Malik’s maid scurried toward the entrance, but he held up a hand, stopping her.
“I’ll see who it is,” he said, striding forward.
Count Montego stood, bags in hand, when he swung open the door.
His expression was smooth, unreadable.
“I’ve brought your goods, Roman, as promised.” He handed the bags to Malik before his gaze settled on me. “And where might you be headed?”
I hesitated. A man like Montego never asked a question without an agenda.
Still, I answered. “Great Britain. Wales. We’re on a quest to find a certain artifact.”
Montego’s face brightened with delight. “How fortunate! That’s where I’m heading, too! What do you say we combine forces and travel together? I have everything you need to transport safely.”
Something in his casual offer set my nerves on edge.
I glanced toward Malik, expecting him to shut the idea down.
Instead, he merely shrugged and stepped aside.
Damn it.
I forced a polite smile. “That’s a generous offer, but we can’t impose on you.”
Montego waved a hand dismissively as if I had said something absurd. “Nonsense.” Without waiting for permission, he stepped inside, eyes sweeping the room.
Then, his gaze landed on Emily.
He smiled—wide, charming, too interested.
“And who is this?”
Emily shifted uncomfortably, placing a protective hand over her belly.
“I’m Emily. Emily Demarrias,” she said, her voice tinged with quiet sadness. “I’m with child.”
Her complexion was pallid, the queasiness of the morning sickness written all over her face.
Montego tut-tutted in sympathy. “I’ll send for a nursemaid who will tend to her needs. We must ensure she is comfortable. It’s quite a journey, after all.”
He bent down and effortlessly picked up two of our bags, his casual assertion of control tightening my stomach.
I snapped a look at Roman, expecting a protest.
Instead, he shrugged silently in acquiescence, his expression unreadable.
We both knew it.
The decision had been made for us.
Montego turned to me, his voice a smooth command. “I insist you accompany me to my villa in Wales.” His lips curled slightly. “It will be no hindrance—a delight to have your company.”
Then, without another word, he stepped outside with our luggage, his final decree hanging in the air.
Leaving us no choice but to follow.
Chapter 30
