Chapter Sixteen
In which there is a proper dinner and Scotch.
Catriona…
The sun is edging toward the horizon by the time we reach the Ourika Valley, heading into Setti Fatma for the night. I watch with some amusement as Lucas pays the driver, barely hiding his impatience as he politely barters on the tip.
Setti Fatma is a traditional Berber village, tourists come here to marvel at the famous seven waterfalls, the red clay homes and colorful restaurants and shops along the river. Several establishments have plump, enticing cushions and seating on the very edge of the rock wall next to the water and I sigh longingly.
“Ye must be starving,” Lucas says, taking my arm. “Let’s find a hotel and order some food. What would ye like?”
“We’ve been living off protein bars and whatever ye could catch in the mountains. We’re ordering everything on the menu.” He laughs, and it feelslike something loosens in my chest.
We check into one of the larger hotels, the woman pointedly eyeing our ring fingers before guiding us to our room. It’s tiny, but clean and elegant, the balcony overlooking the downtown hubbub with chairs and a little table on a vibrant red rug.
“Most of life happens outdoors here,” Lucas says, pulling out his phone and making sure it’s charged. “The terraces and decks are usually bigger and more comfortable than indoors.”
“Makes sense,” I say, eyeing the single bed. And I mean single, it’ll barely fit us both if I lie on top of Lucas like he’s my mattress. The thought sends a bolt of heat through me and I turn away, pretending to focus on the river until I hear him open his phone.
“Chieftain. I have Catriona. She’s safe.”
Hurrying over, I put my face next to his, hearing my Da’s deep sigh. “Thank the Lord. Put her on, please.”
“Da? I’m here.” I’m suddenly all weepy and have to wipe my eyes.
“Catriona! My girl. Your Ma is gonna murder me for not calling her down, but we must talk fast. Where are ye?”
“Setti Fatma,” Lucas interjects. “How do ye want to handle extraction?”
Da’s tone changes. “Aye? That’s excellent. I have a friend who keeps a house in Setti Fatma. He might be there. I know he’ll direct his staff to come for ye if he’s not. Let me make a call. Catriona, are ye awright? That feck Dubois, he dinnae…” He chokes and it makes my heart hurt, hearing my big, strong da get all emotional.
“I’m fine, Da, just grand. He dinnae hurt me and I have so much data to share.” I grin spitefully, thinking of what we can do to this lunatic.
“That’s my good lass,” Da says approvingly. “I’m proud of ye. Ye kept your head.”
“Lucas got me out safe.” I eye his cold expression. I’m thinking he and Da are not yet on warm and friendly terms. “The castle was better guarded than the Crown Jewels, but he had me out and away before they knew what hit ‘em.”
“This is the first safe call we could make,” Lucas says. “Dubois sent out a hell of a search party, but she’s here and unhurt. Have ye heard from any of my team?”
“Aye, five of them, one carrying your friend Morris. I’m sorry.”
Clearing his throat, Lucas keeps his composure. “Thank ye, Chieftain.”
“No, thank ye.” Da chokes up again. “Thank ye for saving my girl.”
Then Lucas says something odd. “ThePakhan, Maksim Morozov, officially released me from his service, a year early.”
There’s a slightest hint of a growl from Da, which he conceals with a cough. “I’ll call ye back with instructions.”
“Oh, I love ye so much,” I croon to my tagine, stirring the lamb stew and stuffing my face with creamy couscous while I wait for the savory stew to cool.
“Are ye talking to me or to the tagine?” Lucas smiles at me wickedly, but he is in no position to judge, he’s on his second round of flatbread and meat skewers. Our amused server has made three trips up to our room, quietly clearing our dishes and brings out a big tray of salads and mint tea when he sees us slowing down slightly.
“Would you care for bottle service, sir?” the waiter asks. “I could bring it with your dessert.”
“I’d love a drink,” I say. The thought of a nice scotch warming my insides right now sounds wonderful.
We’d noticed there wasn’t a bar in this hotel, but in such a traditional Muslim city, we dinnae expect one. For a foreigner, drinking alcohol is acceptable, ye just have to be more subtle about it to show respect.
