Chapter Four

“Put these on,” Joanne handed Max a white thwab, a blue and black checkered keffiyeh and a black agal. They were hiding in the dark, just outside the building where the women were being held. “I’m going to introduce you to the guards as a potential buyer who wants to choose some concubines for the night.”

“How generous of you, baby. I remember a time when you balked at me for just looking at—”

“Thanks Max. I needed a reminder that you’re a jackass,” Joanne snapped. “Get dressed. You’re wasting time.”

She narrowed her eyes warningly when he chuckled at her irate glare, not in the least fazed by her frosty reaction. His deep rumbling mirth slithered past the ironclad wall she’d locked around her heart. It thumped wildly in her chest, like it had been since the moment she’d laid eyes on him in the city. He was even more attractive now that he was older. He exuded an animal magnetism and wielded it like a master craft. She found it difficult to resist him and she could only imagine how popular he must be with subs.

Yeah, my stupid heart just has to calm down. I’m not falling for his tricks again.

Joanne might have some control over her mind and heart, but her libido spiked every time Max turned those sapphire blue eyes on her. She shook off her wayward thoughts and reached up to fix the headdress he jammed on his head.

 “You’re so sweet, baby,” he said. Their eyes met as she took a step back, watching his partially illuminated face. His eyes dropped to her chest and with complete disregard, he brazenly pushed the shirt out of the way to slip the tip of his finger under the tight binding around her breasts. “Once we’re out of here, I’m cutting them loose. It’s a sin to hide these gorgeous tits of yours.”

Joanne shimmered with anger when her body reacted immediately to his touch. She slapped away his hand with a growl, “Paws off, Maximilian.” She pivoted around and stomped toward the door. “Let’s go. No false moves. This way we can get out quickly and undetected.”

“Yes, Joanne,” Max drawled behind her. His warm breath brushed against her temple as he leaned closer. “Make no mistake though, baby. My paws, as you call them, are going to be all over your delectable body once we’re back in the States.”

Joanne glanced sideways at him, enthralled by the sudden roughness in his voice and the wicked glint in his eyes. His arousal was apparent in every flex of his muscled frame. She pressed her thighs together, suddenly desperate to keep her own sexual excitement contained. The attraction she felt toward him wouldn’t recede and she was tempted to give in to a reckless impulse to yank his head down and kiss him senseless.

“Dream on, bucko.” She opted for denial instead. “Stay.” She ordered the wolves before she walked inside the building. It was more important to get the women to safety than give in to her desires. “Bahal!” Her hoarse voice echoed against the stone walls. “Where are you? Ladayna dayf.”

“What does that mean?” Max queried but followed her as she continued at a brisk pace toward the back of the building.

“We have guests.”

“Just how am I supposed to pull it off being an Arab sheikh, Jo? My Arabic is broken at best.” He glanced over his shoulder. The three wolves sat in a row just outside the entrance, watching them.

“Speak English. Many trading sheikhs converse in English.”

“Thought of everything, didn’t you,” Max praised quietly, impressed with her thoroughness.

“Let’s hope so. Now, get into the role. Be superior, autocratic . . . gmphf, what am I saying—it’s your natural style. Just act . . . normal,” she instructed. “I’ll cough, clear my throat or wipe my mouth as a sign which women you have to choose.”

“Why not take all of them?”

“Because not all of them want to leave.”

“Jarrah?” A burly guard appeared in a doorway. He glanced briefly at Max. He rubbed his eyes, still half asleep.

“This is Sheikh Zayed bin Rashid from Dubai. He has expressed his desire for some company tonight. Are our ladies clean and prepared?”

“Always, Jarrah, as you ordered.” He respectfully bowed his head in their direction before he turned to grab keys from the desk behind him and led them down a flight of stairs.

Twenty minutes later they were on their way. Max was amazed that the guard didn’t blink an eye at the number of women he had selected for his ‘supposed’ entertainment.

“My apologies for waking you early, Bahal. Please, go back to sleep. I’ll escort the sheikh to the palace,” Joanne said. She quickened her step as they neared the exit, hurrying the women along. They dragged their steps, not very keen on another night of debauchery that none of them were willing participants in. Joanne hadn’t had time to convey her plan to them. 

“As you wish, Jarrah,” Bahal said, only too happy to return to his bed.

Max led the way around the side of the building with Joanne making up the rear. One of the women stopped and glanced at Joanne. “Where are we going? This isn’t the way to the palace.”

“It’s time, ladies. This is Max Shaw. He’s come to take us home. Shh!” She said urgently when they all erupted in cries of delight. “Don’t make a noise, we’re not in the clear. If you alert the guards, we’re all screwed.”

They dutifully suppressed their excitement and followed Max to the side wall where Bruce and Quinlan were waiting.

“Do they know who you really are?” Max asked under his breath.

“Yes. Most of them arrived with me a year ago,” she said shortly. “Once I managed to escape from Nadqan and secured a position here, I went back to extract as many as I could. I couldn’t chance rescuing more than one at a time. It took me ten months to get these twelve out.”

Max didn’t respond, overcome with pride at how strong she’d been during the entire ordeal. He smiled as they arrived at the west exit.

“Fancy meeting you here, cuz.” He thumped Quinlan on the shoulder.

“Calista didn’t give me much choice. It seems my wife is quite taken with you,” Quinlan responded gruffly but returned Max’s smile. “Is everyone here?” He asked, gesturing to the women huddled behind them.

“Yes,” Joanne responded. “Oh,” she gasped in surprise as Quinlan yanked her into his arms for a quick hug before Bruce followed suit.

“Good to see you, squirt,” he said against her cheek.

“You too, Bruce and Quin; thanks for coming to get me.”

“Enough chit-chat. Let’s get the hell out of here,” Max urged them through the narrow gate in the wall. “How far are the birds?”

“On the other side of the dune. It’s not too steep so we should make it there in less than thirty minutes,” Quinlan responded. He eyed the three huge animals following them. “Blow me over. I thought Rhone was kidding about them. What do you propose to do about them, cuz?”

“Fuck me if I know.”

The rest of the trek over the dune was conducted in silence. Some of the women started to wheeze halfway up the dune, forcing them to stop for spells to allow them to catch their breath.

“We better hurry. There’s movement in the compound. People are waking up,” Max urged them on. It spurred the women to walk faster. He only relaxed once they crested the top of the dune and boarded the choppers.

“Hell no, Max! They’re not getting into the chopper,” Rhone barred the way when Max tried to entice the wolves inside.

“Come on, mate. They’re tame,” he protested.

“No. It’s not a ten-minute flight back home, Max. Let them loose. They’re wild animals by nature. They’ll survive.”

Max turned to the animals. “I guess you’re right.” He went on his haunches in front of them to pat their heads. “This is the end of the road, Zaeim. Go and find your pack. You’re meant to rule, my friend. Just don’t let anyone capture you again.”

The wolf whined and tossed his head. He pressed his snout into Max’s throat briefly. With a loud howl, he turned and ran off into the dark, the two females following closely on his heels.

“Time to go, Max!” Bruce shouted when he stood watching them run off.

With a regretful shrug, he climbed into the chopper. “Buckle up ladies,” he ordered. He was still closing the door when Rhone took off without further delay.

“We’re flat hatting, Parnell, below radar detection. I’m not in the mood to spend time in an Arab prison.”

“Hell, yes. Neither do I,” Max’s voice rumbled in the confined space. He slipped his arm around Joanne’s shoulder and pulled her against his side. Before she could object, he slipped his knife between her breasts and cut through the binding.

She couldn’t suppress the sigh of pleasure when the pressure around her breasts relaxed. The only times she’d been able to unbind her breasts had been on the monthly trips that she’d taken to the city on her own. She couldn’t take a chance to sleep without it, in case someone entered her room at night. The prospect of never having to wear it again, filled her with elation. She itched to rub her throbbing breasts but squashed the desire. It’ll have to wait until she was out from under Max’s intense regard.

The knowing smile on his lips warned her that he could read the thoughts milling through her mind. His next words confirmed it.

“Don’t worry, baby,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll massage those beauties for you as soon as we’re alone.”

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. A nice hot bath would do the trick.”

His deep and delighted rumble pricked her ears. He yanked off the keffiyeh and unwound her hair. Joanne smothered the moan of pleasure when he lightly massaged her skull.

“Ah no, baby, where are the gorgeous blonde tresses I loved so much?” He stared at the dark hair that tumbled over her shoulders.

“I had to blend in, Maximilian.” She fingered her hair self-consciously.

“Fuck! We’ve been detected. Bogeys abeam, coming in fast. Parnell, buster and jink! We need to get the fuck out of here. We’re in hostile territory without permission. Alex was still working on clearing us to enter Arabic airspace when we left. If they catch us, we’re toast. We need to get across the border and fast,” Ruark grated through clenched teeth.

Joanne could feel the power of the chopper as he cranked it to top speed that pushed them back in their seats.

“Do you think Parnell will be able to keep up?” Bruce asked with his eyes on the radar. “He seems to be falling behind.”

“Keep an eye on him and warn me if he goes off radar. The Sikorsky is three times as fast as his.”

The four women huddled together, holding hands. The terror was evident in their eyes. Just the thought of being caught and returned to sexual slavery made them whimper.

“Parnell, talk to me,” Rhone barked into the receiver.

“We’ve crossed the border, mate. They turned tail. Just keep the fuck to international airspace. I’m not keen to be blown out of the sky,” Parnell’s voice crackled back.

“Roger that. It should be smooth sailing to France. We’ve got permission to refuel at the 106 Military Base Aérienne in Mérignac and from there it’s straight home,” Rhone responded.

“Then it’s adios, motherfuckers!” Parnell said, which drew laughter all around.

“Attaboy, mate,” Rhone drawled but he was still tense. He wouldn’t relax until they reached home. Safe and sound. “Snuggle up, Parnell, let’s get outta here.”

“Roger that, mate. I’m on your left.”

The collective sigh from everyone in the chopper morphed into the women bursting into tears. The reality of their impending freedom only now bore realization.

“Where do we take the women, Rhone? It wasn’t something we’d planned on,” Max pondered aloud.

“I contacted Alex while we were waiting on you. He’s setting up a safe house on a small farm bordering the Cabin John Creek. We’re landing at those coordinates,” Bruce confirmed.

Alex White was the Governor of Maryland and a very good friend. He was the force behind the crackdown on human trafficking in the US. 

“Try and get some sleep, ladies. It’s a six-hour flight to the airbase and another eight from there to DC,” Max said. He dragged a protesting Joanne onto his lap. “Sleep, baby. I can see you’re tired. I’ve got you, now you can let go and relax.”

Joanne’s struggles ceased the moment her supple frame made contact with his hard chest. She soaked in the warmth of his body. Her eyes closed and with the soft hum of the chopper blades in her ears and her fist locked around Max’ shirt, she fell asleep. Content and relaxed for the first time in over five years.

Max looked at the sleeping woman in his arms. There was a dim overhead light illuminating the interior of the back of the chopper. He gazed at the fullness of her mouth; tempted beyond reproach to taste their swollen succulence. 

His senses came alive as he was struck by her beauty, even without a speck of makeup. Her flawless olive skin resembled gossamer marble, scattered with specs of gold from being in the hot sun so much. Her beautiful face was framed by the long wisps of brunette tresses that cascaded in soft layers around her shoulders. Her rosy cheeks and perfectly shaped lips had always beguiled him—something he’d first been drawn to on her eighteenth birthday. She looked fragile, yet ethereal; like she was a result of angels crafting a masterpiece.

Her long lashes fluttered; a small whimper escaped her lips as she turned her face into his throat. Max exhaled deeply, more affected by the trusting gesture than he cared to admit. His arms tightened around her.

You’re back in my arms now, baby and come hell or high water, that’s where you’re gonna stay. I let you slip through my fingers once; I won’t make the same mistake again.

 

* * * * * * * *

A battle of wills ensued when the three men were ready to leave, once the women were settled at the safe house. Their mental as well as physical well-being would be taken care of during their stay.

“I’m staying here, Max. At least for now. These women need me. They’ve been leaning on me throughout their ordeal. I can’t just leave them,” Joanne reasoned when Max demanded she go home with him.

“It’s not a negotiation, Joanne. You’re coming home with me. You can come back later if you need to ensure for yourself that they’re being taken care of, but I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”

“Max, I—”

“Let’s go. I’m dead on my feet and need to sleep. We all need to wash the grime of the desert from our bodies as I’m sure you do too.”

“Look here, Maximilian, you are not going to bully me—”

Max did the one thing that was the most effective to shut her up. He kissed her. Although, if he was honest with himself, he just couldn’t resist her succulent and pouty lips any longer.

The kiss was one of aching sweetness and longing, doused with erotic entreaty. It was intoxicating—masterful—and hinted of more to come. Not satisfied with just a touch, he wanted more. His tongue met hers and ignited a firestorm of passion, inflaming her body with a radiant euphoria. He stole her breath until her head spun, destroying her resistance.

Max ended the kiss reluctantly. For the first time in years, he felt the flicker of warmth that had been missing in his heart. His fingers traced the swollen curve of her bottom lip. He tilted back her head with a gentle touch beneath her chin. He studied her quietly, remembering how easy it was to get lost in her passionate amethyst eyes.

“The past year has been hell, worrying and wondering where you were. Now that I have you back . . . I need to keep you safe.”

Joanne swallowed hard. The look in his eyes darkened, with deeper emotions lurking in their depths. It was that, which made her capitulate.

Max couldn’t keep his hands off her and tangled his fingers in her hair.

“At least you didn’t cut them,” Max studied her intently. “I must admit, it suits you, Jo. It adds to your mysterious aura.” He leaned closer. “You’ve been playing at being a man for too long, baby. It’s time to embrace being a woman again. Know this, Joanne. I’ll be the one—the only one—who will be the recipient of the passion you unleash.”

Joanne decided then and there that she had no intention of being alone with Maximilian Shaw. Not if she wanted to keep her sanity and her already wavering heart intact.

“Not everyone is hyper-sexed like you Maximilian. Besides, what makes you think I haven’t indulged in my sexual needs since you?”

She was enraptured by the chill that glazed his eyes. Her eyebrows curved upward sardonically.

“What’s the matter, Max? Surely you didn’t think I was so devastated the day you chased me away that I turned to celibacy? Au contraire mon cher, you unleashed something carnal in me and I’ve learned how to enjoy the earthy pleasures of the flesh. And like you, I’ve realized the benefit of multiple partners. So, as I said, thanks, but no thanks. Monogamy isn’t enough for me anymore.”

“That sounds like a challenge, my pet. One, that you can be assured I’ll accept.”

“It wasn’t a—” Joanne took a deep breath. She had enough sense to know that sparring with him would only spur him on. It was better to return to their original conversation.

“I can never thank you enough for finding me, Max but I’m not your responsibility. I’m a grown woman and things happen. Nothing anyone could’ve done back then would have changed what happened, except my own carelessness. And just so we’re clear, you don’t have me back. I’m back here, in the US, but not with you.”

“That, my little spitfire, is a topic we can debate another day. For now, let’s go. Rhone and Bruce are just as tired.”