Page 39 of Forbidden Passion
She didn’t expect a response, assuming that Maggie was sound asleep. But her phone beeped immediately after she sent the message.
“Ramit isn’t with me and we’re not asleep. Come to the dining room. We have hot chocolate ready.”
Intrigued both by the “We” and the “hot chocolate,” Ciara stepped out of her suite, smiling at her bodyguards who moved to surround her more tightly.
When she reached the dining room, Ciara stepped into the space and froze, startled to find Maggie and Tara, the tiny, but pretty, assistant that Zayed never went anywhere without.
“What’s going on?” she asked, moving to the buffet, that had a variety of sweets and fruit laid out along with all of the fixings for hot chocolate. Ciara poured herself a big mug of the hot chocolate, adding in some peppermint crumbles and two marshmallows. Of all the days to splurge, tonight was one of them. There had to be some benefits to being shot!
“The men are interrogating a woman named ‘Myala’,” Maggie announced, stirring her hot chocolate.
Ciara paused, trying to picture the woman in her mind. “I’ve met her,” she replied with a nod, stirring her hot chocolate as she made her way to the sofa. “She thinks she’s in love with Falk. She has some twisted idea that he’s going to marry her.” Ciara explained.
“That’s what Tara explained.” Maggie leaned closer whispering, “Tara seeseverything! It’s scary.”
Ciara laughed, then looked over at the blushing assistant “Sorry, we’re impressed with your skills. Zayed talks about you a lot.”
The woman gazed down at her own hot chocolate that had no additions and had barely been touched. It was almost as if the pretty woman didn’t think she deserved the decadent treat.
Maggie interrupted the silence before it became awkward. “Explain to Ciara what you just told me.”
Tara shifted in her chair, but turned to face Ciara more fully. “As a staff member, I’m in a good position to watch the guests at these kinds of functions.” She started off, only to pause, then continue. “I’m basically invisible.”
Maggie snorted, but Ciara was too interested in Tara’s observations. “What did you see tonight?”
She shifted again, cupping the mug as if needing to warm her hands. “Myala didn’t leave the ballroom at any point tonight. The guards are reviewing the video feeds, but they’ll find that I’m right.”
“Did you tell them this?”
“Yes. But they dismissed me. They think they’re going to find moments when she stepped out. But she never did.”
“Why were you watching her so closely?” Ciara asked, liking the woman’s no-nonsense attitude.
Tara twirled her mug thoughtfully before answering. “Because she’s fascinating.”
Maggie and Ciara thought about that for a moment, then nodded. “Fair enough. So, what did you see?”
“She didn’t leave, first of all. At least not until the guards pulled her out. I know that a jealous woman with some delusional tendencies is rightfully at the top of the suspect list, but she didn’t do it.”
“You’re sure?” Maggie asked.
Tara nodded. “I’m sure,” she replied. “One hundred percent.” She sighed, then brushed her hair out of her eyes. “I don’t think that the daughter is the crazy one.” She held up a finger, then grimaced. “Let me rephrase. I think that Myala’s father is crazier than the daughter. In fact, I suspect it was her father who shot at you tonight.”
Ciara’s blood went cold for a moment. “General Rashmid shot me?” she gasped. “Why do you think that?”
Tara clutched the mug with both hands. “I know he’s a highly decorated military leader in Falk’s country. And I’ve noticed how he treats his daughter. Plus, I’ve heard several conversations over the past few days that indicate he thinks his daughter deserves to be married to Falk because of all the years he’s given to the country. He told someone yesterday that all the sacrifices that he’s made over the past three decades were going to be rewarded this weekend.”
Ciara wasn’t sure what to say. It was Maggie who finally asked, “How did you overhear something so…weird?”
Tara shrugged. “As a palace staff member, most people don’t notice me. Like I said, staff members are invisible.” She glanced at Ciara. “At least, for most people. The palace staff members adore you. You don’t treat them as if they are invisible, Your Highness. They would do just about anything for you.”
“That’s very kind of you to say,” Ciara replied not sure if she fully believed the woman. “But…back to the general. Who was he speaking with when he said his sacrifices would finally be rewarded?”
Tara made a weird face then continued. “That’s why I think that General Rashmid is crazier than his daughter.” She bit her lip then continued. “He wasn’t talking to anyone. He was alone. Well, he was standing alone in the ballroom. There wasn’t anyone around him, which is one of the reasons I watched him so carefully.” She continued. “And that’s why I saw him slip out of the room after Falk dismissed his daughter. He wasn’t…angry, exactly. But he did seem…determined.”
“That’s not good,” Maggie whispered, looking over at Ciara. “I don’t believe that the palace guards arrested anyone except that woman.”
Ciara nodded, then abruptly stood up, putting her untouched mug of hot chocolate on the table in front of her. “We have to warn them,” she called out as she raced from the room.