Taming of the beast - Completed.

Chapter Sixteen

Leaving the tent Callie watched as men jumped down from the helicopter, and headed towards them and passed, she glanced back seeing them entering the tent. Only to pause as she heard vehicles approaching. It seemed he had his own crew. Had there been an arranged time or had he made a call while walking?

"Callie," Riyad sharp tone caught Callie's attention back to him, frowning. So it was back to that. Back to his safe position of keeping his distance.

Perhaps the kiss hadn't been such a good idea, not that she kissed him first, even if she wanted it desperately. Would she dare? It had been hanging around them for a while, yet not acted upon it. She hadn't imagined it; he had wanted to kiss her as well. A dark brow arched at her. Really, she would dare keep him waiting, closing the distance.

Then she noticed him. Another man. Not like the other men and headed straight for Riyad with determination. Riyad stood there at his full height, arms crossed. Before she could ask who he was, his arms fell away and one went around her waist and hauled her against his side, pressing his lips against her temple. Her leg went all wobbly as heat rippled through her. He was deadly.

"Follow my lead, no matter whatever happens. Do nothing, say nothing." So maybe not so much her, watching the stranger with interest, who looked striking familiar, glancing at Riyad, than back across, feeling the tension in his body. Nope, not good, clasping his arm with her hand and caressed.

"Scarf," Riyad hissed from the side his mouth that she pulled up from around her neck and over her hair, shading her face, sunglass firmly in place, reclaiming his arm as the other man stopped in front of Riyad, where both stared at each other in stony silence.

Callie looked from one to another. What the hell was going on? An Arabian standoff. Tension crackled the air. Good thing no showing of guns so far. Ten paces at noon. Wrong scene. Swords and daggers, even rifles, her mind racing, clutching at Riyad's arm tighter, snapping him out of some sort of hypnotic trance.

"Brother," Riyad greeted.

"Brother," Callie gasped. "This is your brother. Hello," she beamed at the other man.

Two pairs of eyes turned towards her, one golden the other much darker brown, yet there was warmth behind them.

"And who might you be?" he asked, brows arched. A family trait, it seemed, yet Riyad could do it with attitude. He had a knack to it unless she was more in tune to him.

"Callie Carson, your highness," she curtsied holding her tunic out with her other hand.

"Ah, the one who was seen out with my brother? A rare sighting indeed," his attention back at his brother, arching a brow. "Did you really think you could sneak in without us knowing?" he challenged, switching to Arabic

"Excuse me for a minute," Riyad stayed in English as he guided Callie off towards the side, putting distance between them. "I need you to go and sit in the helicopter. I need to talk to my brother alone."

She looked up troubled. "I shouldn't have said anything, should I? Sorry," worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. Especially after he told her to do and say nothing.

"It will be fine, Callie. I need to see to this. They would have found out about you sooner or later. I just wanted it to be later." Her eyes widened. He hadn't told them about her. Did they even know he was married?

"But they are family, Riyad. And why not speak in the helicopter. It's not like I can understand what you are saying, is it? Do you really want to stand out here under this fireball?"

"Perhaps a wise idea, brother," another joined in back in English. "And I would never be so rude. We can talk later, once we reach our destination."