Hard Choices (Blood Brothers #6)

by Manda Mellett

  “We, as being MI6?” I ask, wondering if he’s going to be straight for once.

  Hunter shrugs. He’s not going to admit it.

  “We fight.” My eyes go to Rais. The fierce looking desert sheikh looks murderous. No stranger to battle, I’m not surprised that suggestion came from him.

  Kadar’s staring at him. “I’m all for direct action. But against what? Amir al-Fahri’s a phantom. No one knows where he is, otherwise the battle would’ve been taken to him long before now.”

  Rais doesn’t look like the emir’s comments have bothered him. He shrugs. “We draw him out.”

  Looking interested, Nijad leans forwards. “And how do you suggest we do that?”

  Rais gives a twisted grin. “We lure him into a trap.” As all eyes go to him, he puts a hand to his forehead and talks as he formulates a plan. “I take Aiza to the Desert Palace in Z̧almā. That takes away any reason for him making an attack here.”

  “Not happening,” I tell him forcefully. “The Desert Palace, as I understand it, is smaller and more open to attack.”

  Rais spares me a dismissive glance. “I don’t think it’s up to you.”

  “I’ve asked her to marry me!” I protest. “And…”

  “She’s not your wife yet.” Kadar stops me, giving me one of his haughtiest looks. “Carry on, Rais, I’m listening.”

  Rais nods. “It’s obvious al-Fahri’s got the hots for her. He’ll pull out all the stops to take her. We’ll be prepared and take him instead.”

  Hunter looks interested. He lifts his hand. “Number of reasons why I don’t think Rais’s idea should be dismissed out of hand.” He pulls at his first finger. “One, al-Fahri will know she won’t be there for good. She’ll not want to be confined to the desert at all knowing her, so this has to be a temporary measure. If he’s going to try to take her there, he won’t wait long before making his move. He’ll think it an easier target to attack.” He pulls at the second finger. “Secondly, we can put all our resources in one place…”

  “The Haimi will be out in force.” Rais refers to his tribe, their reputation as warriors being known as a legend even in Alair.

  “Agreed, Rais. Thank you.”

  “Thirdly, we can have intelligence officers descend on the place.” He pauses and puts his hand down. “I’ll have to check in, though I reckon this is the best chance we’ve ever had of getting this bastard once and for all.”

  “Cut the head off the snake and another will grow.”

  “Rais, my old friend, you’re right. Hopefully it will take them time to regroup after al-Fahri is gone.”

  The way they’re talking, he’ll be dead, not languishing in a prison cell. And fuck it if I don’t think that’s the best thing to happen to him. He’s after my woman, after all.

  Jasim’s face looks pinched. “She’s not going to like risking herself as a target again.”

  “If she stays here,” Nijad says, looking equally upset, “the lives of our children will be at risk. Aiza loves all the kids, she’s not going to want to put them in danger.”

  “I will speak with her,” Kadar states. A shadow comes over his face, and I don’t understand why. Is he thinking she will refuse?

  I try to put myself in her shoes. She’s been through too much in the last few days. The woman who sat next to me on the bench was not the feisty woman I remember meeting before or seeing while I was abroad. In many ways, this softer version is more appealing, more fitting to be by my side. And definitely easier to handle. I don’t like confrontation, either between myself and my future wife, or if I’d need to sooth over any feathers she ruffles.

  “She’s not herself,” Hunter observes, voicing my own thoughts aloud. “She’s not the same woman I spent the night with or brought here on the plane.

  Nijad growls, “I hope you didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

  I want to smile. Nijad’s always had a thing about Hunter and his wife. Now it appears to extend to his sister as well. But I’m also interested in the answer. Hunter wouldn’t have, would he?

  Hunter raises a brow as he turns to the youngest Kassis brother. “Are you suggesting I’d act anything other than professionally?” he challenges.

  Nijad gives him a steely gaze, though he doesn’t reply. Instead, he looks at Kadar. “I shall, of course, go to Z̧almā.”

  As Jasim goes to speak Kadar stops him. “No. The three of us will stay here. We can’t divert all our forces to the desert city, in case al-Farhi decides it will hurt us more to harm our children.”

  Nijad and Jasim exchange glances, seeming to have a silent conversation, obviously realising the need to protect their offspring. Then together they give identical nods. I’ve noticed it before, but you could be fooled into believing they are twins. “We’ll stay.” They even speak at once.

  Kadar continues, “Rais. You’ll be in charge of security in the Palace of Z̧almā. I expect you to move into the palace.”

  “Of course, Excellency.”

  “I’ll go too.” I want to stay close to Aiza and play my part in keeping her safe.

  “Prince, that’s a generous offer. But as we don’t know when he will strike, you may be there for a while.”

  Raising and lowering my shoulders, I inform him, “I can stay as long as it takes.” As the second son I don’t have an official role in my country and my presence wouldn’t be missed. Espcially if my father knew I was courting Aiza.

  “Then we must thank you.” Kadar raises his chin.

  “Hunter?”

  “I’ll have to clear it with Ben, though there’s no doubt he’ll send a team from Grade A, and it’s almost certain I’ll be heading it up. I’ve spent the most time of anyone in the southern desert.”

  “I’ll be in charge.” Rais seems to want to make that clear. He glances at Hunter and then to myself.

  Well, somebody has to be. Too many people shouting orders could lead to confusion. I nod. Hunter’s a little slower, then he agrees too.

  “I can’t stress on you how important it is to keep Aiza safe.” Kadar still looks worried.

  “Why does she have to be there?” Hunter asks. “We can dress someone up to look like her, take the decoy down there under massive security, while sneaking Aiza out of the country.”

  Kadar slowly nods, and then smiles. “I like that plan.”

  “I don’t,” Rais snarls. “Here we can put all our resources into protecting her. The Haimi and myself will die before they see any harm befall her. If she goes somewhere else, we won’t have any guarantees al-Fahri might not find her. He’s got his fingers into far too many pies. She’d need to stay completely out of sight.”

  Hunter’s nodding. “In her current state of mind, I believe she needs friends around her.”

  Nijad doesn’t look convinced. “Grade A could provide protection.”

  Their representative at the table shakes his head. “Again, our men could be recognised. We’d have to use operatives that can’t be connected to her. If she’s going to be exposed, I’d want our best men on it. The vast majority of those have provided services for Amahad in the past.”

  Kadar wipes his hand over his beard. “A way-out-there thought... What about that motorcycle club in America? The one that gave Zoe’s friend, Sophie, protection. No one would think of looking for a princess in the Satan’s Devils compound.”

  Even the name makes me shudder. No, I don’t want my woman associated with men such as them, however much Kadar might like the idea.

  Again Rais growls. “Fucking bikers. That race was rigged. Had to be.”

  “The Native American won fair and square, Rais. No doubt about it.” Nijad grins as he toys with his friend.

  And then the penny drops. They must have been the strange group of leather-clad men who attended the emir’s wedding. I still remember how astonished Rais was when one of them proved he could ride a flesh and blood horse well enough to beat his best warriors. I smile, then immediately stop. The desert sheikh is not looking amus
ed.

  “It is an option. In my view, Aiza’s been through enough and needs to be in familiar surroundings. Why don’t we keep that suggestion on the back burner in case we need a plan B? Devil works with the Satan’s Devils’ computer guy a lot, so can always ask them for assistance.”

  Nijad’s nodding. “Cara talks to them too. Strange bunch of men, but their hearts are in the right place.”

  Kadar nods and grows serious again. “I’ll speak to Aiza, and unless she raises a valid objection she’ll be going to the southern desert. As for myself, I’d prefer her to stay on Amahadian soil.”

  I nod, conceding his point and agreeing with him. Until she’s my wife and comes to Alair.

  Chapter 21

  Aiza

  I’m trying to focus on a book—I’m rereading one of Dexie Sanders—when there’s a loud knock at my door, and Kadar enters the sitting room of my suite. As I go to rise he waves me back down, then comes over and seats himself on a chair opposite. Removing his headdress, he places it beside him and immediately looks less formidable.

  “How are you, Aiza?” He stares at me, concerned.

  “I’m good,” I say lightly, trying to put him at ease.

  “Really?” One brow rises.

  Shrugging, I don’t know what to say. If truth be told, I’m not sure who I am anymore. Physically I’ve recovered, even those darn bruises around my neck have faded completely. Inside me, though, something has changed. I’ve not got the confidence that I previously had. I’m constantly jumping at my own shadow, thinking it’s someone coming to kidnap me, and each night I have nightmares that I’m still on that yacht, even though logically I know Twafiq is dead and won’t be coming back.

  “I’m sorry, Aiza.”

  I tilt my head to one side. “For what?” He had no part to play in my abduction.

  Suddenly he stands, his robes swirling around him. He walks to the side of the room and then back again. “Because I don’t know if you’re back to normal or not. How can I tell? I don’t even know you.”

  “Kadar…”

  He spins. “No, Aiza. Let me get this out.” His hands brush over his shortly shorn hair. “When we were children it was understandable. The age difference between us meant that three older boys had nothing in common with a little girl playing with dolls. Our training and education took us away from you.” Again I go to speak, his palm held towards me forestays me. “There was no such excuse when we became older. When our father died I should have done more to get to know you.”

  For a second time I shrug. “I was settled in Switzerland.”

  A snide glance. “But you weren’t, were you?”

  Pursing my lips. I grimace. “Not all the time, no.”

  “You weren’t out partying with your girlfriends as everyone thought. You were studying. Something I hadn’t given you credit for or even believed you would do. Fuck knows why.”

  Again, my tilted head prompts further explanation.

  “You’re a Kassis. Intelligence doesn’t keep to the male line.”

  I laugh. “Our father thought that it did.”

  “I’m not our father.” He’s certainly not. Our father would never have credited me with having a brain. To him I was just a commodity to further his political aims. Not only was I female and otherwise worthless, in his view I’d murdered my mother by being born. Rushdi had wanted nothing to do with me.

  “I’m sorry, Aiza. I’d like to make up for not making the effort to get to know you in the past.”

  “There’s nothing to apologise for, big brother.” I smile.

  “Yes there is. I called you home because you had been threatened. If it had all gone to plan I would have lectured you, admonished you for how you live your life. I would have treated you the same as our father would have done.” The admission surprises me. “When you were kidnapped, that’s when it hit me. You’re my sibling as much as Jasim and Nijad. While I don’t always agree with their choices in life, I understand them, as I know them. I’ve never taken the time to get to understand you.” Again his hands tunnel through his hair. “I didn’t know how you’d react, what you were feeling. Whether you could be strong, or whether they would break you.”

  Now I rise, going over and taking both his hands in mine and doing something I never thought I’d be doing. Going on tiptoe, I plant a kiss on the cheek of the emir. “They didn’t break me. Damaged me a bit, but I’m still here. I will get over it. Especially with the help of my brothers.”

  His hands encircle mine. “I’ll never dismiss you again, Aiza. I want to have the chance to find out more about the person you really are.”

  Tugging gently on one hand, I lead him over to the couch. I sit down, and when he copies my action I squeeze his fingers. “I’d like to have a chance to learn about you, Kadar. It’s not all your fault. I’ve been avoiding coming home, as I couldn’t get the thought out of my head that you might want to control me in the same way as our father. I’m a person in my own right, not a pawn to be used for Amahad.”

  Reaching out the hand I’m not holding, he tenderly brushes a tendril of hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. An affectionate gesture, and I find myself leaning into his touch. “Rushdi expected you to marry Rami. I know Rami has asked for your hand. I want you to know that I’ll support you, whatever your answer is.”

  “Thank you, Kadar.” I look down, and then back at his face. “I think I’m going to accept.”

  He doesn’t have the reaction I thought he would. Instead he frowns. “Oh, Aiza. I only ask you do nothing in a hurry. Make a decision you might come to regret because you’ve just come through a horrific ordeal. Think it through carefully, take your time. If you do agree to marry Rami, make sure that you’re doing it for all the right reasons.”

  I thought he would have been delighted. That he’s cautious gives me cause for pause. Maybe he’s right and I shouldn’t decide so hastily. Having gone quiet, Kadar mistakes my reason.

  “I want you to know, you needn’t have unnecessary worries. Rami knows.”

  Now he’s confused me. “Knows what?” I turn to look at him again.

  Kadar won’t meet my eye. “That if you did take him as your husband he wouldn’t be getting a virgin bride.”

  “What the hell?” As thought it had burst into flames and burned me, I drop the hand I’m still holding.

  Now he turns back and raises an eyebrow, and there’s a smirk on his face. “Seems you’re more like your brothers than we gave you credit for. You’ve been seen playing in clubs.” He grins, then grows serious again. “There, I do know something about you. I just wanted to reassure you if you were worried about having to come clean.”

  What conversations have my brothers been having about me?

  Feeling myself flush, I realise the fact that Rami might be expecting a virgin bride had been the last thing on my mind. While we might share the same taste in entertainment, I don’t want to discuss BDSM clubs with my brother. “I appreciate you coming to see me, Kadar. Though I have doubts it was just for a catch-up chat?” Something tells me there’s more to his visit, and I’d rather talk about something different.

  “No. There’s something I need to discuss with you.” Watching him closely I see a cloud pass across his face, then feel myself pale as he explains about the new threat against me.

  Now it’s my turn to stand and start to pace. “Of course I need to leave the palace.” There’s no doubt about it. I can’t bear the thought of the children being at risk. “I’d prefer not to go to the desert.”

  “I’m not asking you to sleep in a tent, Aiza. You will, of course, be staying in the palace.”

  “Who says I wouldn’t like staying in a tent?” I wink at him cheekily. “In fact, that sounds much more exciting.

  He snorts. “I told you I didn’t know you.”

  “Well, I don’t live as a pampered princess.” I’m serious again as I walk to the other side of the room and then back. “Have you any idea how long I’ll be there for?�
��

  “To be honest, I’ve no idea, Aiza. You’ll not be in the back of beyond, you know. There’s WiFi in the palace. And telephones. The office areas have been completely modernised.”

  I nod, then place my fingers to my lips as I start thinking, caught unawares by a bubble of excitement thinking of visiting the desert. I haven’t been to Z̧almā since I was a child. I used to love playing in the palace where everything was far less formal than here. Though the circumstances are not particularly thrilling, there are worse places I could be.

  “Rais will be in charge of your security. He’s calling on the tribes, particularly his own, the Haimi, to provide warriors.” The Haimi have a fierce and well-deserved reputation. If anyone can keep me safe, they can. “Oh, and Rami has invited himself along. I think he wants to press his suit.”

  Rais will be there. And Rami. My hand goes to my lips as I remember the kisses earlier today. Huh. All I need now is for Hunter to complete the trio.

  “Of course there’ll be a team from Grade A which will be led by Hunter.”

  I turn away and put my hand fully over my mouth to suppress the burst of laughter that tries to come out. Fuck knows what I’ll be getting myself into. Then I grow cold and wrap my arms around myself. I’m still not over my previous kidnap, and now I’m setting myself up to be taken again.

  Eyeing my big brother, I admit, “I’m scared, Kadar.”

  Kadar gets to his feet and comes over, taking both my hands in his. “Amir al-Fahri wants you. Wherever you go, Aiza, you’ll be looking over your shoulder. If I could do anything to spare you that, I would. We’ve talked it through, and I believe this is the best way to protect you. Al-Fahri is wanted the world over. MI6 and the CIA will be getting involved, and Britain’s sending some SAS, America some SEALS, maybe even a Delta Force team. The Australian SAS want in on it too. The upshot is we’ll have the best intelligence we can get, and the most highly trained men all with one aim in mind, the capture of al-Fahri and his top men. And by taking him, they’ll save you.”