That likely had nothing to do with you. But then his expression turned contemplative. You say they came to your hotel?
It was her turn to nod. Does that seem like a lot of trouble for a suspected horse thief?
Im afraid so, he agreed.
You sure they dont think Im a spy?
Footsteps clattered on the gazebo steps, and Julias heart wedged in her throat.
There you are, came Alexs voice.
He came to a halt with Brittany by his side.
She was dressed in a metallic silver gown, full-length, with a gorgeous, flowing hemline around strappy sandals. The bodice was snug, while the neck was a wide band of exquisitely embroidered netting, decorating her shoulders and chest with gold, looped threads, and gold-and-silver beading.
Her hair was upswept, with a small jeweled comb, while enormous diamonds twinkled on her ears and at her right wrist. She looked as though shed stepped off a Paris runway.
Julias pleated, gray skirt and matching bolero jacket felt staid and frumpy. Her canvas flats didnt help the situation, either.
Is everything okay? asked Alex.
Wouldnt Ms. Nash prefer to come inside? asked Brittany.
Julia looked at Harrison, uncertain what to tell the two.
Julias hit a spot of trouble, said Harrison.
Brittanys expression instantly turned concerned. She sat down in the chair directly across from Julia. Can I help?
What kind of trouble? asked Alex, his hand wrapping around the metal crossbar of Brittanys chair.
And then Julia remembered he was a lawyer. Would he be under any obligation to turn her in?
For some reason the police are looking for her, said Harrison.
But you- Alex cut himself off, his gaze taking a telltale flick toward the top of Brittanys head.
Im sure its a simple mix-up, said Harrison heartily. Julia guessed he was speaking for Brittanys benefit. But could you make a couple of discreet inquiries?
Of course, said Alex.
Im sure youd be more comfortable in the house, said Brittany. We can go in through the back. You dont have to join the rest of the party.
Her expression told Julia she wasnt stupid. Harrison and Alex might not want to talk in front of her, but she got that they were hiding Julia from what might not be such a simple mix-up.
There was another clatter on the gazebo stairs, these footfalls light and fast.
All heads turned toward the sound.
It was Leila. She was panting, and her eyes were round in the dim light.
The police, she gasped. Theyre at the gate.
Chapter Seven
Harrison jumped to his feet, while Julia froze in place. The dank jail cell rose in her mind again, and she could feel the scratchy cloth against her bare skin.
Ill go, said Alex.
Brittany rose, as well. Ill come with you.
Both men opened their mouths to protest.
Ill join you, said Brittany in a tone of steel. I am the hostess, and they will be forced to treat all of my questions with respect.
Alex looked to Harrison, and Harrison nodded, obviously realizing Brittany intended to slow the police down. Thats a good idea.
Leila spoke again. This time to Julia. My father says I should take you to the barn.
Your father?
Nuri, said Harrison.
Julias eyes widened. Were they crazy? Nuri had probably set a trap for her. In fact, hed probably called the police himself.
Its safe, said Harrison.
But-
Hes loyal to me. Its safe.
Julia wasnt so sure. But as Alex and Brittany set off for the gatehouse, she rose shakily to her feet.
Leila led the way. My father suggests you go to the vets office. Ill saddle up Roc and Cedar Twist. If the worst comes
No lights, said Harrison.
Leila shook her head. I wont need them.
If the worst comes, what? asked Julia, glancing from one to the other.
Harrison answered her. Well ride into the desert.
She looked over her shoulder at the far-off gatehouse. You mean they might not go away?
I mean, they might search the property.
And shed be fleeing into the night?
With Harrison or Leila?
Would they get lost in the desert? Die of thirst out there?
And how the hell was she going to get out of the country if they were in the middle of the desert?
Before she could voice any of her questions, Leila opened a side door to the main barn, and they slipped inside.
Harrison took hold of Julias hand.
She tried not to give away her fear by gripping tight, but she couldnt help herself. If the police found her, theyd take her back to jail.
Is there a bathroom in here? she whispered.
Harrison wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Well meet you at the vets office, he said to Leila.
Ten minutes, Leila responded, and then her footfalls disappeared down the main hallway.
Julia blinked, but all she could make out was the dark bars of the nearest stalls. The horses shifted and snorted in the depths of the barn while the tang of hay and manure hit her nostrils.
This way, said Harrison, guiding her to the left.
Can you see? she asked.
Enough. Do you really need the loo?
Yes.
Do you have some kind of problem?
No! I have perfectly normal bodily functions. But they dont seem to allow for that in UAE jails.
Youre urinating in case they take you back to jail.
Yes, she admitted.
Harrison sighed audibly. Dont be pessimistic.
How could she help but be pessimistic? Theyd practically stormed Harrisons gate.
Who are they? she asked. Why are they here? I didnt do anything.
Lets let Alex do his job. Hell fix it.
What if he cant fix it?
Youre getting ahead of yourself.
But what if he cant fix it, and they search the place?
Then well leave.
Into the desert?
Yes.
Wont they chase us? Julia couldnt help picturing herself as a player in some kind of desert action flick. The kind where the thirsty, battered, innocent protagonists were trapped in blind canyons by the corrupt cops who had automatic weapons.
Harrison was silent.
Heres the ladies, he finally said.
Thank you. She felt her way into the small room and closed the door. Shed better get ready for another trip to jail, considering their chances of outrunning the police force seemed dismally small.
Perhaps Harrison would be so kind as to teach her the word for bathroom in Arabic.
Afterward, she felt her way back out the door.
Feel better? he asked.
Not much.
Listen. He put a hand on either side of her, trapping her against the wooden wall.
The rough boards dug into her shoulders and her rear end.
He leaned in close so she could just make out his features. I am not going to let them arrest you.
There was a certainty in his eyes and a determination in his chin that, against all logic, gave her a welcome boost of confidence.
You might not have a choice, she pointed out.
I have more choices than most.
Because youre wealthy.
There was a pause. Yes.
Of course.
It was a whole other world when you were wealthy.
Unfortunately, Julia wasnt.
She wasnt even all that strong. She didnt want this to be happening to her. She impulsively placed her palm on his chest. The rhythmic beat of his heart pulsed with life, and she willed some of his strength to seep into her body.
He closed his eyes for a split second, and the muscles in his shoulders bunched. His heartbeat deepened, and his scent swirled out around her.
The passion from the pool house invaded her body. Fear and desire coalesced to one emotion, and her focus shifted to his mouth. Just once, she thought. Just once before her life went to hell.
His lips parted and he dipped his head.
Her hand curled into a fist with his shirt trapped inside. She pulled herself up on her toes, slanting her head, tipping forward.
His hand wrapped around the back of her head and dragged her in.
His lips met hers, full on, hot and open.
Passion welled to life from her belly, roiling out to every finger and toe. She opened her mouth, and his tongue invaded. His free arm wrapped around her waist, clutching her firmly to his body, her breasts plastered against him, her belly molding to the shape of his arousal, her thighs flush up against his, not a centimeter between them.
His kiss went to her neck, her ear, her temple, then back to her mouth. He stroked her cheek, ran his hand over her hair, slid the other over her buttocks, kissing her over and over again.
Then something banged in the barn.
A horse, most likely.
But they both jolted back to reality.
He broke the kiss and held her tight, gasping beside her ear, one hand still clasping her bottom.
Not good, he rasped.
Sorry, she breathed against his chest.
He shook his head. That wasnt your fault.
It was the fear, she said.
Yeah, he agreed, his grasp on her loosening slowly.
Could have happened to anyone. She forced herself to pull back.
The heat of the moment, he said.
Exactly. She brushed the wrinkles from the front of his dress shirt.
He took a half step back. Theres no need-
It never happened.
Harrison could carry on with his plans for an arranged marriage to Brittany without any fear of Julia being indiscreet. It was definitely the least she could do.
Harrison took another step back, and they separated completely.
The vets office, he said.
She nodded.
He started to take her hand again, but then backed off.
Good thinking.
Clearly, they couldnt be trusted together.
Harrison had a lot of faith in Alex. And if Alex was suspicious, then so was Harrison.
Somethings not right, Alex repeated, standing next to Brittany in the small vets office.
Leila had arrived, reporting that the horses were ready to go out the back way if needed. And it was looking as though they might be needed.
A person of significance? he parroted Alexs earlier words back to him.
It usually means some kind of hostile, material witness, said Alex. And they only use it in a very serious case.
Harrisons attention went back to Julia. She looked absolutely terrified, but he still didnt know if he could trust her completely. Shed lied to him before.
Harrisons attention went back to Julia. She looked absolutely terrified, but he still didnt know if he could trust her completely. Shed lied to him before.
Do you have any idea what this is about?
Ive only been here four days, she all but wailed.
Shh, he admonished. The police were searching in the house at the moment, but theyd move to the barn soon enough.
Her voice turned to a hoarse whisper. You were with me for most of that time.
The horse theft charges are back, Alex put in. It looks to me like theyre using anything and everything they can think of to get their hands on Julia.