Read Online Fire and Desire (Arabesque) by Brenda Jackson - Free Book Online
Authors: Brenda Jackson
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had called on South America for help.
“We would have grabbed her yesterday had that man not shown up,” Santini finally said, breaking the silence.
Rasheed blinked at the unexpected news. He stood. “What man?”
“The American who arrived before my men could do anything. And according to them, the man seemed to be a close friend of Ms. Avery. Possibly even her lover. He handled her with too much familiarity to be anything less.”
Rasheed frowned. According to Joshua Avery, his sister was not romantically involved with anyone. “And your men couldn’t handle one man?”
“Not this particular man. He’s had extensive military training.”
Rasheed’s frown deepened. “And how do your men know that?”
“Because he wears the ring.”
“What ring?”
“The Force Reconnaissance ring.”
Any military man, no matter what country he was from, had heard about the Force Recon group. They were an elite, highly skilled, specially trained group of men in the United States Marine Corps. A special breed of warriors, they were a close-knit group, almost like a brotherhood, who proudly wore their signet rings to prove it. To anyone else’s observant eye it would look like just another signet ring. But to another military man, no matter what branch of service and no matter from what country, that ring had significant meaning.
“Are you sure?” Rasheed asked quietly, thoughtfully.
“I’m positive. The two men who reported back to me are former military men with the Argentine government. They would know.”
Rasheed’s mood darkened. “This changes nothing. I won’t be satisfied until I receive the news that Corinthians Avery is on her way to Mowaiti.”
“And the American protecting her?”
“He’s your problem. You deal with him.”
Santini shook his head. “You’re taking a big chance, Monty.”
“Am I?” he challenged. “Can you say you wouldn’t do the same to save your country if given the chance, big or small?”
Santini thought about his love for his own country and knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his people. “No.”
Rasheed smiled. He knew his friend understood. He walked over to him and touched him on the shoulder. “Once I have Ms. Avery and she finds oil, Mowaiti’s troubles will be over. Out of friendship and honor, please continue to help me on this.”
Santini nodded. “I will.”
Trevor glanced around the crowded banquet room. Most of the people present had attended today’s meeting and represented more than fifty major oil companies from around the world. They were people who were well-trained in scientific and technical skills in ways to extract oil reserves. The purpose of the all-day meeting had been to share as much of that knowledge as possible without leaking any company secrets.
He couldn’t help but be proud of the way Corinthians had handled herself. He hadn’t missed the look of admiration and respect in a number of the men’s eyes. She had done something a lot of them had yet to do, and that was to use her vast knowledge and skill to locate an oil basin. As far as he was concerned, that said a lot for someone who was the only female head geologist in the group. When she had given her presentation, a lot of eyes had been on her. Some, he’d noticed, for reasons other than the information she was providing. Her physical beauty had entranced them. And he had to grudgingly admit, he hadn’t liked it one bit. At first he had convinced himself that he hadn’t cared that other men were looking at her with male interest. But later he’d been man enough to admit he’d lied to himself.
He had cared. More than he had wanted to.
He was reaching for another glass of wine off the tray of a passing waiter when the room suddenly became quiet. He turned to see what had caused the silence and felt his stomach tighten. Corinthians stood in the doorway and she looked absolutely gorgeous. Trevor took a quick glance around the room. Some of the men were
“We would have grabbed her yesterday had that man not shown up,” Santini finally said, breaking the silence.
Rasheed blinked at the unexpected news. He stood. “What man?”
“The American who arrived before my men could do anything. And according to them, the man seemed to be a close friend of Ms. Avery. Possibly even her lover. He handled her with too much familiarity to be anything less.”
Rasheed frowned. According to Joshua Avery, his sister was not romantically involved with anyone. “And your men couldn’t handle one man?”
“Not this particular man. He’s had extensive military training.”
Rasheed’s frown deepened. “And how do your men know that?”
“Because he wears the ring.”
“What ring?”
“The Force Reconnaissance ring.”
Any military man, no matter what country he was from, had heard about the Force Recon group. They were an elite, highly skilled, specially trained group of men in the United States Marine Corps. A special breed of warriors, they were a close-knit group, almost like a brotherhood, who proudly wore their signet rings to prove it. To anyone else’s observant eye it would look like just another signet ring. But to another military man, no matter what branch of service and no matter from what country, that ring had significant meaning.
“Are you sure?” Rasheed asked quietly, thoughtfully.
“I’m positive. The two men who reported back to me are former military men with the Argentine government. They would know.”
Rasheed’s mood darkened. “This changes nothing. I won’t be satisfied until I receive the news that Corinthians Avery is on her way to Mowaiti.”
“And the American protecting her?”
“He’s your problem. You deal with him.”
Santini shook his head. “You’re taking a big chance, Monty.”
“Am I?” he challenged. “Can you say you wouldn’t do the same to save your country if given the chance, big or small?”
Santini thought about his love for his own country and knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his people. “No.”
Rasheed smiled. He knew his friend understood. He walked over to him and touched him on the shoulder. “Once I have Ms. Avery and she finds oil, Mowaiti’s troubles will be over. Out of friendship and honor, please continue to help me on this.”
Santini nodded. “I will.”
Trevor glanced around the crowded banquet room. Most of the people present had attended today’s meeting and represented more than fifty major oil companies from around the world. They were people who were well-trained in scientific and technical skills in ways to extract oil reserves. The purpose of the all-day meeting had been to share as much of that knowledge as possible without leaking any company secrets.
He couldn’t help but be proud of the way Corinthians had handled herself. He hadn’t missed the look of admiration and respect in a number of the men’s eyes. She had done something a lot of them had yet to do, and that was to use her vast knowledge and skill to locate an oil basin. As far as he was concerned, that said a lot for someone who was the only female head geologist in the group. When she had given her presentation, a lot of eyes had been on her. Some, he’d noticed, for reasons other than the information she was providing. Her physical beauty had entranced them. And he had to grudgingly admit, he hadn’t liked it one bit. At first he had convinced himself that he hadn’t cared that other men were looking at her with male interest. But later he’d been man enough to admit he’d lied to himself.
He had cared. More than he had wanted to.
He was reaching for another glass of wine off the tray of a passing waiter when the room suddenly became quiet. He turned to see what had caused the silence and felt his stomach tighten. Corinthians stood in the doorway and she looked absolutely gorgeous. Trevor took a quick glance around the room. Some of the men were
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