Page 31 of Tangled IN LIES (IN YOU 3)

“Good night,” I whisper, yawning.

Mark’s scent wraps around me, just like his protective hands cradling me. I can’t force them open again. I let the day slip away. Tension leaves my body and I let go.

****

A tremor works up my spine as a chilly breeze wisps against my back, coming through the open window. When the sensation of someone sleeping next to me registers, I become alert.

Mark. He came back.

My eyes snap open and I find him staring at me with soft eyes from sleep and messy hair sticking in every direction.

“Morning,” he rasps.

“Morning,” I reply, trying to ignore the heat seeping from his palm on my waist into my skin.

To distract myself, I swing my gaze around the room to see if the maids have sneaked in on us. They did this yesterday and I haven’t figured out how yet.

His finger grazes my cheek, bringing my focus back to him. “Have they hurt you?”

“No,” I quickly tell him. “What’s going on, Mark?” I speak in a hushed tone, afraid someone might overhear us.

Last night, the urgency in his tone made me believe I must be watchful of how I conduct myself around these people. I might be a free woman in the world I came from, but not here. The rules are different here. Forced hospitality on us doesn’t warrant my confidence either.

“General Abbas was trying to figure out who’s hijacking my trucks too. He arranged his men to monitor the Moudis’ warehouse. General Abbas wanted to see who he might catch on the other end.”

Shit! And he did. Us.

“Did you explain to him about the problems we’re dealing with?”

He nods and digs his gaze into mine. My skin tightens. Why is Mark this wary? Unless he doesn’t trust what he learned from Abbas. Did anyone tell the General about this particular shipment, or did he just get lucky?

“Is he worried you’re going to retaliate?” If the General’s goal is to prevent conflict, whose side is he on?

Mark presses a finger to his lips. “Be careful. I still don’t know what the General’s role in all of this is. You might be right about the bigger player. I think he’s trying to keep me away from finding out who it is.” He rubs a lock of my hair between his fingers. “By the way, I told them you’re my fiancée. Couldn’t chance them thinking you’re an unclaimed woman in their folds.”

I blink, surprised as my pulse throbs against my neck, thick like syrup. But I ignore it, push it down. Not wanting to acknowledge how his words affect me. There are many other things to worry about.

“I thought this trip was going to be safe.” I dig my gaze into his, and he squeezes my hand in reassurance.

“You’re safe. This is just a little hiccup. I haven’t expected Aaron to be this deep with some anonymous big shots that the Saudi police force is getting involved. General Abbas avoided telling me who’s funding these operations, but I think he knows.”

“What are we going to do now?”

He stands. His silky black pants cascade down his firm legs. His muscles ripple as he walks toward the window.

“Yesterday, Abbas invited us to the ball in Istanbul. We’re leaving tomorrow at noon. Every Middle East big shot will be there. It’s one of the biggest and most exclusive events of the year. Great opportunity to network and get exposure.”

The way he says it, I believe we have no choice in the matter. No, the General is definitely forcing our hand with this. But why? Is it to hide the people who're trying to sabotage us or to aid them?

I study Mark’s calm, calculated demeanor, and I have a strong feeling he has a plan or an ace up his sleeve. This man didn’t become successful playing by other people's rules. No, he’s the one who calls the shots.

However, we need to tread carefully here, not to cause conflict, but rather resolve it before it escalates.

My eyebrows crease. “What about our plans here at Medina?”

He turns to tell me as the door clicks open and a woman announces Abbas’ arrival.

Mark moves closer to the bed, blocking me, his stance wide, shoulders tight like sentinels. The General saunters into the room before I can grab a scarf and cover myself.

---