Page 56 of Scarlet Mark

“Isn’t he, like, a businessman?”

“Who has a penchant for martial arts and weapons, just like me.” He grabbed my hand and brought it up to his lips, nibbling my thumb. “My brother can take care of himself. Trust me.”

“But you don’t know what Amir is capable of,” I pressed, not at all put at ease. “I’ve seen what he can do, Killian.”

“Similarly, you don’t know what my brother is capable of,” he countered, smiling. “If it were me, would you be this concerned? Or should I be jealous?”

“That’s not the point. You need to at least warn him.”

“Already done, kitten. Would you like to hear his reply?”

“You told him about Amir?”

“I informed him that my recent work assignment mentioned him in passing.” He released my hand to pull out his phone, scrolling. “Here’s what he said.” He showed me the screen.

Excellent. San Francisco is fucking boring. I could use the distraction.

“He sounds just like you,” I admitted.

“Yeah, except he runs a billion-dollar corporation. Anyone who touches him is an idiot. I wish Assad luck in his endeavor.” He pocketed his phone just as a flight attendant sauntered into the main cabin.

“Mister Bedivere,” she greeted, her voice a sultry murmur. “Can I get either of you anything for takeoff?”

“Scotch on ice,” he replied before glancing at me. “Anything for you, sweetheart?”

“Coffee.” We just arrived in Cairo a few hours ago and were already leaving. I needed caffeine. A lot of it.

“Cream and sugar?” she asked in a tone that grated on my nerves.

Killian chuckled. “She prefers it black,” he said before I could comment, his dark eyes finding mine. “Are you hungry?”

After our dinner experience? “No.”

He considered me for a moment, then turned back to the flight attendant. “I’m in the mood for dessert. Can you prepare a sundae bar once we’re in the air?”

Her expression lit up like he’d just asked her to marry him. “Oh, yes. Of course, sir.” She whirled around, her ass swinging as she went, and disappeared.

“I think she’s hoping you’ll eat her with the sundae,” I said, frowning after her. “Unless she’s always this chipper?” A thought occurred to me then. “Is she your usual attendant?” The flight we took to Cairo was staffed by three men. No women.

Killian’s lips twitched. “No. I’ve never met her. But the company I hire supplies all sorts of services, and she might be misinterpreting my needs for the night.” He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. The sundae is for you.”

“I said I wasn’t hungry.”

“I know.” His gaze smoldered as he ran it over me. “It’sforyou, Amara.”

My mouth went dry. “Oh” was all I could say.

He smirked and checked his phone as it buzzed. “Ah, perfect. Raven is working on our credentials. I knew she loved me.” Then he laughed as an image came through.

“Is that a cat licking its ass?” I asked, squinting at his screen.

“Raven has a fucked-up sense of humor.” He typed back a reply, then pressed a button on the console between us. “We’re cleared for Charlotte.”

“Thank you, sir” was the reply. “Just finished up the paperwork on our end. We should be in the air in about ten minutes.”

“Excellent.” He relaxed while I gaped at him.

“Charlotte?” My stomach twisted with the mention of the too-familiar city. “What exactly did you promise Amir?” I unbuckled my seat belt, the need to bolt hitting me hard in the chest, tears filling my eyes. “I trusted you.”