Sands of Time - The Al-Hakim brothers - Javier and Amanda story - Completed

Chapter three

Wide, over-bright eyes rose, looked away as she stared into Javier's stern expression. He guided her gaze back up with his fingertips under her chin.

"Damn it, I shouldn't have left you, especially with that....that...."

"Don't," she begged. "Simone is only looking after my welfare, but what she did to you was wrong. Please forgive her." Nostrils flared and eyes blazed as Javier tried to control his anger. Shaking his head, he circled her waist with a secure arm and guided through the building to the outside. Onto a paved courtyard with a water fountain, and pond as the centre piece, surrounded by the four walls of the palace.

Mandy glanced all around, taking in the pillar archways as she was guided towards the water fountain, kneeling down, rippling the cool water with her fingers. "Javier this is so beautiful." The cool breeze rustled her hair that felt refreshing against her skin as she released all her tension with a long exhale of breath. She turned, looking up into his eyes that were shadowed by the night. He crouched down at her side.

"You asked me not to judge so harshly, but how can I not, when I see what she has done to you. There is bruising on your arms and pain in your eyes. Kamilah's sister would be severely punished, if she had done anything like that to her and vice-versa. I fear your sister has a violent temper, when she doesn't get what she wants. For your own safety, I must insist you stay here for awhile, until time has passed. I know Kamilah does enjoy your company so much."

"As I do hers. I had already made up my mind to stay Javier. As for Simone, I have never seen her like that before. For some reason, she has it in for you."

"Different cultures have a habit of clashing," he admitted. "I'd send Kamilah to you, while I put an end to this gathering."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Please don't, because of Simone or myself."

Laughing softly, he touched her cheek. "Perhaps your sister is right about one thing. You're too innocent to be left alone on your own devices. The minute I saw you, I wanted everyone to leave, however, controlled myself. The limit of my patience has come to an end. I refuse any longer to share you with anyone else. Now don't move, and I promise to be back as soon as possible."

Mandy had no desire to leave. Not now, not later.

While Javier had seen to his last guest, Kamilah had made plans for the rest of the night, only to inform her brother, when he had eventually come to claim Mandy. So here they were back at her hotel in the Casino, where she had no rights to be, yet she hadn't been asked for her passport. She was allowed through at Javier's side without a flutter of an eyelash.

At any moment, she expected to be asked to leave, because of her age and shown the door. Mandy clung to Javier's arm as they strolled around the tables.

"Relax. No-one going to approach you." Javier's warm breath feathered her cheek. She stared at him astonished. How could he possibly have known? He smiled gently. "Your eyes give you away. Here." They stopped in front of a roulette table, where he eased her into a chair and carelessly tossed some money onto the table. The money was collected, counted in front of them, and changed into chips that were placed in front of Mandy.

She glanced up at Javier, receiving a nod. Hesitantly, she removed a chip and placed on black. Shaking his head, Javier collected three more, adding to the pile, and then placed a hand on her shoulder, standing behind her. Mandy forced all her attention onto the table and a small white ball that began to spin in the opposite direction of the spinning wheel, however, was very aware of the imprint of Javier's touch.

"Any luck?" Kamilah asked, sliding into a chair beside Mandy.

"Give us a chance. We have only just started," Amanda stated. Smiling Kamilah glanced sideways at her brother meaningfully.