Thoughtfully Khalid watched her depart, noticing how her eyes were drawn briefly towards the balcony again. That one had no attention to do as she was told. Only Daniel Parker had an inkling of who he was, but not fully. Not to let on to Claire, using the excuse he needed her to identify her sister.

He would move on, not her, still finding it hard to believe they would send her in alone, looking for her sister, yet again, she was rather headstrong. They couldn't send an army or an air force into his country. Something that would never be allowed. The situation was too unstable for any signs of Westerners. A delicate balance.

He couldn't help admiring her passion, however, he didn't quite trust her either and the way she had looked at the balcony. Wandering across he stopped under the balcony surveying the area. She wouldn't dare. One thing he had learned he couldn't put anything passed her.

He hadn't expected her to climb up on the horse barebacked. Had the rein's knot been a fluke or had she known? Riding out into the desert, he had seen a well-accomplished horsewoman and handled a most powerful horse with skill. Did nothing faze her? Yet she still didn't trust him, even after she knew the facts.

Shaking himself mentally he walked away. Things would have to be put into place for her protection. She was impossible, also a breath of fresh air, so different from anyone he had met. From Princesses to desert maidens, from models, super-rich to commoners, she was the one who had made the biggest impression on him.

****

Eating her meals out on the balcony, Claire eyed the surrounding wild natural fern garden from above. She had moved the provided table and chair nearer to the heavy steel carved balcony rail. The chair was positioned where the rail joined the wall of the building, beside the ivy-covered white wooden lattice against the wall.

Cup in hand, she lowered into the seat, reaching out to touch the plant, and also pulled on it seeing it was attached to the wall, sinking back into the seat. On her earlier visit to the garden, she had noticed a gate, getting her bearings. Down to the ground, face away from the balcony, head left then straight ahead. The balcony was askew from the gate.

Doing it in daylight wasn't an issue, apart from being exposed to all of sundry. In the disguise of night, in the darkness, she was invisible. The darkness also had its problems. No torch allowed, mainly because she didn't have one. However, she did have a secret up her sleeve. Her past.

She couldn't try the outside lights until later to see if it was even possible, so headed inside, lying down on the most beautiful four-poster bed with curtains that were held back by matching sashes, making her feel at home. Just like her own bed, except for the room, and the missing fireplace for those cold nights.

Not needed here, closing her eyes.

The softest touch jerked her awake, heart pounding, only to lower back down as she focussed on Khalid, sitting on the edge of her bed, hovering over her. "I was getting concerned. How are you feeling?"

Yawning, she scratched her hair. "Invaded," she wanted to feel outraged, yet didn't. He pulled back slightly, closing down. "Tired," she offered instead.

"I was hoping you have changed your mind about dinner?" She was so tempted, but that wouldn't work for her, forcing another yawn.

"I'm buggered." His brows went down meeting in the middle, looking far from happy. "I've had a rough couple of days, with very little sleep, drugged and barely anything to eat, until you," she added quickly. "Just give me today and I will answer all your questions tomorrow," she promised, fingers crossed under the bedding, just in case.

She wasn't good at this lying thing.

"Tomorrow you would give me a whole day?"

She closed her eyes. The last thing she wanted and sighed. "I can't promise a whole day," she opened her eyes, looking into dark mesmerising ones. She had never seen such eyes before, drinking them in. Her life wasn't in danger, yet still needed to pick up a trail. She wasn't even sure she had found one. "I need time to recover."

He stood, shaking his head. "As you wish." That made her suspicious. Why be so accommodating? That didn't sit so well on her.

"You don't believe me," she accused.

Stopping, he glanced back over his shoulder. "You seemed energised enough when you were sneaking around in the tents, stealing my horse. Shall I go on?"

"It's called adrenaline. Once gone, you're stuffed." She watched him closely, seeing if he believed her, easing back into the pillows. Probably true, since she had slept in the middle of the day, something she never did, no matter what.

She had often worked long hard days, for her father's estate, rushed off her feet and still attended dinners. "I will give you as much time as I can." Inclining his head, he allowed that and headed out, robe rustling around him, not a dark one as before. Light, white, very cultured, and less bedouin. Thick black wavy hair crowned his head, adding to his chiselled bone features enhanced by his dark stubble.

Sitting up more, she drew up her legs, wrapping her arms around, resting her chin on the knees. He was a force upon himself, yet there was a gentleness about him. She should've noticed that before. Yes, he challenged her. Yes, he questioned her, yet not once had he put her down.

Okay, picked her up and carried her over his shoulder, plonked on his horse, most undignified, however, what he had said made sense. All for show. He had bought her freedom for a hefty price. "Khalid," she called stopping him again, he glanced back. "I didn't thank you for what you did. I will make sure my family pays you back for me. You won't be out of pocket," she promised.

His features tightened, eyes darkened. "You believe I want my money back, for saving your life. You do not know me at all." Spinning around, he stormed out in a sea of robes. Wincing, she blinked at his departure, not expecting that. She hadn't meant to offend him. Okay, a man of wealth, or was that honour? He had them flown here in a private helicopter, yet didn't flaunt it. Also, he was correct, she didn't know him.

Why had he been in the desert in the first place? He had brought her freedom. Is that what he did, rescue strangers without expecting anything in return? How did that work? Why would he care? Shaking her head. Not why she was here, yet couldn't help feeling a stirring towards him. Was it only because he had rescued her from a horrendous situation? Then why didn't he give her back to Daniel? On a mission? To stop what from happening?

Although it was in a different country. Too distant himself from what was happening. Him or others? He seemed to be military. Was he keeping his own country free of such things? Good, but didn't help her, flopping back onto the bed, head on pillows.

Perhaps he was only protecting himself that she didn't even come into the equation, as usual. Back to her plan, her heart hardened. She was here for one reason only and she wasn't going to be distracted by the most perfect perfection of a male on earth as far as she was concerned. And he did save her from a fate worse than death.

Once more eating dinner alone on the balcony, the lights going on as she stepped out, going off when she went back in and waited, timed, realising it was motion-sensitive. Just how far did she have to go out?

Plastered against the glass door on the outside, she waited and the light went out. Staying close to the door, she sidled along to the wall, following the line and no light until she moved out slightly. Hearing movement down below, she sidled back to the glass door, opened, and stepped out setting off the light, and settled at the table.

Now it was just a waiting game.

The longest waiting game, she had ever done.

It seemed like forever.

Dressed completely in black, courtesy of her workout clothes, Claire peeked out the front door of her suite and closed it again as softly as she could. As before the guards were posted outside for her protection, as he said, however, she didn't quite believe that. 

Yeah, right! More to do with keeping her under wraps.

As if he could. Huh!

There was only one way out and she had to do this before it was too late.

She had to escape before it would be impossible to do so. Crossing over towards the balcony that was high above the courtyard below, she slid back the glass sliding door, stepped out onto the balcony, lighting the area up, and then stepped back.

Claire slid the door shut behind her remaining completely still. A few seconds later the lights shut off, plunging her into darkness. Flattered against the glass doors she edged across to the sandstone wall and sidled along the wall to the edge, around to where the balcony connected.

The lights would flicker on again, briefly if she was careful. She needed to see properly for the second stage of the escape. Grabbing the edge of the rail, she lifted herself over; placing one sneaked foot onto the edge, holding the rail, then lifted the other leg over, caught by the monitor to have light. She reached across towards the heavy ivy lattice attached to the outside wall with one hand, followed by her left foot. Half on, half off. Muscles strained as she held on with a death grip.

If it held that, it would hold her easily, fingers gripped around the lattice, she released the rail, pulling herself across and grasped tightly with her other hand, flattened against the wall and plant, holding her breath waiting until the light went out again, chest heaving.

The ivy-covered lattice groaned under pressure.

Her breath caught, fingers digging in, ignoring the sharp edges of the plant. Resting her forehead against the wall attachment, waiting for that seemed to last forever, her heart pounding. She couldn't be caught here like a sitting duck.

Plunging once more into darkness, relief washed through her.

Not quite like sneaking out of the house at home when she was younger. More was at stake than being grounded. With her left foot, she felt for another holding in the lattice, once sure-footed, she lowered herself slowly down, one step at a time. Foot first, followed by hand.

Crack!

Her eyes widened, grabbing up for her old holding, missing.

Her foot went from under her. Hand in midair, dangling.

An involuntary cry escaped her lips echoing through the still night. Damn. Now she was in a pickle, gritting her teeth.

The other foot slipped as she struggled to find footing, nothing but air, legs kicking.

Hanging there by her other hand, her arm straining, burning, shooting pain through her shoulder. The ground was some distance away. Her heart slammed in her chest, sucking in a sharp, shaky breath.

Desperately, she searched for another foot holding. Her heart was racing, and breaking out into a fine sweat. Jaw clenching, she swung her arm up high, past the pain, grabbing at the lattice, where she clung to it tightly, she felt around for another foot holding. 

The thickness of the ivy didn't help.

Once steady, she clung on not moving, catching her breath, getting her bearings. She glanced towards her left, spying the adjoining bushy, well-established tree, and worked her way across towards it. Another crack and another lattice step broke away, foot slipping down, jarring her hard into the plant and the wall with a whoosh, knocking the wind out of her.

By the time she was finished, she would be black and blue, muscles screaming.

Claire clung on tightly until she found another place for her foot. Rotted out, yet she didn't see how. It couldn't be because of the rain.

The Middle East was well known for its lack of rain.

Nearing the edge of the lattice, she stretched out with her hand, fingers reaching as she tried to grab the outreaching branch. Curling her hand around the branch, she pulled herself closer, putting weight on it. No cracking sound of breakage.

Getting a better hold of the branch she hauled herself across further, half on, half off the lattice wall. As she moved over the branch, the older, brittle ones cracked and broke away under her weight as she wiggled across, pushing off with her feet.

The main branch was steady and sure, even if the twigs were digging through the black tight clothes. Sucking in sharp breaths, she crawled across until she clung to the main trunk of the tree, catching her breath. 

Good thing she had grown up climbing trees. 

Clinging to the trunk, heart racing she took a moment to steady herself. Doing this in the dark wasn't as easy as in the clear bright light of day. The night sky was filled with twinkling dancing stars, yet there wasn't a full moon.

The tree outside her window at home, she had played on most of her life, when they were there between her father's job positions.

Now adjusted to the dark, she started the descent down, more by feel than sight. When close enough, she jumped down, landing with a light thud, knees bent so as not to be jarred. She also remained still holding her breath, waiting. 

Panting and heart pumping. 

Adrenaline rushed through her veins, faster than Niagara Falls.

Time was of the essence.

Already too much time had been lost and still had no idea if Fleur had been taken, yet she had seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Yes, she had entered the country and then vanished into thin air. As she would have done if.....

Nope, she couldn't let him interfere; she needed to get back on the trail before it got too cold. It could already be too late. Closing her eyes, she focussed on the surrounding area.

No lights, no rushing of feet.

No barking of orders, so straightened, she brushed and pulled out broken tiny twigs and leaves off her and out of her hair, even if in a ponytail. Claire stealthily through the courtyard garden, quiet as a stalking cat, a hand rose, feeling the low foliage of the ferns, below the higher ones, mingling in the shadows.

Under the plants and trees was a low glow of light, showing the way of the paved footpath that led through a maze of footpaths towards the back wall, where she needed to head. Using her balcony as a starting point, she weaved her way towards the sandstone wall.

Her haven he had insisted.

Her prison, keeping her against her will, while keeping vague about who she was. The less he knew the better off she was. One could never involve her father. She was safe for now. Daniel would pass that on and it would keep her here, under the disillusioned hero. 

She pfft. As if she needed a hero.

With two overprotective brothers, one dominating father, and a committed mother, she learnt early how to look after herself and fight. Fight for what she wanted. To be heard. To be seen and was still seen as the pesky sister who needed to be protected from the big bad world.

It didn't matter, she was a sharpshooter, had a black belt in martial arts, taught by the best-trained experts in the world. Yet she was still the baby sister, she sighed.

Good thing they didn't know about him. For there would be hell to be paid. She had sworn Daniel to silence. A long sigh of breath rushed from her body, pausing as she came to a crossroads of paths, where she would be exposed.

She waited, looking from side to side, up and down, then streaked across with a running dash, light on her feet, and disappeared back into the shadows, knowing she was close. She could only hope the door that she spotted, wasn't locked.

Also, she had no idea what was behind the door. The position of the room and balcony gives nothing away. All she saw were hills in the distance. They had entered under the cloak of darkness.

Stepping outside the courtyard with the high walls Claire stopped dead.

"Crap!"

****

In the shadows Khalid had watched her escape from the balcony, his heart in his throat that nearly stopped when she slipped only to pull herself up and across, swinging across like some goddamn monkey. He had never seen anything like it, climbing down the tree as if it was second nature to her, landing on her feet softly, and stealth off into the darkness like some damn spy.

He stiffened. Did they hide one amongst them? That didn't make sense unless she got caught by the wrong people. Unless it had been a set-up to be saved and worm her way into his life and bed? Bed? She showed no sign of that! 

 If so, why was she trying to break out?

Khalid followed from a distance. He was finding it hard to watch and not be seen. What if, she was doing this for a display to earn his trust, pull the wool over his eyes? It would take more than a slip of a girl with blue eyes and deep dark burgundy hair under the sunlight that came alight with natural red highlights.

Docile and meek, his arse.

She was a fighter and swore when he heard one sharp word.

So she hadn't expected the vast desert beyond the walls. There was nowhere for her to go, especially on foot.

She was a difficult one to read.

Maybe it was time to find out the truth.

****

She wasn't even close to the city, nothing but sand all around towards the horizon, where it met the darkening skies. She was still in the desert. There was no way she could cross that on foot. And Daniel had left her here. Annoyed, Claire crossed her arms. There was nowhere to go but back to her suite, and before he realised she was missing.

His lordship wouldn't be happy. She had planned to be away from his wrath. What he didn't know won't hurt him. Sighing, Claire turned around, so it was back up the tree, across that not-so-steady old lattice.

Hopefully, she won't break her neck. She wouldn't be good for anyone, if she was badly injured, or dead. Claire hadn't thought this through properly; then again, she had expected to slip away into the night.

She stopped dead, gulping as a darker shadow fell upon the low-lit path. 

Slowly Claire lifted her gaze towards the man standing in front of her only wearing black pants, his arms crossed his hard masculine chest, only to gulp again. There should be a law against that, eyes snapping up into dark, smoky fiery eyes, headdress free.

Hit by another gulp.

"Planning on going somewhere, Claire?"

What was the use? "Back inside," she stated, heading back in, past him. A hand shot out, capturing her wrist, stopping her from leaving and hauled her hard up against him, knocking the breath out of her. Also, her body tingled and zapped being up against his half-naked form. Her hand pressed up against his heated flesh, soft and hard that seemed so alive under her touch.

"What you did was dangerous and foolish," he snarled, his warm breath against her skin that sent heat through her. The man was driving her crazy, which would never do.

"And she is my sister, still out there, held against her will," she hissed back, struggling. His hand still held her wrist and easily kept her against him.

"You can't go out there looking for her. I have already brought you once, doesn't that tell you something."

"That, you wouldn't do it again? Yes, I already got that," she sniffed.

Releasing her wrist, his arm went around her instead, crashing her closer if possible. "That is not true. I would do it over and over again. Keeping you safe here will guarantee that will not be necessary to do so."

Slowly she lifted her eyes into his dark ones, the anger had vanished that had been there before. "Then take me with you. Let me go and I will do whatever you ask. You don't know her, I do. Instantly." His lips parted, eyes hooded, shaking his head. Her hand spread across his chest pleadingly. "Don't leave me behind, Khalid. Next time I would know what beyond these deceptive walls, my prison."

His lips pressed into a thin line. "You're haven," he hissed between gritted teeth, voice deep and rolling, washing over her. Clasping her upper arm in a tight grip without harming her, turning her away from him and confronted the stark menacing desert, holding her hard against him. "Why do you keep lying to yourself?" Releasing his grip, he ran his hands down her arms, holding her against him with his will, not physical force. "You are not a prisoner. I'm just trying to keep you safe. Why do you always have to fight me? You have your freedom as long as you give me your word you won't try to escape. You won't leave these walls that protect you."

Troubled, she looked up at him, deep into his eyes and sadly shook her head, eye lowering. Gently he tilted her face up towards him with a caressing finger under her chin. "Why not?" His dark velvet eyes searched.

She swallowed hard over the lump in her throat. "Because I won't lie to you." 

No matter what, he had saved her life. She hadn't meant for things to go so far south. Just pick up a trail, not to become a victim of white trading herself, closing her eyes, body shuddering in memory. Khalid gathered her against him, turned and wrapped her in his strong warrior arms. She sank against him, pressing a fist against her lips as the tears she had been holding back fell freely.

The thought of what she had gone through at their hands had terrified her and could still be suffering or worse. Drugged. Abused. Dead. Her fingers curled against his chest as sobs shook her body.

Soft words whispered against her hair, soothing words, tender comforting words that washed over her, absorbing them into her heart, burying them deeply because they made her feel safe and secure. So did the strong arms that held her. All her false bravo sapped out of her weary body and soul.

"This is why I will not let you leave. I need to keep you safe. Let me do this for you, and bring her back." Gently he guided her chin back up with a caressing finger, so she looked him squarely in the eye. "However, if I do this, you must realise there is a chance neither of us could come back." She swallowed hard over a tight throat, blinking at him. "Once I go, there is no turning back. Also, there could be consequences for my people, my country, even an international incident. There is always a price to pay."

"I would pay it," she rushed in fiercely.

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Without knowing what that is?" He asked in a low, menacing tone. "What if it is exchanging you for her?" Big sky-blue eyes stared up at him.

"If I have to."

Eyes hardening, mouth pinched he released her, stabbing a hand through his hair. "And this is why you are here!" He snapped. "Damn you, Claire!" Spinning on his heels, he stormed away, a distant door slamming shut in his wake.

Okay, not the price, chewing on her bottom lip, holding her arms, suddenly feeling cold without his arms around her. She had no idea how comforting a pair of arms could be. They had to the right arms, flicking teeth over her bottom lip. He had been testing her. She would've done anything for Fleur. She had promised to find her, no matter the cost.

Lowing down on a bench, she stared at the open door, wondering what that price had been. She had pissed him off. She also needed to get back to her suite. As in magic a man appeared and showed her back, where the door was closed behind her, sure he had been added to her guard list, heading off to bed.

No sign of him the next morning since last night's adventure.

At least he was still feeding her. When she asked after him, she was informed he was busy. Busy? What did that mean exactly? Doing what? Looking for Fleur, yet he had wanted more information. Also guarded so couldn't leave her room, unless...

She headed towards the balcony and gasped. The ivy-covered lattice was gone. Just like that. When? How? Must have been when she had been sleeping. Surely she would've heard that been taken down. Then again, she had gone out like a light and had a feeling she would have slept through an earthquake.

"So you do not get any more ideas."

Startled, she spun around, losing her balance, grabbing at the balcony rail. Before she knew it, she was held in strong arms, up against his frame. "What, do you have a death wish?" He growled. For a lingering moment, she breathed him in, absorbing the warmth that she had missed, which wasn't right, pulling away from him. This strange feeling he provoked in her was very unusual, lifting her gaze into hooded darkened ones, features tight.

"No, I do not, and why that?" She waved at the wall where the ivy used to be.

"Thanks to your acrobatics, you showed me how unstable it was. Not that I expected anyone to actually use it the way you did."

"Well, if you hadn't locked me away," she pointed out, tapping a finger on his chest making a point.

"Oh," his eyes popped open. "So it was my fault, trying to keep you safe, while you try to escape me." The hand on her waist tightened and edged her up closer to him, sending a shockwave of awareness through her, breathing hitched, and her hands pressed against his chest. However, there was no pushing away to be had. "You can't escape me, Claire Donovan," his deep sultry tones flowed over her, heat pooling in the pit of her belly. 

He was sex on legs, fogging her brain.

"Actually, I was just having a look around," she corrected thickly, coughing to clear her tight throat and tilting her head back. She was caught between the balcony railing and the larger-than-life man, focusing suddenly on his collarless red shirt, blinking. Robe gone, changed in western clothes. "So," she drawled, forcing herself to concentrate on why she was here. "You're talking to me again?" She challenged, brow arched.