Their Virgin Concubine(39)

“I had no idea.” She wasn’t up on world politics. She tended to stay in her own sheltered corner. What had Tal gone through? What horrors had he faced?

Alea’s voice dropped to a mere whisper. “I was taken as well.”

“By the same radicals?”

She shook her head. “By slavers, but I have my suspicions. My cousins believe that it was a coincidence, but I don’t think so. I was lured to the place of my kidnapping by a note from the Bezakistani Embassy. My cousins think I was simply taken at random, and I don’t have proof, but there are very few people with access to that particular stationary. I don’t want to delve into what happened. Just know that the politics, the pain, are not limited to my cousins. The people who would take down this government will use anyone they care about.”

“Princess?” A deep voice rumbled through the quiet, causing Alea to jump.

“Dane. You frightened me.” She took a deep breath, but straightened up to her full height, a stubborn tilt to her jaw. “Since when does a bodyguard interrupt the royal family’s private meetings?”

The enormous bodyguard’s stark blue eyes narrowed. Piper had been introduced to Dane by Talib a few days before. He’d been pleasant and polite, but now he looked dangerous. “Since the princess became reckless and threatens her cousins’ plans.”

“Don’t you dare question my loyalty to this family or my country, soldier. You know nothing.” Alea turned and stormed away.

Dane seemed to deflate, his shoulders slumping. “Ms. Glen, I apologize for the scene. The princess isn’t fond of me. She only really gets along with Landon. Coop and I are a little too Neanderthal for her tastes. If you would allow me to escort you, the sheikh requests your presence in the main hall. There are a few people he would like you to meet.”

Piper was shaken by the conversation with Alea, but it had oddly crystallized her determination to go on with the evening. Clearly, Talib had his reasons for being aloof. He’d been through hell. Yet he was still gentle with her. The brothers had more difficulty to shoulder than she’d imagined, but they treated her with great care. The thought warmed her.

And Alea was wrong. She wasn’t important enough to be brought into their politics. The relationship she was entering into would be kept quiet. She would almost be their dirty little secret.

But she was willing to risk it—and her heart—for a night or two with them.

She stepped forward and took Dane’s arm, allowing him to lead her down the stairs.

“They’re good men, you know,” Dane said.

Piper glanced up at the rough former SEAL. “I’ve found them to be.”

“They’ll do everything they can to keep you safe. And so will I. After tonight, you’ll be a high priority.”

She blushed. Did everyone have to know about their fling? “I don’t know about that. I don’t need any added attention.”

“Like it or not, if you follow through with what the sheikh wants, you will be important.”

“Maybe for a little while.”

“Forever, Piper. I hope I can call you Piper. Just know that we’re going to be here to take care of you, the same way we watch out for the brat princess.”

Piper sighed. “She’s not a brat. She’s been through a lot.”

“We all go through a lot, Piper. How we handle the pain we’ve been dealt is the way we’re measured in life. We can take it and let it mold us into better people or we can allow it to tear us down. The princess hasn’t figured out which way she’s going yet. I’m not the only one who would help her, but she shuts everyone out.”

“Piper!” Kade’s voice rang out over the ballroom floor. His face lit up as he strode across the room. His brother joined him, Rafe peeling away from the crowd. They were perfect in their tuxedoes. Kade was broad and so masculine she nearly sighed. Rafe looked like he’d just prowled off the cover of a magazine.

Dane smiled, his mouth quirking up. “I can see you’re going to be in good hands. Just remember, Piper, my team is here for you should you need help. We take care of this family.”

He stepped back as Kade and Rafe descended, both reaching for her hands. She wasn’t family, but just for tonight, she felt like she belonged. It was a lovely feeling.



* * * *



Talib turned slightly as the American ambassador said something about trade agreements. It was the kind of thing he should pay close attention to, but Piper was walking down the stairs on the arm of his bodyguard. A brutal flash of jealousy split his soul. He had the sudden, almost overwhelming urge to plant his fist in Dane’s face. His hand was on her arm, guiding her down the stairs. She was wearing a white gown that skimmed her curves and molded to her breasts, the fabric looking almost transparent in certain lights as it shimmered.