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‘I know that,’ Maggie responded, and then sighed. ‘And merited. I knew something was off the moment I saw it.’
‘Yet you boarded?’
‘Yes,’ Maggie said. ‘I’m trying to be less cynical.’
‘Why would you do that?’
‘Because I’m aware that it’s somewhat a fault of mine.’
‘I would call it an asset.’ And to prove his own cynicism he questioned her further. ‘So you and Hazin spent the afternoon merely talking?’
‘We’remerely talking,’ Maggie pointed out.
‘It took rather a lot of effort to get to this point.’
She was not deterred by his tone. ‘I spoke readily then because your brother didn’t kidnap me in the middle of the night.’ She sweetly smiled and then helped herself to more of the delicious food. ‘In fact, I ended up in his cabin by mistake. Or I thought I had. He was very nice about it. I wasn’t enjoying the trip and neither was he.’
‘Why?’
Maggie’s lips pursed; she did not want to reveal anything that Hazin had told her. She and Hazin were far from friends but, still, that conversation had been private and certainly not for his brother’s ears.
‘Why weren’t you enjoying yourself?’ Ilyas asked, and his interest surprised both of them.
He wanted to know, and now hereallywanted to know, for colour came to her cheeks.
‘I felt like a tart,’ Maggie said. ‘And, despite what you may think of me, I’m not one.’ He just looked at her. ‘I knew I was way out of my depth and when I felt sick all of a sudden I was very happy to escape and lie down. I had no idea it was your brother’s cabin.’
‘There were cameras planted.’ Ilyas revealed some of what the messages had said. ‘Anything that happened between the two of you will be there for all to see.’
‘Then make a cup of tea and prepare for an early night,’ Maggie said. ‘We were just talking.’
She did flush a little, though, embarrassed and worried that what Hazin had said might have been captured. He had spoken about his family and, given his status, he would not want the world to know what had been said.
Of course, Ilyas misinterpreted her blush as one of guilt.
Still, no matter what had taken place between Maggie and Hazin, there was one thing he could not work out.
‘I don’t understand why they would choose you.’ He frowned.
‘Am I not to your brother’s usual taste?’ Maggie said, and then it was she who frowned. ‘They?’
‘These people work in groups. And what I said has nothing to do with looks and appeal.’ Though he could well understand if that were the case! ‘I meant I don’t understand why they would choose someone as damned defiant and argumentative as you.’
‘I’m not with you,’ Maggie said, and then she laughed. ‘Well, I get that I’m no pushover but I’m not sure what you mean about being chosen.’
‘You don’t seem to be the sort to be so readily taken in.’
‘I’m not,’ Maggie said, but then she hesitated. A tiny curl of a conversation had started unfurling in her mind and she tried to dismiss it, telling herself that she would think about it later, when she was away from the scrutiny of his gaze. But Ilyas had already noticed her hesitation.
‘Tell me.’
‘It’s nothing.’ She shook her head and then, suddenly not hungry, she pushed away the plate. ‘I’m done talking.’
If anything, Maggie felt a little sick.
So much so that she excused herself and headed back to her room and sat on the bed.
The pictures lay scattered on the floor and instead of looking at them she buried her head in her hands and let out a low moan.
