Knight of Paradise Island

by J. L. Campbell

  Arms across his chest, Ryan said, “I know what I saw. That child is terrified of you. I need to know why.”

  A film of sweat covered the doctor’s forehead, and he swiped his face with the back of his sleeve. His gaze swept the group as if seeking a means of escape.

  Ryan scanned the well-kept garden behind them as the doctor protested. “I have patients to see, and I do not understand why you have attacked me in my place of work. I will report this to the administrator.”

  “There’s no need.” Daron said, waving one hand. “Here he comes now.”

  Ryan had not met Jai Maharaj other than on a computer screen and did a double take when he laid eyes on the tall replica of Vikkas. The only thing that differentiated the two was the sliver of white hair in Jai’s widow’s peak.

  “Dr. Butala,” Jai said, nodding at Ryan. “We should take this inside.”

  “I—I have patients to see.” He tipped his chin into the air and gave Ryan a killing glare. “Can we meet later?”

  “As you well know, this facility is fully staffed. I will assign someone to see your patients until we sort out this matter. I’m certain this won’t take long.”

  As Dr. Butala’s eyes flickered, Ryan’s stomach shriveled. This would be bad. He sensed that rather than this case winding down, they had barely scratched the peak of the iceberg.

  “We cannot take him back inside past Sunita,” Ryan said. “Can we use a different entrance?”

  Jai nodded and pointed the group toward a parking garage a few feet away.

  “I’ll go check with Aziza and see if she found out exactly what happened to Sunita.”

  “While you’re doing that,” Dro said, motioning to Nicco. “We’ll take care of this matter.”

  He escorted Dr. Butala down the walkway, leaving Daron to re-introduce Ryan and Jai.

  “This will be interesting,” Jai said. “No matter how often we clean house, there’s always some rubbish left behind.”

  Daron squeezed his shoulder. “You did the best you could with what you had at the time. You’ve done well considering that you’re even operating this facility in a place steeped in tradition.”

  “Right, but I will not allow this bit of scum to cause me to lose everything I’ve worked for in this country.” He shoved both hands into his pockets and set his jaw. “If Dr. Butala has touched any of the women or children in his care, I will kill him with my bare hands and none of you can stop me.”

  Daron nodded slowly as Jai stalked toward the back of the clinic.

  Ryan figured there was some history of which he was not aware, but of course, now wasn’t the time to ask.

  “See you in Jai’s office in a few minutes.” Daron said.

  They went to the front of the building, where they parted company.

  Aziza sat in the private waiting area where Ryan had kept her company earlier. She looked up when he entered the room, still stroking Sunita’s hair. The little girl had fallen asleep with her head resting on Aziza’s lap.

  The welcoming light in her eyes made Ryan smile. Even in the hospital gown, she was beautiful. He sat next to her, and her head came to rest in the crook of his neck.

  “Did Sunita tell you what frightened her?” he asked, smoothing the skin on Aziza’s arm.

  “From what I pieced together, he abused her ... repeatedly.” Tears filled Aziza’s eyes as she continued, “I gather she was in some kind of place where there were girls of all ages. She called it El Zalaam. I couldn’t get the poor baby to stop screaming. She was sure he was coming to get her.”

  “Well, we know that won’t happen,” Ryan said, seething with disgust.

  A nurse went past the door as Aziza asked, “How did you know what the problem was?”

  “My training in the police force. A child doesn’t behave like that for no reason. And a grown man doesn’t take off running, unless he’s in danger or scared. I’ve learned to be more observant than the ordinary man.”

  “So where is that … that … ” Her eyes flashed heat. “I can’t even find a word to describe him.”

  “Jai—the owner of this facility—will investigate. Dro and Nicco are with him, so there’s no fear of him escaping.

  Aziza released a long sigh. “I feel as if I’ve already lived thirty-six hours today.”

  “The hotel isn’t far, and we’ll soon be finished here. Just a little while longer, babe.”

  Aziza shifted and cupped his jaw. “Do you mind if Sunita stays with us?”

  “If it’s okay with Mrs. Maharaj, then it’s okay with me.” His gaze settled on Sunita. “Though I’m not sure if, by law, she’s supposed to be anywhere else but under the government’s care.”

  Aziza set her jaw, and her stare did not waver.

  He knew what that meant. After what Aziza had been through, he didn’t want to give her a moment’s stress. “I’ll find out what papers we have to sign to get temporary custody of her.”

  “Thanks, love.” The admiration in her eyes made him want to do somersaults and undertake bigger exploits. For now, he’d have the necessary conversations to give Aziza the assurance she craved.

  “Where are the others? Did they leave?” he asked.

  “The first van left, and the other one loaded up while you were chasing that bit of slime.” She grabbed his wrist and looked him dead in the eyes. “I want to be sure they get to their destination safely,” she said. “It’s not that I don’t trust your people. But after what we went through … we need to call later.”

  Ryan kissed her cheek, then got to his feet. “We’ll do that. Be back in a few.”

  He went to the intake counter and asked for directions to Jai Maharaj’s office. The nurse asked an attendant to escort him to a secluded corner of the complex. After he rapped on the door, Jai invited him to come inside. He introduced him to a tall man he’d apparently been meeting with before things went awry.

  “Ryan, this is Chaz Maharaj. He also works here at the clinic.”

  Although he didn’t mention that they were relatives, their resemblance was close enough for Ryan to believe he’d made an accurate guess.

  At Jai’s invitation, Ryan sat next to Chaz in front of the desk.

  Dr. Butala, who cowered in an adjacent seat, seemed to have shrunk in size since their run-in. The antique chair he sat in dwarfed him. Despite the air-conditioning, he was sweating, and his darting eyes wouldn’t settle anywhere.

  “All of this is unnecessary,” Dr. Butala said. “I have told you several times, I do not know that little girl and even if I have visited El Zalaam, it is legal to do so.”

  “And you should be ashamed of yourself,” Jai snapped. “To be treating young females when you know perfectly well you have a fetish. I repeatedly told the Durabia Tribunal I did not want to hire you. If I find out from any of the patients, or the nurses, that you touched any of them in inappropriate ways, I will have you thrown in prison.”

  The man sat up and gripped both chair arms. “But I am a national. And it is also legal—”

  “Be careful what you say to me.” Jai’s eyes narrowed. “I hold my staff to stricter standards than any other hospital in Durabia. You signed a contract agreeing to certain conditions, so I have every right to ensure you abide by the stipulations in that document.”

  Dr. Butala’s olive skin blanched, and he shifted in the chair. “None of my patients will have complaints.”

  “That had better be the case.” Jai pointed at him. “And if I find out you’ve been threatening any of them. I won’t be as lenient with you as the law might be.”

  “What happens if there’s proof he’s been messing with these little girls?” Ryan spared the doctor a scathing glance. “Aziza confirmed that Sunita knows him.”

  “I wouldn’t want to put her through the trauma of having to face him in court,” Jai said, “Which is why I will give Dr. Butala an hour to get his things and be prepared for the Kings to handle him.”

  The doctor’s eyes bulged. “But—”


  “You do not want to cross me.” Jai’s face was set in grim lines. “Just be thankful you didn’t touch her on the hospital grounds, or you’d be leaving in handcuffs.”

  The man stood as if someone had set a fire under him. “You are treating me unfairly on the words of a little ...”

  He attached an Arabic word that shocked both Chaz and Jai, who shoved away his chair and shot to his feet. “It’s best if you walk out of here now, while you still can, rather than me sending you out on a stretcher.”

  Ryan stifled a grin behind his hand. For someone who seemed mild-mannered at first glance, Jai had a smoldering volcano inside him. He picked up the handset and jabbed a button. “Please have security escort Dr. Butala to his locker. I’ll arrange for him to be removed from the premises.”

  “You might live to regret this,” Dr. Butala said, his tone fierce. “Remember, I am the most recognized thoracic and gastrointestinal surgeon in Durabia.”

  His declaration raised Ryan’s antenna. If this man was perverted enough to objectify children sexually, how far-fetched was it that he might also be involved in slicing and dicing women for profit?

  Dro, who had been using a tablet, looked up again and lowered the device.

  Daron leaned off the wall and put both hands in his pockets. “I suggest you do not allow your mouth to write any checks the rest of your body can’t cash.”

  Dr. Butala’s bulbous nose twitched, but he didn’t say another word.

  A knock on the door interrupted the tense silence. On Jai’s command, a distinguished man wearing a suit and turban entered the office, greeted them, then left with the doctor.

  As soon as the door closed, Ryan sat forward, “Based on what the distinguished doctor said, it isn’t a stretch to think he might be involved in organ harvesting. I’m just saying.”

  “I get that, and it bears looking into for sure.” Jai sighed and leaned back in his seat. “In case you’re wondering why I hired Dr. Butala—”

  “I’m not blaming you for anything,” Ryan rushed to say. “A crafty individual will show you the persona they think you will approve of at a job interview. It’s human nature.”

  “And it doesn’t help that the laws of the land require me to hire twenty percent nationals, which is how this substandard fool ended up at this clinic—against my wishes.” He lapsed into silence, then looked directly at Chaz. “Kamran is having a challenging time trying to compromise with the old guard. But this right here is not going to fly.”

  He tapped the desk hard. “This facility and my license will be in jeopardy if this gets out. We’ve already come through a harrowing experience in the States, and this clinic will not be part of any scandal in Durabia.”

  His words hung in the silence as the men absorbed them, then made sounds of agreement.

  “On another note,” Ryan said, “Aziza would like Sunita to stay with us. Is that something you can arrange, or do we have to ask Ms. Maharaj?”

  Jai gave him a serene smile and pulled his laptop closer. “Under the circumstances and from a medical point of view, I can give you a certificate to release her into Aziza’s care, since she seems to be the only person she trusts.”

  “I really appreciate that,” Ryan said, then let his attention shift to Daron and Dro, who were as comfortable in business suits as the paramilitary gear they now wore. “Are we ready to go?”

  “We have some Castle business to discuss and palace business, too” Daron said.

  Dro looked up from his tablet. “I know you’re happy and all, but don’t forget this isn’t over. The Sheikh has charged us with destroying this trafficking ring, and we still have to find those girls. In the meantime, we’ve put together another unit, including Hassan, who you’ve already met, plus Calvin and Rahm, to continue following their trail. So enjoy your time with your lady, but in the morning you belong to us.”

  Ryan grinned as the printer on the credenza behind Jai whirred to life and spat out a sheet of paper.

  Jai affixed his signature, folded the document, and put it into an envelope. “This should be good if anyone asks questions.”

  “Appreciate it.” Ryan saluted them and turned to go. “Catch you later and thanks for everything.”

  Dro closed the cover on the tablet and nodded once. “Being family to Shaz makes you family to us.”

  Ryan bobbed his head in response and left the room. Although they had only been working together for close to a week, it felt good to be in a team where every part fit seamlessly. God knew he was grateful. This morning’s operation could have turned out differently.

  Now, it was time to make up ground with his woman and do what he should have done before she disappeared.

  Chapter Twenty

  The well-dressed brunette, and the man with her, rushed to Ryan’s side before Aziza could warn him. The reporter stuck a recording device in his face. “Sir, can you tell me anything about the women who were reportedly kidnapped?”

  Ryan slid behind the wheel, fired up the engine, then said, “No comment.”

  Aziza held her breath, hoping the woman would ignore her presence by some miracle.

  Her focus shifted to Sunita in the backseat. She’d curled up and gone back to sleep the moment she lay on the seat. Poor thing probably hadn’t enjoyed a good night’s rest in months. One good piece of news Aziza received at the hospital was that Sunita was free of disease.

  The brunette leaned forward and spoke through the window. “Miss, do you have a comment?”

  Staring straight ahead, Aziza said, “No.”

  “Excuse me,” Ryan had the courtesy to say as he backed the vehicle out of the parking spot.

  The woman trotted alongside the vehicle with the cameraman hovering next to her. “Why are you and the little girl wearing the same clothing?”

  “Because we’re coming from the hospital,” Aziza snapped.

  The sunlight reflected off the asphalt, giving her an immediate headache.

  “Don’t engage her,” Ryan growled through the corner of his mouth.

  The cameraman moved swiftly to Aziza’s side of the vehicle with his equipment ready to shoot.

  Aziza lowered her head into her lap, as Ryan peeled out of the grounds.

  A moment later, he laid a hand on her back. “You can sit up now.”

  She did, sighing with exhaustion. After a couple of minutes, she couldn’t keep her eyes open. The past twenty-four hours were catching up with her. When her head snapped forward and back, Ryan gently squeezed her leg. “You can have some shut-eye until we get to the hotel.”

  She yawned and laid her head against the seat. “I wonder how they knew about what happened to us.”

  Ryan shrugged. “The police know and every police department has a leak. I’m sure this isn’t the first time the clinic is seeing this type of activity. Don’t worry about it.”

  Raising her head, Aziza asked, “What if they’re waiting for us when we get to the hotel?”

  “You really need some sleep,” Ryan said. “How will they know where we’re going, especially since we have a head start?”

  She laughed, a soft throaty sound. “You win this time, but if I have a welcoming committee at the hotel, you will not hear the end of it.”

  He stroked her cheek and met her gaze for a second. “Like I said, I got you.”

  She sighed and closed her eyes.

  When they arrived at the hotel ten minutes later, she woke the moment he touched her shoulder. “We’re here, Zee.”

  She sat up to find he now stood outside the passenger door. “You will have to help me. I feel a little weak.”

  After the slop she’d eaten the entire week, and despite the soup she drank at the hospital, she still felt she was running on empty.

  Ryan assisted her onto the asphalt and after making sure she could stand on her own, he opened the back door. “You should wake her up.”

  Aziza sat and gently shook Sunita by the shoulder. “Come on, sweetie, it’s time to go inside.”

&nb
sp; Sunita sat up, rubbing her eyes. Before they were fully open, she swung her head to both sides as if trying to figure out her location. Her skinny frame sagged when she recognized Aziza, who gave her a reassuring smile,

  “Everything’s okay,” Aziza whispered.

  She climbed out of the car with Sunita clutching her hand too tight. Aziza imagined how imposing the front of the hotel must have looked to the girl, who had been locked up for months.

  After parking the car, Ryan walked into the hotel as if he owned the place and like he wasn’t wearing tactical gear, minus a helmet. Although he caught a few eyes, people were more interested in Aziza and Sunita.

  Aziza tipped her chin up and did not make eye contact with anyone.

  As though attuned to her discomfort, Ryan reached for her hand, and she allowed him to fold her fingers in his warm grip. He drew her closer. “We’ll be upstairs in a minute. I’ll come back down and do the necessaries later.”

  The elevator came in seconds, and she couldn’t help being relieved that it was empty. She hoped it stayed that way until they arrived at Ryan’s floor.

  Aziza got her wish, and minutes later they walked down a carpeted corridor to Ryan’s room. As he let them in, he said, “The Sheikh has treated me like royalty, so we have a suite.”

  She glanced at Sunita. “Thank God for that.”

  The living area, decorated in cream, gold, and touches of silver was elegant with heavy sofas loaded under plump cushions. The drapery was pulled back from the windows, letting in light and giving the impression of even more space. Aziza was more than grateful to exchange her previous meager confines for this luxurious space..

  Sunita stood by her side, as if afraid to touch anything.

  “You can sit, sweetie.” Aziza accompanied her words with an encouraging smile. To Ryan, she said, “The first thing we need is a shower. After that, we can think about food and clothing.”

  “I’ll get room service,” he said, reaching for the dining card on the center table. “Fancy anything in particular?”

  “Nope, I’m so grateful to be out of that prison, even a hamburger would do.”