As much as she loved her country… as much as she longed to do what her brain told her was the right thing, her heart wouldn’t let her do anything that would jeopardize her child’s safety.
Khaled had told her what he would do if she ever told a soul. The fact that he hadn’t simply killed her had been surprise enough. At first, she had been so happy that he hadn’t executed her on the spot, that she had stupidly thought maybe he still loved her. But he hadn’t, not the way a man was meant to love a woman in any event.
So, she’d had to muddle through alone. Her family had disowned her. She had no friends. The few she’d had before moving to Kuwait had gone on with their lives. There was no one to help her except this stranger she’d hired with the last of her savings.
She could say or do nothing that would alienate him in any way. He could never know she was keeping such a horrible secret. He was ex-military. He would not understand her reasoning.
Every step had to be carefully planned. Every word cautiously chosen.
When the seatbelt light had gone out and the flight attendant announced that they could deplane, Spencer stood and stepped back for her to exit before him. Willow dragged the khimar from her purse and wrapped it around her hair as she moved down the aisle. She had lightened her hair just a little and she’d lost some weight. She had to believe that no one would recognize her. Otherwise she might just have a nervous breakdown before they got out of the airport.
As they walked along the corridor that would take them into the terminal, Spencer moved closer, but he didn’t touch her. Apparently he understood that acts of affection or touching in general were not well-perceived in this country. His apparent knowledge of the country prevented any awkwardness.
God really had been looking out for her when he’d led her to the Equalizers.
Her heart started to pound harder when they moved into the crowded terminal. She tried not to scan the crowd. She wanted to look like any other arriving visitor. If she appeared suspicious or apprehensive someone might notice.
As they approached customs, she found herself holding her breath. If they made it through this security checkpoint, they would be home free.
Several other passengers lined up in front of them.
Anders leaned down. “We’ll be fine,” he whispered softly.
She prayed he was right.
Working hard not to study the faces of the customs officers, she rested her gaze anywhere but on the activities going on directly in front of her.
Stay calm, she told herself over and over.
There is no reason for anyone to be suspicious. Her papers were in order. She had nothing in her possession that would raise questions.
Five more minutes and this part would be over.
One of the officers motioned for her and Anders to move forward. It was their turn.
She walked slowly up to the counter and placed her purse and small carry-on bag there. Somehow a smile tilted the corners of her mouth.
“State your business in our country.”
Anders answered in spite of the fact that the man looked at Willow when he asked the question. “We’re appraising real estate for one of my clients.” He smiled down at Willow before turning his attention back to the man. “And doing a little vacationing.”
How could he sound so calm and cool?
The officer continued to review their passports and belongings. Willow noted nothing even remotely familiar about him. He looked to be in his forties. Medium height and weight with a bit of gray in his dark hair. His tone was brusque when he spoke, but that was typical.
Just when she’d decided she could relax marginally, the officer motioned for another man to join him at the counter. He passed Willow’s passport to his associate. Her heart lunged into her throat.
The second man, who wore a similar uniform to the first, looked at Willow and said, “Madam, you will need to come with me.”
Chapter Six
Willow knew what it was to be afraid. She’d been afraid many times in the past year, but not once had she been as terrified as she was at that moment.
“Is something wrong?”
She looked from the customs officer waiting for her to follow him to the man next to her who’d asked the question, his tone clearly impatient.
“Whatever the problem,” Anders added firmly, “you’ll need to explain it to me as well as my wife.”
Willow held her breath, prayed there was merely a misunderstanding.
“There is no problem, sir,” the officer assured him. “We select individuals at random for questioning. This is a security measure that is perfectly legal and of only minor inconvenience, I assure you.”
Anders nodded. “Fine, but I insist on being present. Do you have a law against that?”
“No, sir. This way, please.”
The wave of relief that rushed over her made Willow sway ever so slightly. She did not want to do this alone.
Anders placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her in the direction the officer had already taken. “Don’t worry,” he murmured, “this won’t take long.”
Her entire being gravitated toward him and the protection he offered. It had been so long since anyone had protected her in any way. She hadn’t realized how badly she’d needed someone to take care of her until that moment.
The interview room was small. It reminded Willow of the rooms where suspects were taken in the television cop shows. Anders sat next to her at the small table. The officer took a seat on the opposite side.
“You stated that you are in Kuwait on business.” This the officer said to Anders.
“Yes,” Anders responded. “I’m an international Realtor. I have a client who is interested in office space here. I’ve contacted a local agent.” He reached into his pocket and removed a business card and offered it to the officer. “He’ll be showing me a couple of spaces later this morning. I’m sure he’ll be happy to verify that for you if you find it necessary to call.”
It was the middle of the night. Willow didn’t know who Anders’s contact was, but surely he was in bed.
“Have you been to Kuwait before?”
There was no doubt as to whom this question was directed. The officer’s gaze bored straight into hers.
“No.” She tried to swallow the emotion tightening in her throat. “This is my first visit.” Anders had instructed her on what she should say if the subject came up. She hadn’t expected it to come up only minutes after her arrival in the country.
“You’ve been here before.”
That too-familiar fear paralyzed her for two beats before the officer turned his attention to Anders.
“Have you not?” he pressed.
“Yes,” Anders confirmed. “Several times.”
Another uniformed man entered the room. He deposited Willow’s purse and carry-on bag onto the table. He placed Anders’s briefcase there as well.
The officer handed both passports to Anders. “I hope your visit is productive and enjoyable.”
Willow’s heart rate didn’t return to normal until they had exited the terminal and picked up the rental car. As much as she wanted to close her eyes and block the memories bombarding her, she couldn’t. She couldn’t ignore the details of the place she had called home for three years or the incident that had just occurred, reminding her that this was not America.