“All will be well. We’re going to find her, dear. If this is my fault, I’m sorry.” Taslima reached over and hugged her. “Come. We’re going to help. Iman, come on.”
“Mother, why would it be your fault?” Iman asked as they hurried out of the suite. Natalie glanced at his mother and shook her head. Her focus was to find her daughter. This was not the time to reveal the truth.
“Simply being a bad hostess,” Taslima said loftily. “The rest of these rooms are locked. Let’s try the guest suites.”
“You’re a bad liar,” Iman said as he reached out and grabbed their elbows. “Is something going on?”
“Please, Iman. Not now. I need to find my daughter,” Natalie pleaded. “Please.”
“Iris is the friendliest and kindest soul that I’ve ever met. I bet half this palace knows where she is. You have nothing to worry about,” he assured her. “And we’re going to get back to the fact that you were leaving me, once again. Right now, I want to know what is going on. How is Iris running away my mother’s fault?”
Natalie looked desperately down the hall. Iman wasn’t going to let her go until he got the truth, and she needed to find her daughter. “Your mother confronted me. Sort of. She knows about my daughter’s father.”
“What about her father?”
“Iman,” Natalie whispered. “You must have considered it. You must have seen her eyes and wondered. Thought about her age and done the math.”
“Considered what?” he demanded coldly. His eyes pierced her, and a pit formed in her stomach.
Had she lost him forever? “Iris is your daughter, Iman. She’s yours. When I said that I hadn’t been with anyone since Iris’ father, I meant you.”
He regarded her for a moment before he released her. “Did I consider that you have been lying to me since the moment you stepped in this palace?” he hissed. “No. It didn’t once cross my mind because I didn’t think that you were that kind of woman. Now come on. We need to find my daughter.”
Not her daughter. Not our daughter. My daughter. “I won’t let you take her away from me!” she cried out. “Iman, I won’t.”
“Take her away from you?” he spat as he whirled around, fire in his eyes. “Do you really think that I would do that?”
“I spent six years thinking that, Iman. Terrified that if I said one word about knowing you, your uncle would take my daughter away from me, and I’d never see her again. These past few weeks have changed the way that I think about you, but hearing the anger in your voice right now terrifies me more than your uncle ever did.”
“I’m angry, Natalie. I’m angry for everything that we lost, but I would never hurt you. Not ever.” He raised his chin, took her in his arms, and kissed her hard. “If you believe nothing else about me, I need you to believe that.”
Silence descended on them as she stared at him, and in that moment, she heard it.
The distant roaring sound from tiny shoes. “Iris,” she breathed. “Do you hear that?”
Iman whirled around and stared at the closed doors.
“Open them. Iman, hurry! Please!”
He shared a bewildered look with his mother as they rushed down the hall. Iman tried the handle of the door, and it wasn’t locked. He threw the door open, and they charged in.
Iris was happily whacking a strange man with the cardboard sword while another man stood in the corner with his arms crossed. “Baby!” Natalie cried as she rushed forward to scoop her daughter up. “I was so worried. What were you thinking? Don’t you dare do that to me again! Not ever!”
Iris looked up at her and blinked. “I’m sorry, Momma,” she said quietly. “I wanted to say goodbye to the Shekinah, but I found some more bad knights instead. I think they’re hiding dragons.”
“They are dragons,” Iman said dryly. “Natalie. Iris. I would like you to meet my brothers. Iris, you’re currently beating up Bahir, and that’s Riyad there, cowering in the corner. I’m fairly certain children are his worst nightmare. What are you two even doing here?”
“We heard you were going to be married,” Riyad spoke up. “I came here to personally give you my congratulations and then beat you bloody until you came to your senses. Who’s the kid?”
“You don’t have to worry about anything. I’m not marrying Bari,” Iman said quietly. “And the kid is your niece.”
The whole room fell quiet, and Natalie tensed. He’d just announced his parental rights to his whole family. How would they react?
“Our niece, huh?” Bahir frowned at Iris. “Plot twist. For how long?”
“Five years, although I only found out now.” Iman knelt down. “Iris. Can you come here, please?”
“Iman,” Natalie whispered, but she released her daughter.
He ignored her as Iris walked over to him. “Iris,” he said softly. “Do you understand when I tell you that these men are your uncles?”
She nodded. “It means that they’re my momma’s brothers.” Her little face screwed up in puzzlement, “but she doesn’t have brothers or sisters.” Her expression cleared, and she announced emphatically, “I want some brothers or sisters!”
Her announcement broke Natalie’s heart, and she remained frozen in place.
“It could also mean that they are your father’s brothers.”
The child turned her head and studied them. “You just said that they were your brothers.”
“That’s right,” Iman said quietly. “The Shekinah is your grandmother because she’s my mother.”
“My grandmother?” Curiously, the small blonde girl looked up at Iman’s mother, and the older woman smiled and nodded.
“I think I like that,” Iris said as she thought it over before she nodded. “So you’re my Daddy?”
“I am. That means that you’re a real-life princess, my dear. The prettiest princess that I’ve ever seen.”
Iris’s jaw dropped in an O of astonishment. “If I’m a princess, does that make Beetle a real dragon?”
“I never had any doubt that he was a dragon,” Iman muttered. “A nuisance of a dragon.”
“Is my Momma a queen?”
“Not yet.” Iman picked up his daughter and straightened as they turned to Natalie. “In order to be a queen, your momma has to agree to marry me.”
“Why doesn’t she?”
“Because six years ago, I let her walk away even though I’d already fallen in love with her. And now that I’ve found her again, I’ve done a few things that might make her doubt my love for her. What do you think I can do to convince her?” He was still talking to Iris, but his eyes were locked on Natalie.
“In most fairy tales, the prince just tells the princess that he loves her, and they get married right away.” Iris pursed her lips and looked thoughtful. “But I don’t like those fairy tales. The dragons are bad in those stories, and dragons aren’t bad! They just need to be tamed. And the prince never asks the princess if she loves him. I think that you should ask my momma if she loves you.” Iris turned her head expectantly.
“Well, Natalie?” Iman asked, his voice tender as his eyes pierced her soul. “Do you love me?”
“I do. Always have,” Natalie admitted.
Iman looked back at Iris. “Now what do I do?”
“If she was really convinced, she’d kiss you, and she doesn’t seem to be kissing you,” the little girl said in a thoughtful tone. “I think you should ask her why she’s not kissing you,” she declared.
Nearly everyone in the room chuckled nervously, and Iman put Iris down and bent to whisper something in her ear.
She nodded. “We need to leave so my Momma and Daddy can talk,” she announced loudly.
Natalie flushed bright red as Iman’s brothers grinned at her. They escorted Iris and the Shekinah out and left her alone with Iman. “It’s cheating to involve children,” she pointed out nervously.
“You think I want to marry you because of Iris,” he said, ignoring her jab. Slowly, he walked toward her.
She found herse
lf babbling. “Six years ago, you were burdened with the weight of a crown that wasn’t even yours. Now that it is, I know you want to put your kingdom first. I’m not the queen that you want.” She managed to stop the flow of words and swallowed hard. “That they want. If you want to be in Iris’s life, we can arrange that. You don’t have to marry me to get to know your daughter.”
“I’m not marrying you for your daughter,” he whispered hoarsely as he gathered her in his arms. “From the moment I took you to bed last night, I knew that I was going to ask you to marry me. You are more regal and kind and genuine than anyone I have ever met. You are queen material, Natalie. I love you, and you make me happy. With you by my side, my kingdom will be stronger than ever.”
It didn’t feel real. Slowly, she reached up and touched his face. “I make you happy? Really?”
“We still have to work on your coffee-making skills,” he said with a sudden cheeky grin.
“Shut up,” she laughed as she pulled him down. “And kiss me.”
He did, and she finally understood why her daughter thought it was a much better idea to save the dragons rather than slay them. Iman was her dragon, and her adventure was only beginning.
15
The royal wedding was an affair to remember. Natalie insisted that they have a long engagement so she could get to know the small kingdom before they were wed. Iman didn’t want to wait, so he gave her six months. Tops.
He knew something that she didn’t, but she would learn. It wouldn’t matter how much time she spent with his people. They were going to love her from the moment they spoke to her.
Just like he had.
Children were usually not part of Haamas wedding ceremonies, but Iman wouldn’t even consider getting married without Iris involved. She was dressed in a purple head covering, a gorgeous purple gown, and those ridiculous purple tennis shoes. At least by then, the batteries had died in them, and they didn’t roar as she walked to the dais. Beetle trotted along next to her in his dragon costume.
Natalie’s American friends were there. Gordon, the man who had initially made Iman go green with envy, turned out to be an amazing chef. He competently assumed command of the palace kitchen as soon as he arrived. Georgia, Natalie’s best friend, took the palace and the shops by storm.
It was obvious that Iris loved them both. Now, as the wedding ceremony began, they both stood to one side of Iman, along with Tahira, at the front of the room, watching the bride’s approach.
Natalie stole his breath away. Dressed in white and gold, she was a vision of elegance and sophistication. She’d wished to wear a cover for her hair as well, but Iman wanted her just the way she was, so she wore a veil instead.
It seemed to take forever for her to reach him, but finally, she stood at his side. Bowing before him, she offered her hand, and he took it and helped her up to the dais.
“Last chance to run,” he whispered in her ear.
“I think my running days are over,” she responded with a soft smile that was only for him. Her eyes shone with love. “I have everything I want, right here.”
Ignoring the officiator of the ceremony, Iman leaned over and kissed his bride, and his kingdom cheered.
End of The Sheikh’s Surprise Heir
The Karawi Sheikhs Series Book One
Blurb
As an ambitious American journalist, Amy Mathewson will stop at nothing to get her story—including going into dangerous, rebel-infested countries. But when she stumbles across seven-year-old Aisha in an orphanage her heart melts, and Amy vows to keep her safe.
Until the rebels start to close in.
Just when Amy thinks they’re in grave danger, a stunning Sheikh arrives, claiming Aisha as his daughter; a Sheikh with smoldering dark eyes and the kind of handsome that is difficult to forget. Unwilling to let Aisha go with a stranger, Amy agrees to accompany the Sheikh and Aisha to a safe house to confirm his claim. But it may not be safe for Amy, not with a sexy Sheikh making her feel things she hasn’t felt in a long time—and whose touch is as hot as the desert sun.
All his life, Sheikh Bahir Karawi has taken care of himself, knowing no one else would. When he discovers he has a daughter, he immediately sets out to bring her home, to make sure she never feels as alone as he always has. What he doesn’t count on is butting heads with the fiercely protective and dangerously beautiful Amy, who has taken up the duties of caring for his daughter. As they get to know one another, he can’t ignore the searing attraction he feels, nor the realization that Amy would be perfect, both for his daughter and for him.
As the rebels close in, Bahir realizes he will do anything to keep his daughter and Amy safe—even if that means putting his very life at risk.
1
“Aisha! Come back here! Aisha!” Amy shouted. The large group of dignitaries and guards turned to stare at her, and she ducked her head and turned away. Climbing up on a nearby bench, she tried to see where the little girl might be. They’d planned this trip to the aquarium a week ago, and the children had groaned in disappointment when they found out they couldn’t visit the shark exhibit due to some sort of VIPs visiting the aquarium at the same time. Especially Aisha, the beautiful seven-year-old who had bonded with Amy in the last few months since she’d arrived at the orphanage. The girl had shouted “No!” at the news, pulled her hand from Amy’s grasp, and run off.
Now spying her, Amy jumped down from the bench and gave chase, whisper-shouting the little girl’s name as she attempted to navigate around the large group of people.
“Aisha!” she called again.
The little girl turned at the sound of her voice and gave Amy her biggest smile before continuing her race toward the exhibit, only to crash into one of the dignitaries before falling backward to land on her butt.
Amy gasped, “Oh, no!” Pushing her way through the crowd, she arrived as Aisha was being helped to her feet by the handsomest man she’d ever seen. Before she could grab the child, one of the guards stepped in, gripping her arm to keep her from getting closer.
“Stay put,” the guard growled, and Amy froze.
She watched helplessly as Aisha pointed excitedly to the nearest exhibit and then scooted around everyone to get to it. The man seemed bemused as he followed the little girl. The child’s high, clear voice rang out as she pointed out the different types of sharks in the tank.
When Amy tried to get closer, the guard tightened his grip on her arm, and she winced. Attempting to shake her arm free, she glared at the guard, who glared back.
“Look, it’s clear we’re interrupting something, so if you’ll allow me to get the child, we’ll be out of your way.” Amy had thought that sounded authoritative, but judging from the increased glare from the guard, she wasn’t so sure.
Now Aisha was talking animatedly about the reef sharks. Amy winced. Aisha had been so thrilled on hearing about the new aquarium that it was all she’d talked about the entire week. Amy could do nothing but watch as the man took Aisha’s hand and directed her over to one side of the exhibit where he was pointing something out. She strained to hear what the man was saying, but he spoke too softly.
Suddenly, a shrill female voice broke through the murmur of the crowd. “Really, Your Highness, it’s bad enough that we had to come here. Must you spend all your time with that brat?”
Amy instantly bristled and growled under her breath, “She is NOT a brat, she’s an orphan, you bi—” and then, louder, interrupted herself with, “Wait, Your Highness?” She looked up at the guard who still held her arm.
His answering smirk answered her question. “That’s Sheikh Bahir Karawi,” he informed her.
Turning her head, she saw a bottle-blonde, statuesque woman in too-high heels pouting as she watched Aisha monopolizing the sheikh’s time. Baring her teeth in an icy smile, the woman placed her manicured hand on the little girl’s shoulder.
Amy began to struggle when she heard Aisha cry out in pain. “Leave her alone! She’s only a little girl!” she shouted as she
began to thrash in the guard’s grip.
The sheikh lifted his hand, signaling the guard to release her. Freed, she rushed over to Aisha and scooped the girl up into her arms, gasping, “Aisha, are you okay?”
Turning to glare at the woman, she had to look up to meet the contemptuous gaze and briefly contemplated knocking the woman off her stilts. It was clear enough to her that the blonde had sized her up and instantly dismissed her before wrapping her claw-like hand around the sheikh’s arm.
Batting lush fake eyelashes at the sheikh, the blonde tugged on his arm, speaking in a saccharine tone. “Darling, if you’re through with all this benevolent behavior, you promised me an afternoon I wouldn’t forget, and so far, this isn’t particularly memorable.”
Patting her arm indolently, the sheikh leaned against the woman to whisper in her ear.
Judging from the look of anger that briefly crossed the woman’s face, it wasn’t what she was expecting to hear, but before the couple had turned to continue their tour, she had already quickly masked it into one of the best resting bitch faces Amy had ever seen.
Backing up, Aisha still in her arms, Amy quickly eased them out of the shark exhibit and looked around to locate her group, now gathered around the sea jelly exhibit.
Setting Aisha down, she knelt in front of the little girl.
Aisha sniffled and rubbed at her eyes.
Amy eased her fingers under the collar of Aisha’s shirt and winced at the nail marks on her shoulder. She turned to glare at the exiting figures. “Are you okay? Did she hurt you?”
Nodding, Aisha threw her arms around Amy, hugging her tight. “I’m sorry I ran off, but I wanted to see the reef sharks,” she murmured around sniffles.
Amy squeezed her in a hug before standing up to take her hand. “I know you did, but you could have gotten hurt. You shouldn’t have run off,” she admonished.
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