by Carol Lynne
“Does that mean I’ll get to stay two weeks instead of one?” Faris asked.
“We’ll see. Either way, you’ll be going back for your December break from school.” He winked at the boy. “That is if you want to.”
“Want to? Are you crazy? Gavin keeps teasing me with pictures. I can’t wait to see a bear with my own two eyes.”
“Stay away from the bears,” Raven reprimanded.
Faris giggled and rolled his eyes, reminding Raven that although the twelve-year-old would one day be king, he was still a young boy. As far as Raven knew, Faris had only spoken by phone to his mother on a handful of occasions since she’d been sent away. Although he was being raised by Ghazi, Faris appeared to be a typically happy kid.
On their way up the winding driveway, Faris reached out and punched Raven in the arm. “Will you miss me?”
Raven bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling at the goofy grin on Faris’ face. “Not at all. I’ll be glad to be rid of you for a week.”
The answer made Faris smile even wider. “Liar. I see right through you, Mr. Tough Bodyguard.”
Now it was Raven’s turn to roll his eyes. “I’m a complicated man, kid. No one can figure me out.”
Faris began to laugh. “You think so? You’re in love with my uncle although you’re too afraid to admit it. Just so you know, he feels the same way.”
“Don’t be stupid.” The car stopped in front of the palace steps, and Raven waited for Nasim to open the door. The idea that a man like Ghazi could actually love him was absurd. He got out of the limousine with Faris’ laughter ringing in his ears.
Stepping into the palace, Raven headed up the staircase towards Nalu’s room. He knocked softly on the door. “Nalu?”
“Yes?” a soft voice came from inside.
Raven entered the room. Although Nalu had finally started talking in short sentences, he still refused to speak of his ordeal on the yacht. “How’re you feeling today?”
Nalu shrugged his shoulders and returned his gaze to the view outside the window. “When can I go home?”
Raven sat on the end of Nalu’s bed. “You’re not a prisoner here. I thought you’d prefer the safety the palace can provide.”
Nalu’s spine stiffened visibly. “My friends are there.”
Raven hated to remind Nalu that his friends hadn’t done a thing to help him out when he’d been forcibly carried back to the yacht. He exhaled. Still, there was no doubt in his mind that Nalu thought of his friends as family. “Would you like me to take you to visit?”
“Not to visit. To stay.” Nalu turned around and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “They’re like me.”
“Just because you don’t have family on Jurru doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to live in a palace,” Raven tried to argue.
Nalu shook his head. “I meant we’re all whores. It’s how we survive on this island.”
Raven leant forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “I know you don’t want to talk about this, but we need to know who you work for. Please, give me a name so we can stop this person from sending you into situations like you just came out of.”
Right before Raven’s eyes, Nalu shut down again. He turned his back on Raven and stared out the window once more. They sat in silence for several minutes before Nalu finally spoke again.
“No. He takes care of us. He loves us.”
“That’s not true. Don’t you see, he’s using you?”
“When can I go home? Or must I be punished forever?” Nalu asked.
Punished? Raven couldn’t believe Nalu thought that way. “Let me talk to Ghazi.”
When Nalu said nothing more, Raven stood and walked out of the room. With everything Nalu had been through, the kid deserved to be happy. If living with his friends brought Nalu peace, so be it. Raven knew if he didn’t fight for Nalu, no one else was likely to.
* * * *
“Is King Zahar in his office?” Raven asked Halim.
Ghazi’s secretary stopped typing and stared at Raven. “His Majesty is out of the office at the moment.”
“I need to speak with him. Would you please tell me where I can find him?”
“He’s in the garden, but I do not believe he wishes to be disturbed.” Halim returned his attention to the computer screen, silently dismissing Raven.
From months of shadowing Ghazi, Raven knew something heavy must be on the King’s mind. Rarely did Ghazi take time out of his busy day to sit beside the reflecting pool. Raven warred with himself for several moments before finally making the decision to seek Ghazi out in the tranquil location.
Stepping through the garden’s archway, Raven didn’t immediately spot the young king. The stone bench beside the pond was empty as was the one in the rose garden. He stood in the centre of the garden and studied the area. Unlike most gardens, this one had something for everyone. Divided into zones, one could visit the desert, the water, the English formal gardens or the tropical setting that was the natural state of the island, all without leaving the palace.
Raven made his way to the heavily shaded and concealed tropical garden. He’d never known Ghazi to wander into that particular zone, but he’d looked for him everywhere else. If the King was in prayer, the last thing Raven wanted to do was disturb him, so he stepped quietly along the path.
Sensing someone behind him, Ghazi spun around, ready to take on anyone who threatened him. He came face to face with Raven. “Do not sneak up on me again.”
Raven held his hands up. “Just trying to be polite. I would’ve left if you were busy.”
Clasping his hands behind his back, Ghazi turned back to the statue of his father. “I was wishing my father was here.” It wasn’t easy for him to admit his weaknesses, but for some reason, he found it easier with Raven. He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m not enjoying being a king.”
Ghazi heard footsteps on the path moments before Raven’s hand landed on his shoulder.
“It’ll get better once your new Prime Minister is in place,” Raven said.
Tilting his head to the side, Ghazi rested his cheek on Raven’s hand. “It’s not the day to day running of Jurru that has me questioning my future.”
“Then what is it?” Raven turned his hand over to cup Ghazi’s cheek.
The action was so incredibly honest and welcome. Ghazi couldn’t bring himself to speak for several moments. He gestured to the statue. “My father died rather suddenly. There wasn’t time to fully train me on how to deal with the pressure of having the lives of so many resting so heavily on my conscience.”
Raven removed his hand and turned Ghazi to face him. “Is this about Sanctuary?”
Even the name of what should have been a safe, loving home for those unlucky enough to lose their families, made Ghazi’s stomach turn. “We still don’t know who’s behind it. The bank isn’t cooperating and neither are the kids who live at Sanctuary. You would think seeing the man responsible brought up on charges would convince them to talk, but it seems the opposite is true.”
“Speaking of. Nalu wants to go back,” Raven said.
“What? Why?” Ghazi couldn’t believe it. The palace offered the teenager safety, something Ghazi would think Nalu craved after what had happened.
Raven’s hands landed on Ghazi’s chest. The gesture felt so right to Ghazi. He longed to pull Raven into his arms and seek the comfort he so desperately needed at that moment. It wasn’t easy to hold back, but he knew what he wanted from Raven and it wasn’t an emotionless fuck. Still, he reached out and placed his hands on Raven’s narrow hips.
“Nalu considers the other kids at Sanctuary his family. He misses them, and he would like to return to them,” Raven explained.
When Raven’s hands started to roam, Ghazi closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Raven’s silky black hair. “Can we still protect him there?”
Raven’s lips landed on the heated skin of Ghazi’s neck. He answered the question while peppering soft kisses. “We can try our best
, but it’ll be harder because we don’t know who we’re protecting him from.”
Ghazi’s head tilted to the side for several moments before dipping down to capture Raven’s mouth in a deep kiss. Please let me in.
Raven sucked Ghazi’s tongue further into his mouth as their bodies pressed together. Ghazi held the slighter man, hoping to gain some of the strength he’d lost over the last several days. “I need you,” he whispered, pulling back.
“Should we go upstairs?” Raven asked.
Ghazi sighed. With Raven, everything seemed to be about sex. How could Ghazi make him understand that he needed Raven’s heart and mind, not just his body? “I have another meeting before dinner. I need to hold you. I need to pretend, even for a short while, that I am a normal man spending time with his lover.”
Raven studied Ghazi for several moments. “But you’re not a normal man, and I can’t seem to get past that.”
Surprised by the comment, Ghazi’s eyebrows lifted before coming back down and drawing together. “So it is the King you don’t want?”
Raven tucked his face under Ghazi’s chin. “It’s the King I don’t deserve,” he whispered.
Ghazi turned and led Raven to a teak bench. He sat down on one side and tugged Raven’s hand, giving him the choice where to sit. Raven didn’t disappoint him and straddled his lap. Ghazi pulled his bodyguard closer and rested his hands on Raven’s lower back.
He wasn’t sure what to say, he simply knew he needed to hold Raven. Several times he started to address Raven’s concerns, but even in his head they sounded insufficient.
Raven seemed to pick up on Ghazi’s dilemma but with the wrong conclusion. “You know I’m right, don’t you?”
“No,” Ghazi barked, shaking his head vehemently. “I’m trying to figure out what to say to make you understand that it’s not about being good enough.” Their earlier attempt at making love suddenly became clearer in his mind. “Do you always make love while facing away from your partner?”
Raven reared back. If it hadn’t been for Ghazi’s grip, he would have fallen from the bench. “I don’t make love. We were fucking, and yeah, usually I prefer the position we were in or all fours. Why? Is that not good enough either?”
“No, it’s not,” Ghazi said, surprised that he was willing to be so honest about his feelings. “For me, it was making love.”
“You don’t love me. How could you?” Raven asked.
Ghazi shook his head. “I don’t believe you have to be completely in love to make love to someone. It’s a step, one of many, a couple must take to fall to the point of giving up one’s independence to be with another person.”
Reaching up, he ran the back of his hand against Raven’s smooth cheek. “I want to take those steps at your side.”
“It would be a stairway leading nowhere, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t. Don’t throw that title in my face, not now.”
“But it’s who you are. You may be able to forget it. Hell, I might even be able to forget it for a while, but eventually we have to face the truth.” Raven leant in and gave Ghazi a soft, brief kiss. “There isn’t a society in the world that would welcome someone with my background being publicly linked with their king.”
“I have no intentions of putting a crown on your head and making you prance around as my queen. Don’t you see? That’s why your position as my bodyguard is perfect. You can forever be at my side without raising the political repercussions neither of us is ready to deal with.”
Tears filled Raven’s dark eyes as he untangled himself from Ghazi’s lap and started towards the palace. “Don’t you have a meeting to get to?” he asked without bothering to wait for Ghazi.
Ghazi wanted to call Raven back. He wanted to ask what he’d said to cause such an emotional reaction in the man. He’d thought the reassurance that the two could be together, regardless of politics, would help ease Raven’s mind about their future. Obviously, he’d fucked up yet another aspect of his life.
* * * *
Standing on the tarmac, Raven waited anxiously for his friends to disembark the King’s private jet. He doubted he’d ever needed friends as much as he needed them now. The last several days had been pure hell.
Knowing Ghazi wanted to be with him, but only in private was a double-edged sword. Once again he wasn’t good enough, not that he’d had illusions otherwise. He’d always known a real relationship between the two of them was impossible, but hearing Ghazi’s solution felt like the final nail in the coffin of his dream. It was a stupid dream anyway.
The door opened and Seb stepped out of the jet, shielding his eyes against the bright afternoon sun. He pulled a pair of mirrored sunglasses out of his pocket and settled them onto his handsome face.
“Hey,” Seb greeted, walking down the steps of the plane.
Raven strode over and shook his boss’ hand before turning to greet Jared. “Good flight?”
Jared nodded, his body practically vibrating as he tucked himself against Seb’s side. “That was the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” Jared said. “There’s even a big bedroom in the back. Seb initiated me…”
“That’s enough about that,” Seb said, cutting Jared off. “I don’t think Raven cares to hear all the details of our trip.”
Raven winked at Jared. “You can tell me later.” He did it to get a rise out of Seb and it worked. The man actually growled at him.
“Are you two going to peck at each other this entire trip?” Jared asked, slapping Seb’s stomach.
Raven decided to let it drop. He glanced up at the jet. “Where’s Brier and Jackie?”
“The pilot promised to show Brier the cockpit once we landed,” Jared explained.
“So, how’re things going with the investigation?” Seb asked.
“Slow. The kids at Sanctuary aren’t talking, and the bank in Cayman refuses to give up the name on the account.”
“Hey!”
Raven glanced up and grinned at the wildly waving Brier. “There’s a happy face,” Raven said.
Brier came down the steps slowly with Jackie right behind him. Raven knew what Brier was doing from being around the pair in the past. Although Jackie got around well with his artificial leg, Brier was a worrier. There was no doubt in Raven’s mind that Brier was going slow so Jackie would have to take his time.
Once they reached the runway, Raven greeted Brier with a hug. “God, I’ve missed you.”
Brier leant back and smiled at Raven. “I’ve missed you, too. Thanks for inviting us. Jackie said I could swim in the ocean.”
Raven nodded. “I know the perfect place.” Raven regarded Jackie. “A private cove with calm waters. Perfect for Brier’s first dip.”
Jackie nodded. “Sounds good.”
Brier stepped aside. Jackie surprised Raven with a quick hug, ending the gesture with a sturdy pound on the back. “You’re looking good. Paradise must agree with you.”
Raven wanted to point out that paradise wasn’t always what it was cracked up to be. How many sunsets had he witnessed alone, longing to have Ghazi’s arms wrapped around him? “The palace has a nice gym.”
Raven gestured to the waiting limousine. “Shall we?”
* * * *
Dressed in a suit, Brier shifted uncomfortably on the bed. “Do I have to wear a tie?”
Jackie came into the room from the en suite. “It’s your first-ever dinner with the King of Jurru. I think it’s appropriate.”
“When you worked here, did you have to wear a tie to dinner?” Brier asked.
“No, but then I worked for Sheik Ali, not the King. Ghazi was away at college when I spent time on Jurru.” Jackie held out his hand. “Come on. Just a few more hours and you can get naked with me.”
Brier liked that idea very much. He took Jackie’s hand and was pulled up and against his lover’s chest. “I hope I don’t embarrass you at dinner.”
“There’s no way you could ever embarrass me, babe.” Jackie gave Brier a deep kiss. “If you’re worried ab
out which fork to use, just follow my lead.”
Brier’s eyes rounded. “There’s going to be more than one fork?” His breathing picked up, and he thought he might be sick. “I can’t do this,” he said, trying to push his way out of Jackie’s arms.
The action threw Jackie off balance and he nearly stumbled to the ground. Brier managed to catch the man he loved in time. “Sorry.”
Jackie got both feet under him again and reached out to hold Brier’s face in his hands. “I love you. So what if you’ve never dined in a formal setting. You make the best spaghetti I’ve ever tasted and your kisses are better than homemade brownies. A couple of dinners aren’t going to change the way I feel about you.”
Brier couldn’t help but smile despite the nerves still swimming around in his stomach. “You like my spaghetti?”
Jackie chuckled and leant in for a deep kiss. Brier opened immediately, sucking Jackie’s tongue. Breaking the kiss, Jackie stared into Brier’s eyes. “Your spaghetti’s excellent, but those kisses are hard to beat.”
“Will that boy be at dinner?” Brier asked when Jackie released him and turned him towards the door.
“No. Raven said Nalu went back to Sanctuary a couple of days ago.”
“Well how am I supposed to talk to him then?” Brier wondered aloud.
Jackie kissed the side of Brier’s head before locking the room door. “It’ll work out. You worry too much.”
Brier nodded. He knew he did, but this seemed so important to Raven. For some reason Raven actually believed in him, and the last thing Brier wanted to do was let his friend down. Hopefully they would let Jared come with him to the Sanctuary place they were always talking about. Jared was better with words. No one, not even a teenager was going to take Brier’s advice, even though he’d lived through years of being used by men who should know better.
“Can Jared come?” he finally asked before they entered the dining room.
“Sure. That’s why we invited him along, right?”
“Yeah, right.”
