“So, what do I do?” Cassidy asked.
“They currently have a Rahmi maid helping them. We just need to replace her and send you in. Just pretend you can’t understand them and serve them their tea and bring them their meals. You will generally be hanging around, straightening their rooms, and stuff like that,” Dani told them. “I’ll take you and introduce you. Let’s go talk with their current help before lunch is over.”
Zain watched as Dani and Cassidy hurried from the room as the rest of the group broke up. The women would be assigned to each room in pairs as they made sure all of the diplomats had everything they needed. The men would pair up as well—some with Rahmi guards and some with each other. Lots of the fathers and sons teamed up, except for Cy and his boys. Cy graciously let Porter and Parker take the sniper positions high up in the trees.
Abby and Jackson would stick with Mila at all times. Dylan and Ahmed were with Zain. Ahmed hadn’t apologized, but Zain hadn’t expected him to either. For now, Miles and Ryan were watching his father, and Bridget and Annie were with his mother.
All Zain had wanted was to make the world a better place. The question was, was it worth his life? Worth the lives of those he loved? They all seemed to think so. They had eagerly agreed to help, and as they all drifted downstairs and outside together, they didn’t seem worried in the least. Even Greer, who was just twenty-one years old, was pulling out her rifle from the back of her truck and showing it to her mom, who was checking it. He really needed to Google his town.
“So,” Mila said softly from his side, which he had refused to let her leave. “Since I’m already fired and most everyone knows why, do we have to pretend to keep our relationship secret anymore?”
“I never wanted to keep it secret,” Zain told her as his hands framed her face. “And I can’t wait to tell the world how much I love you.” Zain lowered his lips and felt the wave of emotion that hit him every time he touched her. She was his—his to love, his to protect, his to cherish, and his to share his life. “And now I can do that whenever I want.”
Mila giggled and it was nice to see her smile. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that he wanted to make her laugh as much as possible. She was beautiful with her wavy hair glinting in the sunlight as she tossed back her head and laughed when he suggested what else they could do anytime they wanted now.
Zain looked up and his eyes widened. “This should be interesting.”
Mila turned to where he was looking and together they watched Nabi drive the Ranger Crew toward the Rose sisters and their husbands. It was a camo-covered all-terrain vehicle with two rows that fit six people. He slid it to a stop and their dentures just about fell out.
“Here you go. This will be a lot easier to drive than that town car of Anton’s,” Nabi said as he got out to show them how to use it.
“How fast does that go?” Mila asked a little worriedly.
“Around sixty miles per hour. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea . . .”
But Miss Lily was already behind the wheel and the look of glee on her face changed Zain’s mind. It wasn’t as if they would actually go that fast. They had cars and they only drove them at fifteen miles per hour.
Zain laced his fingers with Mila’s and gave her a little squeeze. “Come on. We have a conference to scandalize.”
Mila laughed again. “Yes, a prince and an interpreter. Definitely scandalous.”
“It is when the prince is thinking about stripping the interpreter naked and seeing how many different languages she can scream as he’s pleasuring her,” Zain whispered in her ear. Now it wouldn’t be just Zain thinking about it. He smiled to himself as the doors to the conference room opened and hand-in-hand with Mila, he walked inside.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Zain adjusted the earpiece as he listened to the debate around him. Jamal had returned and asked if he could participate in the afternoon’s session. Zain had heartily agreed and now listened to the security communication on the invisible earpiece Ahmed had given him. So far all was quiet.
He looked down the table at Mila as she whispered her interpretation into the chancellor’s ear. Zain was pretty sure Germany wouldn’t be supporting the nanotech lab. The chancellor had taken a remarkable exception to Zain falling for his interpreter. It could have something to do with the chancellor hoping to bring Mila to Germany to work for him. At least, that’s what Cassidy said she had overheard.
Mila caught his eye and sent him a wink. A change had overcome her since they walked in together three hours before. Her shoulders had gone back, her chin rose slightly, and she stared them all down as if she dared anyone in the room to say anything about their dating. It was glorious to watch. Mila had told him about her wild streak when she was younger. Well, when she winked at him and pointedly looked to the center of the large conference table, Zain was very glad she was letting that side come out more. Her growing confidence was so sexy he had to scoot his chair under the table to hide any potential erection.
When there was a short break in talks regarding shared emergency medical care, Zain rapped on the table with his knuckles to get everyone’s attention. “Wonderful discussion, ladies and gentlemen. I’m truly touched by the cooperation we have achieved here today. Let’s take a thirty-minute break and meet back for the final panel of the day.”
Zain wanted to take Mila to his office and do the things he’d been thinking about doing to her on his desk, but King Omar stopped him. “I have considered what you have asked.”
“Good, so we can announce tomorrow morning that Tahjad and Rahmi have a signed agreement to cease the pirating?” Zain asked as he tried to hold back the relief he felt.
“Not so fast. I want to hear what this doctor says and ask about this technology being applied to agriculture. If I like what she says, and if enough of the other countries support it, then I will announce that Tahjad has already agreed to partner with Rahmi and will provide safe passage of all ships heading to the laboratory.”
Zain gave up his idea of bending Mila over the desk and settled into trying to make the king agree to terms prior to the meetings tomorrow.
Mila stood in the hallway and stretched. The chancellor, along with most of the other diplomats, had gone to designated rooms to check email, make calls, and refresh themselves. Mila needed to calm herself. When Zain had taken her hand and walked her into that room, Mila had taken the first step away from the shadows. She also thought about the way his eyes darkened when she looked at the table.
The chancellor hadn’t been thrilled, but he had kept his mouth shut. They worked well together all afternoon and Mila was glad she hadn’t walked out on him. This was important. What they were discussing today would save so many lives.
Mila turned to Abby and took a deep breath. “I need to run to the restroom and get a quick snack.”
“I’ll run upstairs and get that for you. Unless you want to go hang out up there?” Jackson offered.
“That would be great. Thank you. An apple and a bottle of water will tide me over until dinner.”
“I’ll be right outside the door. Yell if you need anything,” Abby said as she stepped to the side of the bathroom door.