shone as she passed beneath the huge crystal chandelier. His eyes lingered on her breasts, spilling out of the low neckline of her nude-colored silk gown. “Fantastic. Do you know how many times I’ve imagined you walking up to my bedroom toward me here in my own place? This is my domain, everyone has to kowtow and fawn to me. But all I could do was wonder what you would do to me if I could ever get you here.”
“But I’m the one who arranged this. I’m always the one in charge,” Zahra said coldly. “And if you didn’t do as I told you to do, I will not stay. You’ve sent everyone away? I mustn’t be seen here or I’ll be known as your whore when I go to New York for my speech, and all those diplomats will not give me the respect I deserve. I’ll be angry if you’ve made this visit difficult for me, Wyatt. I’ve been looking forward to it since I called you.”
“Do you think I haven’t?” he asked hoarsely. “I couldn’t think of anything else. Of course I sent them away. I told my private secretary that I was having a confidential meeting with a member of the Botzan secret service who wanted to speak to me about a possible terrorist threat he might need our help to solve. That’s what you wanted, right?”
“That’s exactly what I wanted. We’ll see if you can please me in other ways tonight.” She had to get Wyatt out of the hall and into his bedroom right away. Varak had said he wanted the way clear to bring his men down to the vault ten minutes after she and Dalai arrived. She turned and said to Dalai behind her, “Come along. I want to see him perform. He’s sure to be better than you were today. Where’s your bedroom, Wyatt?”
“Third door.” He gestured as she swept by him but paused to watch Dalai hurry after Zahra. “Hello, Dalai.” He smiled maliciously. “How are you? You appear to be moving a bit stiffly. I hear she gave you a hard time today. I hope you’re not going to spoil things for me tonight.”
She quickly shook her head. “I’m fine, sir.”
“You wouldn’t lie to me?”
“Of course she wouldn’t lie,” Zahra said impatiently. “I’ll allow you to strip her down so that you can see the bruises. I thought you might enjoy it. Providing you don’t waste my time with this chatter.”
“I’m sorry.” Wyatt moved down the hall and flung open the door for her. “I promise I won’t waste your time.”
“We’ll see. Dalai, come and help him undress. I find I’m eager to see just how much he’s been anticipating this.” She gave him a catlike glance over her shoulder. “And judge what kind of torment it will take to make it worth my while to have come here tonight.”
* * *
Varak carefully drew the heavy bronze box out of the vault and laid it on the desk. “Get me the liquid, Markel.”
Markel had it ready. “You’re sure this will work?”
“Don’t question me.” Varak flipped open the lid and stared down at the blackened skull. “Hello, Oscar. How nice to see you again,” he murmured. “It seems okay, Markel. He’s as ugly a son of a bitch as the day I burned him to a crisp.” He took the skull out of the container and turned it over. “Did I tell you that I’d been wanting to do that since the prick took off and ran back to Johannesburg, Markel? Well, actually since he annoyed me when he was a kid. I just hadn’t gotten around to it yet.”
“You told me,” Markel said nervously. “Why don’t you check the number so that we can get out of here?”
“There’s no hurry now. Zahra will keep Wyatt busy.” He was opening the vial. “And who knows, this might actually be Oscar. It could be that Duncan didn’t go this route. If she did, then I’ll act accordingly. I’ve got my plan in place.” He put a drop of liquid on the bone near the ear. “And I’m actually looking forward to showing that bitch, Duncan, there’s no way she can beat me.” He added with sudden harshness, “I’m tired of hiding away when all I want to do is break out and let them all see what I can do.”
“You said that the gold would be worth it.” Markel’s gaze was focused on the skull. “Did you make a mistake?”