Hostage of the Hawk Read Free Page A

his tanned, handsome face. ‘Bennett is worried,’ he said with satisfaction as he leaned his hard, six-foot frame against the wall.
    â€˜Precisely, my lord. He must be ready to bend to your will or he would not have ordered a woman to act as his agent.’
    â€˜Only a fool would bring his daughter on such a trip,’ Khalil said with disdain. ‘The woman must have thought Casablanca would be an exotic playground in which to amuse herself.’
    Hassan’s grizzled brows lifted. ‘Of course, my lord. She is, after all, of the West.’
    Khalil grunted in assent. ‘What does she want?’
    â€˜To speak with you.’ Khalil laughed and Hassan permitted himself a smile. ‘I told her, of course, that was not possible, and then she said Sam Bennett wishes tonight’s dinner meeting to take place.’
    â€˜Ah.’ Khalil’s hard mouth curled with the shadowy beginnings of an answering smile. ‘Bennett has decided he wants to keep our appointment now?’
    â€˜He is ill, sire, or so the woman claims, and wishes to send an emissary. I suspect it is an excuse he uses to save face.’
    Khalil strode forward. ‘I do not meet with emissaries, Hassan.’
    Hassan dipped his head in respect. ‘Of course, my lord. But her offer is interesting. The emissary is Joe Bennett, a vice-president of the company.’
    Khalil’s eyes narrowed. ‘Who? I have never heard of such a person.’
    Frowning, Hassan took his hand from the telephone and spoke into it. ‘We have no knowledge of this person who would meet with Prince Khalil, Miss Bennett. Is he related to your father?’
    â€˜Mr Hassan, if I could just speak with the Prince—’
    â€˜The Prince does not speak with underlings, and he surely does not meet with them,’ Hassan said coldly. ‘If you wish to answer my questions, I will transmit the information to my lord. Otherwise, our conversation is at an end.’
    â€˜Jo,’ Sam said, ‘give it up. You’re not gonna get to first base with this guy.’
    Joanna swung away from her father. ‘Jo Bennett is hardly an underling, Mr Hassan.’
    â€˜Jo,’ Sam said, his voice gaining authority, ‘did you hear me? Give it up. You took a shot and you lost.’
    â€˜Miss Bennett,’ the voice in her ear said sharply, ‘I asked you a question. Who is Joseph Bennett? Is he Sam Bennett’s son?’
    Joanna swallowed, shut her eyes, then opened them. ‘Yes,’ she said into the telephone, praying that the Prince would forgive the deception after she convinced him that there’d be enough money in this deal to make him happy, ‘yes, that’s right, sir. He is.’
    â€˜A moment, please.’ Hassan put his hand over the mouthpiece again and looked at the Prince. ‘The man you would dine with is the son of Sam Bennett.’
    Khalil glared at his minister. ‘A son,’ he snarled, ‘a young jackal instead of the old.’ He stalked across the elegant room, turned, and looked at Hassan. ‘Tell the woman you will accept a meeting with her brother. Perhaps my judgement is wrong. Perhaps the son has some influence on the father. At any rate, you can convey my message clearly: that I will not be ignored in this matter!’
    Hassan smiled. ‘Excellent, my lord.’ His smile fell away as he tilted the phone to his lips. ‘Miss Bennett.’
    Joanna blinked. ‘Yes?’
    â€˜I, Adym Hassan, Special Minister to His Highness Prince Khalil, will meet with your brother tonight.’
    Joanna clutched the cord tighter. ‘But—’
    â€˜Eight o’clock, as planned, at the Oasis Restaurant. As they say in your world, take it or leave it, Miss Bennett.’
    â€˜Jo?’ Sam’s voice rose. ‘Dammit, Jo, what’s he saying? He’s turning you down flat, isn’t he?’
    Joanna hunched over the phone. ‘Of