2
ADARA
Ashriek rises in my throat as strong arms come up around me. My whole life, I’ve been told that bad people are out to get us. I’ve been surrounded by guards I’ve been told would sacrifice themselves for me. I fell asleep to bedtime stories about kidnappings and assassination attempts and then a few years ago, lived through such an attempt on my brother’s life.
I’ve always been careful. I assumed in New York no one would care about us, but as my brother says, trouble can find us anywhere. Adrenaline surges through my body and I flex my arm, driving my elbow back into a solid wall of muscle. The man grunts and tightens his arms around me, cursing when I stamp down hard on his foot.
“What the hell?” His voice is a deep grumble I don’t recognize in my ear.
“Let me go,” I grind out between clenched teeth.
Instantly, the man releases me, and I spring forward lunging for the door. The red light blinks mockingly as I first try pulling, then pushing at the door. I press my forehead against the cold metal, waiting for the plunge of a blade between my shoulders, or for a black hood to drop down, stealing my sight.
“Forget your access card?”
A shiver wracks through me at the sound of his deep voice behind me. Is it possible he’s not here to kill me?
I draw in a shuddery breath and turn, only to lose whatever oxygen was in my body as I focus on the man in front of me. I’m no stranger to handsome men. My brothers are frequently lauded for their attractiveness, and I’ve seen movies. I even once got to attend a premiere where I met one of the Hemsworth brothers, and my body did not react like this.
He is tall, probably taller than Bashir, my brother’s right hand, and Bashir is the tallest man I know. His shoulders are just as wide and encased in a suit that somehow enhances his muscular build. The suit is designer and perfectly tailored, the gray fabric a perfect complement to his tan skin. His hair is as dark as a raven’s wing, and cut short, although it’s a little longer across his forehead. He’s older than me, probably older than Kedar, who is nine years older than me, but it doesn’t diminish how gorgeous he is. There’s something striking about him, and I can’t look away. Blue eyes twinkle at me, and I swear, if he’s here to kidnap me, he only has to ask nicely.
My mouth opens and closes, and I realize I probably look like an idiot. He arches a single dark brow. “Do you speak English?”
I nod.
“I’m sorry I scared you. I wasn’t expecting anyone to come through the door.” He looks over my shoulder. “Do you have an access card?”
I shake my head.
He studies me. “Can you speak?” he asks softly.
I straighten my shoulders, and breathe out a whisper of a reply, “I can.”
“Oh, good. For a second there I thought I might have scared you speechless.” He laughs and my nipples bead under my dress. I’m shocked by my reaction to him.
“Doyouhave an access card?” I ask, wondering how I’m going to get back onto the floor. I didn’t even grab my phone when I ducked out.Stupid.Surely someone will come looking for me soon.
A rueful grin appears, making him look a little younger. “I do, but it won’t be activated until this afternoon. I’m just checking things out.”
He’s part of the group meeting with my brother then. Maybe security, although I wouldn’t have expected a security detail to be so well-dressed.
“What about you?” he asks. “Where are you going?”
“I just needed some fresh air.”
“Are you with the entourage?”
I frown and he continues, waving at the door. “This floor is secure and reserved for the royal family. Are you with the princess?”
Oh.Oh.He doesn’t know who I am. I nod again, not really lying if I don’t verbalize it. “I left so quickly I must have forgotten my pass.”
“Is she awful?” he asks, tilting his head.
“Who?” I need to stop gawking at him and think of a way out of this.
“The princess? It looks like you were desperately trying to escape.”
“Oh, no. I…” I think quickly. “It’s just been so busy, and I haven’t had time to see any of the hotel. I opened this door without thinking to see where it led.”
