Chapter 32
Khal leaned against his desk, watching Tasha pace. He knew she was in a deep state of concentration because of her tapping fingers. That was one of her “tells”, indicating that she was concentrating deeply on an issue. She only tapped her fingers when she was intent on trying to unravel a mystery.
But in his mind, he already knew why King wanted to visit. The predator had finally found his prey.
The old bastard had somehow discovered that Tasha was working in the palace. He’d located a major vulnerability and wanted to bring his “fiancée” home so that he could control her. He would demand a fast marriage, which would eliminate the possibility of Tasha testifying in court about any activities she’d overheard or witnessed.
“Remember my question yesterday?” he asked, breaking into her concentration.
Before Tasha could answer, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in!” Khal called out. Raj and Joran stepped into the room, tugging a reluctant Marianna behind them.
“I shouldn’t be here!” the teen hissed, jerking her hand out of Joran’s grip.
“You’re family and this is a family crisis,” Raj countered. “We need you to help us figure out a solution.”
Khal had been slowly getting to know his little sister over the past several days. He knew that she needed the rebellion, but he still wanted her to be safe. He’d heard Tasha explain to Marianna that the guards had been following her and Khal wasn’t going to apologize for keeping her safe from the less than savory elements that attended the illegal raves.
Watching her now, the girl seemed to blossom at Raj’s words. It seemed that Marianna just needed to feel like she belonged, like she was part of the family.
The lovely girl still crossed her arms over her chest, taking a belligerent stance, but there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes as she asked, “What can I do?”
“Tasha is in danger,” he replied, ignoring Tasha’s startled glance. “Before coming to work here in Lativa, she worked for a man named Nathan King. Have you ever heard of him?”
Marianna nibbled on her thumb, but he saw the recognition in her intelligent, dark eyes that were so like his own. “Isn’t he a US senator?” she asked, looking around with her head slightly bowed. “I don’t remember from which state though.”
“You’re correct. Tasha was a political strategist for Senator King. But she overheard and recorded several damning conversations between the senator and another man. She doesn’t know the man’s name, but he’s dangerous.”
“What did you hear?” Joran demanded, immediately taking up a protective stance. With his hands fisted on his hips and his feet spread wide apart, Khal thought that his brother was ready to go into battle for his fiancée. And Joran didn’t even know yet that Khal had proposed to Tasha. Not that Tasha considered herself to be his fiancée. She’d spent the last few nights in his bed, sneaking out before the palace started stirring in the mistaken belief that she could hide their relationship.
But it was good that Joran, and now Raj, were fully prepared to protect Tasha. It meant that they would both support what he was going to suggest next.
Tasha glanced in his direction nervously, then stepped forward, her chin stubbornly high. “I don’t think that the recorded conversations are that important. The main issue is that I need to leave the palace before Nathan arrives.”
Khal didn’t like that solution at all, unaware of the furious scowl on his face after that suggestion. “Or you could officially accept my proposal and marry me,” he argued, looking equally ready to go into battle. She didn’t realize this yet, but Khal was more likely to toss Tasha over his shoulder and hide her away before he’d allow her to wander the globe in an effort to hide from Nathan King on her own. He would never allow Tasha to get hurt. Not for any reason!
She pulled back after that statement, looking around at Raj, Joran, and Marianna nervously. Khal nearly laughed at her horror that their “secret” was now out.
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Raj replied. He looked over at Marianna. “What do you think?”
Marianna was startled at her brother asking for her opinion. “I…,” she stopped, looked at Khal and shrank back slightly, then visibly changed her mind. A split second later, the lovely girl puffed up with determination before turning to face Tasha. “Do you love him?” she asked in a shy but gaining-confidence tone.