Did you really think that someone like me would fall in love with someone like you?
Maybe not, but someone like her had certainly fallen in love with him. That’s what made it so much harder.
Looking over her shoulder, she stared at the Christmas tree lying on the floor. It had barely stood five-feet tall, and it was skinnier than she was. Most of the branches were broken off, but it had been the nicest tree she could find this close to Christmas. The multi-colored lights reflected off the cheap silver balls, as it lay there on the floor looking like a victim of a late night car crash. The blinking lights reminded her of the lights from the vehicles of emergency responders. The angel topper was lying on her side, staring sightlessly at her.
It had been the most beautiful tree she’d ever seen because she and Samir had decorated it. Now, it looked as dead as she wanted to feel inside.
Closing her eyes, she steadied herself. When she felt stronger, she grabbed the keys and yanked the doo
r open. Welcoming the cold blast of air, she stepped out into the snow.
Christmas could go straight to hell.
Knocking his head against the window, Samir stared outside as the lights of the city blurred together. The city was lit up with Christmas lights and decorations, and it made everything worse.
“Be glad that you found out when you did,” Melka said gently. “At least it can all be dealt with quietly.”
“That’s hardly the point,” Samir snarled. “She used me. I actually thought…never mind.”
His bodyguard shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “She’s a professional. I’m sure there were many powerful men that fell under her charm. I could see that she was a snake from the very beginning.”
“You did, didn’t you?” Samir said quietly as he returned his attention back to the window. “How did you know?”
“I didn’t like the way you looked at her.”
Confused, Samir turned and stared at him. “You mean the way that she looked at me?”
“Yeah. Sorry. I’m tired.”
“But she barely looked at me at all in the beginning,” Samir pushed. He wanted to know how his bodyguard had seen what he could not. “She was determined not to fall for my seduction.”
Melka shrugged. “Yes, well, women usually fall all over you, don’t they? It only stood to reason that she had an agenda.” He leaned forward and tapped the taxi driver on the shoulder. “Can you hurry it up? I’d like to make it to the airport before this next snow storm hits.”
“I’m sorry, sir. The roads are icy,” the driver apologized.
Samir frowned. “You correctly judged the entire woman simply because she didn’t want to sleep with me? I admit that I have a track record, but I was bound to face rejection sooner or later. There had to have been some other reason.”
“She didn’t treat you with the respect that you deserved,” Melka growled suddenly. “You are more than your reputation. You are a good man with the weight of royalty on your shoulders. You’re charitable and smart, and at the very least, she should have respected you because you were a Sheikh. Instead, she saw you as nothing more than a playboy.”
“Melka, calm down,” Samir said as he cracked a smile. His bodyguard was always the first to defend him. “I get it. You got a bad vibe from her.”
“I trust my instincts.”
“She played her role well. I actually felt like a hero when I found her in that shed. Her phobia seemed so real. I’m such an idiot,” Samir murmured. “She probably closed herself up in that shed.”
“Probably,” Melka agreed.
It triggered a memory, and Samir frowned. “But you know that’s not true because Taj admitted to accidentally shutting the door.”
“Right.” Melka cleared his throat. “Maybe they were in on it together. I’ll look into it.”
Turning his head, Samir stared at him. “You knew that Taj accidentally closed the door because he told you over the phone.”
Melka’s jaw clenched and he avoided Samir’s gaze. Something was wrong. He pushed. “You wouldn’t have been able to make that phone call if Poppy had put a signal jammer in the safe house.”
“She must have placed it after,” Melka muttered.
Samir narrowed his eyes. “Maybe. I called Jarik too.”