“Yeah,” Mila said dryly. “I know about the betting.”
Gabe looked guilty. “About time we left, huh, guys?”
Zain felt Mila’s body shaking next to his. When he looked down, he saw that she was quietly laughing. Yes, it was about time for them all to leave. There was nothing sexier to him than the woman he loved laughing. It was strange to get a sense of confidence from her laugh. But it made sense, considering all that was going on around her.
Zain slapped his brother on the back and walked him to the door. “Gabe, really, thanks for doing this. I know you laughed it off, but—”
“But there’s nothing funny about this. I know. And I was serious. It’s nothing you wouldn’t do for me. I love you, and I’ll never tell Mom, but I’m glad you found someone like Mila to marry even if it puts pressure on me now.”
“Marry? We haven’t known each other long enough to talk about that.”
Gabe smirked at him. “You might not have talked about it, but you’ve thought it. I saw the way your eyes softened when I mentioned children. I’m happy for you, even if you’re pathetically whipped.”
Zain laughed. He could never hide anything from his twin—even things he was hiding from himself. Zain stepped behind the door and allowed Gabe, Cy, and Jackson to leave without being seen. Annie had already closed all the curtains and gone to the kitchen to make popcorn.
“So, are we all set for tomorrow then?” Cade asked. “Do you have any questions?”
“No, I understand it all. Mila, do you have anything to add?”
Mila shook her head. “I’m good. I just appreciate all you two are doing for us.”
“Do you want to watch Die Hard? I know it's not Christmastime, but it’s a still a classic.” Annie asked as she put the popcorn in a bowl and headed for the couch.
“No thanks. I’ll let you two have your date night.” She turned to Zain and said, “I’ll see you upstairs.”
Zain watched her walk upstairs before pulling out his phone and texting Gabe. “Thanks, you two. I appreciate you both staying the night.”
“You know your family is just an extension of ours and family sticks together. We’re happy to help,” Cade told him as he grabbed a handful of popcorn.
“So, if you were DEA and you were Special Forces,” Zain hedged, “then what is your daughter Sophie?”
“She works in some lab,” Annie answered.
“Right,” Zain said slowly.
“It’s not like you kids tell us parents everything,” Cade responded.
“I’m starting to think that’s a two-way street,” Zain mumbled as Annie smirked.
Zain’s phone buzzed. “Gabe is about to walk into the B&B." Zain stared at his phone for minutes as if he could see the path Gabe was taking on his dark screen. His phone finally buzzed.
The attic? I didn’t even know this was up here.
Zain let out a breath. Gabe was fine. “He’s all tucked in for the night. I’ll see you all in the morning.
Annie and Cade said goodnight. As Zain headed upstairs, Annie rested her head on Cade’s chest as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Would he and Mila have that someday? When Zain opened his bedroom door to find Mila lying naked in the middle of his bed, he sure hoped they would.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Something woke Zain in the middle of the night. It wasn’t the faint sound of Bruce Willis on the television. It wasn’t the feeling they were in immediate danger, but it was a kind of desperation. It was desperation to love and be loved—a feeling that at any moment what he had with Mila could end.
Zain looked down at the dark-walnut waves fanned out over his chest and brushed them back from her face. They had made love once already, but a burning need to feel the connection they had overwhelmed him. He knew that what was going on around them was finally affecting him. His heart pounded, his mind raced, and the only thing that would calm him was Mila.
He ran his hand over her soft skin that smelled of his soap. When his hand squeezed her ass, she moaned and slowly opened her eyes. Zain bent his head as Mila stretched her lips to his. They didn’t say anything. They didn’t need to. Zain rolled her onto her back and slid into her. Her fingers trailed down his back as their eyes stayed locked together.
Zain kissed her slowly, his tongue mimicking their lovemaking. When he pulled his head back breathless, he rested his forehead on hers as they drew apart in each other’s arms.
Minutes later, Zain started toward the bathroom and felt Mila’s eyes watching him.
“Is everything all right?”
Zain climbed back into bed and Mila immediately snuggled against him. He stroked her hair absently as he held her. “Yes. I just had a feeling . . .”
“Zain! Wake up!” Cade called as Zain heard him pounding up the stairs.
Zain was out of bed and into a pair of athletic shorts right in time to open the door for Cade. “What is it?”
“Your grandmother, the queen mother, was just shot in Rahmi.”
Zain felt his blood run cold. His grandmother was elderly. She had held no real power since Dirar and Ameera had taken over. He heard Mila sniff from behind him. She was wrapped in a blanket as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Is she . . .?” He heard Mila gulp. Zain couldn’t bring himself to say the word either.
“Dead?” Cade shook his head. “I don’t know. Your father needs you at the house. Put this on and I’ll sneak you in.”
Cade shoved a security detail uniform to Zain. He took it with shaking hands. Anger and fear mixed together. When he got his hands on Queen Surman, he’d strangle her himself. “Stay here,” he ordered Mila. “If this isn’t resolved in the next hour, then Abby will be here to follow through with our plan.”
“Zain,” she said, her voice full of concern. She placed her small hand on his shoulder. When he looked at her he saw the worry, the sympathy, and the love for a woman who was cherished by Zain.
“I know. Thank you. I’ll text you when I know something.” He buttoned up the shirt and pulled on the jacket with Security written across the back. He leaned forward and kissed her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said as her fingers traced his jaw. “Be safe.”
Zain left, not wanting to make a promise he couldn’t keep. Right now, the last thing on his mind was being safe.
Mila dressed and made her way downstairs. It was only 5:30 in the morning. The sun wouldn’t rise for another hour. Annie was making coffee in the kitchen and Mila followed the smell. Squirrel limped around impatiently as if he felt the agitation as well.
“Come and sit down, Mila.” Annie poured a cup of coffee and handed it to her as Mila took a seat at the bar. “Let me make you some breakfast. Scrambled eggs and toast okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”
“My mother-in-law is ma’am. For that fact, she’s Mrs. Davies, too, along with four other women. So Annie it is.” She tried to lighten the mood, and Mila gave her a half smile of thanks as she sipped the coffee.
Squirrel turned around and around and tried to stick his twitching nose out the cage door. “Okay, I’ll make you breakfast, too.” Mila slid from the barstool and gathered a bowl of nuts and veggies. She was going to slide it into the cage, but when she opened the door the little guy tried to climb up her hand. Craving the comfort only a pet could bring, Mila pulled Squirrel up for a hug, and he nuzzled against her.
She took him and his bowl to the bar and let him eat breakfast with her as Annie shook her head. “I’ve never seen a wild animal so happy to be around humans. You must have imprinted as his parent when you rescued him.”