She breathed through her fear and eased her face into a relaxed smile. “Is that why you’ve relocated us to the caves instead of the camp? Surely you don’t believe that I or any of the missionaries have done anything wrong? We’re only trying to help your people.”
He drew closer, bringing his large, imposing body into her personal space. She forced herself to remain still.
“That’s just it. Nobody asked for your help. You Westerners think you can go anywhere you want and take over people’s lives. Force your will on others regardless of their feelings,” he said in a tone which was soft yet intensely unnerving.
“I didn’t— I don’t. I thought I had something to offer the children,” she said.
“And what prompted your magnanimity? What made you come here in the first place? Was it out of pity or, more likely, a sense of superiority?”
“I just wanted to make a difference, go somewhere I was needed.”
One brow spiked. “Ah, the common ailment of the Western world. You woke up one day, looked around and decided Africa was the right place to come and find yourself, yes?”
“I didn’t make the decision on a whim, if that’s what you’re implying. And I don’t know why you’re condemning Westerners. Aren’t you one yourself?”
He folded strong arms across his chest. “Don’t let the color of my fair skin deceive you, my dear. Nawaka is my home—its blood-red soil flows through my veins, and I will defend her with my last breath. Can you say the same about your intentions for my country?”
The vehemence in his voice made her hesitate. In that moment, Belle knew her very safety could be balanced on the knife-edge of her response. “I know I can’t claim the birthright or devotion you feel for this place, but that doesn’t mean I take my position here lightly. All any of us were trying to do was help—”
“No one’s asked for your help.” Again he interrupted, his harsh tone echoing eerily in the cave. “You take time out of your schedules when you feel like an exotic holiday, interfere in other people’s lives, and then when things get too uncomfortable, you jump on your planes and disappear. Perhaps it’s time to send a clear message once and for all.” His words unnerved her, as did every step he took closer.
Fear and bile rose in equal measures, but she held her ground. “I swear to you, that wasn’t what I intended when I came here. I just wanted to help any way I could. And if you mean what you say about Nawaka being your home, then you should know that kidnapping us will only send the wrong message.”
His smile changed to one of speculation. “So you care about what happens to my people?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then accept my hospitality. Prove it by staying here,” he said, his gaze holding the implacable challenge.
No! The silent scream threatened to burst from her chest, and she barely managed to hold it in. “What good will I do from here?” Her voice emerged shaky.
“We live in an era of astounding technology, Belle. Don’t let your surroundings fool you.”
Sheer terror threatened to immobilize her. She’d already seen his satellite phone and the powerful weapons his soldiers wielded. God only knew what other pieces of software and hardware he had at his disposal.
If Charles Mwana decided to keep her—all of them—here indefinitely, chances were they would never be found.
Belle couldn’t let that happen. Father Tom, for one, despite having lived in and served in harsh environments like these, would never make it.
“Or perhaps everything you say about wanting to help my people is a lie. In which case, you’re of no use to me.” With a careless shrug, he turned away again.
“Stop!” She swallowed hard, her insides churning with terror. She’d seen the way he watched her. And she wasn’t naïve enough to think the offer to take his bed was a completely altruistic one born out of the need to keep her safe. “I’ll stay for a while and help you with whatever you need help with. But I’ll do it on one condition.” She balled her fists to stop their shaking. “You let the others go.”
He gave a soft laugh. “Just like a Westerner. Even in a hopeless predicament, you think you can throw about ultimatums. But I’m tempted by your offer.” His gaze dropped to her lips, his gaze darkening when it rose to capture hers. “Very tempted.”
His face relaxed, and his lips curled into a smug smile of satisfaction. Reaching out, he traced a rough knuckle down her cheek. A bubble of terror grew deep inside her at the anticipatory gleam in his eyes.
“You caught and held my attention from the first moment I saw you. In another time, another place, this would’ve gone down differently, but destiny has placed us here, so this is how it has to be, you understand?” he murmured softly.
She didn’t, not really, but she nodded anyway, as she slid down the slippery slope toward hopeless despair. A sudden thought teased her brain, and she grasped it with both hands. Would her condition buy her time? What if it backfired? It would be a calculated risk, but it might just pay off. She took a deep breath.
“Th…there’s something you should know.”
His smile disappeared, replaced once again by a deadly stare. “What is it?”
“It— It’s my time of the m-month.”
Incomprehension clouded his face.