Taming of the beast - Completed.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The buzzing phone drew Callie back towards the desk and glanced at the number. There was only one who knew this number. Riyad had set up the phone, handing it over for her to look over, and would add his number later that never happened. With her hospital visits, Riyad tied down with palace business, and then she had left. Heart in her throat, dreading what was coming. Not sure where this was heading.

"Hello," she answered tentatively, not wanting to give anything else away after her last freak-out. Maybe she had already revealed too much. How would she know if he bugged her room? That would explain why he left her alone.

"Callie, I need you to stay where you are. I know what you are doing. I have not contracted Riyad as you asked," he stated. "I need time to put things into place. Can you do that?"

Callie looked around her prison, cowling down as if the walls were caving in. Most of the time she stayed in the bedroom, keeping to herself. "Just a couple of days." There was no escaping him now. Her days numbered. She had no clues why Daniel was so determined about marrying her. It made little sense, apart from the fact it must have something to do with who she was, taking a deep, shaky breath.

"Look into who my family's involved with. Somehow it's important. I have no idea. I will do as you ask." Anything to keep Riyad safe. Who was she? A nobody.

"Also, can I have your number? In case I require contacting you and do not have this phone on me."

"Of course, I will text it to you. I don't know it off by heart. How do I find it?" Never used it before, only to take photos of her babies. Naim explained, writing the instructions down, that she would look at later.

"Good. Hang in there, no matter what you think, you cannot cause us any harm." Her heart soared in hope, sinking onto the bed before her legs gave out.

"Even if I'm not of royal blood?" Tears fell, covering her mouth with a trembling hand. "I have no idea who I am anymore. Please let me go. I have nothing to offer you or Riyad. Hadn't he been through enough? I can't do this, keep him safe. Let me know, if not, I will do what I have to do to keep him out of this, whatever it is." Cutting off the call, seeing there was no other way.

Turning off the phone, Callie placed it away.

There was no future for her there. If she had to marry Daniel, to protect Riyad and his family, she'd accept that. Protect him like he had the others, without the money behind her. Hopefully, he would go back home and be the prince he was. Who he was meant to be.

She saw no other course.

Daniel had won, wishing now she had given herself over to Riyad as she craved. If she was honest with herself, he never wanted her as she had wanted him. He had never desired her in that situation.

What was in a kiss that never went beyond that? Was saying a lot.

She wasn't enough and never would be.

****

Riyad picked up his phone. "Naim?" He had been waiting on tenterhooks, pacing. He would rather do this himself, talk it to her, make her see she was safe, and he was going to keep her that way, but couldn't show his hand.

"We need to move fast on this. Our princess has given up. I can hear it in her voice."

Riyad swore under his breath, rubbing his forehead with his free hand. "No, we cannot have that. We have to hit him now that should keep him busy."

"I agree, he does not mess with our family. You need to find her and reconnect. It will not be easy, she knows."

His hand dropped, clenching at his side. "What do you mean she knows?" he growled.