by Alison Kent
‘Where have you been staying?’ Kemal asked her as they sipped the tea.
‘At the Hotel Turkoman,’ Lizzie said distractedly. The last thing she wanted was to allow him to steer the conversation away from Hugo and towards her.
‘Ah, yes,’ he murmured thoughtfully. ‘Close to the law courts, and with an excellent view of the Blue Mosque.’
‘I’m really not interested in the view, and I don’t plan to stay,’ Lizzie informed him. Maybe she wouldn’t even need a hotel room, she thought tensely. She was quite prepared to take Hugo’s place in a far more primitive location than the Hotel Turkoman. ‘Look, I don’t feel we’re getting anywhere. Let me get to the point. Hugo must be released—’
‘Released?’ Kemal echoed with a hint of impatience. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘I think you know,’ Lizzie countered. ‘My brother must be released in time for Christmas,’ she repeated impatiently, meeting his steely look head-on.
Did she think he was a barbarian? Kemal wondered as he held Lizzie’s gaze. Did she really believe he had the men locked up in a dank cell somewhere?
And was this emotional blackmail now? Her eyes had grown misty at the mention of Christmas. It suggested a change of tactics on her part. All the more reason for him not to be drawn. He would keep his own counsel, just as he had planned to do when they first met.
Kemal leaned forward across the desk that divided them and passed her a card. ‘It’s very busy in Istanbul at Christmas,’ he said. ‘There can be confusion. Take my business card. If you have any difficulties at the hotel, just ask them to call me.’
Didn’t he get the message? She wasn’t going to be around at Christmas if she could help it, Lizzie thought tensely. And neither was Hugo. It was on the tip of her tongue to say that she could manage very well without his help, but when he dropped the card on the desk in front of her for some reason she picked it up.
‘Thank you,’ she said briefly, slipping it into the front pocket of her briefcase.
‘Today is Tuesday,’ Kemal murmured thoughtfully. ‘You haven’t left yourself much time if you want to have your brother home by Christmas Day, on Saturday.’
Was he goading her? Or was this an unexpected moment of concern? Highly unlikely, Lizzie decided. ‘Hugo will be home in time for Christmas,’ she said pointedly.
Her stubbornness should have infuriated him, but instead he was forced to admire her cool. Nothing he could say fazed her at all—except for any mention of Christmas, which for some reason really got under her skin. But that was his curse, Kemal reflected. He noticed everything, and sometimes wished that he didn’t.
He turned to murmur an instruction to one of the servants in his own language, asking for some food to be prepared and brought to the sunken lounge for them. Then he turned again to Lizzie. ‘I do recommend you confirm and perhaps extend your hotel booking. Every bed is likely to be taken in the city over Christmas.’
‘I will be staying in Istanbul until my brother and all the other men are released,’ Lizzie assured him. ‘And I can see no possible excuse for reasonable and honourable people not to achieve that satisfactory conclusion before Christmas.’
A muscle worked in Kemal’s jaw as he curbed the angry words that flew to his lips. She questioned his honour and she constantly rejected his help. She had arrived in Istanbul assuming the worst, taking a tough line with his office, refusing to accept local protocol, refusing to talk to anyone but him—even turning up on his doorstep believing she could bend him to her will! She chose to assume he was a barbarian—so maybe it was time Lizzie Palmer learned that no one bent Kemal Volkan to their will.
‘Mr Volkan!’ Lizzie exclaimed with concern as he stood up. ‘You’re not leaving? We haven’t finished our discussions—’
‘I have finished.’ And now she dared to question his intentions! Kemal’s gaze blazed down on Lizzie. Masallah! But she was beautiful. If only she could have been a little looser, a little more self-indulgent, like her brother. She would certainly have to learn to be a lot more biddable if she stayed around for much longer! ‘Ring the hotel, just to make sure you have somewhere to stay tonight,’ he instructed, hardly trusting himself to stay in the room with her a moment longer.
‘Thank you, but no,’ Lizzie said flatly, also standing up.
‘Why not?’ Kemal said, his eyes narrowing with mistrust as they confronted each other.
‘I won’t make the call because I don’t need to,’ Lizzie said confidently.
‘You don’t need to?’ Kemal repeated suspiciously.
‘No. If I have a problem at the hotel I will simply find another,’ Lizzie said firmly. ‘Look, I know this has been hard for you—’
‘Hard for me?’ Kemal repeated incredulously.
‘I do understand the damage caused to your business because of those missing parts,’ Lizzie pressed on.
‘You understand? You understand nothing!’ Kemal said, his voice like a whiplash.
The look in his eyes made Lizzie’s spine go cold. She didn’t think she had ever seen anyone so suddenly in a fury, or anyone control it quite so well. She had overstepped the mark. She had attacked his pride once too often. She had refused his offer of help. She had defied him. And for a man like Kemal Volkan such behaviour was incomprehensible
‘How dare you come here and lecture me?’ he erupted. ‘I paid millions up front in good faith, only to be let down very badly by your brother’s employer. You see this as a personal problem affecting your brother. I see it as a setback in trading—in trust between our two countries.’
‘Don’t you think that’s a bit extreme?’
‘Extreme?’ Kemal said icily. ‘You talk of your concerns for Christmas, whilst I have to consider the possible long-term consequences for my business and my employees. I have invested a fortune in this project, and I will not allow it to fail.’
His final words flew at Lizzie like shot from a gun. She was in no doubt that he meant every one of them. Tension rose between them as he held her stare. This was a far more dangerous situation than anything she had encountered in court. Kemal was a leader of men, unaccustomed to failure, a man to whom nothing was ever denied. And in his eyes she was merely a woman…
Lizzie’s mounting anger overtook her caution. The day would never come when a man could intimidate her, and Kemal Volkan would never browbeat her into submission.
‘This is not just another case for you to win, Ms Palmer,’ he was informing her as Lizzie drew herself up. ‘And I resent the fact that you imply I have acted dishonestly, or illegally, when all I ask is that people honour their obligations. The fact that your brother is one of those people does not alter the situation one bit.’
Now she would demand to be returned to her hotel, Kemal thought, as he waited for Lizzie’s response. But for some crazy reason that was the very last thing he wanted. He almost laughed out loud with relief when she levelled an unflinching gaze on his face. He should have known she would have more guts than that.
‘In spite of what you think of me,’ Lizzie said coldly, ‘I can assure you I do understand the problems you’ve had. I know what honour means to you, and you have every right to feel let down. But I have my own agenda, and you must understand that I will not be swayed by anything you—’
‘I must?’ Kemal interrupted her softly.
‘I am determined to stay,’ Lizzie told him, ‘until I know that Hugo and all the other men will be home in time for Christmas.’
‘What do you want me to say, Ms Palmer?’
Lizzie’s thoughts were in confusion as silence fell between them. Reason could never prevail when they were poles apart in culture, in thinking—in everything. Her head was throbbing with concern for Hugo, and she was so keenly aware of the influence Volkan wielded she could scarcely think straight at all. And then there was the passion that had so unexpectedly slipped through his guard…
Kemal Volkan was a force on a level she had never encountered before. She had no cards left
to play. Her mind raced as she considered the alternatives. She had to make one last big gesture. Something even he could not dismiss. She should have left everything ready so that Hugo could enjoy Christmas without her, but she had thought of nothing beyond coming to Turkey to negotiate his freedom…
‘Ms Palmer?’
‘Consider this proposal—’
‘When I know what it is,’ he agreed.
Lizzie drew a deep breath. Honour was her code too, and she would stop at nothing to protect her brother. ‘Call the authorities,’ she said calmly. ‘I’m going to take the place of my brother and his colleagues.’
CHAPTER THREE
LIZZIE’S brave speech took Kemal by surprise. Keeping her close a little longer had been plucking at the edges of his mind. He’d been ready to engage in a battle of words and wits—at which he excelled—to keep her there. Instead of which she had elected to stay—and of her own free will. What a battle for his conscience! A beautiful and intelligent woman had just agreed to become his hostage. He should refuse, of course. But, what the hell? For him, Christmas had come early!
‘Sit. Sit down again, please, Ms Palmer,’ he said, wanting to give them both time to digest this turn of events.
‘I still hope to be free in time for Christmas.’
Kemal looked up. His focus had sharpened as she spoke. Could she tune in to his thoughts? And what was this fixation she had with Christmas? Foolish sentiment? Or a poor attempt at working on his emotions? He stared at Lizzie. She seemed so young, almost vulnerable. But that was a trick of the light—or wishful thinking, perhaps. She was at least mid to late twenties, and there was nothing the least bit vulnerable about her. This harping on Christmas was simply a lever to make him release her brother.
‘It may not be possible for you to be free for Christmas,’ he said coldly. ‘We shall have to see.’
He looked again and saw her eyes briefly close against her fate. No doubt she was imagining all the horrors awaiting her. He turned his face with some irritation. Her suspicions insulted him. They made him want to grab hold of the virtuous Ms Lizzie Palmer and shake some sense into her. And that only made him angrier still, Kemal realised. He wouldn’t have believed any woman could rouse such passion in him.
But he would never allow such a base emotion to master him. He would retain control of this situation—and of Ms Lizzie Palmer.
‘Will you arrange the exchange for me?’ she asked, reclaiming his attention.
‘That’s quite an offer—one woman in exchange for five men?’
‘I would have thought it a good bargain,’ Lizzie countered.
The challenge on her face made him glad; made the blood race in his veins. He had never met a woman like this before. They locked gazes like two protagonists in the ring, and in that moment she had never appeared more attractive to him. If a man was to have children, wasn’t this tigress the mother he would choose for them?
Was he going completely mad? Kemal wondered, launching himself from his seat in front of the desk to pace the room. Tiredness, he realised with relief, swiping a hand across the back of his neck. Only extreme exhaustion could have allowed such a crazy thought to enter his head!
He relaxed briefly, and then tensed again, seeing Lizzie was still staring at him, still doggedly pursuing her crusade to rescue her brother. Would she never give up? He had never met anyone so unshakeably determined to defy him. His feelings were swinging wildly between anger and desire. All he could think of now was that her stamina had better match her determination. But first, he remembered, there was that sheath of steel she was cloaked in to dispose of.
‘Do you accept?’ Lizzie demanded quietly.
A muscle flexed in Kemal’s jaw. Was she daring to put pressure on him? Whatever the consequences, he knew now that he would never rest until he had mastered her. This was no longer an impersonal negotiation for him—if it had ever been. She had made it deeply personal. ‘I accept,’ he said. ‘Now we will eat. We will discuss the detail later.’
His arrogance was outrageous, Lizzie thought angrily as he turned away from her. It was obvious no one had ever challenged his right to impose his will wherever he chose. Well, prepare yourself, mister, because I won’t stand for it!
For a moment Lizzie indulged herself with wild thoughts of springing out of her seat to beat her fists against the wide expanse of his back. But she remembered how close she was to achieving her aim. Hugo might be free that very night if she could keep her cool just a little bit longer.
Taking his seat across the desk from her again, Kemal leaned back. It was time for the gloves to come off. ‘Don’t you mind missing out on Christmas?’
As far as Lizzie was concerned, only four words registered: Missing out on Christmas. ‘I would hope that as a man of honour and influence you would not take advantage of this situation,’ she said shakily. ‘I expect you to help me find a solution before then.’
Would the need to mark Christmas never leave her? It was like a great black hole she had brought with her from her childhood, a hole that had to be filled—with festive food, dainty ornaments, fat crackers stuffed with plastic gifts and silly jokes and paper crowns…a tree, and presents—there had to be presents…
‘Ms Palmer?’
Lizzie’s eyes cleared and focused again as she looked up at Kemal.
‘I will do whatever I can to help you,’ he said, with an impatient gesture.
Wounding her had brought him no pleasure. And how could he enjoy a woman whose eyes brimmed with tears every time he mentioned Christmas, even if it was just a case of foolish sentiment? Though he still suspected emotional blackmail, there was a haunted look in her eyes that might have been genuine, or might have been some leftover from her acting days. Hadn’t Hugo told him his sister had once dreamed of a life on the stage?
Lizzie’s jaw firmed visibly. ‘If you refuse me, Mr Volkan, I’ll make sure you never do business with my country again.’
Was she threatening him? He almost laughed in her face. ‘Enough, Ms Palmer,’ he snapped, raising one hand to silence her. But the flash of desperation in her eyes made him rein back. He remained still for a moment, until he could see she had become receptive once more, and then added softly, ‘There is no reason for us to become enemies. My name is Kemal. You will use it. And I will call you Lizzie.’
Oh, no, she wasn’t going to fall for the ‘good cop, bad cop’ routine, even played by the same man. ‘I’d like to make the exchange tonight,’ Lizzie said, as if he hadn’t spoken.
‘You are a very demanding woman.’
‘My brother must be home in time for Christmas.’
Kemal held up both hands in a show of surrender to try and slow her down. ‘I realise Christmas is important to you, but who’s to say you might not enjoy Christmas here in Turkey?’
While I’m locked up, presumably? Lizzie thought, her lips tightening.
‘Why not make this Christmas truly memorable?’
Thanks to him, it already was, Lizzie thought, breaking eye contact when she saw the look in Kemal’s eyes. She could not risk offending him by admitting that Christmas in Turkey was the last thing she wanted. ‘I didn’t think you would celebrate the day.’
‘Turkey is predominantly a Muslim country, but my mother was Christian.’ Lizzie was surprised, Kemal noticed, and he seized the moment to explain. ‘Many of the people who work for me celebrate Christmas. I honour every custom wherever I do business.’ What was this? Was he trying to win her favour? It had to be a first for him, Kemal reflected dryly.
‘I see,’ Lizzie said, colour flooding back into her face. ‘Then you do understand—’
No, Kemal thought, I do not. But he would find out. Something troubled him—something behind Lizzie’s eyes. His glance dropped to her lips. The thought of mastering her had been replaced by another, more pressing need: the need to awaken her, to steal away the shadows in her eyes.
Kemal’s senses leapt when he heard Lizzie’s sharp intake of breath, but he
saw that his interest was making her tense.
‘Mr Volkan—’
‘Kemal,’ he reminded her.
‘Kemal.’ The name felt strange on Lizzie’s lips, and yet it rolled off her tongue like melted chocolate, so that she wanted to say it again, and again.
‘You are exhausted,’ he observed, in a softer voice than she had ever heard him use before.
Lizzie was instantly on guard. But she was too slow to resist when Kemal leaned across the desk, and she gasped to see that her own small hand was completely swallowed up in his fist. She snatched it away, but not before she had a chance to be aware of his incredible physical strength.
‘I would like to leave tonight,’ Lizzie said, hoping she sounded calm. Now! Right now! Every sensation she had ever known was concentrated in the hand she was nursing in her lap. It was as if Kemal Volkan had scorched her. ‘I must see my brother before I am locked up—’
‘Locked up? What on earth are you talking about? You will stay here, of course.’
‘Here?’ Lizzie’s gaze darted around the room. She was ready to take Hugo’s place in a cell, in a dungeon—anywhere. Staying here at the palace, under the same roof as Kemal, seemed a far worse fate.
‘This is a very large residence,’ he said, as if reading her mind. ‘The palace is every bit as large as the Hotel Turkoman, where you would have been staying. And here you will have your own suite of rooms, complete independence from me. And before you ask, you will not be inconveniencing me in the slightest. In addition you will have the freedom of the palace gardens, the spa, the swimming pool…’
‘I can’t possibly agree—’
‘Why not?’ Kemal said impatiently. ‘As my guest you will be free to do as you wish. It will not alter the outcome of any discussions between us. You have my word on that.’ He sat back, satisfied that she would stay. It was a fait accompli.
