“Salman!” She waited with her arms crossed in front of her.
“We put a camera in their room so we could record their wedding night.”
Naiza’s eyes widened to the size of saucers as she gasped, “You did not.”
“We did.”
She perched on the nearest seat, while thinking that over. “Did you … watch it?”
Several moments passed before he confessed, “I did.”
“And?”
Salman exhaled his frustration and lowered himself next to her.
“Oh, come out with it already,” she demanded. “Did he have to mount her like a bull with a heifer? “
“Actually, the things they did … how they …” He shook his head as a spike of arousal whipped through him. “It was nothing like rutting with a lower-class woman as we expected.”
Nazia peered at him, wondering at the sweat pooling on his forehead. “What do you mean?”
“He really loves her. And she loves him,” he admitted, seeming amazed by the whole unexpected situation. “It is as though they could not get enough of each other. And the things she could do with her mouth, those lips, and in her throat … There wasn’t a limp qadib in the room. Some of us were embarrassed.” Salman had to adjust his pants before his wife witnessed the effect it still had on him. Sometimes he watched it twice a day. He wished they had more but after that night, Kamran and Ellena left for the States then their own mini-palace in the Free Zone. “We visit El Zalaam and those needs are well taken care of … but watching Kamran with Ellena, Sheikh Zohaib admitted something he probably regrets.”
Nazia perked up, then slid to the edge of the chaise. “What?”
“I cannot say.” He studied his clasped hands.
“Do not become shy now,” she cajoled. “What did he say?”
Salman looked at his wife, torn with indecision. Then he said, “He has not been able to get an erection for years. That’s why he stopped taking in new wives.”
Nazia mulled that over for a long while. “So, he wants her?”
“Oh yes, he most certainly does.”
She smiled and the sight of it was enough to strike a chord of distrust in his heart.
“Then let us make it happen,” she said.
Sheikh Aayan might believe that Faiza, Eshaal, and Hiba were the most cunning of women in the palace. Salman would beg to differ. His wife, Nazia, was truly the most deadly, and she, not the other women had actually been the mastermind behind the poisoning. Effectively eliminating the main competition that lay between Salman and the throne. All she did was suggest a certain thing, and the others blindly executed a plan, then carried it out, believing that they alone would sit next to their husbands who took the throne.
“What do you mean?” Salman said, though he was almost afraid to ask.
“Sheikh Zohaib leaves in a few days, maybe sooner. You have the ear of his Crown Prince, Sajid? We have to be smart. Make plans for a year from now. By that time Kamran will let his guard down and forget his statement about not coming to the palace because he’s offended. We befriend him, all of us, slowly. Go to their home for dinners.”
Salman leaned his back against the window.
“Then we have a celebration for their children’s first birthday. Here in the palace. Surprise them, and invite everyone who is anyone in the Muslim world.”
“What purpose will that serve?”
“Sheikh Zohaib and his sons will be there,” Naiza said, grinning. “So let us make sure Ellena Maharaj Khan goes with him. And those little half breeds too.”
“Isn’t that an extreme plan?”
She waved one hand in a dismissive way. “Even if it comes to a point that Zohaib returns Ellena to Durabia, no one will believe she was untouched by him or possibly another man. Thereby tainting Kamran again. People will say, he couldn’t protect his wife, who would now be soiled.”
“How will we accomplish this thing?”
“Between you and Sajid, you will find a way to … get her on that plane. The children, too. Say that she is a gift from the future Sheikh of Durabia. Sajid is not going to turn down a chance to make his father happy. And the Sheikh Zoraib will still want her enough to bed her. For revenge, given what happened to his daughters. That’s all we need to discredit Kamran.”
“That could cause an issue between our sheikhdom and theirs.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Do you see your father going to war over a nonbeliever, a woman, a Black woman and an American at that?”
He thought about that for a moment, saw the dangerous beauty of this plan and resigned himself to do his part. “Not at all.”
“Umar, Laraib, Amir, and your uncles would be on board to take Kamran down a few notches. His happiness with that woman and his joy in the children they are having were secondary to the fact that their father meets with him on a daily basis to discuss the future of Durabia.” She paused, then asked, “But she is really that good in bed?”
Salman nodded, then swallowed hard as his pants tented in his groin area. His wife glanced down and saw the resulting action and said, “Oh yes, that alkaliba has to go.”
She stormed out of the suite, leaving him to ponder her anger.
Chapter Thirty
One year later . . .
* * *
“What do you mean no one knows what happened?” Kamran roared, his voice ricocheting off the walls of the throne room. “Not to mention our guards and assistants were blocked from coming in and their phones and weapons were taken by my brother’s guards. It cannot be a coincidence that the Sheikh suddenly leaves Durabia unannounced, and my wife and all four of my children are missing.”
Salman slammed a hand on Kamran’s chest. “Are you accusing Sheikh Zohaib of taking your wife?”
“I am saying that something is amiss,” Kamran shot back, shoving away his hand. “And the two incidents are not mutually exclusive.”
“Maybe she became weary of being last in line for the throne,” Umar taunted, rocking on his heels as he gave Salman a sly smile.
“Or she might be afraid that her neck is the next on the chopping block,” Laraib tossed in.
“You think this is funny?” Kamran snapped and all three of them inched back. They were well aware that Kamran had signed documents that stated he would not seek the throne, but would retain all land, sponsorships, and endowments for his bloodline in perpetuity. He had done that to protect his wife and children. “Father, I need you to intervene in this matter.”
Standing in front of the throne, Sheikh Aayan shrugged. “Maybe she went with him willingly. It is not unlikely for a woman of her ilk to wish for an … upgrade.”
So now they were back to this again? His displeasure toward her work with sex trafficking victims was coming through loud and clear. Ellena had made national news and some of the Muslim community were none too pleased. Something had been brewing ever since Ellena had given birth to quadruplets—two of each gender. Minor complications ensued and bedrest was ordered to combat the issues of preeclampsia and to ensure that the children and Ellena both made it through in good health. He felt some of the family’s unease, but after signing a document stating that neither he, nor his children, would seek to have the throne, he thought that would be the end of things.
Now he understood exactly the depths of jealousy that would drive the actions of his brothers.
“And maybe someone in this room saw an opportunity to gain favor with Sheikh Zohaib and rid themselves of a problem at the same time.” Kamran directed his comments at his two brothers, whose expressions ranged from stoic to blank.
“Enough of this,” Sheikh Ayyaan said, waving Kamran away. “I have other pressing matters.”
“Tonight, Father,” Kamran said through his teeth, trying to hold on to his anger. “Could it be that you don’t see the need to act because you do not approve of her work with the women at her rescue center?”
The Sheikh’s eyes flashed with anger. “Careful, my son,” he
warned. “I realize you are upset. While it is no secret that her work brings attention to an issue that should remain a private matter, I had no hand in her disappearance. You know nonbelievers live by their own creed. That is the risk in having her as your wife.”
Kamran despaired that he would have to bring her family in on her disappearance and it could mean the death of some of his own family members. Especially if the Kings and Knights didn’t get the right answers. “So, you are not going to look into this matter expeditiously?”
His father squared his shoulders. “I will, when the moment presents itself.”
Kamran absorbed that blow. “I see.”
“Now, we have other matters to attend to,” he said, with a dismissive wave that ended the discussion as he beckoned Salman forward.
“As do I,” Kamran said, pivoting, then passing Salman, Laraib, and Umar.
“Where are you going?” his father asked.
Lairab and Umar went still. The entire group focused their attention on Kamran.
“To make a call of my own,” Kamran said over his shoulder without breaking his stride. He whipped out his cell and keyed in a message. His guards and assistants stayed on his heels.
“I forbid you to call Zohaib and accuse him of something for which you have no proof,” Sheikh Aayan growled.
Kamran turned to face his father. “Oh, that is not the call I intend to make.”
He reclaimed his place on the throne. “Then pray tell, who are you contacting?”
“I believe the people who had something to do with any unfortunate circumstance which has befallen my wife and children failed to remember one thing. That Ellena Maharaj Khan has family. A great deal of them. She has Kings and Knights. Even the Queens, Princes, and Ladies are formidable.”
Sheikh Aayan flinched and Kamran moved in, his gaze landing on Salman and Umar who were holding a side conversation probably related to the current situation.
“There are no consequences.” Sheikh Aayan squared his shoulder as though unbothered by that assertion. “This is our land. We are protected from them.”
Kamran chuckled, knowing full well that was not the case. “You might believe so, but I have it on good authority that fifty percent of her brothers are trained assassins. And one of the queens as well.”
Umar, Laraib, Nadeem, and Salman all shared a worried glance. As they should. The Kings of the Castle were as deadly as they were intelligent.
Kamran moved deeper into the room until he was only three feet from his father. “I want you to remember something else. When you asked who gives this woman, only then did all the Kings, Knights, Queens, Princes and Ladies come into full view.” Kamran peered at him a moment, then swept a gaze across the rest of the men in the room. “Tell me, do any of you remember seeing them walk into this room like everyone else?”
The silence was rewarding. Maybe then, they would understand the precarious position they were in.
“Every single one of them is deadly—including the women,” Kamran warned. “When they find out she is missing, everyone here had better be prepared for what happens next.”
Sheikh Aayan mulled that over for a moment. “Then we simply keep you from contacting them. You will remain in the palace until I look into the matter.”
“So, you will hold me prisoner here and I will be unable to leave?”
Salman held out his hand. “Until all of this is sorted out. We do not wish to have any unnecessary problems.”
Kamran simply glared at him.
“Your phone,” Umar commanded.
Kamran reached into his tunic’s pocket, extracted the cell, and passed it to Umar who glanced at the screen and frowned.
“What’s the passcode?”
Kamran shrugged.
“Funny.” Umar sent another glare Kamran’s way.
“Kamran, do not make this difficult,” Salman snapped. “Your passcode?”
Instead, Kamran slyly flipped him the bird.
Umar struggled to grip the offending finger, but Kamran landed a series of punches, then others jumped into the fray. His guards fended off his brothers and their team and it took twelve men to restrain Kamran and his staff. Even Saba took down one of Laraib’s guards.
While Kamran struggled to loose himself from a cluster of men, Salman grabbed Kamran’s index finger and pressed it against the pad to unlock the phone, then searched through the recent messages. Reading the last one, he said, “He sent a message to Daron Kincaid and Alejandro Reyes, saying that Ellena is in danger and that she’s been taken out of Durabia and into Nadaum somehow.”
“You would send such a thing without actual proof of any wrongdoing?” the Sheikh asked.
Umar glanced up at his father. “This says they are already in route.”
“It should take them thirteen hours to get here,” Lariab said, giving Umar a sly glance. “Sheikh should have completed any business he has with her. In the meantime, we need to keep Kamran away from any other devices.”
Salman glanced down at the screen as a message came through. “What does the Knights are closer mean?”
“I do not know.”
“You do know,” Salman growled as the four men gripped Kamran tighter. “You are just being obstinate.”
“Could be,” he said with another shrug. Kamran hid a satisfied smile at the sight of their unease.
“Do not make this harder than it has to be.” Salman glowered at him.
Kamran lowered his gaze to lock in on his brother. “I. Do. Not. Know.”
“Answer them,” Amir said snatching the phone from Umar’s hand and thrusting it in his face. “And do not do anything foolish.”
They loosened his hands enough for him to rub his wrists together, then make an attempt to comply. Both looked over Kamran’s shoulder as he typed, still flanked by the other men guarding him on both sides.
The Kings are better.
“What does that mean?” Amir demanded once that text was sent.
“It means that no matter what I type,” Kamran answered. “If they don’t feel she is safe, then they are going to make an appearance.”
Salman gestured to the screen. “So, tell them that she is safe.”
Kamran typed Ellena is safe.
The response came back. Show me.
“Now what do you wish me to type,” Kamran taunted, rubbing his wrists together.
Show me now came another response.
“Tell them she’s indisposed,” Salman commanded as Lairab nodded.
Kamran complied.
The response came, I don’t care if she is butt-ass naked, put her on the phone. If she’s safe that shouldn’t be a problem.
“We are not going to fool them,” Umar conceded with a weary sigh.
Put El on right now!!! Are our nieces and nephews safe? Show us!
“I’m waiting,” Kamran said, staring at Salman.
Another message popped up in a flash. Never mind, we understand what’s going on. We’ve got your back.
Kamran grinned and felt the first signs of relief. The whole clan was incredible. Everything he wished his biological brothers could be.
Laraib turned over Kamran’s wrists and scanned the tattoos on the other side. “Wait. How did they know you were in trouble, too?”
“What are these for?” Umar demanded, then fixed his gaze on Kamran’s. “She has one too. You are not supposed to have tattoos. It is against Muslim principles.”
“Why would you do such a thing?” Sheikh Aayan growled.
“Answer him,” Nadeem demanded.
“Because it was required by her brothers. It ties me to her and them on a spiritual level.”
“They are coming,” Salman said, alarm in his voice.
As well it should be. Kamran had spent countless hours with each of the Kings and most of the Knights. They were fearless and would stop at nothing when family was involved. Kamran resigned himself to the fact that through their stupidity, his brothers had hastened the end of their live
s.
“What are we going to do?” Laraib said with a pointed look at their father.
“This is something more than a simple tattoo, isn’t it?” Umar said, narrowing his gaze on Kamran.
“Saba will stay here with me.” Nadeem’s words alarmed Kamran immediately. His brother had been after Saba ever since she had been in the palace’s employ.
“If any harm comes to her, you will pay,” he warned Nadeem, whose lips curled into a snarl. “Well, while you all sort things out, I am going to sit right here until my new brothers return with my wife.”
An evil light shone from Salman’s eyes. “What makes you think she will return?”
“I do not have to think.” Kamran leveled a stony gaze at him as he sat and folded his legs on the carpet. “I know.”
Chapter Thirty-One
“Why am I here?” Ellena demanded, trying to quell the headache that greeted her when she opened her eyes to an elaborately decorated room of reds, golds and greens. The décor was unlike anything she remembered. The scent, and even the vibe, meant she wasn’t in the Durabian palace.
Last thing she was aware of was the new driver taking her and the children to a birthday celebration at the palace. The first visit since the night that Zoraib’s daughters were killed. As she left the vehicle, a prick of pain on her neck was the precursor to an instant overwhelming nausea. Then she knew nothing else.
Pain exploded from every side of her face.
“You do not speak unless we ask.”
Her hand went up to her cheek, and she sat up, trying to quiet the ringing in her ears caused by the sudden blow. She glared at Sajid from where they settled her on the bed.
“Lower your eyes, alkaliba,” Sajid snarled. “Do not dare look me in the eyes, as if you are equal to me.” He tightened her bindings. “You will be taught the proper way to serve a man. They gave you far too many freedoms in Durabia. You will have no such things here. You will be taught how to properly serve my father. And you had better hope, for your sake, that you become his favorite.”
King of Durabia Page 14
