Page 29 of Warlord’s Empire

Saskia ran her finger around the rim of the teacup. It was fine china with a silver frond pattern on the outside. She remembered what Radik had told her about Nikka being a potential ally.

As Nikka turned to leave, Saskia said, “What are you doing now? Can you stay and have tea with me?”

Nikka hesitated, as if trying to come up with an excuse, before shrugging. “I guess I can. I was going to help Nonna chop veggies for supper, but I can do it later.” She sat in one of the chairs and pulled it up to the table, reaching for a biscuit.

Saskia watched her smear cream then jam on the pastry before taking a bite, closing her eyes and sighing as she swallowed. Her golden eyes sparkled when she opened them. “Nonna is the best cook in the whole Congo.”

“I believe it,” Saskia said, thinking of her meal the night before.

She picked up the teapot and poured out tea first for Nikka, then for herself. Her mother had taught her from an early age how to properly serve tea.

Nikka added a generous helping of cream to hers followed by a spoonful of sugar. Saskia took hers without.

“Radik told me how you and your grandmother came to live here,” Saskia said, hoping Nikka wouldn’t mind discussing it. “I’m sorry you were driven from your home. That must have been awful for you.”

Nikka shrugged, her gaze lifting to meet Saskia’s before dropping to her teacup. “It wasn’t easy, but we managed. Nonna has always taken care of me and I’m very attached to her. Only death can make me leave her side.”

It was a dramatic statement, but then, Saskia was beginning to think Nikka had a dramatic streak to her. “I admire your loyalty to her. She’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one,” Nikka was quick to correct. “Do you not have anyone in your life that you feel this kind of loyalty to?”

Radik was the first person to pop into her head. Oh damn. How could she possibly give her loyalty to the man who kidnapped her, taking her freedom of choice away? Easily, she signed internally. Every hour she spent with him, she fell a little more in love. It was terrifying.

“I’m loyal to my sister,” she said. “We weren’t close when we were young, but since Leeza has had children, we’ve developed a close bond.”

Nikka’s face softened. “I love kids. I definitely want to have some one day.” She finished her biscuit, licking the jam from her fingers. “What about you? Do you want kids?”

“I uh… I…” Saskia had no idea how to respond. She’d never thought about children before. She’d been so focused on her career, babies had become a far-off concept she didn’t need to think about for at least another decade. Turning the focus back on Nikka, Saskia asked, “Are you seeing anyone? Is there the possibility of children in your future?”

Nikka’s dusky cheeks turned a deep red and she dipped her head. “Uh huh, there’s a guy I’m kind of interested in.”

Saskia was intrigued. “Who is he? Have I met him?”

The blush took on an even deeper hue. “I think you have. His name is Nuani. He’s Radik’s second-in-command.”

Saskia’s jaw dropped and she smashed a hand over her mouth, trying to catch a giggle from escaping. She did not succeed and Nikka sent her a sharp look.

“You don’t think he can be interested in me?” she huffed. “I’ll tell you something, he took me out for ice cream one day when we got a shipment of goods in. He came right up to the house and asked me to go with him. Said he didn’t want me missing out. If that’s not a man in love, I don’t know what is.”

Saskia clamped her lips together, but she couldn’t help herself and the laughter spilled out.

Nikka looked like she wanted to hit Saskia with the teapot. “Stop laughing at me!”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” Saskia swallowed her laughter, putting on a serious face. “Of course you’re going to get his attention, you’re beautiful and full of life. I was laughing because he’s so… so… militant.” She pictured the grim-faced soldier who looked like he had a steel rod rammed up his backside. “And you’re so opposite of that.”

Nikka looked somewhat mollified. “You just described yourself and Radik, so I guess we’re in good company.”

Saskia blinked, then lifted her teacup, tapping it against Nikka’s. “Indeed, we are. Here’s to you and Nuani. May you get everything you wish for with him.”

Chapter Fourteen

Havel’s hand curved over Leeza’s shoulder lending her strength with his reassuring presence. She wanted to turn into his arms, to beg him to hold her and promise her everything would be okay, but she couldn’t. Not while they were interrogating the Silver Swan Hotel staff. She had to appear strong, in charge of her emotions, even if she was screaming on the inside, the worry for her sister overwhelming her.

He bent to murmur in her ear. “It’s going to be okay. Saskia is intelligent and resourceful. She’ll find her way back to us if we don’t find her first.”

Leeza nodded, afraid if she spoke she would burst into tears. Saskia was in the hands of a ruthless warlord whose name made even the worst of villains shake in their boots. How could she possibly be okay? What was he doing to her?

“Trust me,” Havel said, his lips brushing the sensitive spot behind her ear before he straightened and took his place next to Jozef. Lined up in front of him in the hotel kitchen were the staff who had interacted with Saskia in the days leading up to her disappearance.