His Stubborn Lover (Slade Security Team 1)

Brock finished debriefing Slade by phone, but Slade insisted on catching a fast flight to Jawhara. “We damn near screwed up and that means I need to talk to Kamal in person.”

“Can’t argue with that,” Brock said and hung up. If it hadn’t been for Keira’s idea, they’d still be tearing the palace apart, looking for Erin. He wasn’t sure what had given her the idea to lay in wait for Maela—or why she might be a part of it. Maybe just that gut instinct he was trying to encourage in her. But it had worked.

By afternoon, everyone had finished yelling, the sheikh’s temper had been softened by his wife’s urging him to moderate action, and Maela was back in control of the palace and running everything with perfect efficiency and a bland face that gave away none of her thoughts. Brock wondered if Slade was going to try to recruit her—she was one hell of a lady, but her kind of blind loyalty was also a little scary.

Heading out to the garden, Brock found Slade enjoying his tea on the terrace. “Nice day,” Brock said. He sat down in the chair opposite Slade.

Slade nodded. He had the look of a man who could be anything from thirty to fifty. He’d exchanged his usual suit for a T-shirt and jeans, but the boots on his feet said he’d been ready to arrive here and take action. Brock resisted the urge to fidget.

Slade sipped his tea. “Any day you see the sun rise and you’re not bleeding is good. I spoke with Kamal. He still has worries. With so much upheaval in the neighboring country, and political pressure coming from many different directions, his security teams have been pulling double duty for most of the last two weeks. I’d like you to think about staying on. Talib and PJ—I’d like to give them a chance for a real honeymoon, and they can’t have that if they’re hip deep in security issues.”

Brock nodded. “When’s PJ tying the knot?”

“Talib agreed to postpone their wedding for a short time, but I think he’s got some idea of carrying PJ off on camel back to the desert.”

Brock grinned. “PJ’s going to love that. Camels and sand. I give them two days at most before they’re back in the best hotel in Jawhara.”

“PJ might make it three—she does love the guy. What do you think of Keira?”

Putting his stare on the gardeners, who were trimming trees that didn’t need much trimming, Brock thought over his answer. One wrong word from him and Keira would be stuck on a desk job, doing research or some other support role. She might hate it, but she’d be safe. But maybe that was part of the problem.

Maela had wanted Erin and her baby to be safe—she was willing to stuff Erin into a secure room just to get to that end, and it didn’t matter if Erin liked it or not. That could be part of the problem—getting pushed to the background wasn’t fun for anyone. It’d been hell on Brock for him to let Keira take the lead last night, but it had also given him a new appreciation for being the one who had to do the watching and waiting. No wonder Tayra had left him.

“Well?” Slade asked. Brock could feel Slade focus on him—it was an uncanny feeling, like being pinned to a wall.

“Well, what?” Brock demanded. No sense in being shy around Slade.

“Are you staying in Jawhara? I think Keira should stay as well. She seems to have made a connection to Maela that could prove invaluable. Of course, this will mean I’m down several team members, so I’ll have to go hunting for replacements.”

Brock grinned. “You know I’m irreplaceable.”

“Which is why Kamal wants you here.” He stood. “I also have some things to attend to stateside. Private business.”

Frowning now, Brock stood as well. “You need help?”

“If there’s something that needs it, I’ll fill you in at that time. But I can take care of business my own way. I’d rather have you here. Jewel Oil needs better security at the drilling sites—here and in California. But I may send Trent and Travis to look after the California rigs.”

“Surfer cover—they’d be perfect. I’ll let you know if I hear from anyone looking for work.”

Slade nodded, shook Brock’s hand. “Just make sure they’re clean. You know how I hate surprises.”

Brock walked Slade to the courtyard and to his car—a Tesla he had waiting for him. He watched Slade drive away and thought about the offer to stay in Jawhara—no leaving, Keira staying with him. Would she go for it? He knew only one way to find out.

Heading inside, he found her in her bathroom, just finishing a shower. He slipped up behind her and covered her eyes with one hand. “Guess who?”

She turned around, a Turkish towel wrapped around her. “Uh…Santa Claus?”

“Close enough.” He took her hand and pulled her wi

th him to the bed. Pulling her against him, he kissed the very breath from her. She dropped her towel, but he stepped back and shook his head. “Not yet.”

“Why not?” She stepped back and crossed her arms. “You’ve had second thoughts? We’re done, so we’re done?”

He grabbed her hand, kissed her palms. “Will you stop jumping the gun? Dammit, I’m trying to tell you something.”

She grabbed his collar. “Tell me in bed. After.” Pulling him with her, she stepped back and fell onto the bed. He had no choice but to go with her or lose his shirt.

He had no problem with either of those things. He lost his shirt anyway. She stripped it off of him. He stood up to strip off his shoes, pants, and socks.