She didnt answer, but he thought he heard the rustle of her nod.
You sure youre all right? he asked again. It was very likely she was in shock. If so, he wanted to keep her talking. And it was probably a good idea for him to keep himself talking, too.
We just killed somebody, she said, horror and awe in her voice.
No. Somebody tried to kill us. We defended ourselves.
Is that a crime in the UAE?
You planning to confess to someone?
She didnt answer.
He was a very bad man, Julia. His body may never be found. And its in our best interest that whoever he worked with not know we had anything to do with his death. Understand?
Her voice was still shaking. I guess.
He nodded to the other front seat. Can you climb up here?
Ill try.
It took her a minute to maneuver her way between the two seats, but Harrison felt better once he could see her.
Do up your seat belt.
She stared at him for a second, and then a weak laugh sputtered out of her.
Safety first? she asked in an incredulous voice, then she laughed harder.
Harrison couldnt help but grin in response. You were great, by the way
Me? she asked, pointing to her chest. You were amazing. You can fly a helicopter. You beat up bad guys. And you married me and got me a great passport. I may have to be your slave for life.
Deal, he said, without missing a beat.
She gestured toward him. See that? Youre funny, too.
Who says I was joking?
She hiccuped out a final laugh.
Do up your seat belt, he told her again. The last thing he wanted was to have her whack her head because they hit some rough air.
What about you? she asked, but dutifully did up the buckle.
Now you can do up mine.
She leaned over and fastened the clasp around his hips, her hand brushing his lap, practically making him leap out of the seat. Hed heard danger heightened a mans libido, and he guessed he now knew it was true.
By the time Harrison put the helicopter down on the grounds at Cadair, the sun had turned to an orange ball, sinking its way into the ocean. He flipped some switches and the motor went silent.
Julia tried to rally herself in the passenger seat. She was exhausted. Shed been through every emotion possible over the past two days, and she wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and hide from the world.
But that was impossible. She still had to get out of the country, the sooner the better.
Before she could undo her seat belt, someone yanked open the passenger door, and she found herself looking into Nuris strained face. She could swear the man looked pale.
You are all right? he asked, as if he actually cared. Then his attention jumped to Harrison and back again.
Harrison nodded. Were okay.
We found the real pilot. In a bathroom at the hangar. Nuri paused and glanced at Julia. He was unconscious.
Im glad he isnt dead, said Harrison, releasing his own seat belt, then reaching over to undo Julias.
She groaned as she moved forward in the seat. Her muscles were stiff, and her throat was still sore.
You were not harmed? asked Nuri, offering his hands to assist her. He didnt touch her, waiting for her to touch him instead.
When she placed her hands in his, his grasp was firm and sure. She stepped carefully down to the ground.
There was a struggle, said Harrison, exiting the chopper and making his way around to Julia.
Nuri kept hold of her hands, and she realized he was staring at them. She glanced down and remembered the henna designs. She looked to Harrison, realizing that Nuri would understand what the designs symbolized.
Harrison took over from Nuri, his arm going firmly around her shoulders, and Nuri released her hands.
Have the police been called? Harrison asked.
Nuri shook his head. We did not know what to tell them.
Good. Theres nothing to tell.
And the man who took the helicopter?
We left him behind.
Nuri took one more glance at Julias hand, then he nodded.
Not a lot about this trip is worth discussing, said Harrison.
I understand completely.
Thank you.
Ill take care of the helicopter.
Take care of the man who was hurt, as well.
Yes, sir, said Nuri.
Harrison turned to Julia and they started toward the palace. Are you bribing that man to stay quiet? she asked. A week ago she might have minded, but at the moment a bribe was perfectly okay by her.
Im taking care of his medical bills, said Harrison.
Oh. She regretted that the question had made her sound suspicious.
Her legs grew more steady as they headed up the stone pathway that led to one of the side doors of the palace.
And anything else his family needs, Harrison continued.
They walked a little farther in silence.
So, yeah, said Harrison. I guess you could say Im bribing him to keep him quiet.
Harrison was using the special privileges of the rich. He was bribing people to keep her safe. In a bizarre way, it warmed her heart.
Thank you, she told him. One more time.
Harrison gave her a squeeze. Thats what husbands do. Lets go up the back way. And you can get some sleep.
What about getting out of the country?
Well take care of that tomorrow. Do you want the same room?
She hesitated, not ready to leave Harrison just yet. Hed come to represent strength and security in a world that was completely off-kilter. She was also still worried about the police. And she was more than a little rattled by the altercation in the helicopter.
This is going to sound pathetic, she told him, pausing at the bottom of the veranda stairs.
He waited.
I dont want to be alone.
He gave her a teasing smile and smoothed her hair from her face. Are you feeling sentimental about your wedding night?
She rolled her eyes. Im feeling afraid of the local thugs and the police.
But deep down inside, she was feeling sentimental about her wedding night. Because, no matter what the language, shed married Harrison today. It was his name on her passport, and they were bound in the eyes of the law.
She glanced down. She might not have a ring on her finger, but she did have the stamp of their wedding all over her hands.
It will wash off in a couple of weeks, he told her.
Fitting, she mused. Most women get a diamond that lasts forever.
Fitting, she mused. Most women get a diamond that lasts forever.
You want a diamond?
She glanced up. That would be silly.
And it would make more of this than there was. As soon as she was out of the country, either she or Harrison would start divorce proceedings. Six months from now, this would be nothing but a strange footnote in her life.
He gazed at her with a smirk and a challenging lift of his eyebrows. So which will it be? In the name of protection, do you want me in your bed, or just in your room?
Good question.
Lord Rochester, Leilas voice sang as she appeared at the veranda rail. She pushed herself off and trotted down the stairs to greet them. You are back.
We are back.
So all is well? she asked, her expression worried.
Yes. It is now.
She smiled. Are you hungry?
Were tired, said Harrison.
Leila reached for Julias hands.
And before Julia could hide them, Leila spotted the henna.
Her eyes went wide, and she stared at Harrison. Brittany?
Its complicated, said Harrison.
Julia jumped in. This keeping it a secret isnt working out so well.
Leila rapidly shook her head. I will not tell a soul.
Its temporary, Julia explained. Just until I get out of the country.
Leila nodded, but her eyes were still wide.
We can rely on your discretion? Harrison asked in a stern voice, clearly driving home the point.
Leila bobbed her head.
He smiled at her. Good. Can you help Julia with a bath?
Of course.
Julia resisted an urge to reach for Harrison. Leila was fine company. She genuinely liked the girl. But she doubted Leila could fight off kidnappers or assassins should any of them sneak into the palace.
Ill come up later, he said to Julia. We can talk then.
About whether or not to sleep together.
She supposed she should come up with her own answer to that question.
In her wildest dreams, Brittany never thought making love would last twelve hours.
She and Alex had barely left the bed all day long. Theyd ordered room service a couple of times, and took a bath at one point, and now they were snuggled under the comforter. He was stroking her hair and telling her a story that was supposed to be about his first parachute jump. But, so far, they hadnt made it past his tenth birthday.
The race was the talk of the school, said Alex.
His cell phone rang.
Dont you move, he told her, kissing the tip of her nose.
She smiled in response. Are you kidding? Before I find out how it ends?
The phone rang again while he gazed at her with a goofy smile. Then he slipped from beneath the covers and tracked down his suit jacket, retrieving the chiming phone, his back toward her.
Yeah?
She stared unashamedly at the play of muscles across his shoulders, his taut buttocks and muscular legs.
Youre back? he said into the phone, lifting one of the hotel bathrobes and slipping into it.
Were in Abu Dhabi, Alex said into the phone. The Emirates Palace.
Brittany sat up, pinning the comforter across her chest with her arms, trying to figure out who Alex would reveal that information to.
He turned to face her, and she raised a quizzical eyebrow.
Julia okay? asked Alex, with a meaningful look at Brittany.
Harrison.
Alex was talking to Harrison.
A weight settled in the pit of Brittanys stomach. Her soon-to-be fiancé had been fleeing through the desert on a rescue mission while she had been frolicking in bed with his employee.
Alex saw her expression and shook his head.
Ignoring him, she scrambled from the bed and stuffed her arms into the other robe. She scooped up her clothes and headed for the bathroom. But Alex grasped her arm on the way by and refused to let her go.
Well be back tomorrow, he said to Harrison.
She glared at him, trying to wrestle her arm free. But private-school phys-ed class was no match for navy basic training, and she didnt gain an inch.
You are? he asked Harrison.
He finally let go of her arm, but it was only to wrap his own firmly around her waist and jerk her against him. She didnt dare yell, didnt dare utter a word, but that didnt stop her from kicking her heel into his shin.
Ill talk to you then, said Alex.
Brittany twisted her head to glare at him.
Glad to hear it, said Alex.
Then he flipped the phone shut.
She wrenched against him. I dont believe you did that!
His arm remained firmly around her waist, holding her back against his chest. Where were you going?