippedherwithhisteethand,feelingherjump,slidhismouth
toherear."Theyhavecamerasandmicrophonesineveryroom,eveninthisone,"hesaidharshly.
"Whetheryourealizeitornot,thatsmallmovementwhichyouhavejustmadewasablatant
invitation,onewhichImadlywishIcouldaccept.Butdoyoureallyfancymakingloveforthe
amusementofourhosts?"Shegaspedandtoreoutofhisgrasp,facinghimfromseveralfeetaway
withwide,shockedeyes."Youstartedft!"sheaccused.Hewasrigidwithdesireandtemper,hisblack
eyesflashing,hisfistsclenchedbyhissides."Andyouwereaninnocentbystander,ledintosin?"he
chidedicily."Youcouldleadastoneboulderintosinwithavoicelikethat!"shesnappedback."I'llbet
youdidn'tstopwithonemistress,I'llbetyouhadtwenty-five!"Hiseyebrowsarched."Whyshould
thatmattertoyou?Youhavealreadystated,emphatically,thatyouhavenointerestwhatsoeverinmy
personallife.""AndIdon't!"sheassuredhim.Herblueeyessparkledlikesapphiresinafacegone
whitewithpainandhurt.Hesaidsomethingshedidn'tunderstand."Whatdoyouwantofme?""Iwant

youtogohome,"shesaidthroughherteeth,"andgetoutofmylife!""Gladly,"heagreed."Assoon
astheycatchthemenwhoaretryingtokillme!""Someone'stryingtokillyou,CousinPedro?"came
ashockedvoicefrombehindhim.Heturned,andtherewasTad,cladinpajamasandlookingasif
he'dbeenstruck."Whyareyouawake?"heaskedgently."Couldyounotsleep?""Notwithallthe
noise,"hemurmureddryly,glancingathissister."Sheneverusedtoraisehervoiceatall,youknow."
"Truly?"Helookedather,andtherewassomethingveryspeculativeinhisboldstare."Sheraisesitto
meconstantly.""Youshouldtrytogetalong,"Tadtoldhim."She'sanicegirl,really.""Iknowthat,to
mycost,"AhmedsaidwithaspeakinglookinBrianna'sdirectionthatmadeherturnscarlet."Who's
tryingtokillyou?"Tadpersisted.Ahmedgrimaced."Itwasafigureofspeech,"hebegan."No,it
wasn't,really,"Tadsaid,grinning."We'vegotmenwatchingtheapartmentfromacrossthewaywith
high-poweredtelescopes,andI'vespottedtwovideocamerafiber-opticconnections.Andthe
telephone'sbugged,becauseIopenedupthemouthpieceandlooked."Thetwoadultsworeequally
shockedlooks."Howdoyouknowwhatabuglookslike?"Ahmedaskedhim."There'stheseoldspy
moviesI'vebeenwatchingontelevision,"Tadexplained."Andthere'sbeenanongoingdocumentary
ontheCIAthatshowedaboutbugsandstuff.Gosh,it'ssoexciting!Ihopeyoudon'tgetshot,of
coarse.ButIfyoudo,Iknowwhattodoforagunshotwound,"hecontinued,whileAhmedburiedhis
faceinhishandandchuckledhelplessly."Iwatchedashowaboutthemedicalcorps,andtheyshowed
realgorypicturesofhowtheytreatwounds.Itwasgreat!""Oh,Tad!"Briannagroaned."You
shouldn'tbewatchingthatsortofthing!""I'mnotsqueamish,"hemuttered."Iwanttobeinlaw
enforcementwhenIgrowup.Forensics,maybe.Didyouknowhowmuchyoucanlearnaboutabody
fromexaminingtheskull?"hecontinuedexcitedly."Ithinkyoushouldgobacktobed,"Briannasaid
gently."IguessIshould,"hesaidwithasighofresignation.Heglancedfromoneofthemtothe
other."AreyougoingtostartyellingateachotheragaintheminuteIleavetheroom?"heasked
politely."Notreally,"Briannaassuredhim."I'mtired,too.Iplantogotobedveryshortly.""Okay."
TadstoodinfrontofAhmed,whotoweredoverhimagain."Youdon'thaveaSpanishaccent,"hesaid
bluntly."YouspeakEnglishlikeOmarSharifdidinLawrenceofArabia.''Ahmed'schinroseproudly.
"Youareintelligent,"hetoldtheboy."Andnoteasilyfooled."Tadsmiled."Thanks.DoesthatmeanI
gettohearwhat'sreallygoingonhere?"Ahmedsmiledback."No."Tadshrugged."Youwinsome,
youlosesome.Goodnight."Hewentawaywithoutanotherargument.Ahmedwatchedhisretreat
thoughtfully."Hewouldmakeafinediplomat,"heremarked."Heisbothintuitiveandobservant."
"Whatadelightfuloccupationtowishonhim,"shesaidcurtly."Lookatwhatit'sdoneforyou!"He
cockedaneyebrow,turningtostareather."Youhaveaverysharptongue,"heremarked."Ithasbeen
manyyearssinceanyone,muchlessawoman,daredspeaktomeasyouhave.""Theywereprobably
afraidyou'dchoptheirheadsoff,"shemuttered."Inthedistantpast,thatmighthavebeena
possibility,"hetoldher.Hiseyesgrewintentonherflushedface."Youhavenoideawhatmyculture
islike,eventoday,haveyou?""You'vegotlotsofoilinyourcountryandeverybodywantsit,"she
replied.Hesmiled."True.""Youhaveakingandaparliament,yourcountrywascreatedoutofArabia
justafterWorldWarI,youimporthigh-techitemsfromtheUnitedStatesandWesternGermany,your
universitiesaresomeoftheoldestintheMiddleEast,andthemajorityofyourpeopleareMoslem."
Henodded."Verygood.""WehaveanewsetofencyclopediathatI'mstillpayingoff.Whyisn'tthere
aphotographofyourkinginit?"sheaskedsuddenly."Becauseoftheincreasedrisksuchpublicity
wouldaffordhim,"hesaidsimply."Ourkinghasbeenthetargetofassassinsbeforethis."Theslip
didn'tgetpasther."Youmeanthey'reafteryourkingaswellasyou?"Hehesitated."Well,yes.""Oh,
my.Ihopehe'swellguarded.""Heis,"Ahmedreturneddryly."Toowellguarded,"headdedloudly.In
anearbyroom,severaldark-suitedmenwithearphonesalmostrolledonthefloorlaughing."What
doyoumean?"Briannaaskedwithafrown."Theyhavehiminahotelsurroundedbybodyguardsand
securitypeople,beingfedverywell.Iexpectwhentheylethimout,hewillbelikeyourOldKing

Coleoffantasy."Shelaughed.Itwasthefirsttimeshehad,inseveraldays."Roly-poly?Isheshort
andstocky?""Themaninthehotelis,yes,"hereturnedtruthfully."Idon'tsupposetherearemany
handsomekingsaround."Shenoddedandturnedaway.Hequicklycomposedhimself."Ihavea
chessboard,ifyouplay.""I'msorry,"shereplied."Ineverlearned.""Icouldteachyou."Sheshook
herhead."I'mverytired.Thishasbeenadifficultweek.Forallofus,"sheadded,liftinghereyesto
his."Youlookverytired.""Iam.Tiredandalittledisappointed.""Why?"Hesearchedherfacewith
eyesthatadoredit."Ihadcertainhopes,Brianna.Theyhavecometonothing."Shestaredbackathim
withcuriosity."Thiswomanbackhome...""Sheismyex-mistress,"hesaidcurtly."Thereisnothing
betweenusnow.""Ididn'tmeanthatone.Theotherone,"sheprompted.Hewasveryquiet."Which...
otherone?""Theoneyou'regoingtomarry!"shesaid,exasperated.Hislipspartedonaspentbreath.
Hesearchedforwords,buthecouldn'tfindanyappropriateones."AmIgettingmarried,then?""You
toldLangyouwere,"shesaidquietly.Sheloweredhereyes."Hetoldme."Ahmed'sexpressionwas
brieflymurderous.Helookedaroundtheroom."IhopehehasnoplanstovisittheMiddleEastwhen
thissituationisover.Ithinkhemightlookveryinterestingattheendofascimitar!""Whyareyou
angrywithhim?Heonlymentionedit.""Only!"Hiseyescamebacktoherandcalmedalittle.She'd
beenjealous.Hurt,too,perhaps.Herrecentbehaviorbegantomakesense.Itwouldbeallright.She
wantedhim.Hisheartfeltsuddenlylightandcarefree.Hewouldhavesomeverydifficult
arrangementstomake.Andthenaquicktriptothealtarwascertainlyinstore,beforeanyoneelse
couldthrowmorespikesintohiswheel.Hedidn'tstoptothinkifhisplottingwasfairtoBrianna.He'd
alwaysdonethingstosuithimself.Hewasdoingitnow.Shewouldbewellprovidedfor,andso
wouldherbrother.Shewouldadjusttolifeinanothercountryifhecouldmakehercareforhim
enough.Hewascertainthathecould.

"Mymarriageplansarehardlyfinalizedyet,"hesaid."Andtheladyinquestionisunawareofmy
intentions.""Doessheloveyou?"sheaskedinvoluntarily,hersadeyessearchingoverhisbeloved
darkface.Hesawforthefirsttimewhatshecouldn'thide,thatsheadoredhim.Hesmiledslowly."Do
youknow,petite,Ithinkshedoes,"Shemadeafaintsmile."Iwishyouhappiness,then."Hecouldn't
draghiseyesawayfromher.Shewassopretty.Hemovedtowardher,liftingherchinwithhis
fingertipstostudyhersadblueeyes."WillyoumissmewhenIgobacktomyowncountry?""Tad
andIbothwill,"shesaidhesitatingly."AndIshallmissyou."Hesearchedherfacewithfaint
misgivings.Shecaredforhim.Butcouldshelovehim?Hebentslowlytowardhermouth.Incredibly,
asintimateasthey'dbeentogether,he'dneverkissedher.Hewantedto.Butshepulledback."The,uh,
thecameras,"shesaiddiscreetly.HemutteredsomethinginArabicandtookherbythehand,pulling
herwithhimdownthehall.''Wherearewegoing...notinhere!''"ItistheonlyplaceLangisunlikely
toputacamera,"hereturned,closingthemupinthebathroom.Heproppedhishandsoneitherside
ofher,whereshestoodwithherbackagainstthedoor,breathlessandexcited."Idon'twantthis,"she
saidunconvincingly."Yes,youdo,"herepliedeasily."YouthinkIambeingunfaithfultothewomanI
intendtomarry.Itgivesyouaguiltyconsciencetoconsiderallowingmyembraces."Shedidn'thave
toanswerhim.Heranswerwasplainonherface."AsIthought,"hesaidwithagentlesmile."Youare
soveryyoung,cherie,"headdedsolemnly.Hesearchedhereyesandthenlethisgazedroptoher
partedmouth."Soyoung...sovery,veryyoung...."Thewordswentintohermouthashebrushedhis
lightlyagainstit.Shefeltthewarmhardnessofhislips,thevelvettickleofthethickmoustache.Then,
slowly,histongueprobedherlips,partingthem,dartingpastherteethintothesilkydarknessofher
mouth.Hefeltherstiffen.Hewithdrewatonce,andhismouthlightlybrushedhers,teasingitback

intosubmission.Whensherelaxed,hestartedagain.Shewastotallyinnocentofsuchloveplay.Hehad
torememberthat,andbepatientwithher.Itwasexcitingtomakelovetosuchanobviousvirgin.He
smiledashemadehermouthlifttoseekthedeepeningpressureofhis.Hefelthershymovements,
thehesitantreachofherhandsaroundhim,againsthissilkshirt,warmthroughitastheysought
contactwithhisshoulders.Shecamecloserandheleveredhisbodydownintohers,usingthedoorto
holdhertherewhilehemaneuveredthemintogreaterintimacy.Shewasn'tprotestinganymore.Her
mouthopenedtothedartingsensualmovementsofhistongue.Herbodysubmittedtotheslow,blatant
dragofhishipsthatletherfeelthestrengthandpowerofhisarousal.Shetastedhim,experienced
him,asshe'dneverknownanotherman.Shegavehimeverythingheaskedfor.Evenwhenshefelthis
longlegpushbetweenhers,whenshefelthimloweringagainstherevenmore,sothathishipswere
squarelyoverhersandtheywereasintimateasloversexceptforthelayersoffabricthatseparated
them.Shemadeahusky,passionatelittlesoundinhismouth,andshiftedquicklytoaccommodate
him.Hepushedagainstherrhythmically,lettingherfeelhowitwouldbe.Itwasalmosttoolateto
stop.Heshudderedandsheclungwhenhetriedtodrawaway.Hislipsmovedagainstherswhenhe
spoke."Forathousandreasons,thiscannotcontinue,"hewhisperedunsteadily."Thepleasureis
becomingtoourgent,toosweettodeny.AllImustdoisloosentwofastenings,andyouwillknowme
completely,standinghereagainstthedoor.LetmestopwhileIcan.Iamtooarousedtogiveyou
tenderness.Itwillhurt."Shefelthismouthtouchingherface,gentlingher,asheforciblywithdrew
fromtemptation.Heheldherwhilehecoveredhereyelidswithkissestocalmher.Shewasshivering
withreaction.Buttherewasnoshameinwhatshefelt.Finallyhereyesslidopenandlookedupinto
his,curiousandshyanduncertain."Youknowverylittleofmen,n'est-cepas?"heaskedhuskily,
searchingherfacewithquick,sharpeyes."DoyoureallythinkthatIhaveexperiencedsuchviolent,
sweetdesirewithahostofotherwomen?DoyouthinkthisissucharoutineexperienceformethatI
amcompletelyunmovedbyitwhenIreleaseyou?""Idon'tknow,"shesaidshakily."Brianna,oncein
alifetimeamanmayexperiencesomethingsoearth-shatteringandpassionate,ifheisfortunate,"he
explainedslowly."Ihavenowishwhatsoevertoturnourmagicintoasordidtangleofarmsandlegs
inabed."Sheflushed."Oh.""Itisnotsex.Thatiswhatyouthought?""Youseemednottowanttobe
closetome,afterthenightwespenttogether,"shesaiddemurely."Ithoughtyou'ddecideditwasalla
mistakeandyouonlywantedtoforgetit.""IwentupinflamesandallIthoughtaboutafterwardwas
howquicklyIcouldstripyouandrelievetheacheyouleavemewith,"hewhisperedwickedly."But
afterward,itmademeashamedtowantsomethingsophysical,whenIknewhowfragileand
vulnerableyouwereinotherways.""Soyouignoredmecompletely,"sheagreed."Itwastheonly
protectionIcouldmanage,"hetoldherwithalong-sufferinglook."NowthatTadisherewithusat
night,andLanghascamerasinmostoftherooms,itwouldbequitedifficulttofindenoughprivacy
tosatisfyourselves.""Youdidmaneuverusintoabathroom,"shestated."WhereIcametomysenses
intime,"heremindedher."Icaretoomuchforyoutouseyou,nomatterhowmuchyouinflameme,"
headded."ImeantwhatItoldyou.Amanmustnotallowhimselftoreachsuchafrenzyofdesire
whenhepleasuresavirgin."Hetracedherflamingcheeks."Hemustbecomeasthewindacrossthe
desert,slowandtenderandcaressinguntilsheispreparedtoreceivehim."Shefelthotalloverashe
spoke.Hereyesfelltohisthroat,whereapulsethrobbedvisibly."Youstillavoidmyeyes.Why?""It
embarrassesme,alittle.""Whenwehavebeennakedtogetherinbed?"heteasedsoftly."Weweren't
lovers."Hedrewherheadtohischestandcaressedherhair."Oh,wewilllove,"hewhispered."But
notasconspiratorshidingincorners.""Idon'tunderstand.""Didyouthinkmesucharake,Brianna,
thatIcouldmakelovetoyouwhileIhadawomanwaitingathome,expectingtobecomemybride?"
Shehadn'tthoughtaboutthataspectofhisbehavior.Sheliftedherheadandlookedupintohiseyes
withquietcuriosity."Well,no,"sheconfessed."Itdidseemratheroutofcharacter.ButLang
said―"Heputhisleanforefingeroverhermouth."Yes.LangsaidthatIwasimpatientforthis

charadetobeoverbecauseIwantedtomarry.IndeedIdo,withallpossiblehaste,andtherearemore
obstaclesanddifficultiesthanyoucanpossiblyimaginebecauseofmychoiceofbrides."She
scowled.Herfingeridlytracedabuttononhiswhiteshirt.Underit,hisheartbeatwasquickandhard.
Hecaughtherhandandsheheldhiseyeswhilesheworkedunderneathittounfastentwobuttons,then
three,thenfour.Hislipspartedasshereachedinsidetheshirtandbegantoslowlycaressthehair-
roughenedmusclesofhischest."Ilovetotouchyou,"shesaidunsteadily."Wait."Sheliftedhereyes
again."Isitsouncomfortableforyou?"Yes."Heputherhandtooneside,smilingruefully."Ihaveno
planstomarryawomanfrommyowncountry.AlthoughitisofacertaintythatthewomanImarry
pastagreethattheceremonybeperformedthere.Iamahighpublicofficial.Icannotmarryinthis
countryinsecret.Doyouunderstand?""Yes.No.Yousaidyouweregoingtogetmarried,"shebegan.
"AndIam.Oh,yes,Iam,"hewhisperedferventlyandbenttokissherhungrily."Thenwho...?""You,
ofcourse.Whoelseoccupiesmymindwakingandsleeping...?Brianna,marryme!"hebreathedinto
hermouth.

ChapterNineWhileBriannatriedtocopewithwhatshethoughtshe'djustheard,Ahmedmadeamuch
morethoroughfrontalassaultonhersoftmouth.Shecouldn'tthinkatall.Sheansweredhislipsand
herhandsslidwithwavesofpleasureoverhisbroad,hair-roughenedchest,savoringthefeelofhis
bodyunderhersensitivefingers.Hegroanedandliftedhishead,stillingherexploringfingers."You
arekillingme,"hewhispered."Youaskedmetomarryyou,"shemoaned,reachinguptotryto
capturehismouthagain."I'msayingyes...."Shekissedhim.Hehalfliftedheranddeepenedthekiss,
makingherkneesgowateryweakastheheatbetweenthemreachedanexplosiveforce."IfeelI
shouldtellyou,"adeepvoicecamefromthewallbesidethem,"thatwehadtoputmicrophoneseven
intheroomswherewedidn'tputcameras."Ahmed'sheadjerkedup.Hisblazingeyessearchedthe
wallswhilefierceandprobablyobscenewordsrattledoffhistonguelikenailsoutofanairgun."I
won'thaveourtranslatorworkonthat."Langchuckled."Congratulationsonyourengagement.Now
wouldyoumindgettingoutofthebathroomandbreakingthisup?Someofusareturningtostrong
drink...."AhmedcaughtBrianna'shandandpulledheroutthedoorintothehall.Hewasragingmad,
andshehadtomufflelaughterattheexpressiononhisface.Shewasgladhernamewasn'tLang."He
didwarnusbeforeweembarrassedourselves,"sheremindedhim.Hewasbreathingroughlyandhis
cheekboneswereruddywithbadtemper.Hisnarrowdarkeyeslookeddownintohers.Hesaid
somethingterse."WillyouteachmeArabicwhenwe'remarried?"sheaskedwithalovingsmile.
"OnlywhenLangisinanothercountry,"hepromised,glaringatthewalls."Iheardthat"cameplainly
fromanotherpartofthewall."Goaway,Lang,"Briannasaid."I'mtryingtoacceptaproposalof
marriageinhere.""Yes,ma'am,"Langsaid,andtherewasaclickingsound.Shelookedbackat
Ahmed."Areyousure?"sheasked."Therewillbesomanyproblems.Americansaren'twelllikedin
yourcountry,arethey?""Mypeoplewilllikeyou,"hesaidwithcertainty."Whatifyourkingrefuses
youpermissiontomarryme?"sheaskedworriedly."Hecould,couldn'the?""Hecouldmakeit
difficult,ifhewished,"hereplieddryly."ButIcanassureyouthathewillnot.Hewillfindyou
ravishing."Sheknewhewasexaggerating,buttheflatterymadeherfeelwarminside."Ihopeso."She
touchedtheloosebuttonsonhisshirt."We'llhavetoliveinSaudiMahara,won'twe?"Henodded.
"Allthetime?""Mostofit,"hesaid."Itravelintheperformanceofmyduties,butourcapitalcityof
Mozambaraismyhome.IhopethatyouwilllearntoloveitasIdo.""WhataboutTad?"sheasked
suddenly."Hewillcomewithus,ofcourse,"hesaid,asifhewonderedwhysheshouldevenhave
askedsuchasillyquestion."Itwillmeanuprootinghim.Andmyself.We'llhavetolearnother

customs,anotherlanguage―""Youbroodaboutthingswhichwillfallnaturallyintoplace,
cherie,"hesaid,"ifyoulovemeenough."Shestaredintohisblackeyeswithbuildinghunger.He
seemedtobewaitingforsomething.Perhapshewasasuncertainasshewasaboutthefuture."Ilove
youenough,"shesaidhuskily."Iloveyoumorethanmyownlife."Hedrewhercloseandbenthis
darkheadoverhers,hisarmsbruisingforamomentasherealizedhowmuchshebelongedtohim,
andhetoher.Therehadneverbeenatimewhenhehadconsideredtheneedtohavesomeoneofhis
ownpermanentlytocherish.Buthewasgrowingolder,andMaharawouldneedanheir."Doyoulike
children,Brianna?""Oh,yes,"shemurmuredhappily.Hedrewinalongbreath."Theremustbeheirs.
Itismydutytoprovidethem.""Itusedtobekingswhohadtodothat,"shesaiddrowsily."Nowit's
cabinetministers,too.Iwon'tmindatall.Ilovelittlebabies."Hewincedoverherhead.Shedidn't
knowhisidentity.Hewastemptedtotellher,butshemightpanic.Itwouldbebettertowaituntilhe
couldsettletheresistancetherewouldsurelybeamonghishighofficialsandevenamongsome
Americanofficialstothismatch.Shewouldonlyworryandperhapstrytobackout.Hedrewaway
andlookedatherraptface.Hesmiled."Wewillovercometheobstacles,together,"hetoldher,
reassuringhimselfintheprocess.Shepressedcloseandinhaledthefaintlyforeignscentofhis
cologne,securewiththeheavybeatofhisheartunderherear."I'mtwenty-two,"shesaidabsently.
"Yes,Iknow."Sheliftedherhead,curiously."NevermindhowIknow."Hebent,smiling,totouchher
mouthsoftlywithhis."Gotobed.Itislate.""I'mtired.ButIdon'tthinkIcansleep,"shesaid."Lie
down,atleast,"hesaid."Okay.ButI'mundressinginthecloset!"shetoldthewalls.Thereweregood-
naturedlongsighsamongthemenintheroomnextdoor.Langwasrepentantwhenhecametothe
apartmentthenextmorning.BriannahadatightholdonAhmed'shandsothathecouldn'tdotoLang
whathiseyesthreatened."Sorryaboutlastnight,"Langsaid."Really,Iam,butwethoughtitwouldbe
wisetowarnyouwhiletherewasstilltime.Wecan'taffordtoleaveevenoneroomunprotected."
"Thesoonerthisisover,thebetter!"Ahmedsaidharshly."Allofusfeelthesameway,believeitor
not,"Langsaid,andBriannanoticedthenhowtiredanddrawnhelooked."Wehaven'tslept.""Don't
youtaketurns?"sheasked.Heshrugged."It'sstilltwelve-hourshifts.Manpowerisscarceforconstant
surveillance.We'reagovernmentagency,youknow.Wehavetobegforfundingjustlikeeverybody
else,andsometimesthepoliticiansgetitinforus.""Ah,democracyatwork,"Ahmedtaunted.Lang
gloweredathim."Well,atleastifwedon'tdoagoodjob,nobodyherdsusintothemarketplacetobe
decapitated."Ahmedwasaffronted."Ihavenotdecapitatedanyoneforadecade.Weareaprogressive
nation.Weevenhaveprotestrallies,justliketheWest.""Irememberyourlastprotestrally,"Lang
commented.Ahmedshifted."Itwasunavoidable.Theystormedthegatesofthepalace.""Whatareyou
twotalkingabout?"Briannaasked."Yournewhome,"Langreplied.HefixedAhmedwithasteady
look."Whenareyougoingtotellher?""WhenIhaveovercomethediplomaticobstacles,"Ahmed
saidquietly."AndascertainedthatshewillnotbeassassinatedalongwithmeonthewaybacktoSaudi
Mahara.""Goodpoint."Langstretched,bigmusclesbulginginhisarms."Well,I'mgoingoutfora
cupofcoffeeandthenaquicknap.""Arethereanynewdevelopments?"Ahmedasked."Several.
You'llhavecompanyinsideaswellasoutsidetonight,"hecommented.HestaredatBrianna,whowas
lookinguncomfortable."YouandTadareprettynervypeople.Thinkyoucansurviveastakeout?"
"Sure,"shesaid."AslongasIdon'thavetoshootanybody."Hesmiled."We'lldotheshooting.Butit
won'tcometothat.Iwon'tputanyofyouindanger.""Howaboutyourself?"shereplied.Lang
shrugged."I'musedtoit.It'swhatIgetpaidfor.""Despiteyoureavesdroppingpropensities,Ishould
hatetoseeyouhurt,"Ahmedadded.Langgrinnedatthem."Noneofuslikestakingchances.We're
prettysurethey'regoingtomakeanattemptonyoutonight.We'llbeready.Withanyluckatall,this
willwrapitallup.Ifwe'resuccessful,"hetoldAhmed,"youcouldbeonyourwayhomebytheend
oftheweek."AhmedglancedatBrianna."Yes,"hesaidslowly."SoIcould."Shedidn'tunderstandthat
look.Itcontainedworryandapprehension,andshedidn'tthinkitwasjustbecausesomeenemyagents

mightmakeagrabforthem.Thedaypassedslowly.AhmedandTadsattogetherinthelivingroom,
goingoversomenewsciencemagazinesthatLanghadprovided,whileBriannareluctantlywentto
work.Hermindwasn'tonherduties,though.Itwasonthedangertheywereallin,andespeciallyon
Ahmed'sproposalofmarriage.Shewantedtomarryhim.Shelovedhim.Butuntilnowshehadn'thad
todealwiththecomplicationsofmarriagetoaforeignnational.Onherlunchhour,shewenttothe
localpubliclibraryandcheckedouteverybookshecouldfindthatdealtwithSaudiMahara.Itwas
suchasmallnationthatshehadtochoosegeneralsubjectstofindoutanything.Thenshegotabook
onArabcustomsandcopiedamagazinearticleonwomen'srolesintheMiddleEast.Thiswouldgive
hersomeideaofthenewlifeshewasgoingtoenjoy,shethought.ItwouldbebetterforAhmedifhis
newwifehadforeknowledgeofwhatwouldbeexpectedofher.Notthatsheexpectedtowearaveil
andwalkthreestepsbehindhim,ofcourse.AhmedandTadweredeepinadiscussionofnuclear
physicswhenshegothomefromworkwithherloadoflibrarybooks,andtherewerefour
governmentintelligenceagentsstickingoutofherrefrigerator.Shestoppeddeadatthesightofthem.
Ahmedsmiledcomplacently."Theyhavehadnothingtoeatsincelunchyesterday,"heexplained."Oh,
youpoorguys!"Briannaexclaimed.Theyturnedandstaredather.Onewasholdingacartonof
yogurt.Anotherhadacartonofmilk.Theothertwowerehavingaminortug-of-waroverawrapped
cheeseslice.Theyallliftedtheireyebrowshopefully."I'llcookyouupabigpotofspaghettiand
somegarlicbread,"shepromised,dumpingthebooksonthesofaandmakingabeelineintothe
kitchen."Godblessyou!"oneofthebiggeragentssaidfervently.Theothersmarchedhimoutofthe
kitchentoletBriannawork.Itwasquickwork,too.Shehadspaghettidowntoafineart.Thesauce
shouldhavesimmeredforatleasthalfanhour,shesupposed,butthosemenwouldallpassout
soonerthanthat.Shehandedthemplatesandforksandstarteddishingituptheminuteshecould
combinethecookedpastawiththemeatsauce.AhmedandTadmanagedtogetafewbites,too,and
whileeveryonewasoccupied,Briannamadeabreadpuddingfordessert.Eventhecrumbsweregone
fiveminutesafteritwastakenoutoftheoven.Langarrivedjustintimeforthedishwashing.Hehada
toothpickinhismouth,andtheotheragentsallgavehimaccusinglooks."What?"hechallenged."I
hadafast-foodhamburger.Alittleone,okay?"Theysurroundedhim."We,"thebiggestonesaid,
"hadspaghettiandgarlicbread,homemadeanddelicious,"headded,addressingabeamingBrianna.
"Andfordessertshemadeusbreadpudding.""Andyoudidn'tsaveanyforme?"Langasked,
horrified."Youhadahamburger,"thebigagentremindedhimwithagrin."I'llneverdoitagain,"
Langpromised."Can'tIhavejustacrumbofbreadpudding?It'smyfavorite.""Sorry.Weateitall,"
thebigagentsaid.Hedidn'tlooksorry.Hewassmiling."JustwaituntilIhavetowriteupthis
surveillance,"Langbegan."Oh,yeah?"oneoftheotheragentssaid,withhishandsinhispockets.
"Andwhatareyougonnasay,huh?"Theyalladoptedthesamepose.Langsighed."Thatyou'rea
greatbunchofguystoworkwith,andnexttimeI'llbringfourextrahamburgersbackwithme."The
bigagentpattedhimontheback."Goodman,"hesaid."I'llrecommendyouforpromotionwhenIget
tobePresident.""Iwouldn'tholdmybreathifIwereyou,"Langadvised."You'dbreakthebudgetina
week,thewayyoueat.""Whatdidyoufindout?"anotheragentasked,andtheyweresuddenlyall
governmentagentsagain,allbusiness.Theywentintoahuddle.Inaminutetheybegantodisperse,
settingupequipmentandcheckingit.Langwasverysomberashedrewthethreeoccupantsofthe
apartmenttooneside."Wewantyoutoactnaturally.Dowhatyou'vebeendoingintheeveningssince
Tadcamehere.We'veswepttheplaceforbugsandcameras,andit'sclean.Justtrynottobesurprised
atanythingthatgoesdown,okay?Oneofuswillbewithyouallthetime."Itbecamereallifethen.
Briannahadseenfilmsofterrorists.Theyhadautomaticweaponsandnocompassion.Theykilled
quickly,efficiently,andwithoutmercy.ShelookedatAhmedandTadandrealizedthatshecouldlose
eitherorbothoftheminlessthantwoseconds.Herfacewentwhite.Ahmedpulledhercloseagainst
hisside."Thisisnotimetobecomefainthearted,"hesaidquietly."Youmusthavethebearingand

dignityofhighoffice,evenwhenunderfire.Itwillbeexpectedofyou."Becausehewasahigh
officialofhiscountry,sherealized.Shesearchedhisdarkeyes."I'mnotworriedformyself,you
know,"shesaidgently."Irealizethat.NorI,formyself."Shesmiledathim."Iwon'tletyoudown."He
broughtherpalmtohismouth."CowardiceisthelastthingIwouldeverexpectfromyou."She
beamed."Samehere.""Couldyoustopexchangingpraisesandjustgoaboutyourbusiness?"Lang
askedamusedly."Ofcourse."Ahmedletgoofherandwentbacktothesciencemagazineshewas
lookingoverwithTad.TheboywaswearinganewpairofjeansandawhiteT-shirt.Helooked
healthier,buthewasstillpaleandweak.Ahmedstudiedhim,noticingthathewasasgameasBrianna.
"YoumakemeproudthatIshallbecomepartofsuchafamilyasyours,"hetoldTad.Theboysmiled.
"Thatgoesdoubleforme.Willweliveinyourcountry,then?"heasked,becauseheknewalreadythat
hewasn'tgoingtobeleftbehindwhenBrimarried.They'dmadeapointoftellinghimso."Most
certainly.""I'dlovetolearntorideahorse.Theysaytherearenohorsesintheworldlikethe
Arabians.""Thisistrue,"Ahmedagreed."However,thehorsesIownaremagnificentintheirown
right.TheyarebredinAustria,andI..."TheattackwassosuddenthatBriannawonderedforaspace
ofsecondsifshewasasleepandhavinganothernightmare.Thefrontdoorburstinwithexplosive
forceandmeninmaskscarryingautomaticweaponsweresprayingeverythinginsightwithbullets.
AhmedpulledTadtothefloorinaspectaculartacklewhileBriannadroppedbehindthecounteras
soonassheheardtheexplosion.Theexchangeofweaponfiresoundedmorelikefirecrackers
poppingthanlikerealguns.Itwassurreal.Briannaknewbetterthantodareliftherhead.Shecurled
uponthefloortomakeassmallatargetaspossibleandhopedthatthegovernmentagentswere
accuratewiththosenasty-lookingweaponsshe'dseenundertheirsuitcoats.Shedidn'tdarethink
aboutAhmedorTad,orshe'dgomad.Therewasacessationofnoise.Aclinkofglassfalling.There
werequick,hardfootstepsandthenAhmedandTadwerebendingoverher."Areyouallright?"
Ahmedaskedquickly,rollingheroverandgatheringherupclose.Hiseyeswerewild,hisfacepale
underitsnaturaldarkness."Yes.Arebothofyou?"sheasked,hereyesgoingfranticallyfromTadto
Ahmed."We'refine,"Tadassuredher,buthewaspaleandhisvoicewasshaking."Gosh,thatwas
some...something,wasn'tit?"BriannaclungtoAhmed,shiveringwithaftershock.Thosemenhad
cometokillhim.Thebulletshadbeenmeantforhim.Shegasped."Allclear,"Langsaid,repocketing
hisautomaticunderhisjacket.HelookeddownatBrianna,hisfacestillshowingtracesofferocity
fromtheordeal.Heglancedoverhisshoulder."Don'tlethergetupyet,"hetoldAhmed."Haven'tyou
caughtthem?"sheaskedfearfully."Oh,yes,"Langsaid,andtherewassomethinginhiseyesthatshe
didn'twanttosee.Shelookedquicklydownagain.Ahmedcradledherinhisarmsandsatwithhis
backagainstthecabinet.TadstartedtopeekaroundthecornerbutAhmedjerkedhimback."No,"he
toldtheboy,andhisfacewasunusuallystern."Okay.Iwasjustcurious.""Curiositysometimes
carriesahighprice,"hewastold.AhmedlookeddownatBrianna'swhiteface."Itisover,"hetoldher
softly."Allover.Langtoldmeearlierthathewasincontactwithmygovernment.Theperpetrators
willbecaughtnow.Thecoupattempthasfailed.""Yourkingwillberelieved,"Tadremarked."Ishe
okay,doyouthink?""Oh,yes,"Ahmedsaidabsently,strokingBrianna'sdark,damphairbackfrom
herface."Thekinghasneverteenbetter,Iamsure."Later,whenthedevastationwasclearedawayand
theenemyagentsremoved,AhmedandBriannaandTadweremovedoutofthewreckedapartment
andintoanother.Briannahadnoticedstainsonthecarpet,butwhenshetriedtoaskaboutthem,she
wasignored."I'mnotababy,youknow,"shetoldAhmed.Hissmilewasalittlestrained."No.ButI
amolderthanyou,andIhaveseenmore.BelievemewhenItellyouthatyouneednotknowallof
whathashappenedtoday.Trustme.Willyoutrustme,cherie?""Yes."Hebrushedhismouthoverher
eyelidsandleftherwithTadwhilehemovedoutintothehalltotalktoLang."Well?"heaskedthe
agent.Langwasstillhigh-strungfromtheexperience.Heleanedbackagainstthewall,squeezinga
handexercisertorelaxhimself."Ihatetobetheonetotellyouthis,"hetoldAhmed."Butthey've

takenyoursisterintocustody."HeheldupahandwhenAhmedtriedtospeak."Theyhaven't
connectedhertothetakeovercoup.They'veonlyconnectedherhusband.Itwasapreventivemeasure
only.Butyou'regoingtohavetogobackwithallhasteandsetthingsright.Youknewthatalready.""I
knew.Briannahasnotbeentold,"headded."Shemustnotbe.IneedtimetosettlemyaffairsbeforeI
attempttoinvolveherinthem.This,today,hasbeenasalutaryexperience.""Itisn'tthefirsttime
you'vebeenshotat,"Langremindedhim.Henodded,lookingdarklyarrogant."Butitisthefirsttime
thatsheandTadhave,"hereplied."Forthatalone,Ihavenoregretsabouttheoutcome."Langstared
atthehandexerciser."Assassinationattemptsarefewandfarbetween,youknow.Yourfatherhadone.
Thisisyoursecond.""Thisisconnectedtothesamepeople,however,"hesaid,"andtheyarenowin
custody.ImustseewhatIcandoforYasmin.Shewouldnottrytokillme.Iknowthis.""Getagood
lawyer,"hewasadvised."Imust,"hesaidheavily."Ourcourtsystemisevenharsherthanyours,and
wedonotplaydicewiththedeathpenalty.Theringleadersofthisplotwillbeexecutediftheyare
convicted,andtherewillbenostaysorappeals."Langwhistled."Harshjustice,indeed.""Theold
waysarecruel,"Ahmedagreed."Briannamaynotbeabletoacceptmarriagewhensheknowsmy
trueidentity.ItisregrettablethatIcouldnottellherthetruthfromthebeginning.""Thatwasour
decision,notyours,"Langsaid.Hesmiledruefully."Willitmatter,intheend,whodecided?"He
movedawayfromthewall."Iwillbereadytoleavefirstthinginthemorning."Hepaused,andturned
backtofaceLang."Thankyouforwhatyouhavedone.Andtheothers.Whatevertheypayyou,itis
notenoughfortherisksyoumusttake.""Wegetpaidenough,"Langmused."Theoccasionalpotof
spaghettiandabreadpuddingareicingonthecake.""Youarebravepeople,"hesaidsincerely."If
yourgovernmenteverfiresyou,youwillalwayshaveajobinmine.Icouldusesuchaministerof
justice.""Ouch,"Langsaid,wincing."Adeskjob,forastreetmanlikeme?Biteyourtongue!"
''Commander-in-chiefofthesecretservice,then."Ahmedchuckled."That'smorelikeit,andthank
youfortheoffer.OnedayImayneedajob."Ahmedleanedcloser."Ifyoucontinuetoputbugsinthe
bathroomsofunsuspectingpeople,Icanalmostguaranteeit."Langchuckled."Iseeyourpoint."Tad
hadtroublesettlingdownforthenightafteralltheexcitement.Hestilldidn'tknowwhatwasgoing
on,andhewouldn'trestuntilsomebodygavehimanexplanation.AhmedtookBrianna'shandinhis
whiletheysatonthesofadrinkingcoffeefromthenewpotLanghadscroungedforthem.The
apartmentwasfurnished,butacoffeepotandcoffeehadn'tbeenpartofthefurnishings."Sinceyou
wereforcedtoenduretheunpleasantnesswithus,"AhmedtoldTad,"itisproperthatyouknowwhy.
Therewasacoupattemptbackhomeinmycountry.""NotMexico,"Tadsaidwithdryhumor."Not
Mexico,"Ahmedagreed."MyhomeisinSaudiMahara,acountryintheMiddleEast.Ihavebeenin
thiscountrytorepresentmypeopleinacontractforseveraljetsfromRykerAir,thecompanyfor
whichyoursisterworks.""Theyneededaplacetohidehimuntiltheycouldfindtheassassinswho
weretryingtokillhim,"Briannaadded,stillalittleshakyfromtheordeal."Theythoughtthathaving
himmasqueradeasapoorMexicanlaborer,ourcousin,wasagooddisguise,sinceeveryoneinthe
officeknewthatwehatedeachother.Thelastplaceanyenemyagentwouldlookforhimwouldbein
myapartment.""Youhatedeachother?"Tadasked,smiling."Really?"Ahmedlookedatherwith
tenderness."Iwasimmediatelyattractedtoherwhensheheavedapaperweightatmyhead.Itwasthe
firsttimeinmylifeanyonehaddaredtoattackmyperson.""Ifindthathardtobelieve,"Brianna
murmureddryly."Youhaveawayofmakingpeoplebristle,youknow."Hesmiledindulgently."At
times,"headmitted."ButwhenIamathome,itisacrimetoattackme.""Yourkingmustthinkvery
highlyofyou,"Tadremarked.Ahmedsighed."Attimeshedoes.Atothers,heisratherdisappointed
inme,Ifear."HelookedatBrianna."Youhavenotchangedyourmindaboutmarryingme?"heasked
bluntly."Isawthebooksthatyoubroughthometostudy.Theremaybethingsinthemthatdisturb
you.""Theywon'tdisturbmeenoughtotakebackmyacceptance,"shesaidfirmly."Youbetthey
won't,"Tadaffirmed,"becauseIwanttolearntoride!"Sheglancedatherbrother,delightedtoseethe

animationinhisface.Itmadeherfeelwonderfultoseehimalertandaliveandhappy.Itwaslikea
miracle."Notjustyet,however,"Ahmedsaidsomberly."ThereissomethingImusttellbothofyou."
"Oh?"Briannaasked."What?"Hestudiedtheirlinkedfingers."Ihavetogohometomorrow.Alone."

ChapterTen

TherewasaflatteringlookofmiseryfromBriannaandTad.Itdidn'treallymakeAhmedfeelalot
better,however.HehadnoideahowBriannawouldreactwhensheknewwhatwouldreallybe
expectedofher.Marryingaforeigncabinetofficialmightnotbesodifficult.Buthewasnotthat.His
lifewasoneofrigorousprotocolandduty.Wouldshebecontentwithsucharigidlife?Wouldshebe
abletoacceptitforTad?Hedidn'twanttothinkaboutitnow."Itisonlyatemporaryabsence,"he
assuredthem."TherearesomethingsImustdealwith.""They'vecaughtthepeopleinvolvedinthe
assassinationplot,haven'tthey?"Briannaaskedperceptively.Henodded.Hestaredathishands."One
ofthemismyonlysister."Sheputherhandoverhisandmovedclosertoleanherheadagainsthis
broadshoulder."I'msorry,"shesaidsincerely."Me,too,"Tadoffered."Gee,thatwouldbetough.
Whywouldshewanttokillyou?""Iamnotcertainthatshedid,"Ahmedconfessed."Ithinkthatitwas
herhusband'sideaandnotherown.ButImustfindout.""Youdidn'treallyanswerme,"Tadpersisted,
hisblueeyes,somuchlikeBrianna's,unblinking.Ahmed'sbroadshouldersroseandfell."The
hungerforpowercreatesmadnessattimes.""Butyou'reacabinetminister,"Briannabegan."Imust
makesometelephonecalls,"hesaidabruptly,glancingattheclockonthewall."Youwillexcuseme?"
heaskedformally.Sheletgoofhishandreluctantly.Hewaskeepingsomethingfromher.Itdisturbed
her."Ofcourse,"shesaidautomatically.Hesmiledbrieflyandleftthem,goingintothemiddle
bedroomtomakehiscalls.Heclosedthedoorfirmlybehindhim."Thatisn'tall,"Tadsaid."He's
hidingsomething.""Yes,Iknow."Briannawasworried.Shedidn'twantittoshow,butitdid."Oh,
Tad,Ihopethisreallyistheendoftheassassinationattempts."Theyhadaquietsupperlaterthat
night,onethatLangandtheguysprovided―hugepizzas."Thisisourfavoritefood,"Lang
remarked,passingBriannaanotherslice."Weliveonitwhenwe'reonstakeout.Weknowallthebest
places.""Youcouldhaveofferedtobringusapizzainsteadofalittlehamburgeryesterday,"thebig
agentremarkedtoLang.Langchuckled."Ifellasleepintheboothwithhalftheburgerinmyhand,"
heconfessed.''IguessIwentwithoutanaptoolong.""Poorguy,"oneoftheotheragentssaid."You
oughttogetadecentjob,youknow.""Itried,butonlytheCIAwouldhireme,"Langretorted.
ListeningtotheirbanterrelaxedBrianna,butAhmedwasquietandsubdued.Allofthem,except
Brianna,knewwhyhewasupset.Evenhisstandingwouldnotsavehissister'slifeifshewasfound
guiltyoftreason.Hehadn'ttoldBrianna.Whentheagentsleft,Tadwenttobed,leavingBriannaand
Ahmeddiscreetlyalone.Buttherewasanewdistancebetweenthem.Hesatinthearmchairacross
fromherplaceonthesofa,lookingterriblyremoteandsad.Therewasanauraabouthimthatshe
rememberedfromtheirearliestacquaintance,whenheandhisentouragefirstarrivedatRykerAir.
She'dthoughtthenthathehadaratherregalair,asifhispositiongavehimgreatimportanceandhe
expectedeveryonetobeawareofit."Areyousorrythatyouaskedmetomarryyou?"sheasked
bluntly,herblueeyesworried.Hisfingersidlycaressedthesoftfabricoverthearmsofthechair.
"No.Ofallmyrecentactions,thatistheonewhichIregrettheleast.Youdelightme."Shesmiled.
"Willyouhavetobeawaylong?"Heshrugged."Idonotknow."Hewouldn'tmeethereyes."The

leadersofthecouphavetobedealtwith.""Yes,ofcourse,butwhydoyouhavetobethere?"she
asked,frowning."Dothecabinetministersactasjudgesinyourcountry?"Hegotupfromthechair
andpacedrestlessly."Youshouldstudythosebooks,"hesaid,noddingtowardthem."Theywillhelp
youunderstandthewayofmyculture.""I'lldothat,"shesaid.Shesmoothedherhandsoverherjeans-
cladthighs."Itshouldbeveryexciting,livingnearthedesert.""Itdisturbsyou,though,"hesaid
quietly,glancingather."Itwillmeanmanysacrifices.Perhapsyouwillnotwanttomakethem."Her
expressionwasunguarded,andlookingatitmadehimfeelwounded.Hemissedheralready.He
movedtowardherandscoopedherupagainsthischest,holdinghercradledtohimwithhismouth
hungryagainstherneck."Donotlooklikethat!"hewhisperedroughly."Icannotbeartoseeyouso!I
amonlythinkingofyourhappiness!""Thenstoptryingtopushmeaway,"shewhisperedmiserably.
"Youdoitallthetimelately.""Notfromchoice,"hesaidfervently.Hismouthbecamesensuousasit
moveduptoherface."Iadoreyou.Idesireyou.Youaremylife―"Hismouthfoundhersand
hekissedherveryslowly,withatendernessthatwasalmostpainfullysweet.Herhandstracedhishard
face,learningitslines,whileshefedonthewarmexpertnessofhismouth.Hishandswenttoherhips
andliftedhergentlyintothechangingcontoursofhisbodywhilehekissedher.Shebegantomoan,
movingcloserofherownaccord.Hisfingerscontracted,pulling,molding,andsheshuddered.He
liftedhishead.Hiseyeswereglazedwithdesire,blacklyglitteringwithlongingsthathecouldonly
justcontrol."Wouldyou,ifIasked?"hewhisperedhuskily."Yes,"shesaidsimply.Hestaredather
swollenlips,hermistyeyes."Iwantnothingintheworldmore,"hetoldher."ButIcannotriskthe
prematurebirthofourchild.Theremustbenohintofscandal,noquestionofhislegitimacy."Her
headwasswimming,butthecuriouswordingcaughtherattention."YoumeanImustn'tgetpregnant
untilwe'remarried?"Hegroaned."ThatisexactlywhatImean."Sheclearedherthroat."Oh.Iforgot.
Imean,yourcountryismuchmorerigidthanoursaboutawoman'schastity,isn'tit?""Ifearso."She
movedawayfromhimalittleandmanagedasmile."Okay."Hewastryingtobreathenormally,and
failingmiserably.Helaugheddespitehishungerforher."Justlikethat?Okay?"Shecolored."Ididn't
meanitwaseasy.""Norisitforme,"heconfessed."Iwantyouverybadly.Butwewillwaituntilthe
ringsareinplaceandthevowsspoken."Hebentandkissedhersoftlyonelasttime."Gotobednow.It
hasbeenalongandfraughtdayforallofus.""Tomorrowwillbeworse,"shesaidquietly."You'llbe
gone.""Notforlong,Iswearit!"hesaidhuskily."Itwillbethemostterribletorment,tohavetobe
partedfromyouevenforafewdays.""Howflattering,"shesaidwithacoysmile."I'llplanaspecial
eveningforyourreturn.""Nottoospecial,ifyouplease,"hereturned."Wehaveourreputationsto
consider.''Shereacheduptohisear."I'llhaveLangcomeandbugtheapartment."Hemadea
threateningsound,andsheburstoutlaughing,hugginghimclose.Itwasheaven,tobelovedandin
love.Shehoped,sheprayed,thatitwouldlast.Ifonlytherewerenotthisfeelingofforeboding.
Ahmedleftthenextmorning,withhisentouragesurroundinghimandLangbringinguptherear.He
andBriannahadsaidaquickanduncomplicatedfarewellbeforetheylefttheapartment.He'dtaken
timetohugTad,aswell.Butinhisexpensivesuit,surroundedbyhisownpeople,helookedforeign
andunfamiliar."He'selegant,isn'the?"Tadaskedastheywatchedoutthewindow.Ahmedclimbed
intoabigwhitestretchlimowithtwoofhishenchmen,andLanggotintothefrontseatwiththe
driver.Theydrewalotofattentionfrompeopleonthestreets.Itdidn'tmatternow,thedangerwas
over.Briannahopeditwas,atleast.ShewasstillworriedaboutAhmedgoingbacktohisowncountry
safely."Yes,he'sveryelegant,"sheagreed."Ithinkwe'regoingtolikelivinginSaudiMahara,"he
said."Isthereanythinginthosebooksaboutit?"Sheshookherhead."It'sverysmall.Theymention
thatithasaking,andtheygivesomeimpossiblylongArabicnamefortheroyalfamily,butlittle
detailedinformation.Itisn'twhatIexpected,"sheadded."They'reaprettymoderncountry,with
industryandastructuredsociety,andwomenarefairlyliberatedthere.They'reveryEuropean,in
fact.""Allthatoilmoney,I'llbet,"Tadsaid.Hesatdown.Hewasweak,still,andtiredeasily.Brianna

hadtelephonedhisdoctorthedaybeforetomakeanappointmentfortoday.Theexperiencethey'd
beenthroughhadbeenupsetting,andTadwasn'thisoldselfyet."YouhavetoseeDr.Brownatone,"
sheremindedhim."DoIhaveto?"hemoaned."It'sjustaprecaution.Youaren'tlongoutofthe
hospital.Andyesterdaywasprettyshattering.""Ahmedsavedmylife,"Tadtoldher."Thebulletshit
whereI'dbeensitting.Gosh,Ihopenobodytriestodohiminwhenwegotolivewithhim.""SodoI,
Tad,"shesaidsincerely.Theykepthisappointmentwiththedoctor,whopronouncedhimwellonthe
waytorecovery.Monday,Briannawentbacktowork,leavingTadwithanoff-duty
nurse―Ahmed'ssuggestion―andshespentherfreetimeworryingaboutAhmed.He'd
telephonedtwiceovertheweekend,buttheconversationhadbeenstiltedandbrief,andshefelt
inhibitedtryingtocarryiton.Heseemedtofeelthesame.Hisspeechwasmoreformalthanshe'd
everheardit.Thedistancebetweenthemhadgrownsoquickly,shethought.AndMonday,hehadn't
telephonedatallbythetimeBriannahadcookedsupperandcleanedupthedishes.Tadwasskipping
overchannelslookingforsomethingtowatch,whileBriannaworkedhalfheartedlyatcrochetinga
doilyforthecoffeetable."Wow,lookatthis!"heexclaimed,pausingononeofthenewschannels.
Briannalookedup.Therewereuniformedmenonhorsebackandsomesortofprocessionina
MiddleEasternnation.Atthecenterofthepompandcircumstancewasamaninamilitarydress
uniformwithabluesashofofficeacrosshischest,sittingonathronewhileforeigndignitarieswere
presentedtohim."Why,that'sAhmed,"Briannaexclaimed."Turnitup!"Taddid,veryquickly.
"...lookingveryfitfollowinganassassinationattempt.Hissister,theprincessYasmin,hasbeen
detainedforquestioningforsometime.Thereisdoubtthatshewasinvolvedwiththeplot.Her
husband'strialwasbriefandhewasexecutedthismorning.Questionedaboutthefateoftheother
conspirators,aspokesmanfortheroyalhouseofRashidsaidonlythattheywerebeingdealtwith."
Thepictureflashedoffthescreen.Royalhouse.Rashid.Ahmed,sittingonathrone.Tadsawthe
expressionschaseacrossBrianna'sface.Hisownhadgonepale."He'snotacabinetminister,"Tad
saidslowly."He'sthekingofSaudiMahara."Brianna'shandstrembledandthecrochetthread
droppedinatangletothefloor.King.Hewastheking.Nowonderhe'dbeensowellguarded.No
wonderheexpectedpeopletojumpwhenheaskedforanything.Hewasaking."Doyouthinkhe
reallymeantit,whenheaskedyoutomarryhim?"Tadasked,puttingherworstfearintowords.
"Howcouldhehave?"shedeclared."He'saking!Hewouldn'teverbeallowedtomarryawoman
fromanothercountry...!""ThekingofJordandid.""Manyyearsago―"shefaltered
"―andundermuchdifferentcircumstances.This...thischangeseverything!"Shegotupand
ranintoherbedroom,closingthedoor.Shecollapsedontothebed,tearsrunninghotandcopiously
downhercheeksassheacknowledgedthetruth.Ahmedhadbeenamusinghimself.Therewasno
otherexcuseforit.Shehadbeenadiversionwhilehewasforcedintohidingtoescapebeing
assassinated.Thetelephonerangwhenshewasalittlemorecomposed.Shewentintothelivingroom,
shakingherheadwhenTadansweredit.Hegotthemessageatonce,punctuatedasitwasbyherred-
rimmed,swolleneyes."Yes,she's...she'sfine,thanks.Yes,soamI."Tadsoundednervous.Itmustbe
Ahmed.Therewasalongpause."Ofcourse.I'lltellher.Sure.You,too."Heputdownthetelephone.
"Hesaidtotellyouhello.Hewantedtoknowhowwewere.That'saboutit."Hegrimaced."Oh,sis,
I'msorry!"Shebitherlowerlip,hopingthatthepainwouldhelpstemthetears."Me,too."Shegot
controlofherselfagain."Isthatallhesaid?""Yes.Idon'tthinkheknewwe'dseenthebroadcast.He
didn'tmentionit.""ThatwasaBBCfeed,"shesaid."Heprobablythoughtitwasbeingshownin
Englandinsteadofhere,ifhesawthecameras."Shewenttopourherselfacupofcoffee.Itwascold.
Shegrimacedandputitinthemicrowavetoheatup."Hedidn'ttellus,"hesaid."Iknow."Sheglanced
athim."Maybehedidn'tknowhow,"sheadded."Itmusthavebeenveryhardforhim,tryingtolive
likeanormalpersonwhenhewasusedtoservantsandluxury.""I'veneverseenakingbefore,"Tad
said,tryingtolessenthesadatmosphere."ItwillbesomethingtotellmyfriendswhenIstartbackto

school,won'tit?""Yes.""Youdidn'ttakeitseriously,didyou?"heaskedworriedly."Me?"Sheforced
alaugh."Don'tbesilly.Ilikedhimalot,butthen,Ididn'treallywanttohavetoliveinsomeforeign
countryandlearnanotherwholewayoflife,didyou?""No."Heshrugged."Well,Iwouldhaveliked
thehorses,"hehadtoadmit."AndAhmedwasaneatguytohavearound.Helikedtalkingtomeabout
science.Heknowsalot.""Hehasdegreesinchemistryandphysics.""Well,thatexplainsit.I'dliketo
gotocollegeoneday,"hesaidwistfully.Sheheardthemicrowavebuzzandwenttotakeouther
heatedcoffee."Youwill,"shepromised.Hereyessweptoverhispaleface."You'reawalkingmiracle,
didyouknow?I'msogladthatIstillhaveyou."Helookedembarrassed."Yeah.Me,too."Hesearched
herfacewarily."Youfeelingbetter?"Shenodded.Shesippedthehotcoffee."IfAhmedcalls
tomorrow,I,uh,I'drathernottalktohim.Okay?""Okay."Buthedidn'tcallthenextday,oreventhe
next.Affairsofstate,Briannadecided,musthaveclaimedhisfullattentionsincehisreturn.Shetried
nottolistentothenewschannels,butthetemptationwastoogreat.Shesufferedthroughpolitical
newsandmedicalnewsanddisastersjustforanoccasionalglimpseofthekingofSaudiMahara.
Oncetheyshowedhiminhisrobesofstatewithafalcononhisarm.Therewasaveryprettyyoung
Arabwomaninadesignersuitwithhim.Briannasawhertakehisarm,andshefeltsickalloverwhen
thenewscasteraddedthatthewomanwasthewidowofAhmed'seldestbrother,whohaddiedmany
yearsagoinayachtingaccident.HernamewasLillah,notYasmin,soBriannaknewthatitwasn'this
sister.Hewassmilingatthewoman,andsheseemedverypossessiveofhim.Thatwasthelast
newscastshewatched.Sheknewthenthatshewasbeinganidiot.Ahmedhadmadeitquiteclearthat
hewantednothingelsetodowithher.Shemightaswellstartlivingherlifeagain.Thefirststepin
thatdirectionwastogetheroldapartmentback.Now,withjustherselfandTadtoshareit,therewas
noneedforelaboratelivingquarters.Fortunatelyitstillhadn'tbeenrerented,andshewasableto
obtainitattheoldrent.Tadlikeditbetter,mainlybecausetherewasayoungmanwholivedonthe
samefloorwhobecamehisshadowandidolizedhim―Nick,theboywhomAhmedhad
befriended.Briannawasstillsad,butasthedayspassed,shebegantoenjoylifeagain,althoughnotin
thesamewayasbefore.Shecouldn'tcomplain,shetoldherself.She'dhadanadventurewithaking,
andshehadherbelovedyoungbrotherback.Shereallycouldn'taskmuchmoreoflife.Atwork,she
waspromotedtoassistantstatusandgivenajobworkingforoneofthevicepresidents.She'dhoped
shemightgettoworkwithDavidShannon,MegShannonRyker'sbrother,whowasalivewireanda
delightfulperson.Butinstead,shewasshiftedtotheofficeofthevicepresidentoffinance,Tarrant
Blair,arathercrustyoldermanwithawifeandfourkidsandamindlikeamathcalculator.Shedidn't
enjoythejobverymuch.EvenlessdidshecareforthewayMr.Blairtreatedher.Hehadno
considerationforhertime.Hewouldthinknothingofaskinghertoworkovertime,despitethefact
thatheknewheryoungbrotherwashomebyhimself,andwhenitwasn'treadnecessary.Hehad
plentyoftimetogethisworkdoneduringtheday,buthecameinlatequitefrequentlyandspentan
unbelievableamountoftimeonthetelephonewithhisstockbroker."Howarethingsgoing,Brianna?"
MegRykeraskedheronedaywhenshe'dstoppedbytheofficetomeetherhusbandSteveforlunch.
"Oh,fine,justfine,"shelied."I'mveryhappyaboutmyraiseinsalary.""How'sTad?""He'sdoing
verywell.""Isupposethetwoofyouarehavingalotoffuncatchinguponthetimeyou'vemissed
together?"Briannagrimaced."Wewere.ThisnewjobrequiressomuchovertimethatI'mprettywell
worn-outwhenIgethome.It'schallenging,though,andtheextramoneyiswonderful."Shesmiled.
Shedidn'tfoolMeg,whocontinuedtoconversemerrilyuntilSteveshowedup.Onceshegother
husbandoutofthebuilding,shepulledhimtooneside."WhydoesBlairhavetokeepBriannaafter
worksomuch?"sheaskedbluntly."Doesn'theunderstandthatshe'sonlyjustgottenherbrotherback
fromthedead,nottomentionwhatshewentthroughwhenAhmedwasbeingguardedsoclosely?
Andshestillhasnotrecoveredfromtheaftermathofthatsituation,"sheaddedmeaningfully.He
scowled."Blairshouldn'trequireanyovertimeatall.Heisn'tthebusiestmanonstaff.""Couldn'tyou

check?"Megcoaxed,tracingabuttononhissuitcoat.Hesmiled,bendingtokisshersoftly."Yes,"he
said,"leancheck."Shesmiledback,hereyesadoringhisface."That'swhyImarriedyou."''BecauseI
kisssowell,"heagreed,bendingagain."Becauseyou'resoconcernedforthewelfareofyour
employees,"shecorrected,thewordsmuffledagainsthismouth.''Exactly."Heforgotwhattheywere
talkingaboutfor

�>srestofthelunchhour.Butwhenhereturned,hehadaprivateconversationwith

Mr.Blair,onewhichhechallengedtheothermantorepeatonpainoffiring.Afterthat,Mr.Blairno
longersquiredBriannatostayafterwork,andhistelephonecallswithhisbrokerbecameathingof
thepast.ThreeweeksafterAhmedhadlefttown,Briannawasalmostheroldselfagain.She'dputthe
wholesituationbehindherandwasreadytofacethefuture.Therewasamaninherdepartmentwho
seemedtolikeher.Shewishedthatshecouldencouragehim.Buttherewasnosenseofexcitementin
herchestwhenhelookedather.Wherevershelooked,infact,sheseemedtoseeliquidblackeyes
lookingbackather.ShefeltparticularlyremorsefuloneFridayafternoonwhenshedraggedherself
intotheapartment,lookingasifshe'djustlostherlastfriend."You'repositivelymournful,"Tad
muttered."Honestly,sis,youjustcan'tgoonlikethis.""I'monlytired,Tad,"shesaidevasively.She
smiled,movingintoherbedroomtochangeintojeansandaloose,floppy,coloredshirt."Howare
thelessonsgoing?"sheaskedwhensherejoinedherblue-jeanedbrotherinthelivingroom."My
tutorsaysI'mbrightandeagertolearn,"hesaidmischievously."AndthatifIworkveryhardthrough
therestoftheschoolyear,andprobablythesummer,"headdedruefully,"I'llbeabletorejoinmyage
gradenextfall.They'vedonelotsoftests.He'dlikeyoutogivehimaringandgobyandseehimone
afternoonattheboardofeducationoffice."Hepursedhislips."He'sthirty-eight,singleandpretty
passabletolookat.Itoldhimyouwerearavishingmodel-typegirlwithnobadhabitsatall.""Tad!"
"Ididn't,"heconfessed,grinningather."Butyoumightlikehim.""It'searlydaysyet,"shesaid,
avertinghereyes."Whatwouldyoulikeforsupper?""Macaroniandcheese,"hesaidimmediately.He
followedherintothekitchen."I'msorryabouthowitworkedout,"hetoldher."Iknowyou'rehaving
ahardtimegettingoverAhmed."Shestiffenedatjustthementionofhisname."No,I'mnot,"she
assuredhim."I'mdoingverywellindeedsinceMr.Blairsuddenlydecidedtodohisworkinsteadof
talkingonthetelephoneallday.""Inoticed.It'snicetohaveyouhome.But..."

Sheturnedandruffledhisdarkhair."Ilikehavingyouathome.I'mperfectlyhappyandwelladjusted.
Nowgetoutofhereandletmework,okay?""Okay."Hewentreluctantlybackintothelivingroom
andstartedtoturnupthetelevision.Butthebuzzerrangandhewenttoanswerit.Briannaknewthatit
wasprobablyNick.Shewasbangingpotsandpansanddidn'thearTad'sexcitedvoice.Shedidhear
theopeningofthedoorifewminuteslater."IsthatNick?"shecalledoverhershoulderasshetooka
panofrollsoutoftheovenandsatthemonthestove,reachingtoturnofftheoven."No,"afamiliar
deepvoicerepliedquietly."Itisnot."

ChapterElevenBriannafeltherheartracemadlyintoherthroat.Shefrozewhereshestood,afraidto
believewhatsheheard."Ahmed?"shewhispered."Yes."Sheturned,herbigblueeyeswideand
unbelieving.Helookeddrawn,asiftheweekshadbeenastrain.Therewerethreemenwithhim,big,
tough-lookingArabswhotookuppositionsinthelivingroomwhereTadwasstaringatthemin
fascination.Ahmedwaswearinganelegantthree-piecenavypin-stripedsuitwithawhitesilkshirt.He

wasimpeccablygroomed.Butthen,sheremembered,hewasaking."Hello,"shesaidhesitantly,
uncertainabouthowtoaddresshim.Didshecallhim"YourMajesty"orcurtsy?Heruncertainty
showedplainlyonherface,andhewinced."I...wouldyouliketositdown?"sheasked."Intheliving
room...?""Brianna,"hegroaned.Shemovedbackastep,strugglingforcomposure.Sheplastereda
smileonherface."TadandIsawyouonthenews,"shestammered."I'mgladtheycaughteveryone.
Andyoursister,I...Theysaidthatshewasn'tinvolved.Youmustbeveryglad.""Yes."Hisvoicewas
suddenlydull,lackluster."Veryglad."Sheglancedtowardthelivingroom.Tadwastalking
animatedlytooneofAhmed'smen,whowassmilingandansweringhimverypleasantly."Tad'sdoing
fine,"sheremarked."He'scatchingupquicklywithhisschoolwork.""Andyou,Brianna?""Oh,I'm
fine,too,asyousee,"shesaid.Thesmilewasbeginningtohurtherface."Wouldyoulikecoffee?"
"Thatwouldbenice.""Yourmen...?""Theyarecontent."Shefumbleddownacupwithacrackinit
andquicklyreplacedit,rummagingthroughthecabinetandhermeagerstoreofdishestofind
somethingthatwoulddoforakingtodrinkoutof.Hecameupbehindher,catchinghercoldhandsin
his."Don't,"hepleadedhuskily."FortheloveofGod,don'ttreatmelikesomestranger!""Butyou
are."Hottearsstunghereyes.Sheclosedthem,butitwouldn'tstemthesuddenflow."You'reaking...!"

Hewhirledherintohisarmsandbent,takinghermouthhungrilyunderhis,oblivioustotheshocked
staresfromthelivingroomorTad'svoiceintervening,diverting.Tearsdraineddownintohermouth
andhetastedthem.Hisleanhandscameuptocupherface,tocherishitwhilehekissedawaythetears
andhistonguesavoredthesablesoftnessofherthickeyelashes."Somanytears,"hewhispered,his
lipstender."Saltyandhotandsweet.Theytellme,oh,sopotently,thatyouloveme,cherie."Shefelt
hismouthcoveringhers,andforafewseconds,shegaveintothehungerforhim,thelongacheof
waiting.Butshecouldn'tforgetwhoandwhathewas.Shedrewdemurelyawayfromhimand
loweredherface.Heclaimedherhand,holdingittohischest,wherehisheartbeatwasstrongand
quick."Theyshowedheronthetelevision,"shesaidquietly."Yasmin?"Sheshookherhead."Ah.
Lilian."Shenodded.Hetiltedhereyesuptohisindulgentones."Andyouthought...Yes,Iseewhat
youthought,thissuddencolortellsme.""She'sverylovely.""Sheisnotyou,"hesaidsimply.He
touchedherfaceasifhe'dforgottenwhatshelookedlike,asifhewashungrytolookather."Ididnot
telephoneyoubecauseitistoodifficulttomakeconversationoverthecoldnessofanocean.Ihadto
haveyouclosetome,likethis,sothatIcouldseeyoureyes,feelyourbreathasyouspoketome.""I
thoughtthatonceyouwerebackhomeagain,allthismightseemlikeabadmemorytoyou,"shesaid.
"Ihavenotslept,"hesaidquietly."Ihaveworkedforthereleaseofmysister.Therehavebeen
chargesandcountercharges,andmanymembersofthemilitaryhadtobedealtwithtopreventthere
everbeingarecurrenceofthiscoupattempt.Ihavebeenbusy,Brianna.ButnotsobusythatIcould
everforgetthetasteandtouchofyouinmyarms.""That'snice."Hetiltedherchinup,searchingher
sadeyes."Yousaidthatyoulovedmeenoughtoriskmarryingme.Doyoustill?"Shehesitated.
"Ahmed,you'reaking,"shesaid."Icould...Icouldbeyourmistress,"shewhispered,loweringher
shamedeyes."Icouldbeapartofyourlifethatway,andyouwouldn'tberiskinganything.Thereare
somanypeopleinyourcountrywhodon'tlikeAmericans.""Idonothaveamistress,"hesaidgently.
"Idonotwantone.Iwantyouformywife.Iwantyoutobeartheheirstomyname,myfamily,my
kingdom.""Theywouldbehalf-American,"shepointedout,worriedly.Hesmiled."Sotheywould.
Howpoliticallyexpedient.NottomentionthebenefitofhavinganAmericanwifeinthecomplicated
threadofinternationalaffairs."Hetracedalinedownhercheek."Ihavemadethenecessary
announcements,calmedfears,outtalkedadversariesandplacateddoomsayers.AllthatIhave

accomplishedsinceIleft"here.AndIhavearrangedourwedding."Hekissedhershockedmouth.
"Eventhevicepresidentofyourowncountryhaspromisedtoattend.SohasLang,''headdeddryly.
"Itwon'tbejustasmallchurchwedding,"shemurmuredfearfully,gnawingonherlowerlip."Stop
doingthat,"hecoaxed,histhumbfreeingthesoftflesh."YouwillmakeitsoreandIcannotkissyou.
No,itcannotbeasmallwedding.Itwillbeaweddingofstate.Televisedaroundtheworld."Hekissed
herhorrifiedeyesclosed."YouwillhaveagownfromParis.Iwillhavethemsendacouturieretothe
palacetofityou.""Acouturiere,"sheechoed."Tothepalace.Thepalace?"Hebrushedhismouth
tenderlyoverhers."Iamaking,"heremindedher."Mostkingsliveinpalaces,unlesstheyarevery
poorkings.Iamnot.Mycountryisrich.Mypeoplearecosmopolitanandoureconomyisexcellent.
Wehaveonlytheoccasionalstudentprotest.Oncewehadtodeportsomeforeignstudents,butwe
laterlearnedthattheyweredeliberatetroublemakers.""I'mjustordinary,"sheprotested.Hesmiled.
"SoamI.Justordinary.""I'dbeaqueen,"shesaid,justrealizingit.Hereyeswerelikesaucers."Oh,
dear.""AndTadaprince,"heremindedher.Heglancedtowardthelivingroom."Canyoureallynot
picturehiminacrown?"heteased."Hewouldhavethefinesttutorsintheworld,andthebest
educationwecanaffordforhim.Oxford,ifhelikes."Shewonderedifshewasdreaming.Hereyes
slidoverhisbelovedface.Somuchmisery,somanytears,andnowherehewasandhewantedher.
"There's,uh,there'sjustonething,"shesaidjerkily."Yes?"Hissmilewastender,indulgent.She
lookedup.''Doyou...canyou...loveme?''Thebacksofhisfingersdrewslowlydownhercheekto
hermouth,underherchin,herthroat."Thesewordsshouldbespokenonlyintheprivacyofa
bedroom,"hesaidsolemnly.Hisdarkeyesheldhers.''Bepatient.Ihaveneversaidthem."Herlips
parted,becausewhatwasinhiseyesmadeherfeelhumble."Saythatyouwillmarryme,"hecoaxed.
"Saythewords.""I...willmarryyou,''sheanswered.Hesmiled.Hekissedherforeheadwithexquisite
tenderness."Now,"hewhispered,"itbegins."Shehadnoideawhatitwouldinvolvetomarryahead
ofstate.SheandTadwerewhiskedawaytoMozambara,thecapitalcityofSaudiMahara,likebirds
onthewind,leavingeverythingbehindandallthedetailsofclosinguptheapartmentandshipping
furnituretoAhmed'smen.Tadwasgivenhisownsuiteofroomsandapersonalservanttolookafter
him.Hewasdressedinthefinestclothing,hadaccesstothecourtphysicianifhesomuchassniffled,
andatutorwasimmediatelyengagedforhim.Hisheadspunatthesuddenluxurythatsurrounded
him.Hiseverywhimwasimmediatelysatisfied.ThatworriedBrianna,whomanagedanaudience
withthekingtocomplainaboutit.Theywereneveralonenow.Theywereconstantlychaperonedand
protocolwasstrictandunrelenting."He'sgoingtobespoiled,"shemoanedwhenAhmeddismissed
herfears."Heshouldbespoiled,"heinformedherwithasmile."Hehashadasavagetimeforaboy
hisage.Lethimenjoyitwhilehecan.Andpleasestopworrying."Sheglancedaroundthethrone
room.Italwaysseemedtobefullofadvisersandvisitingpotentatesandpoliticians."Can'tweeven
havedinneralonetogether?"Hepursedhislipsandhiseyesweresensuousastheysearchedhers.
"Anotherweek,"hepromised,"andwecanbealonetogetherallwelike."Hisgazedroppedtoher
mouthandlingeredthere."Idreamofiteverynight,Brianna,"headdedbreathlessly."Idreamof
you.""AndIofyou,"shesaidhuskily.Hedrewinalongbreath."Couldyouleavenow?"heasked
pleasantly."Youarequitesoongoingtohaveavisiblereactiononmycomposure."Sheclearedher
throat."Sorry."Sheturnedandleft,noddingpolitelytoseveralcuriousmennearthedoorwhosmiled
ather.Thedayswerelong.Shewasfittedfortheweddinggown,whichwassoexpensivewithits
importedlaceandspeciallymadefabricfromParisthatshethoughtprivatelyshecouldprobablybuy
ayachtforless.Itwasamarriageofstate,though,andthiswasnecessary.Everyonesaidso.The
queenBriannamustbeproperlydressed.QueenBrianna.Sheshookherhead.Thatwasgoingtotake
sometimetogetusedto.ShespentsomeofhertimewithTad,andtherestdaydreamingabouther
forthcomingmarriageinthelushgardenwithitsfishpondandflowers.JustlookingatAhmedfrom
adistancemadeherheartrace.Soon,therewouldbethetwoofthemtogether,withnopryingeyes.

Shegrewbreathlessatjustthethought.Thegreatdayfinallyarrived.Shewasdressedandabouquet
oforchidsplacedinhercold,tremblinghands.Tadsmiledatherreassuringly,asrichlydressedas
thehandsomebridegroomwaitingatthehugealtarinthechurch.Therewerenewsmenandcameras
everywhere.Andthecrowdswerehuge.ThepeopleofSaudiMaharaseemednotatallunhappyto
welcometheirnewAmericanqueen.Shehopedthattheirwelcomewassincere,andnotforcedbythe
manyarmedguardswhosurroundedthearea.ShekepthereyesonAhmedassheenteredthechurch.
Itwasthelongestwalkofherentirelife,andshewasterrified.Theterrorgrewasshebeganto
recognizesomeofHepeopleinthefrontpews,peopleshe'donlyeverseenontelevisionnewscasts.
Butshemadeit,hernervesindisarraybutherheadheldhighandhercarriageperfect.Ahmed'spride
shoneoutofhisblackeyesasshejoinedMmatthealtar.Hetookherhandinhisandtheykneltbefore
thehighclergymanwhowastoperformtheceremony.Later,sherememberedverylittleexceptthat
thebeautyofitmadehercry.Whentheyexchangedrings,andthen

�erepronouncedmanandwife,

shebegantocry.Ahmedcuppedherfaceinhishandsandlookedatherwithanexpressionsheknew
thatshewouldcarrytohergrave,oeldinherheartforever.Hebentandkissedawayeverysingletear,
whiletheiraudiencewatchedinraptapproval.Itwasafairy-talewedding.Briannaentertained
congratulationsfromvisitingdignitariesuntilherhandhurtandhervoicebegantogiveway.Ahmed
stoodatherside,tallandproud.ThefestivitieswentonlongintothenightandBriannathoughtthat
she'dneverbeensotired.Itdisappointedhertofeelherselfwilting,becauseshe'dlivedforthisnight,
forherweddingnight,forsolong.Whenheledhertotheroyalsuite,whichtheywouldshare,she
wasalmostintearswhenheclosedthedoorbehindthem."Ah,whatisthis?"hewhispered,brushing
awaytheEarsashesmiledgentlydownather."I'msotired,"shewailed,hereyesseekinghis."It's
beensuchalongday,andIwanttofeelexcitedandstrongand..."Hestoppedthewordswithhislips.
"Youaretellingmethatyouaretootiredtomakelove,"hewhispered,"andIknowthisalready.
Pauvrepetite,thedemandsofstatearesometimesagreatnuisancetobear.Butthisisonlythe
beginningofourtimetogether.""ButIwantyou,"shewhisperedshyly."AndI'vewaitedsolong!"
"AsIhavewaited."Hekissedhereyesclosed."Ishallundressyou,andmyself,andweshalllienaked
ineachother'sarmsallnightlong.Theninthemorning,whenyouarerested,Ishallmakeloveto
youaslongasyourbodyiscapableofreceivingmine."Sheblossomedunderhiswarm,tender
mouth,allowinghimtoremovetheexquisitedressandtheevenmoreexquisitesilkandlacethings
underit.Heliftedherinhisarms,hisdarkeyesadoringhersilkyskin,andcarriedhertobed."Oh,
howmagnificent!"sheexclaimedasheputherdownonthecanopiedbed.Itwasgoldandsilver,with
geometricalmotifsthataddedtotheallure.Thecurtainswereblackwithsilverandgoldthreads."The
colorsofoffice,"heinformedher,movingtothedressertoemptyhispocketsandunfastenhiscuff
linksandtieclasp.Heglancedtowardher,noticinghernervousfingersreachingforthecover."No,
Brianna,"hesaidsoftly."Letmeenjoyyou."Sheblushed,butshesubsidedbackontothebed.Aftera
minute,theshynessbegantodrainawayandshefoundpleasureintheslowboldnessofhisgaze.He
divestedhimselfofeverythingexcepthisbriefs.Thenheturned,facingher,andletherwatchhim
removethem.Hewasaroused,andherbodyshiveredasshestaredathim."Anuisanceonly,"hesaid
amusedly."Irequirenothingofyoutonightexceptforyourcloseness."Shecouldneverremember
beinglesstiredinherlifeasdesiresuddenlyoverwhelmedher.Shecouldn'tdraghereyesawayfrom
himandashesawherexpression,hischinliftedandhiseyesnarrowed.Hemovedtothebedand
balancedbesideherwithonebee.Herhandwenttoitinvoluntarilyandshyly,hesitantly,tracedupit.
Shepaused,hereyesseekinghis.Henodded.Shecontinued,herbreathcatchingwhensfeetouched
him.Hemoveddownbesideherandhismoutheasedoverlaswhilehetaughtherhandstoexplore
himgently,sensuously.Thelightswereallblazing,andifshe'deverthoughtofmakinglovelikethis,
shewouldhavebeenhorrified.Butthesensualityofhishandsandmouth,thelazymovementsofhis
body,madeheruninhibitedandwanton.Bythetimeheshiftedherontoherbackandhisbodymoved

overher,shewasmindlessandtotallyreceptivetoeverythingheasked.Hekissedherwhilehemade
himselfmasterofherbody,feelinghershockedgaspashebegantotakeher.Herhandsgrippedhis
upperarmsfearfully,hernailsbitingintohimasthestingingpainbrieflyovercameherdesire.He
liftedhisheadandhisbodystilled."Intheolddays,"hewhisperedtoher,hisvoicealittleunsteadyin
theheatofpassion,"theoldwomenwouldhangthebridalsheetoutofthewindowthenextmorning
toshowthetracesofvirginbloodthatclungtoit.Iamnotsupposedtoknow,norareyou,butthey
willtakethisoneawayandhideittomorrow,sothatforallourlivestogethertheycanprovethatyou
hadnoloverbeforeme,andthatourchildrenarelegitimate."Sheswallowed."Ithurtalittle,"she
whisperedtightly.Hesmiledgently."Thatisnatural.ButwhatIcangiveyounowwillmakeupforit.
ShallIshowyou?"hewhispered,bending.Shefelthimmove,shift,andhiseyesheldherswhilehe
didit,untiltherightmovementmadeherbodyjerkandherbreathcatch.Hewhisperedsomethingin
French,andhismouthbegantocherishhers.Shehadnothingtocomparetheexperiencewith,
nothingtoprepareherforthesuddenfiercebiteofpassionintoherbody.Shefoughthimbecauseit
frightenedhermorethanthebriefpainhad.Helaughedandliftedhisheadtowatchherasheforced
herbodyintoanexplosiveculminationthatarchedherbackandtorefromheropenmouthinahusky
littlescream.Onlywhenhefeltherbegintoshiverintheaftermathdidheallowhimselftheexquisite
pleasureofjoiningherinthathotdelightofecstasy.Itwas,hethoughtasitrackedhim,almosttoo
sweettobear.Hefeltasifhelostconsciousnessforasecondortwo.Hebecameslowlyawareof
Brianna'swhisperymovementundertheweightofhisbody.Heliftedhisheadandlookedintoher
wide,curiouseyes.Hedidn'tspeak.Neitherdidshe.Hereyeswentdowntowherehischestlayonher
breastsandbackuptohismouthandthenhiseyeswithsomethinglikewonder.Shetookasoftbreath
andthenmovedherhipsdeliberately,sothatshecouldexperienceagainthepressurethatitexertedin
thesecretplacesofherbody.Sheflushed.Hetouchedherface,raisinghimselfslightlyonhiselbows,
andhemovedhisownhips,hiskneenudgingherlegsfartherapart.Shegasped.Hishandsliddown
herthighandcurvedaroundit.Holdinghereyes,heshiftedontohissideandgentlybroughtherinto
thecradleofhishipssothattheylaystillreinedtogetherinintimacy.Hesmiledandpulledather
thigh,easingherintotherhythm.Inthisposition,shewasopentohiseyesandhetohers.They
lookedateachotherewonder,andthentheireyeslockedandhecaughthisbreathatthepleasurehe
sawinherface."Here,"hewhisperedhuskily."Likethis,mylove."Hepulledherhipsintohisand
pushedslowlyuntilsheacceptedhimcompletely.Sheblushedattheincredibleintimacyofhanging
there,betweenheavenandearth,whilesheseemedtoseeintohissoul."Ahmed,"shewhispered,
drowninginhim."Ahmed,Iloveyou...somuch!""AndIyou,"hesaidunsteadily."Withallmyheart."
Heshivered,rollingslowlyontohisbackwithherbodystilljoinedtohis.Hishandssmootheddown
herback,gentlypulling.Hisbodytautenedunderherswitheachslow,delicatemotion."Situpand
takeme,"hewhispered.''Idon'tthinklean...."shebegannervously."Youaremylove.Mylife.""And
youaremine.ButI...can't!"Shehidherfaceagainsthischest,andhelaughedwithdelightather
shyness.Shewasararityinhislife.Awomanwithinhibitions."Soshy,"hewhispered."Youdelight
me.Brianna,you...delight...me!"Ashespoke,hishandsmovedherhips,makinghergasp,making
hershiverwithpleasure.Shefelthisbodypullandtauten.Hisjawclenchedandhearchedinasinuous
movementthatshefoundincrediblyarousing.Herlipstouchedoverhischestinshakylittlekisses
whilehishandsbroughtthembothtothemost[incrediblytenderclimaxofhislife.Shebithiminher
obliviouspleasure,andhisshortlaughwasasmuchagroanofecstasyashegrippedherbruisingly
hardandheldhertotherigidclenchofhisbody.Shefelthimrelaxsuddenlywitharoughshudder,
andhercheeklayheavilyagainsthisdampchest.Thehairstickledhernoseandshesmiledwearily.
"Isitsogood,always?"shewhispered."Ithink,onlywhentwopeoplelove,"hewhispered*back.His
handsmadeawarm,sensuoussweepofherbackandhearcheduptoenjoythesilkyfeelofher
againsthim."Dieu,Youexhaustmewithexquisite!pleasureandthen,sosuddenly,Iwantyouallover

again."Shesmiledagainsthischest,liftingupsothatshecouldlookintohisdark,possessiveeyes.
"We'remarried,"shesaidwithquietwonder."Wecansleeptogethereverynight."Hesmiled."There
willmostlikelybeverylittlesleepobtainedbyeitherofus,"hemused.Shetracedthelineofhisjaw.
"Ilikemakinglove.""Ilikeitmostofallwithyou,"hesaid,sensingherquietfears."Ineverloved
before.Itisthemostprofoundexperienceofmylifetoliewithyousointimately."Sherelaxed.Her
mouthbrushedhisandshelayagainsthim,satedandweary."Canwesleeplikethis?"Hisarms
enclosedher."Justlikethis,"heassuredher.Hisowneyesclosedindrowsypleasure.Andfinallythey
slept.Briannafoundthatthereweredifficultiesdespiteherloveforherhusband,butnonethatshe
couldn'tovercomewithsomepatienttutoringandunderstanding.Shepitusedtopalaceprotocoland
meetingvisitingdignitaries'wives.Shegotusedtothethingsthatwereexpectedofaqueen,justas
Tadrapidlyadjustedtolifeatcourt.Hegrewandblossomed,andsoonBriannarelaxed.Hewas
goingtobeallright,justasDr.Brownhadpredicted.Therewasagrandballafewmonthsaftertheir
marriage.BriannahadagownbyDior,reflectingthesilver-and-gold-on-blackmotifofAhmed's
court.Herhairhadgrownlong,andshehaditpinnedintoanexquisitecoiffure―onethat,she
knewfromexperience,wouldbequicklydisposedwithwhensheandAhmedwerealone.Shewore
diamondsandpearls,andthetiaraofherrank,andshemetwithapprovingglancesfromeventhe
moststrenministersofAhmed'scabinetwhenshejoinedherguests.Shewasdancingwithher
husbandwhenshenoticedanoddexpressioninhiseyes.Hishandonherwaistwascuriously
exploring.Whatisit?"sheaskedsoftly.Hesmiledquizzically."Istheresomethingwhichyouwishto
tellme?"heaskedgently."Somethingwhichyouhaveperhapsthoughttosaveuntilyouvisitedour
courtphysician?""Yasmin,"shesaid,gloweringtowardagleefulsister-in-lawwhowaswearinga
guiltybutveryhappyexpression"Donotblamehertoomuch.Shedreamsofdynasties,evenasI
sometimesdo."Hepulledhercloser,hiseyeslovingandwarm."Tellme.""I'mnotsure,"she
confessed."I'vebeenunwellatbreakfasttwicethisweek.Andtherewereafewotherthings."She
searchedhiseyes."Ididn'twanttotellyouyet.""Why?"heaskedsoftly."Iwasafraidyoumightnot
wanttomakelovetomeanymoreifweweresure,"shesaidhesitantly,searchinghisdarkeyesasher
handcaressedhisjacket."Ithoughttheymighttakemeawayfromyou―""Cherie"Hestopped
dancingandbenttokissherworriedeyesshut."Theywouldhavetokillmetoseparateus,"he
whisperedfervently."Andasfortheother...Brianna,IwouldwanttomakelovetoyouifIwereon
mydeathbed!''Reassured,shesmiledshyly."Wouldyou,really?""Ifindyouadelightfulpupil,"he
whispered."Adventurousandmischievousandtotallycaptivating.""Iloveyou!""Iloveyou,"he
returned.Hishandpressedslowlyontoherflatbellyandtheystoodstaringateachotherwhilearound
them,suddenlycuriousandthenknowingeyesbegantogleamwithconfirmedsuspicions.Without
sayingaword,ormakinganannouncement,everyoneatcourtknewthatBriannacarriedtheheirto
thethroneAnditwasacredittothem,andprotocol,thatnotonesuspicionwasvoiceduntiltheactual
announcementwasmadesomeweekslater.Brianna'slittleprincewasbornonabrightautumnday,
andbellsrangfromthechurchestosignaltheevent.Ahmedstoodbesideherbedholdingthecrown
princeTarininhisarms,withabeamingTadbesidehim.Brianna,tiredbutgloriouslyhappy,looked
upatthethreemostimportantpeopleinherlifewitheyesthatreflectedherjoy.Sensingherappraisal,
Ahmedturnedhisheadandlookeddownather.Hiseyeswerefullofwonder."Heisperfect,"hetold
her,whilenursesfidgetedinthebackgroundandsmiledathisexpression."Aking'sransom,"she
agreed,lovinghimwithherwholeheart."Ah,thatisnotquiteso,"hewhispered,bendingtolaythe
tinychildinherwaitingarms."For,whileIlovemysonwithafather'sgreatpride,youarethereal
king'sransom,mydarling,"hewhispered,andhesmiledatherradiantexpressionashebenttokiss
her.