Siren in the Wind Book One of the MIT Series

Chapter Thirteen

Abby ignored the accusation and allowed her mind to wander back to that night. The last night of her life as Josephine.

Guests hung out in the ornate gardens at the back of Khalid's mansion. A sculptured fountain of a leaping Arabian oryx dominated the landscaped shrubbery. Winding pathways sprinkled in fairy lights added to the ambiance. Champagne flowed, and waiters maneuvered through the crowd.

Joey's black dress clung to her damp body as she escaped down a pathway, finding a quiet bench nestled under some palms. A small breeze whispered across her brow as she admired the view below. The golf course running across the bottom of the garden rolled out with palm trees flanking the green on either side. The tinkling of a nearby stream calmed her nerves. Not sure how long she sat there, Joey got up to leave.

"Josephine." Khalid stepped out of the shadows.

"You knew I was here?"

"I myself was escaping the crowds."

"But those are your guests."

His robe rustled as he stepped closer. "Indeed, they are. I have a secret that you are now privy to. I sometimes need to escape. Some of my guests, let's just say, are a little pompy."

Joey stared at him blankly.

"How do you say that word...pimpus? Pampus?"

Joey giggled. "Do you mean 'pompous'?"

Khalid turned to face the view. "That is exactly it. Pompous."

Joey bet that a bottle of his peppery perfume that clung to the breeze cost about the same amount as her car.

"So, Habibti. Do you like my golf course?"

Joey's eyes widened incredulously. "This is yours?"

"A man has to own a golf course."

"Do you play?"

Khalid grinned. "I'm too impatient." He winked at her. "I have a temper, and the golf clubs come off second best."

Joey smiled. "So why build it?"

"Plenty of guests ensure that it doesn't go to waste; besides, I like looking at the green."

It stretched out into the horizon.

"You want to say something," Khalid said.

"No, I'm good."

"Say it; I have a thick skin."

She doubted he had a thick skin in any sense of the word. His fine dusky skin gleamed in the moonlight.

"Tell me what you're thinking," Khalid pushed.

Here goes. Honest Joey. "Maybe you're a tad bored?"

Khalid looked sideways, and Abby rushed to explain. "There's only so much one can do with the money spent building a golf course you'll never use... I'm sorry, it's none of my business."

"No, I agree. I'm young and still foolish." He folded his arms. "What would you spend it on?"

"If it were for myself, I guess I would travel to an artist's retreat—like in Italy—where I'd paint and hang out with fellow artists for six months. After that, I'd build an art therapy center for children." Joey mapped out her ambitions in her head.

"That's a noble dream." Khalid bowed slightly to her. "You put a playboy like me to shame."

"I never meant—"