by Leslie North
“And I stole a necklace from you. Surely you can forgive her for trying to save her father,” Samine chimed in.
“And my brothers still married you, so I’m not sure whether you’re marring your character or theirs,” he muttered. “I swear I will call security on you.”
Fleur stood and put a hand on his chest. “Jaymin, we’re worried about you. We’re used to you stomping around and grumbling, but lately you’re dangerously angry. Throwing things and yelling at the staff. Your father is also going to be concerned if you don’t get your act together.”
He relaxed and smiled. His brothers really had made wonderful choices with Samine and Fleur. They had big hearts. “I’ll try to contain my temper. Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?”
“It doesn’t always matter how a person came into your life, Jaymin. It only matters what they do when they get there,” Samine said softly.
They walked past him, and Jaymin turned his head. “The difference between my story and yours is that you loved Adil. Fleur loved Masoud. Tamrin had a chance to tell me how she felt about me, and she didn’t take it. I think she made her feelings clear.”
The women exchanged a look before leaving him alone in the office. He sighed and sank into his chair. Closing out of the report, he opened up the new surveillance pictures that Kaz had sent him. He told them it was to make sure that the Lewis family didn’t bother them again, but the truth was that he wanted to make sure that they were okay.
He wanted to make sure that Tamrin was okay.
The sisters had entered school in New York. As he clicked through the pictures of the campus, he couldn’t help but notice the joy on their faces as they walked around and ate together. It clearly did them good to get away from their father and lead their own lives.
Closing out the pictures, Jaymin clenched his jaw. It didn’t do him any good to dwell on something that he couldn’t have.
The ring of the telephone interrupted him, and he picked up the phone. “Jaymin Khalidizack,” he barked.
“It’s Kaz,” his security head said tightly. “We have a problem, and I wanted to run it by you before I take it up with Quadir.”
“What’s the problem?” Jaymin asked with a sigh. His father already disapproved of how he handled Anton Negatin. He wanted the man behind bars, and Jaymin didn’t disagree. But he’d had to push his need for vengeance aside to save the life of Sean Lewis.
“The Kebra Nagast is missing.”
“What?” Jaymin roared as he straightened. “That is not possible. I put that book back myself.”
“I’m sorry, Jaymin. I don’t know what to tell you. Tamrin and her sister had ample opportunity to roam the palace. There’s no telling what plan they could have devised to get the book undetected. How do you want to proceed?”
“Do not inform my father of the theft. I’ll retrieve the book myself.” Jaymin brought up the picture of Tamrin and shook his head. They weren’t finished just yet. “I need an immediate flight to New York.”
The wind whipped around as Tamrin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “My history professor has me singled out. He thinks that because I’m not an American, I don’t understand American history,” she complained.
“That sucks. My history professor is yummy,” her sister said with a smile. “Do you think there’s a no fraternization rule between professors and students?”
Tamrin couldn’t help but chuckle. “You have nothing but sex on your mind.”
“And you never have it on your mind. Seven men have asked you out in the past month, and you’ve turned them all down.”
“I told you,” Tamrin said with a frown. “I’m focusing on my studies. I don’t have time for men in my life.”
Tamara reached out and grabbed her hand. “Sweetie, I know that he meant something to you, but we both promised that we were going to put that life behind us. What we used to do and who we used to know. Jaymin is in that group. It’s not going to be easy, but maybe expanding your horizons with other men will help you forget him.”
“Talking about me?”
Tamrin froze at the familiar voice behind her and glanced at Tamara’s face for confirmation. The surprise in her sister’s eyes told her everything. Jaymin Khalidizack was behind her.
Her twin squeezed her hand and stood. Immediately, her sister transitioned, and Tamrin watched as Tamara tugged at her hair nervously. “Jaymin! Are you here to see me?” Her sister was trying to take the heat for her.
“No, Tamara. I’m not.”
Impressed, Tamrin turned to get a good look at him. He was dressed in khakis with a blue and white striped button-down shirt that was open at the collar. In his aviator sunglasses, it was impossible to see his expression, but Tamrin drank him in anyway. He looked so good.
“Usually nobody but our father can tell us apart.”
“Well,” Jaymin said as he took his sunglasses off. “Most people didn’t realize that there are two of you. And I’m hoping that most people don’t know you intimately.”
Tamrin’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “What are you doing here, Jaymin?”
He opened his mouth but he was interrupted by his cellphone. Frowning, he held a finger up to her and answered it. A wry smile crossed his face, and he shook his head. “So, it turned up just like that? I see. Well, I guess I made the trip for nothing. When I get back, we’re going to have a conversation about where your loyalties lie.”
Jaymin disconnected the call and tipped his head. “I apologize, ladies, but it looks like I have no good reason for being here.”
“What was the reason?” Tamara asked with a frown.
Tamrin stood up quickly. “Could you give me a minute, Tamara? I’ll catch up with you after class.”
Her sister studied her face before grabbing her bag. “Very well. If you make her cry, I’m coming after you.”
“Should she scare me?” Jaymin asked as he watched her walk away.
Tamrin tried to steel herself for what they talked about next. “I suppose you’re here because you think we’re trying to con someone?”
“No, I was here because my security guard had a chat with my sisters-in-law. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I was excited to come.”
“Excited?”
“Nothing. How is campus life?” He took Tamara’s seat and tried to look at ease.
Tamrin shook her head. “You’re not here because you miss me. We’re not running a con, Jaymin. We really are here to get our college education. Now that we’re not living as one person, we’re trying to experience normal things. College is normal for people our age.”
“So you’re here for your education, or you’re here to experience college life?”
“What do you mean?” she asked with a frown.
Jaymin smiled. “According to Adil, college is about living the high life. Alcohol. Women. Parties. Although, in your case, it would be men.”
Tamrin exhaled loudly and cocked her head. “Are you asking me if I’m enjoying men?”
“I guess I’m asking if you’re seeing anyone.”
“Do you care?”
He rolled his shoulders and stared at the table in front of them. Absently, he picked at her notebook. “My sisters-in-law think I’m more upset since you’ve been gone. They think that you were good for me, and I didn’t really know how to respond.”
Her heartbeat picked up, and she immediately slid her hands in her lap. Licking her lips nervously, she took a deep breath. “Why didn’t you know what to say? You thought it was part of a con. Why would you hesitate?”
“It felt real, Tamrin,” he said hoarsely as he suddenly raised his gaze to stare into her eyes. In that moment, the whole world stopped. “Was it real?”
“I tried to tell you,” she whispered. “What I did with you is not normal for me. I wanted to be with you, and I couldn’t stop myself. It had nothing to do with the con. I feel a real connection with you, but I didn’t think you could forgive me.”
&
nbsp; “It was never the con. I thought you were using me. I thought that you didn’t reciprocate what I feel for you,” he said quietly.
Biting her bottom lip, she twisted her fingers around each other. “And what’s that?”
“Tamrin, you’re experiencing a new life here. Independence. I don’t want to get in the way of that, but if you think, dating might be on your plate, I’d like to start over with you. Do things a little more traditionally. Take you out for pizza and a movie.”
A big smile crossed her face, but it just as quickly disappeared. “You don’t exactly live here.”
“Tamrin, I’m a very wealthy man with access to my own private jet. I can be here as often as you like. Assuming you want me here at all.”
Joy filled her. “You don’t seem like the pizza and movie type.”
“Maybe it’s time for me to try new things as well. It’ll be an adventure, Tamrin.”
“Yes,” she said immediately. “God, yes!”
In a flash, he was on his feet and pulling her up from the chair. As he pressed his lips to hers, she ran her fingers through his hair and rejoiced in his embrace. She thought she’d never get to taste him again, but now he was here and offering her a future together.
“Are you sure you can handle dating me?” she said with a laugh. “I’m not exactly normal.”
“I’m fairly certain every day with you will be an adventure,” he teased. She reached up on her tiptoes to kiss him again, and she knew that she would be able to face everything with him by her side.
Epilogue
The family gathered on the sands, talking and laughing. Normally, Maharraq Island was a peaceful place where the seas crashed gently on the shores, but today it was full of people, laughter and cheer.
“A party island. Just as Adil predicted,” Masoud said with a chuckle as he hooked an arm around Fleur. She was dressed in a long green gown that swirled around her when she walked. Her red hair was pinned up in curls, and she had nothing but excitement written all over her face when she looked around.
“This is not quite what I had in mind,” Adil said with a frown. “I was thinking more women and fewer men. Ouch!” Samine punched him lightly in the side, and he gave her a flirtatious smile. “That was my plan before I met you, my sweet. You’re more than enough woman for me.”
“I know,” she said cheekily. Samine was wearing a dress similar to Fleur’s, but in midnight blue.
Completing the bridal party, Tamara stepped forward in her maroon-colored dress and lifted her wine glass. “A toast!”
Jaymin looked over his family with interest as they all turned to stare at him. Like his brothers, he was dressed in traditional robes, but as the groom, his robes were trimmed in gold. Standing next to him was his beautiful bride, looking stunning in white.
“What started out as a con turned into something so much more,” Tamara said slowly. “I could tell from the beginning that Tamrin was smitten, but I had no idea how deep it ran. And since I played the part of Tamrin, I could tell that Jaymin felt the same way. You two have been through so much, and it has only made your love stronger. I never thought I’d say this, but I could not be happier that my sister is out of the game and married to the love of her life!”
A cheer went up in the crowd, and Tamrin stood to hug her sister. Jaymin felt nothing but joy as he watched his wife. Living separate lives had allowed the sisters to really bloom and discover each other, and it allowed him to seduce his bride. Once he had no doubt that she was his in body, soul, and spirit, he’d wasted no time in marrying her. Women like Tamrin were rare, and he wasn’t about to let her slip through his fingers.
His bride returned to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “This was absolutely perfect, Jaymin. I don’t think there is a happier woman than me.”
“You aren’t disappointed that it isn’t a larger wedding with all the pomp and circumstance?” He couldn’t resist teasing her knowing that was exactly what she didn’t want.
Shaking her head, no. “I know that we’ll be expected to host larger events but for now, I’m glad it’s only the family. Even if your side is quite large.”
“This is just the beginning,” Jaymin said as he leaned down to kiss her. “I intend to spend the rest of my life making you a happy woman.”
“It won’t be hard,” she murmured. “Just keep kissing me like that.”
Someone cleared his voice, and Jaymin looked up as Rameez and Quadir closed in on them. “Gentlemen,” Rameez said with a smile. “This is quite the wedding party, although I think that most of the women are crying rather than celebrating.”
Jaymin sighed and wrapped an arm around Tamrin. “Rameez. I get the feeling that you’re not here to congratulate us.”
“Oh, I am! A hearty congratulations to the happy couple. But I think there is some business that we should attend to.” Rameez crossed his arms and smirked. “One month. All you had to do was wait one more month, and you would have won.”
Jaymin looked down at Tamrin and felt no regret. “My wife is more important than an island. Besides, if you think that we don’t know what’s really going on here, you’re mistaken.”
Rameez and Quadir exchanged mocking surprised looks. “Are you insinuating that we had a devious scheme in mind?” Quadir asked slowly.
“Of course not,” Jaymin said with a chuckle. “I would never insinuate such a thing. But at the time, you had no married sons, and now you have three. I have a feeling that if we all compared notes, we’d discover some prodding along the way.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Quadir drew up to his full height. “What I had before were three sons who couldn’t even begin to get along. Now, I have three happy sons, three beautiful and wonderful daughters-in-law, and a happy family at last. All it cost me was an island.”
Quadir reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “Since you all lost, the deed to the island now belongs to Rameez.”
His father’s old friend beamed as he accepted the deed. “I have big plans for this place,” he said as he looked around.
“Care to share?” Masoud asked.
“Not yet. Just big plans.” Rameez winked. He and his father turned to join the crowd, and the three brothers stared at each other.
“We definitely got played,” Adil muttered.
“Like a fiddle,” Masoud growled.
Jaymin shook his head. He looked at his bride and his sisters-in-law, and he knew that everything was exactly as it should be. “And it couldn’t be better.”
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“Come on, Erin. Help me out here, just this once. It’s not like you have anything else going on tonight.”
Erin Malone watched her cousin, trying not to let the accuracy of her words cut like a knife. No. She didn’t have anything else going on tonight – or any other night in recent memory. Swallowing back the sarcastic retort that sprang to her lips, she stared at Shira, her wayward cousin whose social calendar didn’t know the meaning of a ‘night off.’
When Shira continued to smile at her, bat her eyelashes, and give her a knowing grin, Erin couldn’t help the smile that reluctantly pulled at her mouth. What the hell! She probably owed herself a night of decadence and indulgence anyway.
Shira’s grin grew as Erin began to nod her head, “I knew you’d agree!”
“Hold on a minute,” Erin said, “I haven’t agreed to anything yet. Tell me what this party is for again?”
She watched as her cousin rubbed her hands together in glee. Shira was the assistant marketing director for a large advertising firm and tonight they were celebrating having landed the most sought after commercial contract in their history – Jewel Oil. Her firm had been after the contract for almost a year, and just this afternoon, the final contracts had been signed and now it was time to celebrate.
“I already told you, we’re celebrating winning the Jewel Oil contract.”
Erin nodded, “I heard that part. Tell me again why you need my help.”
Looking at her cousin, she was proud of the fine young woman she had become. After having lost both of her parents in a house fire when she was only ten, Erin’s parents had welcomed her into their home. Shira had been like a younger sister before, and as she grew into a teenager, they had become best friends.
Only four years older than Shira, their bond never wavered after Erin left for college. When Shira graduated and started college, Erin had been in her second year of law school, and living on her own. She had insisted that Shira share her small condo with her and the two women had kept the arrangement for the last five years.
“I need you to be my wing-woman tonight.”
Erin watched her cousin for a moment, wondering at the uncertainty she could see lingering in her eyes. Shira was the most confident woman Erin knew, and though she wouldn’t admit it, she was often jealous of the ease with which she interacted with men. Seeing the apparent crack in her confidence was foreign in Erin’s experience.
“What’s happened?” she demanded, willing and eager to come to her cousin’s rescue.
Shira shook her head, “Nothing. That’s the problem. The execs from Jewel have been over here so many times in the last few months, and even though I’ve made it known I would gladly accept Kale’s advances, he’s keeping me at arm’s length. With the contracts signed, I don’t know how many more opportunities I may get to see him.”