It was a dance as they punched, sidestepped, and punched again. Zain didn’t hear the gasps as his eyebrow split open. Blood dripping into his eye was of no consequence. His focus was on Omar. With a solid hook to Omar’s face, Zain sent him stumbling back. Omar grabbed on to Zain, and they both went down in a heap. There was no talking or taunting as they struggled for the upper hand. They rolled along the grass, taking hits to the abdomen and strikes to the face. The only noise Zain heard was the sound of bone colliding.
Zain fought to gain the upper position, but Omar was able to shake out of his grasp. They both sprang to their feet with blood dripping from their faces, breathing heavily as they circled each other once again. Omar moved first, but Zain was ready. He took the hit to the side of the ribs and grabbed Omar’s shirt right beneath the collar. He shoved Omar back and then pulled him forward as Zain bent his knees. The whiplash effect sent Omar’s head flinging forward. Zain pushed up through his legs and rammed the crown of his head into Omar’s nose.
The group all sucked air in a loud gasp at the sound of his nose being smashed. Zain let go of Omar’s shirt and watched him fall unconscious to the ground. Silence. Zain’s chest rose and fell as he breathed heavily. The adrenaline pounding in his ears was the only sound he could hear. He looked down at Omar and swiped at the blood on his face. When he looked up, he saw the men and women he had so desperately tried to impress for the sake of his country.
“I am sorry you had to be a part of this,” Zain said slowly as he saw Mila moving toward him. She ripped at the one good sleeve of her blouse. “I brought you here to show you Rahmi was a small but mighty country. We have visions of working together to improve our countries—to improve the world. I guess you can tell I’m not a politician by personality, but by birth. My nature is to fight for those who need protecting, those who need help, those whose voice may never be heard. Today, Omar tried to silence me. He tried to silence my countrymen. He tried to stop me through intimidation and force. I will never bend to bullies. No matter if they are politicians, kings, or corporations. I want you to do business with us, knowing that your voice and the voice of your people will always matter to me. Work with Rahmi and me to make the world a better place, not because you need us for an upcoming vote in the United Nations. Our votes aren’t for sale.”
Zain turned slowly around the circle, making sure each delegate understood that he would fight for them and for their people. Jamal stepped forward to clasp a hand on his shoulder. “I speak for the king of Rahmi and we would be proud for you to join us in a new kind of partnership. One based on honesty and advancement for our people. If you are interested, then join me in the conference room to finish hearing Dr. Piper’s vision of a future that can truly change the world.”
Zain held his breath. He worried his actions had blown the future for Rahmi. And if the delegates chose to leave, it would be entirely his fault. His father would lecture him on decorum and the need for control of his emotions. But he couldn’t be sorry for what he did. The group stood still and Zain’s hope for a better future crumbled. Suri smiled at him then, and Zain knew he had at least regained the trust and support of Surman.
“Surman proudly stands by our closest ally,” she said loudly, as Cassidy and the other interpreters who had joined the fray quickly interpreted. Zain bowed his head in thanks and respect to the queen. At least some good had come out of today.
Mila smiled gently as she walked the remaining few steps to Zain. She didn’t want him to appear weak by running to his side. Instead, she approached and quietly offered him the sleeve of her shirt for his face. She had thought being shot was bad. Well, she’d take being shot ten times if she had the choice, instead of seeing Zain fighting for his life.
“Mila,” Chancellor Hartmann called out to her. Mila just hoped it wasn’t to embarrass her or insult Zain.
“Yes, Chancellor?” Mila felt Zain’s fingers cover her hand, and she loved him even more for it. He wanted her to know he had her back.
“Please interpret for me.” Mila gave him a nod and then said in English, “Chancellor Hartmann wishes to address the group.”
The chancellor stepped forward and took his time to look around the group. “I must admit to not appreciating Prince Zain at first. I thought he was a royal more interested in my interpreter than in politics. But as a military man myself, I must say that Prince Zain has changed my impression of him and his country. Any man willing to personally fight for his people is someone I am proud to stand next to. Germany hereby announces our partnership with the Rahmi International Nanotechnology Laboratory.”
Mila interpreted along with the others as the chancellor broke the circle and walked over to shake Zain’s hand. The group clapped and Mila felt tears of joy pressing against her eyes as leader after leader announced their support. As a group, they headed inside with exuberant voices. Mila heard them talking about the fight, talking about a hope for the future with nanotechnology, and of new partnerships.
“You did it,” she said to Zain. She wanted to hug him, to kiss him, to hold him, but his family and friends were hurrying toward them. “Congratulations, Zain. I’m so proud of you.”
Mila was pulled away by Dr. Emma as a town car, a minivan, and a shimmering sedan came flying down the drive. Their doors opened and people poured out.
“What did we miss?” Pam asked in all her pressed perfection.
“John said Mila was shot and Zain knocked out King Omar,” Miss Lily said as she shuffled over on John’s arm, followed by her sisters and their husbands.
Mila saw Ahmed and Nabi pull Omar up from the ground and secure his hands with zip ties. She wondered what would happen to him. Whatever it was, he’d no longer be king, and he’d no longer be a threat to her or Zain.
“What happened to the protesters?” Abby asked after the group had been filled in on what happened at the farm.
“Pam took care of them,” Addison told them. “It was rather funny. Dad let loose with his pick-up lines and scared some of the women away. Anton got the others sidetracked with pastries, but when they tried to push past us, Pam put her hands on her hips and gave the best mom lecture I have ever heard. Sorry, Mom,” she said to Neely Grace.
“It’s okay. It really was spectacular,” Neely Grace said, picking up the story. “It was all about how much time, worry, and love mothers put into keeping their children safe and giving them a good education. Then she pushed them to tell her what was wrong with nanotechnology and then decimated every single argument. She ended up guilt-tripping them for letting down their mothers by not researching the debate enough. They all left with their heads hanging and half of them were on the phones with their mothers telling them they loved them.”
Mila hissed in pain as Dr. Emma cleaned her wound, but it was hard not to smile through the pain. Pam blushed as everyone cheered for her. Emergency vehicles had been called to take Mila and Abby to the ER while Zain cleaned up.
“We’ll have you back home tonight,” Dr. Emma said as Mila and Abby were reluctantly loaded into the back of the ambulance.
Zain stood holding her hand, his face washed of blood and the cut above his eye glued closed. “I’m coming with you.”
Mila shook her head. “No. Do not let this momentum get sidetracked in your absence. Please, stay here.”
Zain looked at her and then at the house. “Fine, but I’m taking care of you tonight.”
“Deal. I’ll see you then.”
Zain leaned over the gurney and kissed her, the intimate gesture filled with the desperation she was feeling. It was all over—the threat against them, the summit . . . everything. It was over and she would be returning home tomorrow.