The Rogue's Fortune

As he was leaving Waverly’s, his phone rang. It was Smith.

“Got them,” the former marine said.

Relief rushed through Roark. “They okay?”

“Fine.” Behind Smith were the sounds of laughter and conversation. “We’ll be in New York by tomorrow.”

“Bring them to the loft. They can stay here until we can make sure Fadira is safe from her father and Khouri.”

Roark caught a cab and headed to the apartment Darius and Sabeen shared. She would be anxious for word about her brother and Roark wanted to talk to her about what she’d done to Elizabeth.

“Your brother and Fadira are safe and heading to New York,” Roark said when Sabeen opened the door.

With a cry she hugged him. “I’ve been so worried.”

And Roark could see that she had been. All at once she was the happy young girl she’d been before her father’s death.

“Let’s have a drink and celebrate.” She caught Roark’s hand and led him toward the couch.

“I can’t stay.”

“One drink,” she cajoled.

Roark twisted free of her grip and crossed his arms over his chest.

She pouted. “What’s wrong?”

“You ask that, after what you did to Elizabeth at the gala?”

Defiance flared in her eyes. “You’re angry because everyone knows you aren’t engaged?”

“I asked you to keep quiet about what you knew, not broadcast my business to the media. Elizabeth has lost her job. Waverly’s is in more trouble than ever. What were you thinking?”

“That if she was out of your life you would see that I’m all the woman you’ll ever need.”

“That’s your excuse? You were jealous of a woman I was pretending to be engaged to?” He downplayed his deeper feelings for Elizabeth to give his reprimand more punch.

“She might be pretending, but you are not.” Sabeen rushed at the desk and placed both palms on its surface. “I see how you look at her. You’re in love with her, and she doesn’t feel the same way.”

Sabeen’s accusation smacked into his diaphragm. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he told her.

“You don’t think I know when a woman’s in love? She feels it here.” With a dramatic flourish, Sabeen covered her heart with her right hand. “And it shows here.” She gestured to her eyes.

Pain bloomed in Roark’s head. Was Sabeen right about Elizabeth? If she loved him wouldn’t she want him in her life? His thoughts retreated to his afternoon with Elizabeth. He’d glimpsed something in her gaze as he’d made love to her, but had he mistaken passion for love?

And what did it matter anyway? She’d made her feelings clear. Their relationship was over. She would have her baby. He would return to hunting antiquities. They’d enjoyed a few delightful weeks. Made memories he could reflect on the next time he got stuck in the jungle for months on end.

“Look in my eyes,” Sabeen continued. She cupped his head and met his gaze. “See how I burn for you.”

Roark did look, but all he saw was insecurity. Sabeen had latched on to him as a lifeline after her father’s death. At the time she’d been young and frightened by the loss of a second parent in six years. Today, she was no longer a child, but a capable woman with the ability to take care of herself. Time she discovered that.

“I’m taking away your allowance until you prove to me you’re ready to accept responsibility for your inheritance. This week’s stunt demonstrates that you are a child in a woman’s body. Everything has come easily for you and you’ve not matured because of it.”

She obviously wasn’t expecting this. Her nostrils flared. “I am a woman. A woman who loves you.”

“A child who loves me. Like an older brother.” Clarity startled him with its sudden appearance. “That’s it, isn’t it? Darius has won his princess and plans to marry her. You’re afraid that Elizabeth will take me away from you. That’s why you sabotaged her. You’re afraid to be alone.”

A fat tear rolled down Sabeen’s cheek, but her eyes remained confrontational. “I hate you.” She pushed away from his chair and raced out of the room.