Hard Choices (Blood Brothers #6)

by Manda Mellett

  When his voice trails off, I prompt, “But?”

  He shakes his head. “There’s an expression in her eyes that shows her mind wasn’t fully engaged. That she’s using the children as a distraction. She…” Instead of completing his thoughts, he changes the subject. “Rami’s officially asked me for her hand in marriage. I’ve given my permission for him to propose to her.” His eyes flick to mine to see how I’m taking it.

  My fists tighten even more, though I keep my voice calm. “Rami isn’t right for her.” He’s a good enough bloke. He’d impressed me when he’d stepped up to parachute onto the yacht, like me, putting his fear behind him to rescue her. It doesn’t change my mind, I know she wouldn’t be happy with him.

  Again Kadar’s shoulders rise and fall. “It’s her decision whether she wants the prince or not. I’ll support any agreement she comes to with him.” Sweeping his robes around him, he retakes his seat behind the enormous desk, an ancient relic left over from his great grandfather’s day. The monitor sitting on top shows how Kadar’s made it his own and brought it into the twenty-first century. His eyes meet mine. “It was a match my father proposed. Rami’s known about it almost since his birth. Was brought up to expect it. As were we all.”

  The fuck he has. “Another one of your father’s dictates you can reverse,” I remind him. “It’s no longer Rushdi sitting behind that desk.”

  He looks at me sharply. “I would never force Aiza to do anything she didn’t want. But…” His face twists as though he finds something distasteful.

  “But?” I prompt impatiently.

  “From what Aiza said, I wouldn’t need to push her in his direction. It seems like she’s made up her mind. When he makes a proposal, she’s indicated she’s inclined to accept.”

  It takes a moment for me to digest that she’s even thinking about agreeing to his offer. I stand so quickly it makes the chair rock. Leaning over the desk, my palms flat on the ancient wood, my voice rises as I tell him again, “Rami is not the man for her.”

  “Sheikh! Remember yourself.”

  Kadar’s growl has me sitting back down. Once I’m seated, though in no way any calmer, he holds up his hand. “I know that.”

  He does?

  “I’ll put it into my language. Rami’s a good man. I’ve never heard anything to his detriment. Brave. Hell, he jumped out of a plane to go rescue her.” Kadar seems impressed.

  Has he forgotten I did that myself?

  The emir hasn’t finished. “He’s submissive. Anyone could see it.”

  “Aiza’s not,” I state firmly.

  He looks at me with tired eyes, and now I understand part of his exhaustion is down to his worries about his sister. “You might know better. I don’t understand her, Rais. Never took the time to know what makes her tick while my father was alive. I grew up accepting her marriage would be for the sake of Amahad. It should be easy for me to give my blessing on the match and pleased it’s all come about as planned.”

  “Instead, you’re not.” That gives me hope.

  A knock at the door interrupts us, and Ma’mun enters, a tray of refreshment in his hands. He puts it down on the conference table and pours two coffees, bringing them over. I take mine and place it on the desk. Kadar holds his cup between his hands. He thanks his personal assistant, then, when we’re left alone once more, starts speaking again.

  “What do I know of her, Rais? We left her in Switzerland, basically forgot about her, thinking of her as nothing more than a pawn in the service of Amahad. She had us fooled, had her own dreams that she followed. Lived a life I had no idea she even had in her mind. She worked her arse off to get a degree, and from what I hear has been doing good work for a charity.” He smooths his hand down his beard. “Instead of living in luxury, she’s been using her allowance for the good of others. She’s an incredible person, and we should never have dismissed her as we did, or believed she was of no consequence. Sure, she made some mistakes, only because she thought she wouldn’t be allowed to continue what she was doing unless she was free.”

  I nod. She fooled everyone into thinking she had no value, was spending her money on clothes and a good life, when that couldn’t be further from the truth. Every word he’s saying emphasises what an excellent wife she’d make for me. I test the water. “You think Rami would be wrong for her? You’d prefer her to continue to have that freedom?”

  “Marrying Rami would give her a sheltered life. One similar to that she would live here. She’d be the mother of his children. A diplomat’s wife.”

  That life would slowly kill her. I can imagine the light fading out of her eyes when she was living such a secluded existence. “She needs a challenge.”

  He shakes his head then drains his cup. “It appears that she did. I’m not sure she does any longer.”

  “She’s been through something terrifying.” I think out loud. “Rami’s a safe haven. She’d be protected in Alair.”

  Kadar raises his chin. “And out of the sights of Amir al-Fahri. So far, al-Fahri’s not got on the bad side of Alair, and there’s a good chance he’ll keep it that way. I think it’s a safe bet that being married to Rami might give her the protection she thinks she needs.”

  I cock my eyebrow. “You think al-Fahri will come after her again?”

  “No one can rule it out. He wanted to get at me through her.”

  I take a breath. “I’d lay down my life for Aiza, Kadar.” I thought I had when I jumped out of the plane, using the freefall time to make my peace with Allah. To keep her alive, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

  “I know you would, Sheikh,” Kadar says absently. “As you proved time and time again. You’re loyal to all the royal family.”

  “Emir, you misunderstand me. My views haven’t changed.” I slash my hand through the air. “I don’t believe she’s thinking straight if she’s considering accepting Rami. She needs a strong man. Someone to stand up to her. Someone she respects, and who respects her back. Despite Rami’s formal approach to you, I would like your permission to show her what I have to offer.”

  He gives me a look which is completely unreadable, and for a moment I worry about the gun I know he has concealed under his desk. Then he does the last thing I ever expected. He starts to laugh.

  Feeling disgruntled, I protest his reaction. “I don’t see what’s so amusing.”

  He gets himself under control. “Rais, I don’t give a fuck who she marries, or whether she marries at all.” Wiping his hand over his face, he becomes serious again. “If a desert sheikh wins her I would have no problem. I’m just amused that so many people are sniffing after her. Hunter’s declared his intention as well.”

  That news doesn’t surprise me. Hunter’s been quite upfront. I’ve got a few cards up my sleeve myself.

  “She’ll be in the nursery. Seems that’s where she’s happiest at the moment.” Kadar reaches for a file, opens it, then takes out a scrap of paper and peers at me over the top. “Well, why are you still here?”

  Now it’s my turn to grin. I stand, dip my head politely, then leave to find the woman who seems to have bewitched all the men who cross her path. I’m the one who’s going to win her.

  My first thought when I see her sitting cross-legged on the floor is how beautiful she is, and the second, how I’d like that to be our child she’s holding. I’m thirty-four years old, and since my first attempt at marriage had never had the slightest inclination to settle down. That was because no one has ever held a candle to Aiza. Her beauty has ensnared me from the time I first recognised her as a woman, and in the intervening years it had been her I’d seen in my dreams.

  Just the sight of her brings an unusual softening to my face. However, when she looks up and sees me, she stops smiling like a switch has been thrown. A brief explanation to the young girl, then she stands elegantly and comes over.

  “Sheikh Rais.” She greets me politely. I can’t help but notice a shadow has come over her face.

  I bow low. “Princess.”
>
  She indicates the balcony, then leads, and I follow her out. This part of the palace faces the sea, an unfortunate view as water is probably the last thing she wants to see after almost drowning. I’m not surprised that she puts her back towards it.

  “I haven’t been able to properly thank you for coming to rescue me.” She can pretend with the children, their innocence keeping dark thoughts at bay. Seeing me, however, must bring it all back, as the light slowly fades from her eyes.

  I make her a promise, one from the heart. “Always, Princess.”

  She laughs self-consciously. I worry there’s no mirth in it. “I hope I’ll never need rescuing again.”

  I think she does. She needs saving from making a terrible mistake, and the sooner the better. “You can’t marry Rami.” I dive straight in without preamble.

  I’ve shocked her. Her eyes open wide, and her mouth opens and works, and it’s a few seconds before she speaks. “You’ve been talking to Kadar,” she accuses.

  Unable to deny it, I shrug.

  She glances back into the room, seeing the nanny has taken over playing with the children, and then looks at me, then down at her feet. “Why not? It’s what was planned for me all along.”

  “He’s not the right man for you, Aiza.” I’m firm.

  She shakes her head slowly as she peers up to look into my eyes. “I’m struggling to understand why you think it’s any of your business, Sheikh Rais. This is between me and Prince Rami.” There’s a bit of her old spirit reappearing.

  I decide to show her why it’s my business. I take a step closer to her, inhaling the perfume that surrounds her, nothing fancy, just that of her shampoo and soap she must use. It’s intoxicating. I’ve entered her personal space. She steps back to evade me, being halted when she comes up against the edge of the balcony.

  She’s stepped out of view of the windows. Behind us, the sound of children playing fades into the distance. All I can hear is my desert warrior blood rushing through my veins, her closeness causing my cock to swell, luckily hidden beneath my robes. Like a predator I stalk her, the gap between us closing until we’re just a few millimetres apart. Reaching out my arms, my fingers curl around her upper arms.

  Her mouth opens, but I don’t give her a chance to speak. Instead, taking advantage, I quickly move my hand, cupping the back of her head and tilting it upwards, and at the same time bringing mine down.

  My mouth finds her lips. She tries to close them, I’m too fast, my tongue pushing inside, meeting hers.

  Her taste is everything I’d dreamed of as I ravish her, holding her tight to me. Not letting go of her head, my other arm snakes around her back and pulls her in close, my hardness resting against her soft stomach, leaving her in no doubt of my desire.

  She’s pliant, and also responsive. Hesitantly her tongue starts toying with mine. I’m winning.

  The sound of the door to the suite opening interrupts us and brings her back to herself. She pushes at me hard with both hands, and immediately I step back, giving her space. Her eyes wild, now at least have life in them. Without turning to see who’s entered I tap my finger against her nose.

  “That makes it my business. I promise you, Princess, this isn’t finished.” I cock my eyebrow to question if she understands.

  She swallows and looks bemused. Before she can answer a man coughs. I move back to the doorway to see who’s entered, stifling a groan, then, remembering my manners, greet him as pleasantly as I can under the circumstances. “Hunter.”

  “Sheikh Rais. I was looking for Aiza.” I indicate her standing at the edge of the balcony, out of sight of the doorway. “She’s here. We were just…talking.” I brush past him and go into the nursery, pausing to pat Eti on the head and admire a toy he seems proud of.

  “Hi, Hunter.” Aiza sounds shy, and as she comes in behind me to greet the man from Grade A, I glance back, unable to suppress a smile as I notice her lips are swollen. “Rais was just leaving.”

  Nice try. “We haven’t finished our conversation, Princess.”

  Hunter’s looking from me to her, and then back again, his jaw tight as he senses the tension in the room. He comes closer, effectively putting himself between us, his back turned towards me. “I was hoping to talk to you myself.”

  “It seems I’m popular today.” Her words are light-hearted, though not in her usual tone, giving away that she’s nervous.

  Hunter’s raising his hand, daring to touch what is mine as he gently traces her face, his fingers trailing down to that fucking circle of bruises yellowing on her neck. The only thing that stops me slapping his face away is when she backs out of his reach. Hunter lets her maintain her distance. “How are you feeling, Aiza?”

  “I’m fine.” She lies. I know she’s not telling the truth. The right words are coming out, while her eyes say something different. She’s far too meek, not the spirited woman who immersed herself in a worthwhile career.

  “I don’t think you are, Aiza,” Hunter contradicts, able to read her as well as myself.

  “Look, I’d love to stay and chat, but you’ll both have to excuse me. I promised I’d go see Zoe this morning, and I’m already running late.” Her words sound hurried, and she seems on edge.

  It’s an excuse, reassuringly one which applies equally to both of us. I’m happy to leave as long as Hunter’s also being dismissed. I don’t want to heap more pressure on her. Making sure I catch her eyes, I bow my head respectfully, then fix my gaze on hers. “Of course, Princess. We’ll pick up where we left off later.”

  She moves so fast she’s almost running as she leaves Hunter and I alone—well, alone except for the nanny and the children playing at our feet. When Hunter nods and turns to go, I follow him out.

  He waits for me in the corridor. “She’s far from alright.”

  My thoughts exactly. He might be my rival, but we both have her best interests at heart. “You know about Rami, I take it?”

  His eyes meet mine. “That he’s going to ask her to marry him? Yes.” Hunter puts a finger and thumb to the brow of his nose, and I gather he also came running as soon as he heard. “He’d be no good for her,” he says, proving he’s on the same wavelength. “Though I can see why she thinks it’s an attractive option at the moment.”

  So can I. Marry a prince of Alair and her risk of abduction will fade. “At the moment, yes,” I agree. “He’s safe.”

  Hunter sighs loudly. “She’d get bored in no time.”

  “Rami wouldn’t challenge her. He’ll wrap her in cotton wool and adore her.” I’m thinking aloud.

  He nods, showing he’s on exactly the same page, then looks at me sharply. “What the fuck are you doing, Rais? Don’t think I can’t recognise the signs of a woman who’s just been kissed.”

  I raise my chin and look straight into his face. “Throwing my hat in the ring.”

  Again, a little more slowly, he dips and raises his head. “Can’t say I didn’t see it coming. It’s not what I expected, Sheikh. I can’t see what you’ve got to offer her. She wouldn’t be happy living in Amahad as much as we know she’d suffocate in Alair, whatever she might be trying to persuade herself of at the moment.

  I gaze up the corridor in the direction she’d turned, then glance back. “I want her to be happy, and I think I can give her that.” I know exactly how I’m going to tempt her to stay. I don’t tell Hunter. One doesn’t show one’s opponent his cards.

  He looks at me curiously as though wondering what game I’m playing, but sees I’m not going to disclose my hand. “We’ll agree to disagree on that one. There’s one thing where both our thoughts coincide. We’ve got to stop her from running to Rami. That would be the worst mistake of her life.”

  “Does she really want the prince?” I wonder aloud. “Or is she just seeing him as someone who can keep her away from danger? Or, even worse, after all the trouble she’s caused, mistakenly thinks, is this a way to repay her family?”

  Chapter 19

  Aiza

  I refu
se to think about my body’s traitorous reaction to that astonishing kiss Rais had given me, or my automatic reaction to return it rather than push him away. How dare he just take what he wanted?

  I didn’t object, that’s for certain. Had he asked, requested, I’d have refused. I couldn’t have predicted he’d just take what he wanted, nor in doing so, blow me away. I never had an inkling he thought of me in that way. Coming right out of the blue, I reacted purely on instinct, any ramifications far from my mind. A kiss I can’t deny I’ve always longed for, though not once had expected. I never dreamed he might want me in return. His timing couldn’t have been worse, not now when I’ve all but agreed to become engaged to another man.

  I had to get out of the nursery, a flimsy excuse anyone would see through. Rais on his own is overwhelming. Add Hunter into the mix and the amount of testosterone in the room became unbearable. All I could do was run away.

  When I’ve put sufficient distance between me and them, I lean against the wall to get my breath and catch sight of myself in a mirror opposite. Reaching up my hand to finger the signs of the bruises still visible at my neck, flashbacks make me put out my other arm to the plasterwork for much needed support. Memories of being dragged around naked with a leash and dog collar, being dehumanised with the promise I’d never be able to make a decision for myself ever again. The ability to say ‘no’ taken away from me.

  What Rais did should have frightened me. Instead it aroused me.

  Unable to understand my reaction to the sheikh, I decide to forget about it instead. Pretend it never happened and hope he never speaks of it again. Certainly I never will. Pushing away from the wall, I continue to my destination. Despite saying I had to meet Zoe, I had no such meeting, but decided anyway to try and find her, thinking a woman’s company far less dangerous. The emira isn’t in her suite of rooms as I discover when I knock and receive no answer. Belatedly, I remember she’d had plans to go out and visit some schools today. Zoe’s not the type of wife I’d ever have envisaged for my older brother, though anyone could see she’s absolutely perfect for him, determined to do her part and not live the life of a sheltered queen. It’s clear while Kadar worries about her, he makes no move to restrict her activities, which sometimes leave her exposed. He’s softened from the brother I remember. His actions, his obvious love for his wife and his son, convincing me more than words could ever do, how he’s a different man from our father.