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Ignoring his question, I ask what is more important. “Tell me, what’s going on?”
“Everything’s handled,” he replies.
“Mark.” I flatten my stare.
A slow smile breaks on his face, showing off his cute dimples. Fuck, he won’t share. Irritated, I push away from him, but his hand grasps my wrist, stalling me. I stare at him with my heated gaze.
“Dammit.” He mumbles something under his breath and then, “Fine. Our location for the event has been trashed by hooligans. And the press is already working an angle. I’m trying to douse the fire before it has had a chance to smolder.” His gaze swings to the General and two other men we can still see through the gap. He closes it, and then returns to me.
“Will they help?”
He lowers his gaze to me and presses me to the wall, caging me in. I can feel his protectiveness wrapping around me. My overwhelmed mind flashes to the previous night. How his firm body felt pressed against mine and the electric taste of his lips in the thunderstorm.
“After we land, my people will take you straight to the jet Rob arranged. I want you away from here. I’ll handle things from there.”
“No.” I slip past him, my lust forgotten, but Mark winds his hand around my torso, pressing me to his front. When he brings his mouth to my ear, I swallow a gasp.
“Don’t challenge me, Cassandra. I won’t jeopardize your safety.”
Suppressing a shiver, I twist in his shackled hands and lift on my tiptoes to speak to him, so our eyes connect at the same level. I’m done allowing people to treat me less than I am. I haven’t left banking for this, just to be pushed around. It’s time for Mark to get with the program.
“Don’t treat me as if I’m a little doll only good to wine and dine and show off to your associates. I can help you. Together we can work any business angle and watch each other's backs, network.”
He shuts his eyes for a moment. “I already have people with me.”
“They’re here to protect you, not to work with you,” I remind him, watching his gaze light up with respect, admiration warming my soul as butterflies do somersaults in my stomach. “Look, if you think I can’t handle myself, you’re wrong. I’ll be fine. This isn’t my first rodeo.” And I hope he understands what I mean by that.
“Fine, but you do as I say,” he growls at me, and I’m tempted to kiss it away.
Someone pushes the curtain aside in a precise, harsh movement, and we jerk apart before I have a chance to answer. Abbas’ dark gaze scans us, making my skin crawl and my muscles tense up. His military regalia and ruthless intensity make me uneasy.
“Mr. Lawson, we still need to work out some details before the event.”
“Of course. I just needed to speak with my marketing assistant.”
“I’m sure the conversation doesn’t have to happen here. There’s plenty of space in the passenger cabin.” The accusing pits plow into me, and I’m tempted to step into Mark’s chest just to feel his heat wrapping around me. As if knowing how uncomfortable Abbas makes me, Mark’s palm lands on my hip.
“We’re coming, General. Just give us a moment.”
He nods and marches back to his seating. I exhale in relief.
“The General’s very protective of you. I have a feeling your in-laws have something to do with it.”
I doubt my in-laws are protecting me but rather trying to control me. And by the way the General acts, he may be keeping tabs on me. This wouldn’t be the first time; people do as the Cades bid. I learned from them that a person can be made into a prisoner without a physical cage. I won’t be surprised if this is exactly what it is.
“Go, the General won’t wait any longer.” Mark’s fingers wind with mine as he looks straight into my soul.
“After this, we’re going to talk.”
He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my wrist, holding my gaze as if he’s leaving an imprint beyond my skin.
For the rest of the journey, we don’t have a chance to speak or see each other. Everything happens very fast after we land. I’m escorted to the hotel and asked to stay in while everyone else’s preparing for the ball. Higgins comes to speak about safety with me. But when I ask about what happened the day we were seized, he becomes silent like stone, and then changes the subject.
Istanbul is an awe-inspiring city with unique energy coursing in the air. I wish I could do some exploring, to get rid of my nerves and breathe in the fresh air. But the only thing I can enjoy is the view through the massive windows. Otherwise, Mark might have a stroke. He texts me every half an hour just to make sure I’m in my room. His overbearing protectiveness is driving me nuts, and I hate being left out.
When the evening arrives, I’m ready to crawl out of my skin. The soft knock rasps on the other side. Casting one last look at the mirror, I open it.
“Miss, if you follow me, I’ll escort you to the ball upstairs.” The male, dressed like a concierge, slightly bends as if curtsying, waiting for my response.
