by Annie West
If there was ever a time to call on those early lessons in self-control, this was it. This furious stranger wasn’t her lover. She knew without question this man wouldn’t respond to appeals for mercy or reason. He had no softer side.
Mina had known there’d be trouble when the truth emerged. But lately she’d convinced herself it wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe she and Alexei might even laugh it off.
Only sheer willpower stifled the hysterical laughter bubbling inside. Again she’d been naive.
Desperately she wrapped herself tighter in that cloak of composure she’d learned to wear since childhood. The cloak she’d worn when facing her father’s beetling regard, or the curious stares of the public. Both had been more concerned with the appearance of royalty than the real girl behind the façade.
‘You’re right.’ She breathed deep. ‘It’s time for the truth.’ With every hour she’d sunk deeper into that hazy world of self-deception, where Alexei cared for her as much as she did him.
‘Past time.’ He spoke through gritted teeth. ‘You are Princess Mina of Jeirut, aren’t you?’ He said it as if it were a mark of shame rather than honour.
Wearily Mina nodded. ‘I am.’ She searched for what to say next, then surprised herself by blurting out, ‘But it’s true. I don’t have servants. I look after myself.’
Why she insisted on telling him, she didn’t know. His expression showed he wasn’t interested. Yet it seemed important he understand she was an ordinary person despite her lineage.
‘Is that a ploy for sympathy?’ His eyebrows rose mockingly. ‘Did you do this scam for money? Because you’ve spent your inheritance?’ His words bit so deep it was a wonder they didn’t leave marks. ‘Are you looking for someone to fund your lifestyle?’
The insult wasn’t camouflaged. Even someone as inexperienced as she could read the curl of his lip and the dismissive gaze flicking her from face to feet.
Something inside Mina shrivelled, like a delicate bloom blasted by the desert sun. The ache inside became a tearing pain but she wouldn’t let it show. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. I—’
‘Ridiculous?’ He straightened from the doorjamb and prowled towards her, arms still crossed. He didn’t stop till he was right in front of her, toe to toe.
Mina blinked and widened her stance, grounding herself rather than stepping back. He intimidated her. If she weren’t shell-shocked by his reaction she’d probably be scared. But pride refused to let her reveal that.
‘Of course it’s ridiculous. I’m not after financial support.’ How could he believe that? Did he think everyone was out for what they could get from him?
‘Then what was this past week? Some social experiment for a cosseted princess to see how the other half lives? Was royal life so tame you wanted to spice it up with someone who grew up on the other side of the tracks?’
Horror stole her voice for precious seconds. ‘You can’t believe that!’ It was a scratchy whisper.
‘Why not?’ He leaned close and Mina read nothing but contempt in his eyes.
‘I’d hardly call a man with your power and finances anyone’s idea of a bit of rough.’ How dared he attack her? Yes, she was culpable. She’d lied and she hadn’t been comfortable with it but she’d had good reason. ‘Secondly, you need to take responsibility for what happened.’
‘Me?’ He had the nerve to look outraged.
‘Who else?’ Through the pain anger erupted. ‘You put Carissa through hell. And I—’
‘You what? You can’t tell me this last week has been your idea of hell.’ He leaned in and Mina inhaled the cedar-and-citrus scent that always made her senses tingle. To her horror she felt a softening between her thighs, as if, even facing Alexei’s scorn, she wanted him.
She drew herself up, slowly reciting in her head the names of her five favourite sculptors, then another five, till she trusted her voice.
‘I did what I did for my friend. You threatened to kidnap her.’
‘I did no such thing. Her father offered her to me and I simply invited her here to—’
‘Rubbish!’ Mina’s control frayed and she prodded her fingers into the solid muscle of his shoulder. ‘You started this when you decided to use Carissa for your own ends. Have you any idea how scared she was when she got your call?’
‘Because she was in cahoots with her father.’ If possible he looked even grimmer than before.
Mina shook her head. ‘If you knew Carissa you’d know that was impossible. She can’t tell a lie to save herself. She couldn’t even think of an excuse to fob you off when you sent your goons to collect her.’
‘But it wasn’t Carissa who came, was it? It was you, lying through your teeth.’
‘You expect me to apologise for that?’ The nerve of the man stupefied her. ‘I’ve known some manipulative men. Men who’d use a woman as a convenience as if she weren’t a real person. But I thought they were dying out. Until I met you.’
Mina refused to think about the man she’d fallen for this past week. He’d either been a mirage invented by her yearning soul or a cruel joke.
‘You brought this on yourself. Poor Carissa was beside herself, thinking her father would lose his job unless she agreed to come.’
Mina stepped back, not in retreat but so she could turn and march across the kitchen. She couldn’t stay still, couldn’t pretend to be calm. Not when everything had gone up in flames.
‘Don’t you walk away from me!’ The growl came from just behind her and the hairs at her nape stood to attention.
‘Or what?’ She spun round and fixed her tormentor with a furious stare, barely able to believe how this confrontation had exploded. ‘You’ll lock me up? Hold me to ransom?’
‘You’re so sure your royal status exempts you from the consequences of your actions.’
‘This has nothing to do with being royal.’
Alexei’s eyes blazed. ‘You deliberately connived to keep me from finding Carter. The man’s a thief.’
‘All I did—’ she jammed her hands on her hips ‘—was buy time so my friend wouldn’t be railroaded into marrying an arrogant jerk who treats people like disposable toys.’ Mina drew a deep breath. ‘Did you ever, once, stop to consider the collateral damage to other people from your actions?’
‘Like you, I presume? You’re claiming to be an injured party?’ His contemptuous stare incinerated her last, frail hope. ‘I’m no expert on Jeirut but I know it’s very traditional. A royal princess who has casual flings would be frowned on. What’s your plan? To claim I forced you into my bed when it comes out we’ve been alone for days?’ His voice was a snarl, ripping through her stupid fantasies.
‘How can you think such a thing?’ Tears of indignation and pain needled the backs of her eyes.
His eyebrows lifted, the only sign of animation in a face turned mask-like.
‘Then what? A kiss-and-tell story for the media? You’d get a small fortune for that, and revenge for your friend. But you’d wreck your reputation at home if it came out you had an affair.’ He paused, his mouth tightening. ‘Or am I to expect a demand from the King of Jeirut that I pay for the privilege of having despoiled your supposed virginal status?’
Mina flinched at his brutal accusations. How could he think such things? A yawning pit of hurt opened up inside.
‘I see.’ Abruptly Alexei’s fury vanished, replaced by a look of weariness and bitter disillusionment. His voice turned flat. ‘So that’s it. You have your bit of fun and expect someone else to pay the price.’
Mina opened her mouth and shut it again. She was without words. How had she given her heart to a man who thought so little of her? For it was her heart she’d lost to Alexei, not just her innocence.
She pressed her hand to her middle, trying to hold in the lacerating anguish that felt as if her insides had crystallised to glass and shattered. She’d gone from heady delight
to the depths of humiliation and pain so fast her head spun.
She needed to find words to make him understand. But what was the point? This wasn’t her Alexei. This was a man who could believe the absolute worst of her. Her Alexei was nothing but a phantom.
‘I’d like to leave the island now.’ Her voice was stilted but she was beyond caring. ‘I assume you can arrange that?’
‘Nothing would give me greater pleasure.’
Mina turned to the door, unable to face his disdain any longer. ‘Excellent. At least that’s one thing we agree on.’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
PARIS WASN’T FAR enough away.
Mina stared at the blinking light of her message bank and knew if she hit Play, Alexei’s deep voice would fill the room. Worse, it would inveigle its way inside her, reinforcing the hollow ache she carried.
She knew because that was what had happened earlier. She’d come out of the shower and hadn’t thought twice about checking her messages. Only to find herself fighting a rush of pain at the sound of that familiar voice. She’d slammed the phone down and deleted his message, unable to listen.
It didn’t matter if he’d rung to berate her some more, or even to apologise for his sniping accusations. The fact was she had lied to him. But worse, she’d made the mistake of falling for the man.
Even if he called to say he was sorry he overreacted, which was about as likely as snowfall in the desert, it wouldn’t be enough. Even if by some miracle he’d forgiven her and decided the sex between them was so good he wanted an affair, Mina knew she needed more.
She needed all or nothing.
Nothing was the only logical option.
Mina turned and paced. She needed space to think. Somewhere with no reminders of him.
A tattoo on the front door made her heart leap. It couldn’t be. She didn’t want it to be. Yet her hands shook as she opened it. Savage disappointment sliced through her at the sight of her best friend.
Mina really was desperate. And delusional. As if Alexei would turn up at her door!
‘Carissa!’
Her friend enveloped her in a hug and a cloud of rose perfume. ‘Are you okay? You look like hell.’
Mina managed a chuckle, despite the scratchy throat that made it hard to swallow. ‘Lack of sleep. I’ll be fine. But you look fabulous. Marriage agrees with you.’
Carissa grinned. She’d never looked prettier. Something tugged at Mina’s heart but she refused to feel jealous that her friend had found happiness with the man she adored.
‘It is wonderful. Pierre’s the best. And I have you to thank. Without you stepping in—’
‘I was glad to help.’ Mina shut the door and led her towards the lounge room. But Carissa stopped her.
‘I’m sorry, sweetie. I don’t have time. Pierre and I are heading off to see his family. He’s going to introduce me, so wish us luck.’
‘They’ll love you once they get to know you.’ Mina pressed her hands. ‘Give them a little time.’
Carissa nodded. ‘That’s what Pierre said. But I’m not sure and—’ Her eyes rounded. ‘How could I forget? Are you in trouble? That’s what I came to ask.’
‘Trouble?’
Carissa nodded. ‘You must have got home very late last night. I didn’t even know you were back. Then just now I was coming up the street when I saw those men. The ones who took you to Alexei Katsaros. They were coming out of our building and drove away in a big black car.’
‘You’re sure it was them?’ Had she missed a knock on the door as she dried her hair?
Emotions stormed through Mina. Excitement vied with hope that she knew she had to crush. She and Alexei had no future.
‘As if I’d forget.’ Carissa shivered. ‘I got a good look through the peephole the day they took you away. What do they want? Why are they here?’
‘Probably checking I got home safely.’ Maybe Alexei’s conscience was troubling him and he wanted to make sure. Last night she’d refused an escort from the airport, insisting on finding her own way home.
‘You’re such a bad liar, Mina. I’ll tell Pierre we can’t go yet—’
‘No. You have to go.’ Her words were sharp, yet her mouth quivered. Reaction, she told herself. She’d barely slept. She needed time alone.
‘Then what can I do to help?’ Carissa put her arm around her and Mina had to fight the urge to weep on her shoulder.
Mina never ran from trouble but she felt too raw, too destroyed by the enormity of her feelings to cope. She needed to lick her wounds and recoup. ‘Help me pack a bag. I’m going to Jeirut.’
* * *
The royal palace of Jeirut was imposing and warlike. Only the banners snapping in the wind alleviated its grimness. Perched on a high plateau, it commanded views of the city spread around it and the desert below.
Alexei followed a courtier through an oversized portal into a series of antechambers, each more magnificent than the last. But Alexei wasn’t in the mood to be impressed. His mind was on the upcoming interview.
His one chance. The knowledge tightened his gut.
Finally he was led into an audience chamber with a forest of pillars around the perimeter. His gaze went to the golden throne and on it a tall, powerfully built man in white robes. His face was rugged, his nose uneven and eyes piercing. This man—Alexei knew, his pulse quickening in anticipation—made even the best negotiators nervous.
Introductions were made, complete with a scraping bow from Alexei’s companion. Sheikh Huseyn, colloquially known as the Iron Hand, remained stony-faced. It was only when the doors closed behind the courtier and Alexei was alone with Mina’s brother-in-law that the Sheikh raised one eyebrow in interrogation.
‘You have a request?’
Alexei met that assessing stare with one of his own. ‘I want to speak with your sister-in-law.’ As if Sheikh Huseyn didn’t already know that. As if Alexei hadn’t been through this multiple times with officials.
‘If you have something important to say, I can pass on a message. At present she’s busy.’
Alexei wasn’t deterred. He’d missed her in Paris but he would see her here. Mina might be furious and hurt but she wouldn’t hide from him. She was too proud.
At least he hoped so. Unless he’d given her such a disgust of him that even her pride wasn’t enough. He shoved the idea aside, refusing to countenance the idea of defeat.
‘Thank you. But I prefer to speak with Mina.’
Sheikh Huseyn’s eyes narrowed as if questioning his use of Mina’s name.
‘Why should I let you see her?’ His even tone held an undercurrent of menace.
Instead of being abashed, Alexei stepped closer. Royalty or not, he refused to let the Sheikh stand in his way. ‘Surely that’s Mina’s decision.’
The Sheikh didn’t reply and as the silence lengthened, ice-cold sweat trickled down Alexei’s spine.
‘Are you saying Mina refuses to see me?’ Nausea rolled through him. He tasted acid and recognised it as fear. Would Mina send him away without a chance?
‘Why should she? What’s your relationship?’
‘That’s between me and Mina.’ Alexei’s gaze followed the perimeter of the room. Did one of those doors lead to her? Frustration rose. The palace was enormous. If he made a break for it he had no hope of finding her before the royal guard stopped him.
‘And if I make it my business?’ The Sheikh rose and stepped onto the floor. He moved with the ease of an athlete and, sizing him up, Alexei guessed they’d be well matched in a tussle.
‘I can only repeat that my business is solely with Mina.’
‘I am her King and head of her family.’ Huseyn moved to stand toe to toe with Alexei. The air was redolent with latent danger. ‘It’s my role to protect her.’
Alexei met his eyes. ‘I respect your desire to protect her, but Mina can
manage her own concerns. I doubt she’d be impressed by anyone, even family, speaking on her behalf.’
A ripple of expression crossed the Sheikh’s features, then, to Alexei’s surprise, his face creased in a smile.
‘You know Mina well.’ He paused. ‘What brings you to Jeirut? Surely not simply seeing my sister-in-law. Are you opening an office here? Or perhaps one of your youth centres. Such a laudable programme.’
Huseyn had done his homework. Alexei respected that. It was what he would have done. Due diligence was second nature.
Except that one vital time when he hadn’t checked out Carissa Carter because he’d been determined to snaffle her quickly as bait. Technically that had been a grave error, but Alexei couldn’t think of it in those terms since it had brought him Mina.
Elusive Mina. He stifled impatience with difficulty.
‘I congratulate you, Highness. Not many know of my link to that initiative.’ Alexei made sure of it. His community training and support scheme for disadvantaged teenagers wasn’t done for kudos but to make a difference. Those kids didn’t need their problems aired for public sympathy when Alexei could quietly provide the start-up money for programmes that eventually became self-funding.
‘I make it my business to know about men who take an interest in my sister-in-law.’
Huseyn was toying with him. Mina had been a sexual innocent until she’d come to him. Despite what he’d thought in the white-hot sear of anger.
‘So, would you be interested in working in Jeirut?’
‘It depends on the result of my discussion with Mina.’ Alexei set his jaw. ‘Is that the price for letting me see her?’
For a moment longer the Sheikh watched him through narrowed eyes. Then he nodded abruptly as if coming to a decision. ‘You’re not what I expected, Mr Katsaros.’ He paused. ‘Come, I’ll take you to her.’
So he’d passed a test. Alexei should have felt relieved. Instead, as he followed Huseyn he felt more nervous than he could ever remember.
Perhaps that was why, when the Sheikh ushered him into a lavish chamber, it took Alexei a moment to recognise Mina. There were two women, both focused on a velvet-lined jewellery case open on a table. One he knew from his research as the beautiful Sheikha of Jeirut. The other... His breath stopped as she looked up and eyes of rich brown snared his.
