Protecting the Desert Princess(16)

                ‘What does your pregnancy have to do with my life?’ Layla demanded. ‘I am supposed to put my one chance for freedom to the side because you are growing a baby…?’ Layla gave an incredulous laugh. ‘I never realised you were so precious, Trinity. Let me speak with my brother—clearly you are supposed to avoid the real world for the next six months.’

                Mikael listened as she continued speaking to Trinity, who was surely pleading with her to go back before the situation got out of hand.

                ‘I think one week of freedom is a very good deal,’ Layla said. ‘And I warn you: if you tell my father—if you look for me—then I shall take my barrister’s advice and go to an embassy.’ Layla handed Mikael the phone. ‘My brother wants to speak with you again.’

                ‘Whoever you are—’ Zahid’s voice was still supremely calm but it cracked near the end of his words ‘—please look after her.’

                Mikael was just about to point out that that wasn’t in his job description, but then he looked over to Layla.

                How could he send her out onto the streets alone?

                ‘She’ll be fine,’ Mikael said.

                ‘I need your word.’

                ‘Hey,’ Mikael said, ‘you’re not my client.’

                ‘I’ll be paying your bill,’ Zahid said, and Mikael ended the call and threw the phone on the desk and looked at his problem.

                ‘You are trouble,’ he said, and Layla smiled.

                ‘I know that I am.’





                                      CHAPTER FIVE

                WHERE TO HOUSE the runaway princess? Mikael thought as her eyes lit on his chessboard and she walked across his office.

                ‘Leave it!’ he warned, because he played against himself and chess was part of his process when he was working through a case and needed fifteen minutes away from it at a time.

                ‘But I can see checkmate!’ Layla said.

                ‘Layla!’ Mikael warned again, and strode over. ‘Leave it!’

                He pointed his finger at her and blinked as her teeth made a biting noise and she smiled widely at him.

                She was like a little wild animal.

                Sex had previously been the last thing on his mind.

                That would happen after the trial—as soon as possible after the trial—when Mikael would make up for all he had missed out on as he surfaced to the world.

                Sex, though, was right at the front of his mind now—and starting to make itself known elsewhere.

                ‘Come on.’ His voice was brusque as he opened his office door. ‘Wendy…’ he called as Layla followed him out, but then Mikael halted. It would be easier to drop her off himself than explain it all to Wendy, so they walked together to his car.

                ‘This is your car!’ Layla clearly approved. ‘It is very beautiful.’

                ‘Thank you.’

                ‘I’d love to drive it.’