Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“Yes! You do want to die if you intend to run away,” he retorts. “You surveyed the land during transport. You saw the staff. Every inch of the palace reports to Al Rafi, even your ladies. That’s why I came at this ungodly hour. Luxury, use your brain.”
He flicks a heated look over his shoulder. “Do you really want to be free? Freedom can come two ways. By my help or death. Do you prefer the latter?”
I launch onto my knees and scramble over the bed to sit beside him. “I’m begging you to help me.”
A fragment of a smile appears on Ahmad’s lips. “Simmer down, sweet girl. I admire your tenacity. I’m sure you are aware that these bare hands,” he says, holding them up, “can murder you just like that.”
Because of his affable demeanor, I quickly retort, “I’m not afraid of you. Victor will—”
The flash of hatred in his eyes forces my silence. Too friggen far, Lux.
He wags a finger. “That will be the reason you die, Luxury. Mention that vile name again. You will be forced to live out the rest of your days under the sheikh’s reign or die trying to escape without my assistance. I don’t know which is a worse fate.”
Head hung, I murmur, “Sorry.”
“Apology accepted. Now, what you have to do is simple. You have to make the sheikh happy.”
“What—”
“Listen, please.” He holds up a hand in a friendly gesture.
“Go ahead, speak. But I’ll never submit to that rapist.”
“You misunderstand, Luxury. Just for a short while, you must please Al Rafi. The sheikh will desire your attention.”
Bile scrabbles up my throat. “I can’t stomach the sight of him, nor his bitch.”
“Princess Wasim,” he interjects.
“She seemed to think I enjoyed Al Rafi’s company. If I actually submit to that bastard, Wasim’s bound to retaliate. Your suggestion presents too many obstacles.” I pant in exasperation. Even if I can’t trust Ahmad, I will not die here. The baby in my womb must live, or we die together.
At my despondency, Ahmad softens. “Al Rafi’s hotel has one of the largest casinos in the Middle East. The sheikh will allow you to accompany him, adorn his arm like one of his jewels. Then—”
“Slip away from there?” For a second, my heart triples in beat.
“Precisely, but I must warn you this is a task that you alone must bear. Your chances of survival increase with strangers around. But you may come in contact with Princess Noor.”
“She . . . will . . . help me?” My brow pitches upward as doubt sinks in.
“Wasim’s a bully. Her dagger was just for show. Noor will murder you. She will take your life on sight. She’s the reason you are here. She and that dirty tramp you love.”
Princess Noor and my Vic? “Tell me more,” I ask hesitantly.
Ahmad gets up. The restlessness of defying his sheikh causes the naked, marred dark angel to sulk around with hands on his head. He takes a seat on the plush silk settee across from the bed.
“Al Rafi’s daughter, Princess Noor, can do no wrong—even murder one of her father’s wives. They say she poisoned her very own mother as a child because the woman received more attention than she.”
I suck in a chock-full of air.
“She once was promised to the Sheikh of Tavar. The alliance would’ve benefited our countries. Stopped the war on oil that both lines claim. Tavar is Al Rafi’s worst and closest enemy. Being that money’s involved and Tavarian land borders ours to the west, it came down to signing contracts and negotiating other business ventures. Tavar and Al Rafi struck a deal,” Ahmad says in astonishment. “A few months ago, there was a grand celebration, complete with million-dollar bottles of champagne. Billion-dollar contracts. Included in their treaty was the princess’s virtue.”
I wince. “Noor fooled around with Victor?”
“He ruined her innocence.” Ahmad’s thick, sensual lips sneer. “Noor spoke up before the sheikh signed away substantial portions of her life. To sign and seal a false claim . . .”
“Suicide?” I sigh. Everyone’s out to stab someone in the back.
“Yes. Even Sheikh Al Rafi wouldn’t have been able to save her for entering a union while not a virgin.”
“I get it.” I pat his shoulder. He takes my hand and kisses the silk of my palm. “Ahmad.”
“I know. You are in love with that . . .” Ahmad’s voice trails off. “I will no longer return, Luxury. Your ladies will teach you the culture. Take heed. It will also save your life—if you get to Saudi Arabia. That is, if you decide to please the sheikh and make a run for it. I pray that you go with Allah.”
8
Victor
Saudi Arabia
Ninety-six hours ago, I last laid eyes on my Little One. Since then, I’ve bloody fallen asleep where I fucking stood and only consumed nourishment to survive.