Page 92 of Warlord’s Empire

Shola curled her lip in disgust and stood. “C’mon, grab your coat. We’ll go shopping before your appointment. Get you some clothes that fit.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my bodyguard?” Saskia was happy with Shola’s suggestion, but the Shola of a few weeks ago would never have suggested taking Saskia into a public place where she could be vulnerable to potential attack.

Shola opened the door once Saskia had her coat on and zipped to her throat. “You need some fresh air,” Shola said. “Besides, your cousin has enough heat on you, even the King of England couldn’t get near you.”

“He does?” Saskia asked, surprised.

Shola nodded, leading Saskia out of the building, bodily covering her until they reached the car, which was pulling up to the curb. “You haven’t left your apartment in a week so you don’t see them.” She pointed out the window at two adjacent buildings. “Snipers on each roof. People on the ground and someone in the hallway outside your door as well as someone in the stairwell.”

Saskia was shocked. “I had no idea.” Should she be impressed or horrified by that level of security? “Seems like overkill.”

“They’re good at blending in,” Shola said. “I think your cousin is worried that we haven’t found the people involved in your attack in Pretoria. Radik is worried too.”

“That’s why he sent you,” Saskia pointed out.

Shola laughed and shook her head. “No, he sent a contingent of mercenaries to keep an eye on you. I’m here as your personal bodyguard and companion, something he would have insisted on even if there wasn’t a threat to your life.”

“Wow,” Saskia breathed, sinking into her seat. She was stunned. According to Shola there were a ton of people following her around and keeping an eye on her, yet, except for Shola, she hadn’t seen a single person.

And for some reason she didn’t hate the idea. She would have a year ago, but now? She smoothed her hand over her bump and shuddered. Now she wanted all the protection she could get.

She was safer in the DRC, with Radik. More isolated. Whoever had targeted her and Auralia hadn’t been able to get to her there, so she’d let her concern fade. Now she was back in Prague and much more vulnerable to whomever had attacked her in Pretoria.

And she no longer had just her own safety to think of.

She clasped Shola’s hand, squeezing it. “Thank you for being here with me.”

Shola seemed to understand and squeezed back without a word.

Their shopping trip was unexpectedly enjoyable, Shola insisting Saskia spare no expense in getting everything she would need for herself and the baby. Saskia tried to stop her when she pulled out a credit card.

“I’m not taking his money,” Saskia insisted, her hand on Shola’s arm as Shola tried to give the card to a shop assistant.

Shola turned to Saskia and said in a low voice, “Your baby daddy is richer than god. We’re not just talking millions, but billions. I know you have your own money, but he needs to take some responsibility for this baby, even if it’s only financial.”

“I don’t know,” Saskia said doubtfully.

Shola gave her a penetrating look. “Imagine his face when he looks over his credit card bill and sees a bunch of baby purchases. It’ll make him squirm in his chair. Consider it our petty revenge.”

A giggle burst from Saskia and she let Shola’s arm go. “Do it.” She turned on the spot, perusing the store. “In fact, I don’t think I’m done yet.”

After purchasing enough maternity outfits for several pregnancies, Shola and Saskia went to a baby store and picked out a cradle, a rocking chair, and a change table. “They’re so beautiful,” Saskia said, pleased with her purchases. She ran her hand over the white wooden railing of the floor model crib.

“It’s time to go to the hospital for your appointment,” Shola said, pulling Saskia away from a display of stuffed animals.

On their way out, Saskia finally caught sight of one of the bodyguards Shola had mentioned. She waved him over. He looked startled then approached. “What can I do for you, Ms. Koba?” He spoke in Czech, so he was one of Jozef’s.

“We have to go to an appointment now, but I’d like someone to go buy that giant stuffed giraffe for me and have it delivered to my apartment.”

Shola choked on a laugh as the massively muscled and tattooed bodyguard processed her request.

With the utmost respect, he said, “Of course, Ms. Koba.”

“Thank you,” she replied brightly.

As they slid into the car, Shola said, “You shouldn’t distract him from his job like that.”

Saskia shrugged, laughing as she watched him pick up the giraffe through the shop window. “He’ll catch up. I firmly believe it’s good for the bodyguards to get thrown for a loop once in a while.”