Prisoner of Fortune Read online

  His smile was somewhat cruel. “I already bought you, princess. I don’t need to give you anything for that to be true.”

  Shania sucked in her breath and glared at him. She hated being reminded of her position in his home. Her not being there of her own free will made everything that happened between them a lie, one that she refused to participate in. She crossed her arms protectively over her chest and glared at him.

  Khalid sighed and tried again. “Look, Shania, I wish you could believe me when I say my motives for keeping you here go beyond the obvious. I haven’t touched you in two days, not since I first brought you up here.”

  “I just can’t trust you. How do I know you won’t hurt me?” she asked bravely.

  He nodded. “I can understand why you would mistrust my intentions. Your husband treated you badly and, as far as you’re concerned, he sold you to a man without scruples.”

  “A man that can beat other men nearly to death,” she whispered with a shiver, eyes wide and accusing.

  He shrugged. “I admit, I can be a ruthless bastard when I must. But I don’t want to hurt you, Shania. I find it’s just not in me. I want to protect you from men like Aiden Galveston, or the sleazy gamblers that hang around my tables.”

  “What about men like you?”

  He stepped toward her. Opening the jewelry box, he withdrew an exquisite white gold chain with a teardrop diamond pendant. It looked beautiful and delicate against his long dark fingers. He took hold of her wrist in his other hand and gently pulled her toward him. His fingers, wrapped around her wrist, felt like hot steel. She stumbled forward the step it took to bring her close enough to feel the heat from his body.

  “Men like me,” he said huskily, “want to treat you like the princess you are.”

  Shania shivered.

  Khalid continued, his breath feathering down her cheek as he bent to place the chain around her throat. “I have never brought a woman up here, into my private sanctuary, with the intention of keeping her. I take my women to one of the other suites and fuck her until I’m done. I haven’t even thought of another woman since the moment you existed for me. I rarely give gifts and I’ve never picked those gifts out myself. You make me want to change, Shania.”

  She stared up at him as his fingers deftly smoothed the necklace into place. His fingers felt good, tracing the gentle swells and dips of her collarbone and throat. Her eyes fixed on the long, dark lashes rimming his eyes and took in the sincerity of his black eyes. She turned her face away and closed her eyes.

  “I can’t believe you,” she whispered.

  She tensed, waiting for his reaction, and flinched when his knuckles gently swept down the slope of her cheek and across her full lips. Though he barely touched her skin, she felt like he was scalding her.

  “I can wait,” he said.

  That had been a week ago.

  She had accepted his gifts as graciously as she could and she had participated in the conversation as he had insisted. But she never stopped watching for the chance to escape her gilded cage. She had silently taken in the bits and pieces he had allowed her to hear and see.

  She had only been down in the casino three times. Each time had added to the small treasure of knowledge about the workings of the casino. Her frantic mind would absorb every scrap of information until she was satisfied.

  On her rare trips into the casino, Shania was always accompanied by Ash, Khalid’s most trusted bodyguard. Though constantly on guard herself, Shania found Ash’s company undemanding and, after a few days of constant companionship, even friendly.

  Ash hadn’t exactly been thrilled with the protection duty thrust upon him. When Shania noticed, she said to him tartly, “Am I taking away from your knee breaking big man? So sorry!” His stoic demeanour had cracked, and he conceded a small laugh. A somewhat friendly rapport had ensued. Shania didn’t feel any of the sexual tension that she felt with Khalid, which made her and Ash’s friendliness easier. Though at over six feet of solid muscle, the brawny, tattooed bodyguard who, it turned out, was also a mixed martial arts champion, was a very good looking man. Shania was endlessly amused by the women that threw themselves at him when they made the rounds of the casino. He usually flirted back, in a bored sort of way, but his eyes never left his charge.

  Ash was her constant companion when Khalid wasn’t available, which was much of the day. He would bring her food and allow entry to shopkeepers. He watched over her, glaring suspiciously at the menagerie displaying their wares to the mistress of the rich casino owner. Though, if they dared refer to her as such within her halcyon hearing, they would find themselves swiftly and forcibly removed. On the few trips she took to the casino, he was so viciously protective that even an appreciative glance sent in her direction could easily end in broken bones. The man took his job very seriously, a fact that caused endless teasing from Shania.

  Ash only deferred his vicious guard dog routine when relinquishing her into the custody of his intense boss. He would literally disappear into the shadows whenever Khalid appeared. In one of his few moments of candor, Khalid had admitted to her that, when he had found Ash, he had been involved in illegal street fights and strung out on drugs. Khalid had seen something in the younger man and, cleaning him up, had brought him into his own operation and trained him for more lucrative fighting.

  Shania hated to betray Ash’s trust. It was the worst part of her planned flight from the casino. But she didn’t have a choice. Each night she had spent under Khalid’s roof was one night closer to sharing his bed. For some reason, that act of surrender felt like the worst possible scenario. As though having sex with him would change something within her. She had to leave while she was still intact.

  Having convinced Ash to once more bring her down to the casino, Shania squeezed his arm gently and stepped into the ladies room. Ash didn’t like her coming to the casino. There were too many ‘variables’ as he called them. He couldn’t control every minute thing that might happen to his charge. As far as he was concerned a perfect trip to the casino was one where no one looked at her, no one interacted with her and no one accidentally brushed against her. He let her have a bite at the buffet, play a few slots and whisked her back to her room before any incidents could occur.

  Letting her go into a women’s washroom unaccompanied was highly unusual. But Ash knew there were no exits and he had gone in before her to assess any threats.

  Shania had laughed out loud at the angry feminine shriek that followed him out. He nodded his head at Shania, indicating it was safe for her to proceed. She smiled somewhat sadly and brushed her hand against his arm, unbeknownst to him, a thank you for his attentive care of her over the past week.

  Shania went swiftly into the third stall, careful not to bump into the woman that was in there pretending to pee when Ash had interrupted her. She was smaller than Shania but more rounded, making the two of them in the small stall an awkward fit. The woman thrust her hand out at Shania.

  Shania placed her diamond necklace into the greedy palm, thrusting back the feeling of guilt that threatened her plan. Without speaking, Shania stepped back and went to the sink, pretending to wash her hands. After a minute her eyes met the other woman’s in the mirror and she nodded.

  She nodded and as if on cue, fell to the group with a loud gasp and began moaning and convulsing. Shania turned and stared, for a moment forgetting her part and simply admiring the acting abilities of the random woman who was helping her. Annoyed the other woman mouthed ‘go’ at Shania.

  “Right,” Shania said, racing for the door calling Ash’s name in as hysterical of a voice as she could manage.

  Ash was scowling down at his phone just outside the ladies room. He looked up in alarm when Shania ran straight into him, grabbing his arm and trying to yank his solid bulk into the women’s washroom.

  “Help!” she gasped. “Someone’s in trouble!”

  Her wide, frightened eyes spurred him to follow her swiftly back where she had come from. His eyes went to t
he woman laying prone on the tiled floor. With a frown he kneeled next to her and gently touched her cheek. The woman moaned pitiably, her head lolling sideways.

  Shania felt a stab of genuine concern, the other woman looked really pale! She really couldn’t have chosen a better partner in crime for her escape mission. She just hoped the woman fooled Ash long enough.

  “What should we do?” she asked Ash frantically.

  He looked up at her and said the magic words in his gruff voice. “Go get help.”

  Shania nodded and with a last look at the pair on the floor, she ran out of the washroom and straight out of the main doors of the casino into the chill night. Without a backward glance at her former prison she stepped onto the waiting bus and breathlessly counted the seconds until it pulled away from the casino and headed to the city.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Khalid glared impatiently down at his watch, then back up to the table he was supervising. It was a high stakes table in one of the casino's back rooms. He was glad he decided against buying in tonight. He was anxious to get back to his woman, and the game was going longer than expected. Ash had texted a few minutes before to let him know that Shania was in the casino. Khalid was eager to join her for a game and then escort her upstairs for a private meal.

  Shania had been more forthcoming last night than on their previous evenings together. He had finally allowed her to discuss her work and, in doing so, discovered a topic that she was exquisitely passionate about.

  She had introduced the subject herself as they sat in a corner booth at the casino buffet, where he had met her.

  “What did you tell my supervisor at the shelter about my leave of absence?”

  Khalid frowned down at her. “Why does it matter, Shania? You’re here now. You won’t be going back to your job any time soon, if ever.”

  “It matters!” she snapped, frowning back at him. “You handle other people’s lives with a heavy hand, without thinking about consequences, without understanding the nuances of those lives that you carelessly smash.”

  Khalid drew in a quick breath. “Watch your tongue!” he growled, his temper flaring. Somehow, she could usually get away with saying whatever she wanted to him, regardless of his previously feared temper.

  He shrugged. “Granted, it takes a certain amount of ruthlessness to keep my business interests running smoothly, but I am capable of understanding more than you give me credit for. Tell me about these... nuances.”

  It was a demand, rather than a question. But Shania was eager for him to know what he was taken her away from. He needed to know that he couldn’t just play god in people’s lives without regard for the consequences.

  “Every day that I worked in that shelter, I made a difference in other people’s lives. It was a place where a smile could positively change a person’s outlook from grim and despairing to something approaching happiness. I had the privilege of working with some of the most determined people you can imagine. People whose whole lives could fit in a box, but that would still work incredibly hard to improve things for themselves and their families.”

  Shania positively glowed as she spoke. Khalid began to feel jealous for one of the rare smiles she had bestowed so freely to others. “It can’t have all been as wonderful as you describe it. I know some of the lowlifes that end up in that place.”

  “No, it wasn’t always wonderful,” she said simply, but passion still shone in her eyes as she spoke. “I’ve seen terrible things, like drug overdoses and suicide attempts. I worked with the police on a regular basis. But feeling like I could make a difference in the lives of people who are too often rendered invisible or marginalized makes a difference. There wasn’t any place I preferred to be.”

  A shadow passed over her face. Khalid suspected that she was thinking about her life with Aiden. For once, rather than feeling jealous, he felt sorry that her life with Aiden had been so disappointing that she preferred to stay at the shelter than in the arms of her husband.

  Khalid drew her into his body and tilted her face up to his. “Thank you for this enlightenment. It means something that you trust me enough to tell me how you feel.”

  A small smile curved her generous lips. He felt himself harden as he looked at those gorgeous, lush lips and imagined them caressing his body.

  “Enough to let me go back to work?” she asked breathlessly, looking up at him pleadingly.

  Khalid drew his arm around her neck and pulled her face up to his for a quick, hard kiss. “I’m sorry, princess. No.”

  There had been a flash of sadness in her eyes and, although she didn’t physically move away from his embrace, he felt her withdrawal nonetheless. He had been immediately called back to work and unable to escort her back up to the suite. Regretfully, he had relinquished her back into Ash’s care.

  When he had gone up to the room later, he had checked on her, at first believing she was simply hiding from him, sulking after the unsatisfactory conclusion to their conversation. She’d been sound asleep in bed, wearing a cotton nightshirt that rode high on her thigh, revealing flawless brown skin and rounded thighs. He itched to run his hand up over her thigh and under the nightshirt, caressing the warm skin that would be beneath. With uncommon self-control, he forced himself to leave her room and committed to a ruthless workout in his gym.

  That had been the last time he had seen her. He was looking forward to spending time with her tonight, perhaps leading her further down the path to intimacy. Earlier in the day he had gone to an expensive jeweller and purchased a gorgeous ruby set that would look stunning against her skin. He would apologize for being unable to promise her more freedom quite yet and then he would patiently come up with a plan that would eventually allow her to do some of the things she used to love.

  Khalid thrust a hand through his hair and glared at the card table from his seat at the bar. There were some volatile players in the room and the stakes were too high to leave them alone without a babysitter. Though Khalid trusted his dealer, he didn’t trust any of the others at the table. He was about to check his watch again when the door burst open.

  “Hey!” one of the players shouted angrily at the uninvited addition.

  Ash ignored the game and, making a line for Khalid, leaned in to growl, “She’s gone.”

  Terrible anger rushed through Khalid as he glared at his most trusted bodyguard. He swiftly brought his temper under control and bit out, “How?”

  “She paid a woman off to distract me. She’s been gone five minutes.”

  Khalid nodded sharply. She was smart. It must have been a good diversion or Ash would have noticed. Despite his hulking appearance, Ash was no idiot and loyal to a fault.

  “Come,” he said, jerking his head to the door and leaving the players in the room without a word.

  The two men swiftly went to the surveillance room. Khalid stood brooding with deadly intensity while Ash explained to security what he needed. Video of Shania’s exit from the hotel was brought up on the monitor within a minute. No one in the room wanted to piss off the boss while he was in this mood.

  Khalid watched silently as Shania left without a backward glance and boarded one of the free shuttles that ran between the hotel and various locations in the city. The timing was so perfect he knew she had studied the bus schedule. She’d been planning this from the moment he had decided to keep her for himself.

  Betrayal burned hotly within him, tearing at his chest. He had believed she was growing more content with him. He had trusted her shy glances and soft, hesitant touches. He had allowed her a place in his home. He had not forced her into his bed, which he easily could have. And under other circumstances, would have.

  Khalid reached out and touched the screen briefly, where her image had been standing right before disappearing onto the bus. His hand curled into a fist and dropped. She wouldn’t get far, he would make sure of it. Just like he would make sure she regretted her decision to leave. She had unleashed the part of him he had so carefully kept from her.

/>   Ash took out his cell phone and swiftly dialled, speaking low into the phone. He hung up and turned to Khalid. “The Bentley will be out front in two minutes.”

  Khalid nodded. “Take care of the game for me and then I need you to meet with Bertelli later about the city contracts. I plan on taking care of this myself and I want no disruptions.”

  Ash nodded and watched with a slight frown as his boss walked swiftly toward the casino lobby. Ash had rarely seen Khalid so visibly angry before, and usually when Khalid lost his temper, devastation reigned and people died. Khalid had barely broken a sweat over the beating he handed out to Aiden Galveston. He hadn’t been remotely as affected by the loss of that money as he was by the loss of the girl.

  Not that Ash had any doubt Khalid would retrieve her. But things were about to change. Ash worried about sweet Shania in the hands of his ruthless boss.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Shania knew that her time was up the moment she saw the bus driver take a call on his cell phone and then swiftly glance back at his passengers. She pulled the ball cap that she’d hidden in her purse down lower over her forehead and slouched further into the seat. She leaned her head against the window and watched the city lights grow closer. So close she could almost touch them.

  She wondered what would happen. There were a few other people on the bus. A group of drunk, laughing women bouncing around on the seats behind her and a guy who looked like he was asleep. What if she just started screaming for help?

  Shania wasn’t certain, but she was pretty sure Khalid’s reach was endless within this city, perhaps even further. It didn’t matter where she went, he would track her down. Shania glanced sideways out the window in time to see a black blur of vehicle overtake the bus with a roar. She gasped and sat up straight, watching apprehensively as it cut in front of the bus and stopped. A shiver ran down her spine as she felt the bus slow and then stop.

  Shania stood up on shaking legs. There was no point in drawing this out. She was no coward, and she wouldn’t drag innocent people into her business.