Her mother rose and headed for the door. “Get some rest. I’ll have dinner sent up to you. Keep off your feet until your head is better.”
Alone once again, Leila tilted her head against the chaise lounge. The throbbing had lessened, thanks to the painkillers.
Her fingertips brushed along her lower lip. She could still feel the roughness.
He kissed me.
Why would he kiss her?
Because he likes you, genius.
After the way she had treated him? With all the uncertainties still surrounding them? She shook her head and her gaze fell on the window she had studied every day for nearly two weeks, always wishing to see the other side. She no longer wished for an escape through the window, only that she would see Xander again. Somehow she knew he’d be back.
He’d promised.
• • •
Amir returned the next day, but nobody would tell Leila whether his hunt had been successful or not. But Xander must have gotten away. Amir would have boasted about it otherwise. Instead, he seemed preoccupied with other matters, such as practicing for a polo match. The only thing she heard from him via Salma was he would bring her the contract to sign in two days. If she didn’t, she could imagine how he’d react.
Sign it or be beaten to a pulp.
With no chain or schedule, she spent the day roaming the ornate halls and gardens, wondering how someone could manage to build a home that, despite its extravagance, despite it bustling with gardeners, servants, and armed guards, seemed so empty.
Night had already fallen as she walked back to her room. She passed a door that stood open a crack and came to a stop at the sound of a soft voice. Her mother’s voice. Unable to resist her curiosity, she peeked inside.
The only light in the room was a dim lamp in a corner next to an armchair where her mother sat. The young boy who had brought her Xander’s note sat in her lap. Aisha read out loud to him from a book spread open before them, both seemingly unaware of Leila’s presence. Aisha murmured the words into the boy’s ear as he leaned back into her, his eyes focused on the pages.
It can’t be.
With a lump forming in her throat, Leila tore herself away from the sight and escaped back to the strange new comfort of what used to be her prison.
In her room, Leila leaned a shoulder against the wall next to the window, unable to forget the image of her mother reading to the boy. Her brother?
Whether that was true or not, it only reminded her of what she had missed out on. Her father had spent a lot of time with her, as if trying to make up for the hole in their lives. Despite that, she had always envied her friends who had both parents. She had once begged her father to remarry, but he had only given her a small smile and taken her in his arms.
Even though her mother was here, Leila would never belong. She didn’t want to. Aisha may not have chosen this life or this family, but Leila realized with a sinking heart she had no place in it.
Wishing she had never seen them, she turned from the window and gasped. Amir watched from her doorway, arms crossed, wearing a slight smile that didn’t meet his cold eyes.
“Ever heard of knocking?” she snapped.
“My lawyer emailed me a draft of the contract,” he said dryly and held out a stack of papers. “He would appreciate it if you had a look.”
Leila kept glaring at him as she walked over and snatched the papers from his hand. She sat down on the chaise lounge and read over the pages, wondering how signing her soul to the devil could feel so businesslike. The language was formal and to the point. It went through all aspects of their agreement, except for one.
She rubbed the bridge of her nose with two fingers. “I thought we agreed you would tell me who your spy is?” She glanced up at Amir, lightly hitting the contract with the back of her hand.
“Did we?” He raised his eyebrows and ran his fingers over his gelled hair. “I recall telling you that wasn’t possible.”
“Why does it matter? It’s not like I’ll be able to rat on whoever it is. I’ll be stuck here. We’re on the same team now, right?”
“An agreement is an agreement. I’ve kept my word to you, haven’t I? Why should I go back on my word to my informer?”
“Oh please.” Leila glowered at him and threw the contract down next to her on the chaise lounge. “By signing this, I’m practically agreeing to be your archaeology and research slave for the rest of my life.”
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Leila clenched her jaw and jumped to her feet. “Stop putting words in my mouth. I never wanted this.” She jabbed her finger at the document.
“It was your idea. You could do the alternative and tell me where the tomb is without a contract. It’s not like you’re going to be leaving either way.”
“No. We’re going to do a contract.” Leila narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. “Only I’m not going to sign something that has nothing in my favor. You’ve twisted everything.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Amir said with his artful smile. “I haven’t twisted a thing.”
“Oh really? You’ve threatened to destroy hundreds of artifacts. And you went after Xander with a gun! How can I be sure he’s alive?”
“Whether he lives or not wasn’t a part of our agreement,” Amir snapped. “You said that I was to simply let him go, which you witnessed.”
“Then we’re going to have to be more detailed before I sign anything,” Leila said with a raise of her chin. “So I said I wanted to know who your informer is. Put it in the contract.”
“I’ve told you, that would break the agreement I had with that person. I can’t go back on my word.”
“Tell me who it is or I won’t sign.”
A shadow fell over his face. He strode forward, seized her by the shoulders, and slammed her against the wall.
“You think this little game is going to get you what you want?” he spat, holding her neck with both hands. “I know what you’re up to. You’re stalling so Harrison can come back and rescue you like some damsel in distress.”
