“Is that a complaint?” His jaw twitched.
“No, no,” she said hurriedly. She took a deep breath and faced him, holding her hands behind her back. “I’ve just been eager to talk to you about a possible compromise.”
“Now you want a compromise?” He lifted an eyebrow. She had finally caught his interest. “How intriguing. Go on.”
“I’ve decided I’ll tell you where the tomb is.” A wave of remorse came over her, hating herself for saying those words, even if she didn’t intend to go through with it.
Amir had sat up and put his feet on the floor. His eyes narrowed into slits. “Just like that?”
She gave him a single nod then forced herself to continue. “I won’t talk to the police, either. Because I’ll stay. I’ll stay and work for you.”
“And what changed your mind?”
He was skeptical, but at least he wasn’t walking out. Encouraged, she went on, “After seeing the papyrus, I realized I’d hate to see artifacts disintegrate from lack of proper preservation and restoration under your care.”
Leila bit her bottom lip and glanced at the riding crop he twisted in his hands, hoping she hadn’t pushed any buttons. For good measure, she added, “You’ll probably get more money for them that way too.”
“Well, this was easier than I thought it would be.” Amir’s upper lip curled into a sneer. “What’s the catch?”
“You’ll swear never to chain me to a wall again.”
He pursed his lips and gave the whip another twirl. “To be honest. I was expecting something a little more… challenging.”
“I’m not finished.” She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “I also want a lawyer. And a work contract. And witnesses for the signing of said contract. And you’ll let Xander go. Immediately.”
His expression instantly darkened. “That traitor?”
“One more thing.” She held up a finger. “You’ll tell me who your spy is.”
Amir rose and strode toward the window, slapping the riding crop against his leg. He gave her no answer as he stared outside, so she continued, “I think my offer would be in the best interest for all of us.” His gaze fixed on something below and he fell silent.
Leila cringed. No doubt he was trying to figure out the best way to make it work to the greatest advantage for himself.
He took in a sharp breath before speaking. “Revealing my informer is not an option. I have an agreement with that person and I will honor it.”
“Then you can forget the whole thing,” Leila said firmly, determined to stand her ground. Her fingers tightened around the sharp piece of pottery, hoping she wouldn’t have to use it.
Amir pivoted on his heel to face her, shooting daggers from his eyes. “I’ll be the one setting the conditions here,” he spat, the hand holding the whip lifting slightly. “You’re the one chained, not me.”
She eyed the whip, her mouth going dry as if filling with sand. If he came any closer, she would take a swipe at him. Instead, he took his place at the window again, his shoulders tense as he breathed heavily through his nostrils.
Too scared to say anything else, should she provoke him, she clenched her teeth.
Just say yes.
Amir lifted the crop and studied the looped flap of leather on the end. Slowly, the side of his lip curled upward and he gave her a sideways glance. She swallowed.
“You ask a lot of me, okhti, but I will make a few phone calls to my lawyers. They are some of the most prominent in Egypt. Perhaps we can arrange something.” Amir pushed himself away from the window. She didn’t like his sly tone of voice, but at least they were getting somewhere. “I will let you know tomorrow.”
The moment he was gone, she let out her breath and fell back onto the cushions on the bed. Relieved it was over with, she prayed she hadn’t made yet another huge mistake. There was no doubt Amir would try to twist things to his favor, but what more could he ask of her? She’d already told him she would give up everything. There was little in the deal for her to gain from, except the conditions she’d demanded.
Ignoring the dread hardening in her chest, she returned the shard under the pillow then slipped out the note again and unfolded it. Although she was disappointed Amir was going to make it difficult to find out who the mole was, at least he hadn’t said he wouldn’t free Xander.
• • •
Leila spent the next day pacing her room, waiting for Amir’s response. This was the turning point. Either she would be stuck here forever or help would be on its way. That afternoon, the veiled woman let herself into Leila’s room as always, except this time, she paused in the doorway.
She lifted her veil from her face, placing it on top of her hair. Her face was smooth, her skin clear. Her eyes had been heavily lined with black and she offered no smile. Judging from her youth, she could be Amir’s sister. Or even his wife. Or an unrelated servant.
Her voice was soft and delicate. “Amir has agreed to your conditions.”
Leila stared. “Really?” If it was true, things would begin to move forward.
The woman walked over to the bed, the keys jingling as she produced them from her pocket to unlock the shackle. “He would like to discuss a few details.”
Leila sucked in her breath. Her plan was working. At least she hoped it was.
Once freed from the chain, Leila followed the woman out of the room. The woman glided down the halls ahead of her, the hem of her dress swishing elegantly at her feet. The woman began to matter-of-factly point things out about the complex. Where the kitchen, the lounge, and the pool could be found. The place was massive. It was well-kept with polished floors you could eat off of, a lush garden that included fountains and a small gazebo, and an inner courtyard to where the upstairs hallway opened. Throughout the tour, the woman didn’t smile once.
Leila almost couldn’t believe a place like this existed. Amir hadn’t been lying; his family was well off. As she followed the woman through the garden back toward the main building, her eyes anchored on the front gate.
A sense of hopelessness tugged inside her chest. The villa was surrounded by a high wall. A thick wooden door situated at the front of the property appeared to be the only way out and in. It only reminded Leila she wasn’t free yet. Her prison had only expanded.
The tour ended at the staircase leading up to the floor with Leila’s room. The woman faced her and clasped her hands in front of her stomach.
“Amir will be with you in a moment. Masa’ al-khair,” she said as a farewell, then headed down the hall.
“Wait,” Leila called. “What’s your name?”