But which tent? He didn’t have a lot of time to accomplish his mission. And just as he had bribed the guards surrounding the camp, he planned to do the same to assassinate the king. Hate for the royal family bubbled up within him, its acidic taste searing his mouth. He swiped a hand over his chest and grimaced at the pain his wounds still produced. All because of her.
As silent as a snake, he slithered from tent to tent, peering inside as he made his way through the camp. He slammed his fist into the sand. Where was the bitch?
A sound behind him jerked him out of his revenge-filled daydream. There, standing with his shoulder wedged against a supporting pole of the tent, leaned the prince. What the hell was he doing out here at this hour? Had he heard him? Was he searching for him? Did one of his men betray him? No, the prince’s head was in his hands, and he swore a litany of curse words a mile long. He smirked. So His Royal Highness was having a bad day. Sorry. He should try living his life where you had to scrounge for food like he did when in captivity, not knowing if you would see another sunrise. All thanks to Candace Danvers. Well, he didn’t want to cross blades with the prince, his reputation for being a renowned warrior was widely known. And from what he’d witnessed this morning, well-deserved. He swallowed down his disappointment at not locating Candace. Damn. He wanted to put an end to her. Well, he sheathed his knife and scurried out of the camp. Again. He swallowed the ball of hate that constricted his throat. Candace Danvers would have to wait. But not for long. That woman, that traitor, who left him for dead, left him to be tortured and humiliated, was living on borrowed time, and he couldn’t wait to end her life. A shiver of excitement rifled through him. Soon, he promised himself, soon he would have his revenge, and he would enjoy every minute of it.
~ ~ ~
Diyari leaned against the pole, the gravity of his problems pressing down on him. Pitch black, the glow from the dying campfire his only light source, he stared out into the darkness. It must be late, too late, for him to be standing out here like some fool. And this—he threw his arms up into the air—was the fifth night in a row he couldn’t close his eyes and sleep. The press of his obligations crushed him. His biggest fear had come to fruition. He’d fallen, fallen hard for a woman he could never have. “Damn.” He swore out loud. Why now, why her? He’d always prided himself on being a rolling stone, allowing no woman to tempt him beyond an affair, a couple of dates, a few presents, and then good-bye. He’d always been the one to walk away. Until now. He’d plummeted head over heels for the beautiful CIA agent.
It was laughable actually. Him. Completely ensnared by a woman who could bring down his whole kingdom.
No, he swore under his breath, he might not be sure of a lot of things, but Candace meant him and his family no harm. Are you sure about that? The question teased him. Because if you are wrong . . . He paced across the front of the tent, his whole being tensed with the anticipation of having her beneath him. But one nagging question stuck in his gut . . . why hadn’t she told him she was CIA? The only possible answer . . . she didn’t trust him. And that revelation produced a spiraling wave of anguish into his very being.
His eyebrows knitted together as a hint of a noise snared his attention. He glanced out over the encampment as he fought to pinpoint the disturbance. He’d definitely heard something. Where was that sound coming from? He stepped back into the cover of the tent. Narrowing his eyes, he jerked his head toward the crunch of sand as he continued to survey the area around him. The wind kicked up. Blowing dust wreaked havoc on the camp’s outer perimeter, producing a vapor of sand he squinted to see through. Cupping his hand over his eyes, he peered through the heavy veil.
His phone vibrating against his thigh snared his attention. He glanced at the number and answered. “Taj what’s up?”
“I’m sorry to wake you. Can you talk?”
A frown marred his face, as his breath quickened. “Of course.”
After checking his surroundings, he lowered his head, concentrating fully on Taj’s words as wind and sand slashed at his robes. “This group, The National Resistance Group, is being led by an American.”
Diyari’s whole world narrowed to a pinpoint. “Candace?”
“No, it’s a man, but we might want to get her take on this,” Taj answered.
Yeah, he wanted to get her take on it all right. The two of them needed to have a little talk. And then . . .
“Do you have a name?” Diyari implored.
“We’re working on it. I’ll brief you as soon as I know something. Keep your guard up.”
The crunch of footsteps swung Diyari’s head around. In the distance he swore he saw a flash of movement. No, he convinced himself, it’s just the wind. “Stay on this. Who knows where this may lead,” Diyari rumbled.
“Sorry to wake you, but I thought you should be aware of this breaking situation.”
“Don’t worry about waking me, I haven’t slept in days.”
“Candace keeping you up all night?” Taj chuckled.
Diyari’s lips lifted into a sly smile, “Yes, but not in the way your dirty mind imagines.”
With Taj’s laughter ringing in his ears, he disconnected the call. Yeah, wasn’t he the guy who spouted off about needing a woman who was a challenge? Well buddy, your challenge just eclipsed into a down-right life and death situation.
Chapter 8
If Candace never saw another wedding dress for the rest of her life, it would be okay by her. She’d been trying on gowns for hours. Mounds of petticoats and lace sliding over her head every time she changed dresses. And it was hot! Too hot to be buried under miles and miles of cloth that gave her a bell shape. Even with the pumped in air-conditioning sweat beaded on her upper lip and dripped between her breasts. And this corset was digging into the underside of her boobs. She’d have a bruise tomorrow. Constantly, she tugged at the expensive material, fighting to get it back in place. The white thigh highs and pastel blue garters created another torture. Her time would be better spent doing recon, but she had to maintain her cover. Last night after telling Diyari she was taking a long bath, she slipped out and spied boot prints before the wind erased all evidence of someone spying on the camp. Today, Diyari had royal business to attend to. Something about goats and his brother, Khalid. Seems like once again, according to Diyari, Khalid would slip the noose of marriage.
Slowly she drew in a long breath and released it in tiny increments as she conserved her patience before stepping out in front of Nina.
Determined to find the perfect dress, Nina and her friends strived to view every single dress Candace transported with her. And she’d brought a ton. Proceeding at this pace, it would take an entire week to perfect their choice. Candace swiped at the drops of sweat trickling down her neck, she leaned into the cold blast of air from the portable air-conditioner, raised her arm, and let the icy air blow down the front of her dress, all but sighing with pleasure. They had a lot of decisions to make in the next two days before Nina was due back at the archeological dig. After her investigation last night, she’d sent another report to John Grey, documenting her findings. His orders stated she should keep her eyes open and report anything out of the ordinary. Did she need to report she’d fallen for the handsome sheik? That she loved a man who could never be hers? That she was impatient to consummate that love?
Nina sat amid eight of her friends, babbling like a school girl on a playground. Candace smiled at the close kinship the girls obviously shared. Besties in any culture.
As they neared the dinner hour, they had all but finished their marathon dress session but paused long enough to sample the extravagant meal set out before them. Not taking the time to change, she still wore the last dress Nina appeared to be crazy about. She draped a huge beach towel around her to prevent an accident.
Starting with the ice water, she drained the bottled water in one gulp. Then, famished fro
m the long day, she devoured the fresh fruits and herbed chicken. The entire meal was delicious, and she consumed every bite. Chatting and laughing with the group of women, she felt as if she belonged. A few minutes later, Nina asked to have a private word with her. As they entered Nina’s quarters, Nina reached for her hand and enclosed it.
“Candace, about my brother and you,” Nina’s soft and cautious voice continued, “You know he’s bound by contract to marry Princess Naomi when he ascends to the throne.” Her voice dropped into an understanding mode as she patted Candace’s hand.
Candace’s whole body stiffened. “I’m well aware of the obligations the sheik must adhere to.”
Nina tilted her head to the side, “No, I don’t think either Diyari or you realize what you’re doing.”
Where was she going with this? This reprimand?
She wasn’t a child. She’d come to love Nina like a sister but what went on between Diyari and her really wasn’t any of Nina’s business. Still. She was Diyari’s sister, and a princess of B’Quara. Candace would allow her a few questions. “Of course we do. We are being very discreet. We’re not going to cross a line of no return.”
Nina stared at her, the amazement in her eyes localizing on her. A deep sorrow appeared to overtake her. “Candace, you’ve already crossed the line. I see it when you look at him.”
Candace glanced away, unable to face the censure in Nina’s eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m here solely to assist in planning your wedding.” And to protect your father.
Nina held her hands out in front of her. “You don’t expect me to believe that, do you? I’ve seen the way you look at each other. A blind man could see how you two feel about each other.”
“I repeat, I’m here to plan your wedding,” she lied, her gaze fixating on the entrance to the tent. Where was Diyari when she needed him? He would know how to handle his sister’s increasingly probing questions. She didn’t have a clue. “It’s my job, Nina. A job your brother hired me to complete.”
Nina shook her head. “Now you are lying to yourself.”
“I am not!” She withdrew her hand, offended.
“Can you honestly look me in the eyes and tell me you’re not in love with Diyari?”
“I . . . I . . .” Candace stuttered, fighting for a way to keep Nina from guessing her true feelings.
Nina’s shoulders sagged as she realized she spoke the truth. “I didn’t think so. I got the same exact reaction from Diyari.”
“You did?” It was a good thing Nina couldn’t read her inner thoughts, or she’d really have something to worry about. This newly revealed information made her heart sing. Diyari had deep-seated feelings for her. Could it be true? And would those feelings still exist when she informed him she was a CIA operative? She should have told him from the very beginning. Maybe . . .
“You must know how he feels about you. But think about the consequences of pursuing this relationship. Candace, listen to me.” Nina shook her head. “Diyari and you can never be together. It’s not going to happen, no matter how much you both wish it. You’re living in a fairytale. He’s bound to marry Princess Naomi. He’ll marry her and produce the next heir to the throne.”
Could Nina hear the pounding of her heart? The misery of knowing Nina spoke the truth suffused her. Candace took a step back. “I’m not here to prevent that from happening.”
“Not on purpose, but the fact remains. You can’t have him, he belongs to someone else. Get that into your head. Nothing is going to change the situation. Nothing. Do you hear me?”
Candace closed her eyes, wishing to be anywhere but here. “Diyari made that very clear the first time we met.”
Nina paced away from her, then turned back. “Things have changed between you. Everyone is talking. The glances, the long stares, the playful teasing you both share. From the moment those pictures appeared in the newspapers, I knew my brother was in over his head. He’s always the coolest customer on the planet with his women, but with you . . . he’s different. Out of control one moment and content the next. This is so not my older brother. He is ruled by honor and duty. You’re doing something to him, and this whole little affair is going to blow up in his face.”
No, more than likely, it was going to blow up in hers. Candace placed her hands on her hips. “Diyari isn’t going to marry me, Nina. He’ll marry Princess Naomi exactly as planned.” There, she’d clearly stated the words crushing her world every time she imagined giving him up.
She loved him.
Nina crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re absolutely right. He’ll fulfill his obligations. He’s always been a staunch supporter of us taking care of our responsibilities. He’ll marry Princess Naomi for the sake of the kingdom. You both need to face facts and come to your senses. Forget about this love affair. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Candace’s hands fisted at her sides as her heart plummeted to her toes. Disappointment snaked through her, ripping her confidence to shreds. Her shoulders sagged. Yes, of course, she understood. It was her body that wept for his touch. Her body craved his, constantly cried out for his. For his kiss. She couldn’t control these feelings, couldn’t stop them. Diyari and she were like runaway trains on a collision course—they were going to make love no matter the consequences.
Nina pointed a finger at her. “You’re deceiving yourself if you think he’ll walk away from the crown. I know my brother. He’s been training for this since infancy. Nothing and no one possess enough power to change his course.” Her eyes narrowed on Candace. “Not even you.” She paused, letting the magnitude of her words sink in before adding, “Am I making myself clear?”
Candace bit the inside of her cheek, hard, tasting the metallic tang of blood, to refrain from firing back the words she knew would end her employment. Nina was making herself clear all right. Crystal clear. She wasn’t dense. She understood Diyari and she weren’t going to be together forever. Yes, she’d have to accept that, deal with it on a daily basis. She’d been wrestling with those overwhelming emotions since he told her he was committed to Princess Naomi. He’d been nothing but forthcoming about his inability to be with her after this job was completed. She ground her teeth together. “Yes, you’re extremely clear.”
Nina laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’m not saying this to hurt you. You’re a great woman. And if my brother were anyone else, I’d welcome you with open arms. But he’s not. He’s the Royal Highness of B’Quara. Heir to the throne.”
Nina’s words of warning weighed heavy on her heart. Candace’s temper, along with her irritation, began to take a toll. Building tears blurred her vision. She held up a hand to halt any further comments that were breaking her heart. “Really, you can stop now. I get your point.”
But Nina wasn’t giving up. “Do you? Because Diyari doesn’t. He keeps blowing me off, telling me not to interfere in his private affairs. He’s not thinking straight. Men never do when they are involved with a woman.” Nina grasped her forearm. “I need you to keep a clear head about this predicament.” The same emerald eyes as Diyari’s drilled into her.
So she was a predicament? Good to know. Candace walked away from her. “Your brother is a grown man. Maybe you should let him be the judge of his own actions.”
Nina pursed her lips. “Perfect. Maybe Princess Naomi will get wind of Diyari’s new love and refuse to marry him. Then we’ll all be involved in a royal scandal. We need the land and the money she brings with her to give B’Quara a new lease on the spice and gems market. Diyari has to marry her to keep this kingdom intact.”
His kingdom wasn’t intact at the moment. His oil fields had been blown to bits and forces of The National Resistance Group were mounting against him and his father. They were sitting on a powder keg. Her affair with Diyari was the least of their worries. Tomorrow this whole kingdom could be dust. Candace’s an
ger flashed, and pointing a finger at Nina’s face, she began, “Don’t make me out to be the bad guy here, Nina. I’m the one who is going to walk away with nothing. All I’ll have when this is over is another professional reference and a broken heart. Does that seem fair? I know I can’t have him. Everyone has made that perfectly clear from the start. Even Diyari. So back off and let me enjoy the little time Diyari and I have together. I promise I’ll be gone when this is over, and he will marry his golden goose.”
Disbelief clogged Nina’s wide-eyed stare.
Candace picked up the mounds of lace of the wedding dress and walked toward the others. “Let’s just get back to the wedding preparations and forget about your brother and me. Okay?”
“A . . . sure,” Nina replied, staring at her with her mouth open.
The last thing she wanted was a royal scandal because she fell in love with a man who was heir to the throne of B’Quara. She understood Nina’s position. Yes, she did, and when the time came, she’d pick up her belongings and head back to the United States. Without Diyari. How could she make that any clearer? She wasn’t here to make trouble. She was here to do her job. She threw her hands up into the air. What did she need to do to make them understand? What? Please, someone tell her. How? How did one say goodbye without looking back? How did one cut the cord on a love of a lifetime?
Minutes later, with her temper under control but her heart still hurting from the fact that she would have to walk away, she shrugged off her sensation of hopelessness and decided to face whatever she must. She slid the next wedding dress over her head. Her hands had finally stopped shaking. She connected the diamond tiara and cathedral length veil expertly. An aura of extreme femininity settled over her as she walked out to where Nina and her friends were seated for another round of viewing, the visible tension rocking her not forgotten but reduced greatly. Like Cinderella at the ball, she pirouetted in the silk confection.
For the Sheik's Pleasure (Sheiks in Love Book 2) Page 18
