`You owe me nothing, Belle. You were an innocent victim. It was my duty to find you.’ He paused. `Just as it’s my duty now to keep you safe.’
She frowned. `But I am safe.’
Surely she was? The kidnappers could have no further interest in her. Yet suddenly dread caught the breath in her lungs, clamped down on her shoulders. The memory of leering masked faces swain before her eyes. The thought of her isolated lodgings sent a cold shiver through her.
‘I will make sure you are.’ Rafiq’s voice was deep, as if making a pledge. His expression was steely, his jaw tight.
`We will take no chances with your well being. Until the man hunt is over you will reside here. In the palace.’
CHAPTER FOUR
Stay in the palace? Here? Where he lived? Where she’d see him and be taunted by the impossible fantasies she just couldn’t prevent when he was near? No, thanks.
`That’s not necessary.’ Belle was pleased she sounded so calm, so reasonable, despite her suddenly frenetic heartbeat and the frisson of appalled excitement skittering up her spine.
Ìt is necessary, and so it will be.’ His tone was implacable, his expression determined.
Belle raised a hand to her brow, frowning. She felt as if she’d walked into an alternative reality. One where the unthinkable happened. But after the events of the last days anything seemed possible.
Àre you in pain?’ There was concern in his voice, belying the relaxed poise of his body.
Slowly she shook her head. Ì‘m fine. Just confused.’ And tired.
Suddenly so very, very tired.
`You need rest. We can discuss this in the morning.’ `No!’
He raised his brows, every inch the supercilious monarch. For the first time she saw in him the bone deep arrogance of a man born and bred to rule.
Ì‘d rather discuss it now,’ she said. `Surely there’s no danger any more to me or Duncan?’ But even as she said it she remembered the armed guards posted in the hospital corridors. The thought made her stomach muscles cramp convulsively. Anxiety was never far away now.
`Don’t fret, Belle. You are safe here. Nothing will harm you. You have my word on it.’ Absolute assurance deepened his voice and glinted in his eyes, and Belle responded automatically to his certainty. She felt the tension in her ease a fraction as she met his gaze.
It was inexplicable, but from the first moment she’d seen Rafiq, that night on her prison island, she’d instinctively trusted in his ability to protect her. Even against the force of nature.
`But I will take no chances,’ he continued. `Those behind your kidnapping are desperate. And desperate men act rashly. Especially since they were thwarted of their original purpose. I will keep you close, where I can be sure of your safety.’
She shook her head. The idea of Rafiq keeping her close conjured up far too many insane ideas. Fantasies she’d promised herself not to think of again.
And his reasoning escaped her. She’d gleaned from the hospital staff that the kidnapping had been some political gesture, designed to stir an international incident. No one wanted to harm her now. It wasn’t as if they had a personal grudge against her. Her mind felt thick, her thought processes dull, as she tried to follow his argument.
‘I’d rather return to the team’s house.’ She had to get back to her safe routine, where she could immerse herself in work and try to forget what had happened. Especially now she’d discovered her weakness for Rafiq hadn’t been imaginary-part of the surreal experiences of the past few days.
This attraction was all too real. It was there in her nervous pulse, her uneven breathing, the effervescence in her blood. She’d experienced nothing like it before, and that scared her.
Ì‘ll be fine there, and quite safe. No one will bother me.’ Was it Rafiq she was trying to convince, or herself?
`You will stay here.’ His tone brooked no argument, just as if she had no say in the matter. The look in his eyes told her he had no intention of being swayed by anything as trifling as her preferences.
She felt her hackles rise. Ì think that’s ultimately my decision,’ she snapped, then caught her lip between her teeth as she watched his brows furrow into a black scowl. However unreasonable, he was her host-and a royal prince.
`While you’re in Q’aroum I am responsible for your safety.’ He spoke patiently, as if explaining the obvious. `For such time as I permit your expedition in our waters.’
Belle’s breath snagged at the audacity of the man. Had he just threatened her, ever so subtly? Reminded her that her presence here, and that of the expedition, rested on his goodwill?