Captive- Veiled Desires (17 page)

She squeezed her eyes shut.  She would not care about what Adam did. She would make sure she didn’t.

Adam bounded out of his vehicle and hastily made his way towards his bedroom. He had been eager to see her again. How must she be? Had she missed him?

He couldn’t help smiling as he leaped up the steps.

“Adam!” Basel called out, stopping him in his tracks.

He groaned inwardly. Basel maybe his dearest friend, but it was Nora he wanted to see.

“Adam, did you speak to Jahandar?” Basel asked.

“I did.”

“And so?”

“Jahandar has some issues with Hazrat Zawahiri. He is willing to let go of the matter with Mateen provided we settle some scores on his behalf with Hazrat Zawahiri.”

“That is crazy. We can do something with Mateen. But trying to warn Hazrat Zawahiri is another matter. It’s like disturbing a nest of hornets.”

“We don’t have much of a choice.”

“Choice? Have you lost your mind?!” Basel exclaimed. “We’re putting our women and children at risk. Why do you want this contract so much? We are doing fine as it is.”

“It isn’t enough, Basel. Darul-Ilhaam is growing. And to cater for all those seeking its shelter and protection, we need to make sure we can afford it. Do you want to be the one to start turning people away? Because I sure am not going to take that responsibility.” He observed the man carefully over his brow, hoping he would take the bait.

“Perhaps, we should start turning people away. We need to protect the ones we have at the moment. It isn’t worth the risk, Adam. Why don’t we try another middle-man for the opium?”

Adam swiped a hand tiredly over his face. How could he tell him he didn’t have the time?

“If we work on it thoroughly, we can make it seem that Hazrat stirred trouble first,” Adam said. “Basel, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I only need to make contact with the Americans. And once that is done, we can get rid of Jahandar. Trust me.”

Basel grew quiet. “I do, Adam,” he said at last. “But there is something about this that does not ring right.”

Adam frowned. Was he suspecting something? “It’s risky. That’s what is not right. But isn’t this what Darul-Ilhaam is all about? It’s what makes us the best.” He paused, allowing Basel to think about it. If he had to carry through this crazy mission, he would need someone on his side to convince the rest. “Basel, we need this. This can change our lives. This can change yours. You have a family. You can finally go back and lead a normal life. You can finally leave Darul-Ilhaam and live the life you always wanted.” And when Basel didn’t answer, he added. “Listen, I have a wife in there too. Won’t I be risking her life? I’m gonna make goddamned sure nothing happens to any of them.”

Basel nodded. “Yeah, okay. When do you want me to gather the men?”

“Not now. We have to come up with a plan first. We’ll have to be very careful as to how we’ll pull it off.”

He stalled at the door of his bedroom. What should he say? He knocked on it lightly. He didn’t want to alarm her.

“Nora?” he whispered. He loved the way her name sounded on his lips and he smiled. “Nora.”

He turned the door knob and stepped into his room, eager to see her. But it was empty. His heart stopped, his feet frozen to his spot. Where was she?
Don’t panic, Adam. She might be in the bathroom.

But who was he kidding? There wasn’t a sound from there either. Refusing to believe his senses, he tapped on the door and then opened it.

His pulses picked up pace, pulsating rapidly. Had she escaped? He raced through the room, opening closets and checking under the bed, hoping she was just hiding. And when he couldn’t find her, he grew breathless. Where could she have gone? He braced his neck, trying to think. Surely if she was gone, someone would have found out.

He walked hastily out of the room. The women would know. He should find Husna. A thought chilled his bones. What if the women helped her escape? What if he… never saw her again?

“Husna!” he shouted angrily. “Husna!”

His voice reverberated through the walls of the women’s quarters. Women cowered on seeing him.

He stepped with rage into the hall. The women stopped short of their tasks and recoiled in fear.

“Husna!” he called out furiously.

And then she turned. Nora.

“Nora?”

She didn’t answer, turning back to help Paiman with her vegetables.

Her cold demeanor unsettled him, infuriating him more.

“What are you doing here?!” he ordered.

“What should I have done? Waited for you in our room like a good bride?”

He fumed, stepping closer.

“Excuse me
anaa
,” he said sternly to the older woman. “But I need to talk to my wife!”

He grabbed Nora’s wrist and pulled her up.

“What are you doing?” she screamed. “Let me go, you brute!”

He didn’t reply, pressing his lips tightly as he dragged her up to his room.

He threw open his door and swung her against the wall of his room. He glared down at her angrily as he tried to catch his breath. But as his eyes roved over her face hungrily, his anger subsided. He moved into her, mesmerized and he leaned his head onto her shoulder. He breathed in her scent, feeling the warmth of her body against his. Her smell, her touch… this was all he ever needed in his life.

HAPTER
14

“I missed you,” he whispered against her skin.

His breath tingled her. She loved the way his body melded into hers. She wished they could stay like this forever. She took in a deep breath.

“I didn’t think you would,” she replied curtly. And she hated breaking the moment too. But if she grew any closer to this man, she knew she was more than likely to lose her sanity. He pushed her to the point of delirium, making her weak to her core.

He lifted his head and peered into her face. “What’s wrong?”

“You,” she said. “And this.”

He stepped back, his eyes growing cold. “I guess I misread the signals.”

“Yes, you did. You thought that just because you rescued me from the desert, I would suddenly become the dutiful wife? Well, you’re wrong! I’m still a captive in this godforsaken place! And if I got my chance to escape from this hellhole again, then you damned well believe me, I will.” She minced the words between her teeth.

He glared at her. “I suppose I’ll leave you be then. I won’t bother you again.”

He turned around to walk out the door.

“How could you?” she whispered. But they were loud enough to catch his ears, stopping him in his tracks. “How could you just leave without telling me?”

He didn’t answer as he turned back to her with curiosity.

“Do you know how afraid I was? I didn’t know what to do. I depended on you and you just left me. Here. Alone. Without letting me know.” Her tears began to flood her eyes and slowly trickled down her cheeks.

“I wanted to tell you… I just didn’t know how,” he whispered back, stepping closer to her.

“You could have told me. Like the way you’re doing now.”

“I’ve never had to tell someone where I was going. I’ve never had anyone wait for me to come back home. It doesn’t come easy to me.”

“I felt like you didn’t care. That I held no meaning… value… to you.”

“That’s not true,” he said, reaching out for her face.

“Then what is true?” She raised her eyes, catching his.

He was trapped, mesmerized by her. He moved into her.
What is true? That with each passing day, I’m falling madly in love with you? That it’s difficult to think I could live a life without you in it?”

“That you missed me so much, you spent the last two days with your mistress?” she said curtly.

He stepped back, stunned by her accusation.

“What are you saying?” he uttered slowly.

“Why did you go to Kabul?”

“There are some things I can’t talk about. And Kabul is one of them.”

“Why? Is it because you think I will be offended by your affair? Well, let me assure you, if I were your real wife, I probably would be. But I am
not
your wife.”

His eyes darkened with rage. “You
are
my wife.” He grit between his teeth. “And as for the mistress, I have none. Never had and never will. But I don’t think you are in any state of believing me now.”

“You’re a liar!” she swore at him. “The women have told me that it’s common for men here to have four wives.”

“Yes, it is. But that has never been my thing,” he said, taking a threatening step towards her.

She stepped back, her pulse racing as he inched further towards her.

“I know you need permission to take another wife.” She licked her lips as he slowly breached the gap between them. With the wall behind her, there was no where she could really go anymore. She picked up her chin defiantly. “You have it. Now get out and don’t come back here.”

“I’m glad to know you have my best interests at heart. But that’s not why I am here.”  He braced his hands against the wall, trapping her between his arms.

“Why… why are you here?” She breathed hoarsely. She sounded ridiculous, her emotions caught between her hunger and her passion.

“You really want to know? I don’t think you’re ready to find out,” he whispered against her face.

She closed her eyes, unable to bear his nearness any more. “For godsakes, tell me the truth for once.”

She felt the moistness of his lips against hers, caressing them; tantalizing them to open up for him.

A doze of euphoria raced through her nerves and she involuntary opened her mouth to pull in a sharp breath. He took his opportunity, pushing his tongue into her. She gasped as he plundered the secrets of her mouth. She trembled, unable to stop the wetness growing in her core. She squeezed the lapels of his shirt, lifting herself up to him. His hands moved down to her buttocks, helping her up. She groaned, winding her arms around his neck. She felt him growing hard against her and she opened her mouth wider, letting him play and tease her tongue.

“Adam,” she let out with a soft moan.

He pulled back hesitantly, his desire for her glazing his eyes.

“That’s the truth,” he whispered, leaning his forehead against hers. “I can’t explain how much I want to be with you. It’s up to you to choose to believe me.”

He released her, stepping back from her.

“Adam, don’t go,” she begged.

“I want you, Nora. I really do. And I mean all of you. But I want to know that you trust me. And even if the world condemns me, I want to know you will stand by me.”

“I… can’t, Adam,” she stammered. “Not yet.”

He nodded. “Then you’re not ready for us.” He grew closer. “The first time I make love to you, it will be my right as your husband. Nora… I want your… your…” He hesitated, biting his trembling lips.

He clasped her hand, threading his fingers through hers, and she glanced up at him with curiosity.
What is he doing?

He lifted their clasped hands and settled it on her right breast. He wanted her heart? Tears welled in her eyes. Was he saying he loved her?

He kissed her hand and then turned and walked away, leaving her in an utter daze. What had he done? She could have handled having sex with him. But to love him?

Her staggering legs gave way and she slid down to the floor. She had been denying her feelings for him, hiding behind a thousand excuses to not fall for him. How could she avoid her attraction for him now that she knew he felt the same for her?

He marched out of the room and towards the garage. He needed to get busy with something; anything that would keep his mind off Nora.

He had but uttered that he loved her. He had fallen fast and hard. And he knew if she didn’t feel the same way about him, he would be hurt. But he had to tell her. The torture of her not knowing about his feelings for her ate at him. He needed a sound mind to plan for what was coming. And should he not be successful at pulling off a stunt as warning Hazrat Zawahiri, he’d forever regret not telling her.

He stared at the four wheel drive he had been working on for the past week. There was still a little more to do with it. He opened the tail gate and began to lighten the vehicle of the junk inside. Mentally he noted that he needed to stock it with an emergency jump-starter kit and a better spare wheel.

She was always on his mind. He might never return after the Zawahiri mission. He needed to be sure she would be safe. With him not around, he could never trust her to be as protected as she was now.

For some reason, he recalled the first night when he had met her. His body tensed as flashes of Mateen slamming her against the wall with his hand between her legs flooded his mind. He grew hard and cold. Instincts told him Mateen was capable of returning to finish what he had started.

He needed to make sure she would be safe. He had already made arrangements to see that she would be able to escape without being harmed. But in case that didn’t work out he needed to make sure this one did.

“Adam!” Basel called out.

He lifted his eyebrow as the man paced quickly towards him.

“What’s going on, Basel?”

“I checked up Jahandar’s information. I just got word that Hazrat Zawahiri is indeed in Kandahar. He’s staying at his mistress’s house. If you need to get him, this would be the best time.”

Adam perked his lips in deep thought. “What about his bodyguards?”

“About an entourage of six men posted outside his house.”

“They would be heavily armed.”

“Yeah, they would be.  And I don’t think we’d be able to sneak past them either. The house is barred like a fortress.”

“Hazrat was well-prepared for an attack. He’s built himself a great defense.”

“He knows a lot of people want him dead.”

“I just want him shaking in his boots. Saeed Zawahiri might even leave us be if we don’t kill his son. I don’t need the trouble right now. We have enough to deal with as it is.”

“Do you want me to gather men and draw up a plan?” Basel frowned. “How about an attack tonight?”

“No,” Adam said, shaking his head. “Let’s do it tomorrow. He would be on the alert the first night. He might settle a bit by tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I’ll gather some men so we can go over the plan with them.”

“Just two more,” Adam said quietly. “You and I and two more.”

“But we would be overmatched.”

“Then pick our best. The more people know about this mission the more likely someone’s going to snitch on us. We should act before anyone gets a wind of what we’re up to.”

Amy dialed Travis Mulholland’s number with abated breath. Jake sat across her, watching her carefully.

“Travis Mulholland,” the man said at the other end. “Can I help you?”

“Mr Mulholland, this is Amy Jacobsen. I’m calling about case number-”

“Yes, I remember Miss Jacobsen. You’re calling about Nora Jennings.”

“You have a good memory for someone who works on a lot of cases.”

There was a pause before he replied, “It’s hard to forget you, Miss Jacobsen.”

Amy flushed. The man was openly flirting with her!

“What’s going on?” Jake whispered.