Page 29 of Zain

“You don’t have to do that,” Brick insisted.

Ali beamed. “Of course I do. You’ll have a hell of a time finding reliable transit without my help. But that’s what friends are for.”

“I hope you’ll send Backcountry Protection a bill for your services these last couple of days,” Brick added.

“Don’t mention it.”

Zain took a bite of bacon and eggs then set his fork down. “Tell me,” he said to Ali. “What do you do for a living?”

The chef brought in Ali’s plate, and he thanked him in Pashto before shaking out a linen napkin and laying it across his lap. “Many things,” he finally replied. “My work is primarily in mining, but I dabble in technology.”

The vague response made Dana shift her attention to Brick then Zain, who bobbed his head slowly. “Must be hard running such a successful company under Jaysh’s nose. I’m sure they’re particular about who they allow to profit around here.”

Ali held his fork and knife with the tips of his fingers, almost awkward in his properness. Yet Zain’s question didn’t seem to ruffle his feathers. He didn’t even blink at the insinuation.

Brick cleared his throat before Ali could respond. “Ali’s a powerful opponent. He’s done many things to fight radical ideals.”

“One learns to make the deals that are necessary to stay afloat. Sometimes your enemies are your closest friends.” Ali finally drew his focus from his plate and smiled around the table. “Please let me know if there’s anything you need for your trip home. I’m happy to accommodate.”

If that was his way of shutting down the conversation, he’d done it well. Zain’s brow stayed in a fixed, even line, and Dana wished she could stretch her leg far enough to kick him under the table.

It was one thing to have suspicions, but another to make accusations. If Ali suspected they distrusted him, they could very well get on his bad side. And she really, really wanted to board that plane today.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to pack.” She looked in Zain’s direction as she stood.

He also got to his feet and smiled at Ali. “Thank you for breakfast and your hospitality. I have a phone call to make before we leave. Dana, I’ll see you to your room.” He waited for her to round the table and precede him down the hallway.

She reached her bedroom and slipped inside, waiting for Zain to follow her. He came in and closed the door, his face hard and his stance rigid. “Cameras,” he whispered.

Shit. She’d completely forgotten. To talk, she’d have to get close. She took a step forward, bringingher body against his.

His hand snaked easily around her waist, and he turned her so his back shielded them from the camera.

Let Ali think there was something between them. She didn’t care. What she needed was to find out what the hell Zain was worried about.

He brought his lips to her ear. “You do inconspicuous really well.” His warm breath tickled her skin and her loins clenched.

He was so big. His body encased hers with its broad build and staggering height. Delicious need danced along her nerve endings.

“Just following your lead from last night,” she said, feigning innocence. Yes, she wanted to talk to Zain without suspicion, but she also wanted to test the waters. To see if her body responded to him the same way after some food and sleep—and yup, sure did.

The tingling sensation deep in her abdomen had had nothing to do with exhaustion or confusion and everything to do with the large alpha male warming her core with his steely abs pressed close to her chest.

Good lord, she was playing with fire.

He nuzzled her neck, and ripples of gooseflesh raced down her back.

“Act like you like this.” His hand tensed on the small of her back, pulling her closer to him.

She tipped back her head and closed her eyes.To an onlooker, she’d appear to be lost in her lover’s arms...

But that’s not what this was.

His lips touched her earlobe, so soft she thought her overstimulated brain had imagined it. She gripped his shirt, needing to feel his mouth on her again. Would he kiss her?

Her heart sped up.

“Ali’s a threat,” he murmured.

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