door just as the older woman was also leaving her own apartment. The woman glared at Rachel, then up to Rais before sniffing and shaking her head.
Rachel was mortified, completely understanding that the woman was irritated because of all the noise she and Rais had made overnight. The apartments weren’t the best in the city and the walls weren’t very thick. She’d suspected that their nocturnal activities had been overheard but having evidence of it so blatantly in front of her was unnerving and embarrassing.
“What was all that about?” Rais asked when they were in the elevators alone.
“That’s Margaret. She has two kids and shares a wall with me.”
He immediately understood and almost laughed. “And I suppose she didn’t get very much sleep last night either, eh?”
Rachel wanted to punch his arm, but she refrained since his body guard was in front of the two of them. “I think her look explained that her REM sleep was deeply disturbed.”
He led her outside into the sunshine and Rachel blinked before she got her sunglasses in place. When she did, she looked around, then stopped in her tracks. The two men she’d seen throughout the week were standing beside a long, black limousine. She stopped and looked at the two of them, pulling on Rais’ hand. “Don’t get in the car, Rais,” she whispered and pulled him closer, stepping in front of him as if to guard her.
The two men looked at each other, then back to her. Rais was pulling her to his side, trying to understand. “What’s wrong, Rachel?” he asked softly.
Since he was trying to pull her to his side, she plastered herself against him, terrified that these men were out to hurt him. “Those men,” she whispered, “I’ve seen them before.”
He looked at the two men who heard her despite her whisper. “Of course you’ve seen them,” he said gently. “They have been watching out for your safety while I’ve been gone.”
She blinked and looked up at him. “My safety?” she squeaked.
“Yes. They’re your personal body guards.”
She looked back at them, surveying the bulges under their dark suits. “Are they armed?” she asked, terrified of what those bulges might mean.
“Of course they are,” he laughed softly, his arm wrapping around her. “Get in the car and let’s talk.”
She sensed that he was both amused and irritated, but for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why. She was furious with him. How could he have put some thugs on her, trailing her all over the city and countryside, without telling her!
She slipped into the back, still watching the two men warily. She held her tongue until the door was closed but as soon as they were alone again, she let him have it. “What do you mean they have been assigned to me? I didn’t consent to being guarded. And do you have any idea how terrifying it is to be followed and not know why? Those men weren’t very subtle in their guardianship, or whatever it is that you call it.”
An eyebrow went up with her diatribe and he leaned back. “I had no idea that you were aware of their protection. They were supposed to be around, but as inconspicuous as possible.”
She stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. “You arranged for someone to follow me and didn’t bother to mention anything to me? Why would you do that?”
Rais sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. He knew that Rachel was really upset about this and he wasn’t sure how to appease her without telling her of his plans for her. “I need to make sure you are safe, Rachel. And I’m sorry for not telling you. I thought if you knew about the guards, you would be angry with me.”
His apology went a long way to easing her anger, but it was still difficult to get over the fact that he had done something behind her back. She looked out the window, watching as the city traffic whizzed by outside. “Why do I need protection? Why aren’t they out there guarding you?”
Rais considered the possible answers he could give her. In the end, he was as honest as he could be. “My enemies are dangerous, Rachel. They would use you to get to me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m no one, Rais. When it comes to international politics, I really don’t count. Call off the men, please.”
He sighed and shook his head, knowing this was going to cause problems. But she was