Page 65 of Her Sensual Protector

“Did you say Abia?” Effie asked. “I didn’t hear her name mentioned.”

Daisy sighed. “My friend thinks that having Abia would be good, because of her smile.”

At that, Maysa smiled too. “She is the song of my heart. But sometimes she can be full of mischief, that one.”

Daisy laughed. She could see it. “We could come back tomorrow. Would that work?”

Maysa nodded.

* * *

“So tell me a little bit about your article,” Leo asked Rayi.

“Yes, I’m interested as well,” Doug said.

Leo had called Doug when they were in the car back from the camp. He knew he needed someone official from W.A.N.T. to back him while questioning Rayi, and Daisy wasn’t objective enough. That’s why Doug was lying in wait for Rayi and Leo when they came in through the lobby and had pulled them away from Effie and Daisy.

“What do you want to know?” Rayi asked pleasantly. “Shall we sit down?” He indicated some seats in the lobby.

“Let’s,” Leo said with a smile.

“I want to know what kind of bullshit article you’re writing that people in Afghanistan would be interested in knowing about W.A.N.T.,” Doug said.

“You underestimate the people of my country,” Rayi said. “Also, you underestimate me. My articles are often picked up internationally, and I feel comfortable that this one will be as well.”

“When Daisy gave you such close access did she put up any parameters? Did she say that Effie would have to review the article?” Doug asked.

Rayi’s smile got big. “No, she did not.”

“Fuck,” Leo growled. “What the hell was she thinking? Scratch that. She hasn’t been thinking, she’s too tired.”

“And she was too upset about her father,” Rayi nodded. “This is true.”

“And you’re taking advantage of her?” Doug stood up and yelled down at Rayi. “What kind of man are you?”

Rayi didn’t seem perturbed in the slightest. Leo started thinking of all the ways he would convince Rayi that he was not going to print this story.

“I did not say that I wasn’t going to run the story past your public affairs department, I just said that Ms. Squires didn’t request that of me. I am very aware of her vulnerable state of mind right now. I also know that is not normally her, and I don’t intend to write her in that light. It would be a disservice to her and my readers.”

Leo felt something ease off his chest. Maybe this Rayi guy wasn’t all that bad.

“I don’t want Effie to read it, I want to read it too,” Doug said, still standing over Rayi.

“That is fine with me. Now, are we finished here?”

Leo and Doug both nodded.

* * *

Leo.

He’s coming to my room tonight, right?

She swiped the razor against her right leg trying not to cut herself. That’s what she needed—to be a bloody mess as she tried to seduce the man again. For God’s sake, she’d attacked him last night.

Okay, only one nick, now for the other leg. Maybe her hand would be less shaky.

Don’t think of Leo. Don’t think of Leo.