Rico swore out loud, viciously and fluently. His emotional cowardice had led to this disaster. He’d wanted the very best for Halina, and instead he’d dumped her in the worst situation possible. With his mouth hardening into a grim line of determination, Rico reached for his phone. He’d rescued Halina once before. He could do it again. Only this time it might take a little more finesse.
* * *
Several hours later, Rico had found his way forward thanks to a few crucial phone calls. He booked a flight to Bahari and within hours of landing he had a royal audience with the Sultan. Forty-five minutes later, their business was concluded and, after spending the night at a hotel in the desert country’s capital city, he booked another flight to Abkar.
He stood in front of the royal palace, soldiers barring his way, the golden stone of the palace shimmering under the hot desert sun.
‘You may tell the Sultan I am here in regard to Princess Halina’s forthcoming marriage. I have crucial news that I know he will want to hear.’
The soldiers glared at him uncertainly before one gave a terse nod and spoke Arabic into an intercom. Several tense minutes later Rico was admitted to the palace and led to a small, spartan waiting room.
The Sultan kept him waiting for nearly an hour before he finally deigned to make an appearance. Rico didn’t mind. He wasn’t going to play the man’s petty games, and he wasn’t going to fall prey to them either. Not any more.
‘How surprising to see you here,’ the Sultan remarked, his eyes cold, any pretence at friendliness dropped. ‘I cannot begin to imagine what you have to say to me in regard to the Princess’s marriage, but I decided to humour you.’ He folded his arms. ‘So, say what you will and then be gone.’
‘The Sultan of Bahari has called off the marriage.’
Hassan’s eyes narrowed. ‘You are talking nonsense.’
‘I am not. If you wish for it to be confirmed, you may call him.’ He held out his phone, his eyes glinting with challenge. ‘I have access to his private line.’
‘What have you done?’ Hassan ground out, staring at Rico’s phone as if it were a snake poised to strike.
‘Why don’t you find out?’
Wordlessly Hassan snatched the phone and swiped to dial. Seconds later they both heard ringing and then the Sultan of Bahari’s unctuous voice. Hassan listened for several taut seconds, his expression becoming grimmer and grimmer, before he ended the call and flung the phone at Rico. Rico caught it neatly.
‘Very clever, Falcone. Very clever.’
‘It is too bad for you that the Sultan prefers racehorses to wives.’
‘How much did it cost you to buy him that horse?’ Hassan asked scornfully. ‘Millions? Money wasted. I am not letting Halina go.’
‘Yes, you are,’ Rico said evenly. ‘Because, if you don’t, I will do everything in my power, give everything I have, to ruin you. And trust me, Hassan, it can be done. I’ve only just begun, and I enjoy a challenge.’
Hassan stared at him for a long moment, his eyes cold, his jaw tight. ‘What does it matter so much to you?’ he finally asked. ‘You’ve had dozens—no, hundreds—of women. She’s but one. Why can’t you leave her alone?’
‘If she wants me to leave her alone, I will. But that’s her choice,’ Rico returned. ‘Not yours.’
Another minute passed, taut with suppressed tension and resentment. Then Hassan shrugged. ‘Fine. She’s damaged goods anyway, and I would be hard pressed to find someone suitable to take her now. Do what you like with her, but she will not be welcome back here.’
‘That,’ Rico answered, ‘is your loss.’
A short while later he stood in front of the doors to a more ornate reception room, his heart beginning to hammer as doubt chased him yet again. He’d acted precipitously, out of concern for Halina, but what if it had cost her her family? What if she would have rather married the damned Sultan? There was only one way to find out.
Taking a deep breath, Rico opened the doors. Halina was standing on the far side of the room, once again looking pale and gaunt despite the roundness of her belly. She whirled around as he came into the room, her mouth dropping open in shock.
‘Rico...’
‘Did your father not tell you I was here?’
‘No one’s told me anything.’ She drew a shuddering breath. ‘I’m to marry the Sultan of Bahari...’
‘No, you’re not. The wedding’s off.’
She stared at him in confusion. ‘What?’
‘I made a deal with the Sultan of Bahari. He agreed to call off the wedding, in exchange for a racehorse he has been wanting for many years.’