“Star? No. I don’t think we ever did. She belonged to a local farmer before my grandpa got her for me. She was definitely full quarter horse, but no fancy breeding that I know of. She had a brand on her left haunch like an upside down F, but we never knew where she originally came from.” Amahd probably couldn’t understand how anyone could own an ordinary grade horse. All of his were probably worth a hundred thousand dollars each. “But I loved her as if she was worth a million dollars.” She felt the need to stand up for Star, despite her lack of fancy breeding. “She put her heart and soul into everything I asked of her.”
“What was her coloring?”
“She was black, with a white star—no surprises there—on her forehead. A real star, too, with five points. She had three white feet and a snip of white on the fourth foot.” Why was she telling him all this? Maybe to prove to herself that she still remembered. It had been years since she’d laid eyes on her baby.
Uh-oh. Tears gathered behind her eyes.
“How tall was she?” Amahd looked deeply interested. Maybe he was just being polite.
She sucked in a deep breath. “Fourteen-two. Not too big. Just right.” She smiled and wiped a tiny tear. “I do hope she went to a good home where she’s loved. Sometimes I imagine her on a ranch, being used to rope cattle. I bet she’d enjoy that. She always came first in calf roping.”
“Please excuse me.” Amahd pulled out his phone and walked briskly away. She hadn’t even heard it ring, so it was a lame excuse to take off. He’d probably grown bored with hearing her wax rhapsodic about Star. Which wasn’t fair, really. He’d asked the questions.
She sipped her lemonade and tried not to let the sadness gathering in her chest overwhelm her. It was so hard not knowing what happened to Star. If she knew she was happy—maybe with a little girl to love her—she could be at peace with missing her constant childhood companion.
Most of the time she tried not to think about her. She’d be eighteen right now, almost an old lady in horse years. Hopefully she was getting to enjoy a peaceful retirement somewhere.
“Mac, come join us.” Ronnie tapped her on the arm. “We pregnant ladies could use some advice from someone who’s been there. Aliyah makes pregnancy and childbirth seem so effortless and joyful the way she describes it, but we know better than to believe her.
Mac chuckled. “I had a seventeen-hour labor. I can scare the heck out of you guys.”
Ronnie laughed and ushered her over to a pretty table with low, padded chairs, where the women were gathered around munching on handmade treats. Osman hovered nearby, shooting loving glances at Sam. “Are you sure I can’t get you something more substantial? Aren’t you supposed to be eating for two?”
“No, sweetie. That’s an old wives’ tale. We only need a few hundred extra calories a day.” Sam stroked his arm. “And we don’t need you men to carry everything for us and open doors like we’re invalids.”
“Though sometimes we do enjoy it,” said Ronnie with a wink.
The talented entertainer kept the kids busy for a full hour with a puppet show and dances and singing before Maddy even came to check in with her. Aliyah was strolling around with a black leopard on a golden chain, and Mac was amazed it didn’t lunge even once at the white peacocks who were making themselves at home amongst the playing children.
“Did Gibran figure out who was behind the explosion?” Mac asked, after a pause. It probably wasn’t appropriate to ask. These royals probably took it as their duty to smile bravely in the face of clear and present danger. But her daughter was here, and she wanted information.
“Apparently, he has a theory but it’s too hush-hush to be revealed yet,” said Ronnie. “Even Aliyah doesn’t know. Trust me, we keep asking her.”
“Gibran is like a fortress when he wants to be,” said Sam with a raised brow. “I tried all my documentary interviewer tricks to get some information out of him, to no avail. And he told us not to speculate on it, either. I think he doesn’t want to start gossip among the guests.”
The guests looked reasonably relaxed, mostly sitting around in small groups from their own country, watching their children enjoy the games. It was hard to imagine that one—or more—of these people was likely behind all the attacks. If she knew who it was, she’d want to take them out. But that probably wasn’t how they did things in Ubar.
“Amahd, why don’t you come join us?” Sam sprang up from her chair when he passed near, in conversation with another young man.
Amahd glanced awkwardly at Mac, who pretended not to notice and prayed that she wouldn’t blush. It would probably be easier if she told Sam and Ronnie to lay off. Amahd might be attracted to her, but clearly didn’t consider her an appropriate partner so he was doing his best to fight it. Trying to shove them together was embarrassing for both of them and could put her job in jeopardy.
But even mentioning the situation felt too awkward and put too much weight on it. Hopefully they’d all decide it was the kids’ bedtime before too long and she could escape without further incident. She felt a bit fragile after all the talk about her horse and wanted to be alone at home with Maddy, not making polite conversation with glamorous queens while wearing a floor length silk dress.
Amahd had paused to speak with Zadir about something. They were murmuring too low for her to hear their conversation. Amahd probably couldn’t care less whether she was there or not. She picked up her drink and tried to distract herself as the glamorous Zahaina approached. She was the only woman at the entire event wearing a low-cut dress, with her breasts served like ripe fruits. Her skin was flawless and everything about her face perfectly sculpted—possibly by a talented surgeon.
Mac cursed herself for being so petty. Maybe she was naturally gorgeous. It was those green claws of jealousy digging into her heart again. And they dug a little deeper as Zahaina laid a kiss on Amahd’s cheek and stroked his forearm.
To his credit he seemed to stiffen. She wasn’t Amahd’s type. If anything he’d probably prefer one of these more old-school maidens robed from head-to-toe who wandered around under their royal fathers’ gaze.
Amahd laughed at something Zahaina said. Mac realized she was staring and tugged her gaze away—then noticed that Sam and Ronnie were both watching her.
Ouch!
“I should go make sure Maddy’s okay.”
“She’s fine.” Sam offered her a plate of flower shaped cookies. “Look.” She pointed at a giggling Maddy, staring wide-eyed as the entertainer pulled a big white rabbit from a hat.
“I suppose you’re right.” This was so awkward. Now Zahaina was whispering in Amahd’s ear, and he was looking distinctly hot under the collar. Possibly because Zahaina was very tall in her high heels and her ripe breasts were hovering right under his nose. “I think I’ll go to the bathroom.”
She couldn’t take another minute of this. And she knew where the nearest bathrooms were. She hurried away, silky robes sliding around her legs, hoping that they weren’t all staring after her and feeling sorry for her.
She stayed in the bathroom as long as she could, even splashing cold water on her face—and the front of her dress—and mouthing, “get a grip,” to herself.
When she finally came out she wished she could go lock herself in with the equipment and claim she was working, but she walked as slowly as possible along the stone-tiled floor, under the high colonnades. It was dark now, and bright torches blazed in ancient braziers along the walls, illuminating the glittering mosaic patterns. The plaintive call of peacocks and the whispering of the desert at night made the whole setting seem otherworldly, like she was walking in a fairytale.
Except that she was the ugly sister, not the beautiful heroine who’d ride off into the sunset with the handsome prince.
“Mackenzie.”
She froze. Only one man always used her full name in that quietly commanding way.
“Hello Amahd.” She looked right at him, willing her features to look calm and composed. “Maddy’s having a wonder
ful time.”
He looked confused. “Oh. That’s great.”
Apparently he wasn’t thinking about Maddy.
“Mackenzie…” he frowned, and his eyes looked blacker than she’d ever seen them. “This is very awkward.”
Her breath caught at the bottom of her lungs. Was he going to say she couldn’t work here any more?
“I have a…a proposal.”
It was her turn to frown, while butterflies gathered in her stomach. “What kind of proposal?” It obviously wasn’t the kind involving a diamond ring and a lifetime of happiness.
“You and I…we’re very…” He shoved a hand through his hair. “Very attracted to each other.”
She blinked. “Uh…” Really, how did you respond to something like that?
“There’s some kind of…chemistry between us. It’s hard to ignore.”
There was no denying that. But she preferred to pretend she had no idea what he was talking about. It seemed more dignified.
If you could be dignified while wearing a long dress with pink embroidery and sequins on it.
“I think it might be a good idea to…” His frown deepened. “To act on it.”
“I think we already did.” She spoke quietly. Had he already forgotten those passionate kisses?
“I mean.” She watched his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed. “I mean to propose that we have…an affair. Then we can get this out of our systems and put it behind us once and for all.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mac blinked. She hadn’t misunderstood. Perhaps there was another interpretation?
“I really hope you’re kidding.” Even as she said it, she knew he wasn’t.
“I would never joke about something of this nature. Neither of us wants to harbor unwelcome feelings that could interfere with our professional duties. If we plan—and execute—a liaison with a specific purpose, then I think we can deal with these feelings and put them behind us”
Of course. Which should be funny. But instead it was very, very depressing.
A tiny flame of righteous anger flared in her chest. “I’m sorry. Maybe things are different here in Ubar, but where I come from we don’t plan and schedule kisses and hugs and romance and affection. If it happens, it’s some kind of magic, not a chore to be gotten out of the way so you can get back to work.” Tears sprang to her eyes and she cursed them. “So no, I won’t agree to your proposal.”
She wanted to pick up her stupid skirt and run, but since a big crowd of cheery children and curious adults waited around the corner, she managed not to.
Amahd looked suitably appalled. “I’m so sorry. I apologize. Perhaps I…misunderstood.” He was backing away. “I won’t mention it again.”
He turned and strode away, long robe swishing around his powerful legs, and she grabbed onto a nearby stone pillar to keep her footing.
She’d been used before. Kissed and groped and even gone all the way with someone who had motives no baser than Amahd’s. Who didn’t want anything other than a quick roll in the hay and didn’t hesitate to dump her as soon as he’d had his fill. Really, that’s all Amahd wanted to do.
But somehow the fact that he’d thought about it and quietly suggested it, made it hurt far more than something that happened by accident.
Because not only was he planning to kiss her, hold her and make love with her—he was already planning to dump her.
And she couldn’t play along with that plan at all.
He hadn’t misunderstood. She was as attracted to him as he was to her. And she wasn’t afraid to act on it in the heat of the moment. But she sure as heck wasn’t going to kiss him knowing that in a week—maybe two—he’d be done with her and kissing someone else.
Someone he planned to marry and spend his life with.
“Are you okay?” Sam had walked right up to her without her noticing.
“Oh, I think so. Amahd is quite something.”
“Oh, no. What did he say?”
“He asked me to have an affair with him.” Might as well be honest. Besides, Sam was partly to blame, if her suspicions were correct.
“No! He actually said that?” Sam’s blue eyes widened.
“Yes. I asked to make sure I hadn’t misunderstood.”
Her lips pursed. “Well. That is interesting. I wouldn’t have ever guessed he would do that. What did you say?”
Mac stared. “I said no, of course. He wants to just…have his way with me, then brush me off. I may be a nobody, but I have feelings.”
A tiny frown appeared on Sam’s smooth brow and her eyes filled with concern. “Of course you do. But he must be pretty interested in you to propose such a thing. As far as I know he hasn’t even been on a date with anyone in the whole time I’ve been here. Possibly in years! He’s practically a monk.”
“Not around me. But I won’t be used and tossed aside.”
“Maybe that’s not what he intends.”
“It is. Believe me. He wants to get me out of his system. I think deal with these feelings was the phrase he used.” Anger stirred in her gut as she said the words.
Sam bit her lip. “Oh, my goodness. Amahd has feelings. I was beginning to wonder. Where is he?”
“I don’t know. And I don’t care. I need to go home.” She’d managed to push down any tears and put on a brave face, but she certainly didn’t want to run into Amahd again. “I don’t mean to be rude, and I’m sure Maddy is having a great time, but this is more than I can handle right now.”
“I’m sorry he was such an insensitive twit. Maybe he deserves to be alone for the rest of his life.”
“If that’s typical of his approach, he probably will be.” A smile snuck over her mouth. “I’ve dealt with some dumb cowboys, but the worst of them was more subtle than that.”
Sam shook her head. They were both smiling now. “Men! Sometimes Osman makes me want to pull my hair out. These brothers are in a league of their own, with the arrogance of royalty and the emotional turmoil of having their mothers quietly killed off by their father when they were still young.”
“What?” Mac couldn’t even imagine such a terrible thing.
Sam nodded. “They have some real baggage and they’re all a bit of a work in progress.” She stroked Mac’s arm. “They’re worth it in the end, though.”
“I came here for a job. A really good job. I took a big chance bringing my daughter to the far side of the world so I could make money to secure our future. I don’t want to throw that away over a man who sees me as a temporary plaything.”
Sam exhaled. “I hear you. And I don’t blame you for wanting to escape this party right now. Do you want me to find Maddy for you?”
“That would be awesome.”
Mac waited, fairly sure that Amahd wouldn’t come anywhere near her. Not unless he wanted an earful of her thoughts about his proposal.
And she knew Amahd well enough to be sure that he’d never want that.
Sure enough, Maddy protested—with tears—about leaving the party while the games were still going on, but Mac explained that she had to be up early for work, blah, blah, blah. Eventually they headed for the door, with her resisting the urge to glance over her shoulder to make sure a certain tall, dark and clueless bachelor wasn’t lurking somewhere, watching her.
Amahd didn’t usually curse, but he could suddenly understand the urge. What had possessed him to suggest a fling to Mackenzie? Of course she was offended. She wasn’t some dumb floozy. She was a respectable and hard-working woman with a daughter.
He let a few more choice words fall from his lips in the privacy of his house. Luckily, no staff were around at this hour. He went outside into the dark night, and saw the gleam of his horses’ eyes as they stood in their stables, munching hay. “I’m an idiot,” he explained to them.
They all looked back in agreement.
“But I can’t marry her,” he continued. “You understand that.”
They chewed silently.
“I know my brothers ma
rried Americans, but I’m not like them. Not at all.”
His words drifted off into the quiet desert. His horses refrained from expressing an opinion. Most people did, too, when you were royal and/or held their livelihood in your hands. He turned for the house again. It was probably morning in Texas right now, and he had some phone calls to make.
Amahd sat at his desk and called his college economics professor Ted Raines. The prof had retired to two hundred acres in the Texas Hill Country and they still kept in touch, usually to discuss horses—a passion they shared. “Ted, I have a strange question for you.”
The familiar gritty voice answered. “Can’t be any stranger than some of the questions you’ve asked me already, Amahd.”
“How would you find a missing horse?”
“I’d put up a flyer at the feed store.”
“What if it could be anywhere in Texas, or even the whole U.S.?”
“Is it microchipped?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Branded?”
“Yes.” He searched for his hastily written notes. “An upside-down F on the right haunch.”
“Hmm. Don’t know that one. Not that I’m an expert. If it’s worth a lot you could hire a private investigator. Is it valuable?”
“Very valuable. Beyond price.”
He heard the prof chuckle. “Well, if money is no object, as I’d imagine it might be from what I hear of your success drilling back at home, then I’d recommend giving my friend Kyle a call. Missing persons are his specialty, but I bet that if he can’t find your horse he’ll know someone who can.”
In less than half an hour he’d described everything he knew about the horse’s breed, age, coloring and brand, and fronted double the named finders fee of twenty-thousand dollars for Kyle’s team to jump on the search. He’d planned to find Mackenzie’s horse before he offended her with his rash proposal. He knew it would mean a lot to her and he had the resources to make it happen.
Now he needed them to do it fast before she quit and left Ubar.
Desert Kings Boxed Set: The Complete Series Books 1-6 Page 74
