After greeting his sister-in-law, Bahir leaned down and whispered in Amy’s ear that he wanted to talk to her.
Excusing herself, she got up from the table, and he led her out onto the terrace. When he knew they were alone, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Good morning,” he murmured.
“Bahir,” she whispered in embarrassment. “You can’t be doing this out in the open.”
“Everybody knows, sweetheart. I think half the palace heard you this morning,” he teased gently. “I only wanted to assure you that I spoke to Aisha’s tutors this morning, and they have a plan to get her caught up to Iris’s level.”
“That’s great.” She leaned back to gaze at him, eyes serious. “We don’t want to overwhelm her. I know that she seems fine, but homesickness could hit her at any moment.”
“She is home,” Bahir said thoughtlessly.
Amy’s face immediately clouded. “You can’t erase the past seven years of her life with a giant palace.”
“I know.” Bahir cleared his throat and tried again. “I shouldn’t have said that. Actually, I spoke to Iman this morning, and we’re going to focus on the orphanages. That’s all thanks to you.”
Her expression softened. “Bahir, that’s amazing news. You have no idea how incredible that is.”
“Good. I want you to be happy. Speaking of happy, how long would you like our engagement to be? I’d prefer to be married as quickly as possible, but it’s fine with me if you want to take a little longer. I want you to have the wedding you always wanted.”
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he tried to pull her in for another kiss, but she put her hands on his chest to stop him. “I’m sorry. What?” she whispered, eyes wide in shock. “What did you say?”
“Our wedding,” he said patiently.
“Our wedding,” she repeated faintly. “I think I’m a little confused because I seemed to have missed the part where we got engaged.”
“We’re talking about that right now. Our engagement.” Perhaps he should have made sure that she’d had a cup of coffee before he broached the subject.
“You’re serious.” Her bewilderment changed to outrage as she stepped back and stared at him. “At what point did you think I wanted to marry you?”
“The point where you told me that you loved me,” he reminded her, an edge in his voice. “You and Aisha love each other, too. I don’t understand the problem here.”
“You think we should get married because you need a mother for your child.” Her face hardened; she took another step back and shook her head. “You know, when I first met you, I thought that you were a cold bastard. It turns out I was right.”
Cold bastard? Bahir certainly felt cold inside as Amy tried to walk by him. “Where are you going?” he hissed, reaching out to grab her elbow.
“I’m going to talk to Aisha, and then I’m going to pack my things and leave,” she said calmly. “You obviously love your daughter, and I’m sure you’re going to make her transition here work out fine. You don’t need me.”
Didn’t need her? How could she not see how much he needed her?
He didn’t say anything as she walked away. He’d never begged a woman in his life for anything, and he wasn’t about to beg her to stand there while he tried to figure out how to explain himself a little better.
Not wanting to go back in to see her, he hopped over the low terrace wall and strolled, agitated, through the gardens. His mind was reeling. This morning, he’d imagined the rest of his life with Amy, and now she was leaving.
“Bahir. What are you doing, darling?” He looked up sharply to see his mother sitting on one of the benches. Too late, he remembered how his mother loved her morning strolls outside.
“Mother.” He forced a smile. “I’m trying to wrap my head around my new life.”
Taslima raised an eyebrow. “It can’t be Aisha. I saw the way you looked at her last night, and it’s too soon for you to realize how much work children are.”
“Not helping,” Bahir growled.
“So it must be Amy. What’s wrong?”
He couldn’t come right out and tell his mother that the woman of his dreams had called him a cold bastard and walked away from him, but before he could come up with an excuse, shouts filled the air. Whirling, he stared in horror at the sight of guards streaming out of the palace.
“What is going on?” Bahir demanded of the man who hurried up to them.
“There’s been a security breach. Come. We need to get you and your mother to safety.”
“Breach?” Bahir immediately turned and pulled his mother to her feet. “Is everyone accounted for?”
The guard hesitated, and Bahir grabbed the man’s arm. “Is everyone accounted for?” he repeated in a growl.
“I’m sorry, Your Royal Highness. We’re still searching, but we’ve been unable to locate your daughter and her guardian.”
His mother gasped, and his heart dropped.
Aisha and Amy were missing.
15
Amy was terrified, but she clung tightly to Aisha, her arm wrapped protectively around the trembling child. Trapped in the back of the van, she held the child close and sang to her in a low, trembling voice.
Aisha’s screams fell to whimpers as Amy rocked her back and forth.
“Where’s Daddy?” Aisha sobbed.
“He’ll come for us,” Amy tried to assure her. She had no doubt that if Bahir knew where they were, he’d come for them. The only problem was that she didn’t know where they were or where they were going. How was Bahir going to find them?
“Silence!” the driver roared.
“Stop yelling!” she hissed back. “You’re scaring her.”
He grumbled under his breath, and Amy turned an accusing glare to the man in the back of the van with them.
Mohamet. One of Bahir’s most trusted guards was working for the rebellion.
“Please. She’s only a child,” Amy whispered. “Don’t do this.”
“He’ll pay, and we’ll let you go,” Mohamet said, avoiding her gaze.
Ransom? This was all about ransom? Forcing herself to relax, she held Aisha close and kissed the top of her tousled head. “It’s going to be okay, baby. We’ll be back at the palace in no time.”
The van stopped suddenly, and Amy tensed. She tried to focus on her breathing. All she had to do was stay calm. Bahir would pay anything to get his daughter back.
Her, not so much. After all, she did walk out on him after his ridiculous attempt at a proposal. Seriously. What kind of lover demanded marriage based on a mutual love for his daughter? She needed more. She needed to know he loved her.
The door opened, and strong arms grabbed her and pulled her out of the van. Holding Aisha tightly to her, she fought the urge to scream and forced herself to remain calm.
“Walk,” the voice hissed, and something cold and unyielding was jammed into her back. A gun?
“You could try asking,” she muttered. They were parked in the middle of nowhere, next to what appeared to be an abandoned building. The rebels forced them inside, the blazing sun cut off as they entered the shadowy but still oven-like interior. Dust rose as they walked, and she sneezed.
“Sit down,” the man behind them demanded suddenly.
Amy looked about the empty room. No chairs in sight. As she bent down to settle Aisha, the gunman kicked at the back of her legs to force her down. Hitting the ground hard, she inhaled sharply as pain lanced through her knees.
“Amy!” Aisha cried out. “Don’t hurt her! Please!”
“It’s okay,” Amy said through gritted teeth. “I’m okay. Come here, sweetheart.”
Folding the girl into her arms, she glared at the men as she rocked Aisha in her embrace. They paid her no attention but gathered in the corner and spoke in furtive tones. Finally, nodding, they broke apart.
Mohamet approached and knelt down before them. “We will call His Royal Highness now to make the ransom demand. This will all be over soon.”
/>
“Really?” Amy lifted an eyebrow. “You call him His Royal Highness as if you respect him.” She peered into his shadowy face. “You kidnapped his daughter.”
“I do this to protect him,” Mohamet growled angrily. “We need the money to defend ourselves! We are a small land, and with all the changes happening, we’re gaining unwanted attention. I am protecting us!”
“Are you insane?” she hissed. “You kidnapped the sheikh’s daughter to protect the sheikh from a threat that hasn’t happened!”
His face darkened with anger, and he pulled his arm back. Afraid he was going to strike, she tried to shield Aisha as best as she could, but the blow never came. Instead, Mohamet jumped to his feet and marched out of the room. As the door slammed behind him, Amy quickly sprang to her feet. “Stay right there, sweetie. I need to find us a way out.”
“Are we going to escape?” Aisha said in a loud child’s whisper.
“We’re definitely not going to sit around here and wait for the guys to figure out that they’re a bunch of idiots,” she muttered low enough that Aisha wouldn’t catch the words. They hadn’t even bothered to cover their faces, and Amy could easily identify them. Once they realized that, she and Aisha weren’t getting out of this alive.
Any of the three small windows would be easy enough to break, if she were tall enough to reach one, which she wasn’t, plus the room was empty. Nothing to stand on.
If Aisha stood on her shoulders, the girl could probably reach the latch, but with no one on the other side to catch her, she would definitely injure herself jumping down.
“Crap,” Amy whispered. Creeping over to the door, she gently tried the knob. Locked. Obviously, their kidnappers had done something right. How unfortunate.
“Daddy will come for us,” Aisha tried to assure her.
Amy couldn’t help a chuckle as she leaned against the wall and slid back down to the floor. The situation was dire when a seven-year-old was trying to make her feel calm.
“You’re right. Your daddy will stop at nothing to make sure you come home safely. He loves you.”
“I love him, too. He’s a good daddy.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nodded. Bahir was a good father. He was a good man. How could she have called him a cold bastard?
They both jerked as gunshots rang out. Springing to her feet, Amy grabbed Aisha’s hand and pulled her into the corner next to the door. Aisha cried out, but there wasn’t time to comfort her. If someone came through that door, she had to be ready.
“Aisha!” she heard Bahir’s sudden roar. “Amy!”
Thank God. She had no idea how Bahir had found them so quickly, but she wasn’t about to question her good luck. Tensing, she waited.
The door opened, slamming against the wall, and Bahir burst in, looking around quickly before he spotted them. Aisha launched herself into his arms.
Holding the girl with one arm, Bahir reached for Amy and fell to his knees, tugging her down with him. He buried his free hand in Amy’s hair, resting his forehead against hers. When he lifted his head to meet her gaze, she read everything she needed in his eyes.
“Amy,” he said hoarsely. “I’m so sorry.”
He loved her.
“It’s okay,” she whispered.
“We need to go.” He pushed himself to his feet and picked Aisha up, wrapping his arms securely around his daughter and easing her head against his shoulder. “Close your eyes, sweetheart. I don’t want you see what’s in the other room.”
“I’m sorry about Mohamet,” Amy said sincerely as she followed him.
Another man was waiting for them in the next room. Same gorgeous eyes and hard jawline. This must be the third brother.
He didn’t look all that much like a party boy.
“You must be Amy,” he said in a low voice. “I’m Riyad. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You, as well,” she said and grimaced, “but this might not be the best time.”
Grinning, he waved them out of the building.
As Amy followed Bahir out, she glanced back one last time, only to see one of the rebels on the floor lock eyes with her and raise his gun.
Eyes wide, she tried to scream out a warning. The gun was aiming at Bahir and Aisha. Without a second thought, Amy launched herself in front of them. She grunted as white-hot pain seared through her body.
Aisha screamed, and Riyad quickly raised his gun and finished the man.
Bahir thrust Aisha at his brother and dove for Amy. “Sweetheart?” he whispered urgently as he reached her side. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I’m okay,” she muttered as she glanced down at the blood pouring from her shoulder. “I’m okay.”
Her vision darkened, and she suddenly feared that maybe she wasn’t okay after all.
16
“Got it.” The doctor held up the bullet and dropped it in the pan. Bahir watched in a cold sweat as the doctor stitched up the wound and covered it with a bandage. “Stitches are good for ten to fourteen days. You should try to avoid getting them wet. If you see any discoloration, call me immediately.”
“She’s still unconscious,” Bahir pointed out. “That can’t be a good thing.”
When Riyad had gotten the name of the leader and his known location, they’d immediately mounted a rescue, but Bahir was still shaken to have seen Mohamet among the rebels. Who was he supposed to trust in the palace now? First the maid, and now one of his favorite guards?
None of that was even remotely close to how angry he’d felt at seeing Amy jump into the path of the bullet to save him and his child.
If she died before he got a chance to tell her that he loved her, he’d never forgive himself.
“Probably from shock. I could bring her around, but it’s best to let her do it naturally.” The doctor stood and smiled. “Your Royal Highness, are you well? I’d like to examine you now.”
“My daughter.” Bahir pointed toward the royal family’s private sitting room. “Go check on her. She’s with my brothers.”
“Of course. Let me wash my hands.” Gathering his things, the doctor headed out of the room.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Bahir grabbed Amy’s hand and waited.
It was so quiet, he could hear the ticking of the antique clock on the dresser. “This is all my fault,” he whispered to her at last. “You came here for a simple life, and I ruined it. I put you in danger. I took you because I wanted you, and I couldn’t let you go. Now my doctor has pulled a bullet out of your shoulder, and you’re unconscious in my bed. And I never got a chance to tell you that I love you. I screwed everything up earlier, and I need you to know.”
“I know.”
Whipping his head around, he stared down at her beautiful face. Pain clouded her eyes, but her smile was genuine. “You’re awake. How do you feel?”
“I guess I feel like I got shot,” she chuckled weakly as she struggled to sit up. Helping her up, Bahir propped some pillows behind her. “Aisha?”
“The doctor is looking in on her now, but she’s fine. You saved her life.”
“I love her,” Amy said simply.
“I know.” Squeezing her hand, he cleared his throat. “Amy, I messed everything up earlier. I don’t want to marry you because I want a mother for Aisha. I fell in love with you because I could see how much you loved Aisha. I love your passion and your generosity. I love how protective you are, how sweet you are—”
“Bahir. You don’t have to say all of this.”
“I’m not saying it because you took a bullet for me. I need you to know that.”
“Bahir.” Clutching at his shirt, she tugged on it until he scooted closer to her, and she curled up under his arm. “I spent time with you thinking that we’d never overcome our differences. Your wealth and family. When you sort of proposed to me, all I could think was that you were going to use me like my ex did, but when you came in to rescue me, I saw it on your face. I knew that you loved me.”
“I do
. And when you no longer have stitches in you from a bullet wound, I’m going to do this right.”
“Do what right?”
“Propose.” Smiling, he held her close. He wanted to give her all the romance that she could handle. The candlelight dinner. A dozen dozen roses. Champagne glasses. He’d get her a ring. Maybe he’d put the ring in her champagne glass. Too clichéd?
“My answer is already yes,” she laughed. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know. I want to. You deserve it.”
“And if I don’t want to wait?”
“Then you’re going to have to learn some patience. I’m going to woo the hell out of you.”
Amy snuggled deeper under his arm and chuckled. “I like that idea.”
* * *
Six Months Later
As it turned out, Amy couldn’t learn patience. As Natalie helped button up her dress, Amy leaned over to tie the sash of Aisha’s dress. Iris watched from atop the vanity. She swung her feet and hugged both her plush dragon and Kedar, while Beetle sat on the floor looking adoringly up at her.
In the past six months, Amy had discovered what it meant to have a family. Iman was the older brother she’d never had. Natalie was like her sister, and Taslima, her mother. Even Riyad, when he was around, was amazing. Amy had never felt so loved in her entire life, and that was before she kissed her daughter every night and snuggled in the arms of the man who’d vowed never to let her go.
Bahir had wanted to wait a year to get married, but Amy couldn’t wait any longer. She wanted to make her new family official.
Riyad had continued to hunt down the other rebels and the newest leader who had sprung up in all the chaos. Meanwhile, Bahir and Amy focused on the orphanages. For one thing, Bahir had a long talk with the village doctor, who promised that no child would have to wait for medical help again. They’d hired tutors to make sure the children were properly educated, and Amy and Natalie worked together to make the buildings more secure and homey.
Iris and Aisha loved playing with the other children, and even Taslima joined in to help.
The Karawi Sheikhs Series: The Complete Series Page 19