The Sheikh’s Marriage Deal (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 17)

by Cara Albany

  She nodded and thought for a moment, trying to think of the best way to explain to someone for whom money meant nothing, for whom money had never been a problem, just what it might mean to an elderly couple who'd lost everything.

  "They've been a victim of a crime. They've lost every penny they saved in their investment funds."

  Her heart sank a little as she saw Taliq move away from her and settle back against the seat, straightening himself, suddenly thoughtful.

  His features were steady and contemplative. "Go on," he said.

  "Apparently, it still happens," Abby continued. "I thought the days of advisors stealing money from elderly people were long gone. But, apparently not."

  "How did it happen?" he asked.

  Abby shook her head. "I don't know every detail. The thing is, my dad has always been good with money. Always been careful. And my mom usually left him to deal with things like that."

  "Who stole from them?" Taliq asked. She could hear a sharpness in his voice. Was that the stirrings of anger? There was an impatience in his tone.

  Abby peered at him and saw that he was looking straight ahead, not at her. It was as if his attention had shifted to something harsh and brutal. Something that had disturbed his forced politeness.

  "The name isn't important, right now," Abby said.

  "And they have lost everything?" he asked

  Abby nodded. "Everything. The scheme collapsed. It was a Ponzi. A clever one. Not like the ones in the old days. You know how it is, these days. The things these people can do with other people's money is mind-boggling. No-one can understand any of it."

  She saw a wry smile stretch across his lips. "That is exactly how these criminals operate," he said. "They are the lowest of people."

  For a moment, she was astonished at the forcefulness of his reaction, the instant shift to disgust. She hadn't expected that from him.

  "I know of similar problems here in Qazhar," he continued. "Luckily we have ways of dealing with men who do such things," he announced, a wolfish grin creasing his features.

  She didn't want to think of what he was talking about. She knew that justice in Qazhar was very different than what she was used to back in the US.

  Justice would eventually be served on the man who had stolen every penny of her parents' retirement funds, leaving them facing a life of poverty. But, they'd never get the money back. It was gone.

  For good.

  Just thinking about that made anxiety swell up in Abby, her chest tightening, her stomach lurching. Her parents didn't deserve such a fate.

  Taliq looked at her, and she could see great compassion in his eyes. "And you have come here to ask me to help."

  Abby nodded, saying nothing.

  Taliq drew in a deep breath, steepled his fingers, lost in thought for a few moments. The facts had been bare and simple and it hadn't take her more than a few moments to explain to him. Now that she had done so, she felt a strange relief settling in her. For some reason, simply telling him had lifted some of the burden from her shoulders.

  Taliq glanced at her. "What do you want me to do?" he asked.

  Abby paused, asking herself that same question. She had come here seeking help, but really she hadn't thought this whole thing through. She still wasn't sure exactly what she wanted from him.

  "Help," was all she could say eventually.

  He nodded. The sternness was still there in his expression, but now it was tempered by a thoughtfulness. She couldn't recall seeing him quite like this before.

  "What did you have in mind?" he asked.

  She felt a rush of irritation. "I don't know, really," she said hesitantly.

  Finally he conquered her reluctance. "Did you you come here for money?" he asked.

  She felt her mouth open and for a moment she was lost for words. Finally she said: "Since you put it like that, yes."

  He looked away for a long moment and then turned back to face her. "When you called, I thought it was for something personal. Something about us."

  "It is about something personal," she objected. "To me. This is about my parents' lives. Their future." Her voice was filled with emotion that she could hardly control.

  He nodded. "I understand. But, when you said you wanted to come see me, I couldn't help thinking that the real reason was because of us. The way we used to be together."

  She stiffened. "But, you know all of that is behind us, now, Taliq. That's in the past."

  He nodded slowly and said nothing immediately. She was sure she had seen a momentary flash of emotion in his eyes on hearing her words.

  It occurred to her that he might see things very differently to her. But she dismissed that thought, recalling the emotional pain of their breakup. The recriminations. Her accusation to him that he just didn't want to take their relationship as seriously as her. She was sure he hadn't forgotten any of those conversations.

  Had her request to see him awakened some kind of hope in him? Hope that their relationship could be rekindled? Surely that couldn't be, she told herself.

  She realized that he still hadn't told her anything about his present life. Who he was seeing. What he was doing. She knew nothing about how he had lived since she had taken the plane back to the States.

  Hoping to ease the awkwardness, she asked him. "You still haven't told me what has been happening in your life this past year."

  Taliq did something which shocked her. He laughed sardonically. He gazed at her. "You really want to know?"

  Abby nodded. "Of course, I do."

  "The usual," he said casually. He lifted a shoulder and seemed to reconsider. "Well, perhaps one or two things have changed, now that I come to think of it," he added thoughtfully.

  Frustration welled up in her. Maybe he was referring to his latest conquests. She was sure his bed hadn't been empty since she had left him.

  He glanced at her."And you? What have you been doing since you went back to the States?"

  He was being evasive again, she told herself. Some things hadn't changed, it seemed. Always pushing her away, especially when it came to personal matters.

  "I've been working as a PA in the kind of faceless corporations you always used to tell me you hated so much."

  That comment forced a smile from him. "That sounds exciting," he said sarcastically. She recalled he hated anything to do with business. Anything that would force him to behave responsibly. Anything that would take him away from his life of pleasure. His amusements.

  Abby gazed out the window and saw that they were arriving at his palace. She recognized the high walls which enclosed the gardens and the palace. She saw the tall gates which now sat wide open, welcoming her back.

  The limo entered the palace grounds and made its way up the tree-lined driveway. Lights illuminated the garden beyond the trees and up ahead she saw the palace, white and brightly lit and luminescent in the darkness. It looked as she'd always thought. Like something out of a fairy tale.

  The memory of her time within those walls overwhelmed every part of her attention. For a few moments all she could think of was being with Taliq, in his bed, sharing soul-melting nights of passionate love-making. She relished those memories, selfishly and privately as the limo drew to a halt at the foot of the wide marble stairs that led up to the high front door.

  "We're home," he said teasingly.

  She lifted a brow. "Your home, Taliq."

  He didn't say anything in response to that, merely tilting his head and smiling. Then the door was opened by the driver and she stepped out. As she eased past him, almost touching him, nearly brushing against him, she couldn't help noticing the way he looked at her. There was visible pleasure in his gaze. For a moment, she allowed herself to enjoy a moment of gratification. Some old habits never died, she told herself.

  As she moved out of the limo was sure she could almost feel the heat of his gaze. She remembered him telling her that he could look at her all day long and never become weary of drinking in her beauty. But those days were gon
e.

  Taliq emerged and stood alongside her. Here, in front of his palace, he looked like an animal in its natural environment.

  Comfortable. Assured.

  She saw him gaze thoughtfully up the stairs and frown. He pulled at the cuff of his jacket with the fingers of his right hand. She recognized that gesture. It was what he did on the rare occasions when he was unsure about something. Or even nervous. There was something on his mind, she told herself.

  Abby looked at him questioningly. He peered at her."Abby, there is one thing I need to tell you."

  The first thought that came to her mind was that he had a wife, or lover, living inside the palace. That, right now, there was another woman waiting for him inside. She felt her face color and heat flush her cheeks. How could she have been so stupid!

  "It's okay, Taliq," she blurted out. "I understand. You've got a life. I'm just intruding."

  Abby ran a hand through her loose blonde hair. As she did so, she saw his gaze follow the course of her fingers as they snaked through her loose locks.

  "Why didn't I think of that?" she snapped.

  He frowned. "What do you mean?"

  Abby gazed at him. "You're married. Or you're in a relationship."

  His eyes narrowed with incredulity. "What?"

  Abby's fingers tightened around the bag. "Look. Maybe, this was all a bad idea. I can stay in town. At a hotel. Just take me there in the limo. I should have realized." Her voice sounded panicked. Confused.

  Taliq moved toward her. "No. You're wrong. That's not how it is." His eyes narrowed. "I'm not married," he explained firmly. "And, I'm not in a relationship, right now."

  For some odd reason she felt relieved at that revelation. A momentary craziness had overtaken her. And now that he had revealed the truth of his present life, she was curiously pleased to know that no-one had taken her place in the palace.

  She corrected that thought swiftly. The palace had never been a permanent place for her. She had just been one of many who had passed through, hadn't she?

  Taliq rested a hand at her back and started toward the stairs. "No. I have something far more important than that to tell you."

  Abby looked quizzically at him. "You've got me intrigued."

  They reached the top of the steps. The door opened and a traditionally dressed man stepped out. Taliq spoke to him in the Qazhar tongue, none of which Abby understood. The man bowed and disappeared inside.

  Abby squinted at Taliq. "What's this about, Taliq?"

  He smiled at her. "Something you might find quite surprising. Especially about me."

  Abby peered at him. "What are you talking about?"

  The door opened slowly again and two young children appeared. The boy and girl appeared to be around ten years old. Both were obviously Qazhar born and dressed in plain white outfits. And both had dark hair and even, pleasant features. They saw Taliq and came to him, walking with a dutiful, slow stride. They seemed genuinely pleased to see him. Taliq smiled at them and placed an arm across each of their shoulders.

  Then he looked at her. His gaze was even as he measured her reaction.

  She peered at him in astonishment and was about to ask him what was going on when he announced: "Abby. I'd like you to meet my children," he said.

  CHAPTER THREE

  For a long moment, Abby was completely lost for words. She gazed at Taliq with barely disguised incredulity.

  "Children?" she breathed, hardly believing what he had just told her.

  Taliq nodded and smiled. "Yes," he replied looking down at the young girl. "This is Aisha," he said.

  The girl smiled at Abby and bowed her head courteously.

  "And this fine young gentleman is Kamil," Taliq said. The boy took a step forward, causing Taliq to release his arm from his shoulder.

  Kamil bowed to Abby and looked evenly at her. The greeting was formal enough, but Abby couldn't help thinking that there was something stern about the young man's expression which lay in direct contrast to the open friendliness of Aisha. Abby was sure she could see a hint of pain in the boys eyes. She wondered what had caused that.

  Abby glanced at Taliq as she watched Kamil move back to stand alongside Aisha.

  "Aisha and Kamil are brother and sister," Taliq said. He glanced down at them. "I'm sure you can see the similarity." Taliq placed a hand on Kamil's head and gently ruffled his hair. The instant he did that, Kamil shifted his head away from Taliq's touch and glanced up at Taliq. There was disapproval in that look, Abby told herself.

  She still couldn't fathom what was going on. Taliq had children? Had these children existed when she had been involved with him a year ago? Had he hidden this secret from her? Why hadn't he even mentioned this to her?

  Indignation flared in her, but she masked it as best she could, for the sake of the children.

  Abby looked at the children and smiled. "It's lovely to meet you both."

  "It is an honor to meet you," Aisha said in English.

  Abby was dumbfounded for a second. She hadn't expected to hear English spoken.

  Abby saw Taliq prompt Kamil with a gentle touch on his shoulder and the boy responded. "It is an honor," he said stiffly.

  "You both speak such good English," Abby said to the children. Aisha looked instantly pleased and Kamil smiled politely.

  Abby squinted at Taliq, but she could see that he wasn't about to provide her with any kind of explanation.

  "Abby will be a guest here," he said addressing the children. "I'm sure you will both do your best to make her feel welcome."

  The children said they would and then Taliq ushered them away to the care of the servant who stood at the doorway. Once the children had gone inside, Abby looked at Taliq. "I think an explanation is in order, don't you think?"

  He gazed firmly at her. "I did say I had something important to tell you."

  "Important? That's hardly the word, Taliq. Last year, you didn't tell me you had children."

  "Last year, I did not have any," he said.

  Abby gasped. "What?"

  Taliq rested a hand on her back. "Let's get inside and I can explain."

  She froze for a moment, feeling the gentle pressure of his touch against her back. For a moment, she wasn't sure she wanted to go inside and listen to what he had to tell her. What did he mean when he said that last year he hadn't had any kids? The kids were clearly almost ten years old. How was it possible that they weren't his?

  "Please, Abby," he insisted.

  She nodded and followed him into the palace's brightly lit hallway, pausing to gaze around the awe-inspiring interior, taking in the high vaulted ceiling, the ornately decorated pillars that stretched along the corridor past the staircase that led to the upper floors. Her heels sounded on the marble floor. Memories of beautiful moments flooded back into her mind.

  She paused a moment to take in the sight, breathing deeply. There was a scent of jasmine in the air and that triggered more memories. She felt the peace of the palace settle inside her. It was a sensation with which she had become very familiar. But that all seemed like an eternity ago.

  She followed Taliq into the sitting room. The air was cool in here, and she felt the gentle breeze of the large overhead fans. She laid her bag down on the mosaic-patterned marble floor and regarded the scene around her.

  Once again, just as inside the jet, everywhere she looked she saw luxury and opulence. Elegant furnishings and walls decorated with tasteful, expensive traditional art depicting scenes of Qazhar life. Deserts, mountains, ancient forts, villages. Everywhere she looked she saw reminders of the variety and beauty of Qazhar life.

  "I'll show you up to your room," Taliq said moving toward a wide sofa. "After I've explained." He sat down and Abby took a place on a sofa which faced opposite to his.

  "My room?" she asked.

  He nodded. "You hardly think I'm going to allow you to stay in a hotel, do you?"

  "I'm only going to be here until tomorrow, Taliq," she reminded him. They'd made that agreement o
ver the phone. Even though she knew it was a risk spending one night in his palace, she was willing to take that risk for the sake of finding a solution to her parents' problem.

  And what was the risk she was taking? She knew the answer to that question, but she pushed it well out of her mind and focused on Taliq.

  "The children," she said in flat voice.

  He nodded and paused a few moments. "They're not my biological children," he stated.

  She narrowed her eyes. "But you said they were yours."

  "They are," he replied. "I have legal guardianship over them."

  "Guardianship?"

  He leaned back against the sofa. "Their real parents are no longer alive."

  "What!"

  A sudden sadness came over his features. "Aisha and Kamil's parents were good friends of mine. Actually, their father was a childhood friend. A very special one." His brows furrowed. "He was someone I spent my entire childhood with. We grew up together almost like brothers. Shared everything together." Taliq smiled weakly. "You could say Zahir was my extra brother."

  "So the children belonged to him and his wife?"

  "Yes."

  Taliq looked steadily at Abby and she saw a flash of distress on his features that he quickly disguised with a long look downward at the rug on the floor between the sofas.

  When he looked up at her again, she could tell he was about to say something that hurt him, that made him burn with pain.

  "But, I am sorry to say, they are both dead," he said with a finality in his voice.

  The words hung in the air between them. A long time. There was an awful silence.

  Abby paused, feeling as if the breath had been knocked out of her. There was a tragedy here, she told herself. That must explain the pain she saw in the boy's eyes.

  She wasn't sure she wanted to know about this. She could see the pain in Taliq's eyes. Just speaking about it had caused his features to pale visibly.

  "Dead? How?" Abby asked eventually.

  Taliq sighed heavily. "A boating accident in the Qazhar Sea."

  Abby exhaled and frowned. "When did it happen?"