“Wow,” Leah sighed as Hamaz slide into the limo next to her.They finally left the charity ball shortly after midnight. All she wanted to do was shower and slip out of her high heels.“It wasn’t that bad.” He looked at her from beneath dark lashes.“This was my first ball. Matter of fact, it was my time ever wearing a gown, and hobnobbing with the rich and famous.”“Did you have fun at least?” He asked.“Surprisingly everyone was nice.”“They can be,” Hamaz nodded.Leah placed her finger under her chin, “Maybe it was because I was with one of the richest and powerful Saudi Prince. Not to mention the women were practically drooling over you.”“I didn’t notice.” He smiled.“Sure you didn’t”Hamaz reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers- bronze and ebony. “Is there anything, in particular, you want to do tomorrow?”“Margot said that sailing along the Seine River is a must or even the Pont des Art Bridge.”“We can do anything you want to do sweetheart.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly.Thank god they were sitting in the dimly lit confines of the back of the limousine. The partition was up between them, creating a barrier between them and Madani. Much to her surprise, she really enjoyed the time spent with Hamaz tonight. One particular partygoer whispered around her back, it reminded Leah of being back in high school all over again at homecoming.Throughout the evening, his arm stayed possessively around Leah’s waist as he spoke exclusively to different businessmen.  It was great to see Hamaz talk about a cause he held dear to his heart. He introduced to many business associates.She overheard some of the ladies in the bathroom chatting about the quiet mysterious Saudi Prince. Rumor was that Hamaz worked in intelligence years go after the attack in New York on September 9, 2001.  He told her he was on the held a seat on the Saudi Intelligence Ministry."What do you think of America?" Leah blurted out staring into Hamaz piercing eyes.Hamaz reached over and plucked a cool bottle of water from the stainless steel ice bucket. "Every year America is changing because of choices and the generation is evolving."She listens intently as Hamaz spoke warmly about America. Tonight she learned more about the man she was falling madly in love with. Yes, he served in the Saudi Military and work alongside US Military after September 11, 2001."Are you a spy?" She asked in a low voice."You Americans are fascinating creatures, why so much curiosity" He spoke in a hushed tone, loosening his tie and took a swig from the bottle of water. "You people want to know more and not satisfied with the answer you get.""Are you?"The limo came to a screeching halt at a green light.Hamaz lifted his hand, pressing the button to lower the partition glass.  "What is it, Ehan?""You're Highness, I believe there is an accident ahead" Ehan was speaking on his cell phone, "We're going to take an alternative route home,"Leah could hear the concern in both men's voices.  She was about to say something when their vehicle was hit by another car.The impact of the car colliding into theirs, caused them to propel out of their seats and onto the floor.  "Leah," Hamaz groaned, pulling her to him. "We need to go."Leah's head was spinning and ear ringing as she tried to catch her bearings.  She could feel warm wetness trickling down the side of her face. "Ok'" she moaned in pain.The car doors swing open, a lone figure dressed in black wearing a ski mask stood there. He spoke in Arabic.Leah was in shock, she didn't know what to do. She was like a deer in headlights."Is English better?" The gunmen asked, shoving a pistol in Leah's face"No, No, we're getting out," Hamaz lifted Leah's head up to meet his eyes. "We're getting out,"She nodded her head and stepped into the frigid winter night air. Huddled next to Hamaz as four menacing gunmen with huge rifles kept their beady eyes trained on them.Taking a handkerchief from his breast pocket, Hamaz wiped the blood off the side of Leah’s head.  "It’s going to be okay," he whispered,One guy ransacked the vehicle the limo as the other guys, stood there guarding them making sure they didn't move. Their large rifles caused Leah to shudder.The gunman emerged from the vehicle with a bag marked with a Saudi diplomat seal."Those are official documents," Madani says as he tries to rush the gunman only to be assaulted with the butt of the gun.Leah rushed to Madani side as he sat on the ground holding his bloody nose. Keeling next to him, taking the pocket square from his breast pocket and held it to his nose."Police!" One of the gunmen shouted, the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance."Take her,"“No!”Leah's eyes met a pair of dead hazel eyes. He was the self-proclaimed leader. He spoke Arabic, English, and French.  She turned and looked at Hamaz."No! There is over a hundred thousand dollars in the car," Hamaz shielded her. "Just take the money"She recognized, if she looked away for a split second she might have missed it.  His jaw was set and made him appear as a man hell bent on a mission. Protect her or die trying.When one of the gunmen cocked the gun at Hamaz, Leah scrambled to her feet. "I'll go, don't hurt him." She pleaded, standing in front of Hamaz.The leader pulled her hair and practically tossed her into the vehicles.ᴥᴥLeah was sandwich between the man she thought was the lead and one of his henchmen. They spoke in Arabic. Looking down silently, she chanted the ‘Lord’s Prayer’, hoping whatever they did to her was done swiftly.“Shut up,” a fist punched her viciously in the stomach, causing her to reel forward gasping in air as pain tore through her body.Suddenly someone behind had her hair was pulling with all their might. She screamed and tried to get away, a bolt of pain shot through her head. She screamed again and struggled to get away.“I have a few questions for you, and I don’t like repeating myself,” He said through clench teeth. “What is your relationship with Crown Prince Hamaz?”When Leah said nothing the man pulled her hair tighter as another blow connected with her face. Throbbing pain shot through her head. Leah screamed again as she struggled and twisted to get away, she could taste the blood in her mouth. Her heartbeat was filling her ears drowning out everything around her.He stared at her through his ski-mask, eyes blazing with madness. “Tell me!”Leah felt blood trickling down the side of her face. “Nothing,” she laughed hysterically, spitting in his face. “You kidnapped a person who doesn’t mean anything to him.”
“Bitch,” He yelled, someone took hold of her right hand. As the car came to screeching halt, she saw the glint of the knife in his hand.  Leah struggled and cried out for help as his blade cut into her hand, causing a brilliant stream of blood to leak down her arm.  The world around her spun and slowly everything around her became black. Sharing my playlist for Come Away With Me