by Cara Albany
"Not long after you left. Almost a year ago, now," he said.
He had been looking after two children for almost a year?
The thought of that stunned her for a moment. She wondered how that was even possible. That the man she had known as an arrogant, self-obsessed sheikh could have become the father to two young children. Something didn't seem right about this, she told herself.
Taliq's features were dark now. But that darkness was different from the one she had been so used to. The darkness of his former passions, his demands, his needs.
The darkness she could see now had been caused by tragedy.
Abby leaned across toward him. The urge to go and sit next to him was irresistible. She needed to be close to him in away that would have seemed inconceivable a short while ago.
She stood and went across, taking her place alongside him. He watched her as she sat down, and she thought she could see approval in his eyes.
"Tell me," she said simply.
"The children were in school that day. Zahir and his wife, Anya had taken their boat out. As they so often did. There was an explosion. No-one knows exactly what caused it. The boat sank taking them with it. They didn't survive."
Abby gasped. "That is awful."
Taliq nodded. "A tragedy."
Now that she was so close to him, Abby could see the emotion in Taliq's eyes. The hurt in them. She laid a hand on his arm. He glanced at her and smiled weakly, acknowledging her touch.
"Those poor children," Abby said. "How they must have suffered."
Taliq sighed. "They are brave, those two. Just like their parents."
"But still, they have been through so much. How have they possibly coped?"
Taliq's eyes narrowed. "It has been difficult. I would lying if I said it had not been hard."
"And they have been living with you?"
Taliq nodded.
"Why? Don't they have other family?"
Taliq shook his head. "Zahir had no family here in Qazhar. He was an only child and his parents died a long time ago."
"Isn't that unusual in Qazhar. To have such a small family?"
Taliq nodded. "Zahir was not of the same class as my family."
That sounded harsh to Abby's ears. "What do you mean? Not of the same class."
"Just that. His tribal family came from more humble origins. It was one of the reason why our friendship was so special. Some in my family did not approve. But, I paid them no heed." Taliq smiled. "My friendship with Zahir was more important to me than anything." He glanced at Abby. "Especially during my rebellious youth," he added.
"You've always been rebellious," she observed.
He smiled at that remark. "You're probably right."
"So, didn't their mother have family?"
"They are from Eastern Europe. And Anya had lost touch with them over the years. It seems her relationship with her family was not all it could have been."
Abby tried to understand what he was telling her. Two parents with no extended family to speak off; two children with nowhere to go.
"So, how did you come to be the person to take charge of the children?"
He gazed at her for a long moment. "A promise."
She stiffened, almost not believing what he had just said. "Promise?"
Taliq nodded. "Before he died, Zahir came to me and asked me to promise that if anything happened to him and Anya, then I would take charge of the children. He asked me to promise that I would become their guardian." Taliq paused. "Their father."
Abby peered at Taliq. "But how was that even possible? Aren't there rules about adoption? Or taking on a guardianship?" She thought about how difficult such a thing would have been in the States under similar circumstances.
Taliq shook his head. "We have different rules here in Qazhar," he stated. "Here, it is possible for a member of a senior family in the kingdom to take on such a role."
"Senior family?" Abby asked. "Like yours?"
Taliq nodded. "You could say that it is a duty that comes with privilege."
It was more than just a duty, Abby said to herself. It was a responsibility. And that was something she definitely did not associate with the Taliq she had known. But, the sheikh sitting next to her seemed so different to that man. This man clearly felt the power of the obligation which had been placed upon him by fate. This man had kept a promise which had probably been made with no idea that it would, one day, have to be fulfilled.
"The most important thing is that I gave Zahir my word. My promise is a sacred thing to me." Taliq looked intently at Abby. "If I say I am going to do something, then nothing will stop me."
She knew that already. Remembered his determination to claim her. To possess her. How it must have hurt him when she had left, she reflected. Being defied by her like that.
"So the children came to live with you?"
Taliq nodded. "Formalities were taken care of quickly. They could not be left alone for a moment. They moved into the palace."
Abby couldn't imagine how hard that must have been for the children. Having to start a new life so suddenly. Coming to terms with the loss. Starting out all over again.
Taliq breathed out heavily, suddenly thoughtful. "At first, it was very difficult. Of course, there was much to do to relieve them of their grief. To make them feel that this would be their home from now on. I did as much as I could do." Taliq shrugged. "Sometimes I have been successful. At other times, I have found it quite a challenge."
That was an understatement, she told herself. Taking on such a responsibility must have turned his world inside out. Maybe he was trying to be modest. That was another side to him she hadn't seen before.
She pressed her hand against his arm and he looked at her. "What you've done is amazing, Taliq." Abby leaned slightly toward him "Truly, it is."
"You think so?"
Abby nodded. "I am so proud of you."
He smiled upon hearing those words. "That's nice to hear," he replied in a cold, impersonal tone. "Thank you, Abby." It was such a casual way of putting it, that she wasn't quite sure if he was being sincere.
She ignored her reservations about the way he had just spoken to her. "I can't imagine how different your life must be, now."
He nodded. "There has been great change."
Abby gazed at him admiringly. "What do your family think of what you've done for the children?"
"They are pleased."
"Is that all? Pleased?"
He tilted his head. "They all understand the obligations that come with our status in the kingdom. For them, keeping a promise of this kind is natural."
Abby squinted at him. "I'd say it was a bit more than just natural. It's pretty amazing. You've taken on the biggest responsibility a man can take. Bringing up two children on your own is a big deal."
"I do have a large retinue of staff," he replied. "Have you forgotten?"
Abby nodded. He was right. During her time in the palace, it had seemed like there were dozens of servants catering to every need.
"The children each have a nanny."
"Nanny?"
Taliq nodded. "Each ensures that what has to be done for the children is done."
A thought occurred to Abby. "How often do you spend time with them?"
"As much as I can."
Abby wasn't sure she liked the sound of that. "And exactly how much is that?"
She saw his eyes become hard again, as if he had withdrawn somehow. Now that he had told her, now that had explained, it looked as if he simply wanted to continue from where they had left off in the limo.
But that wasn't going to be easy, Abby realized. She had been so shocked at the revelations, she knew it would take time for her to come to terms with understanding how his life had changed.
"Let's not go into the details of the children's lives," he said. He stood and gazed down at her. Abby didn't move at first. Instead she peered up at him, surprised at the sudden change in him.
"May I show you to your room?
"
That was it? Abby asked herself if he really wanted to end the conversation like this.
She thought about what she had told him in the limo. About her parents. About the help she wanted from him. He still hadn't responded to her confession. What was he holding back? Even more surprises? As if learning that Taliq Al Kharif was now the father to two children wasn't enough.
Abby stood and faced him. She could see that the subject of the children was well and truly closed. Taliq had retreated behind his barrier. He looked at her with a cool stiffness that was such a contrast to how he had looked at her on the sofa.
Nothing further would be said about the children or about her own predicament. She considered pressing for more, but could tell, from his expression, that he did not wish to add anything else.
She lifted her bag and followed him out into the hallway. He had become suddenly silent again, lost in thought. She walked up the stairs alongside him and followed him to a doorway halfway down the long corridor.
He opened the door and gestured for her to enter. "I hope you'll be comfortable here."
Abby gazed into the room. It was sumptuous and elegant. Everything she remembered and everything she would have expected. She gazed at him. She could see that he wanted to be away from her. Did he feel awkward because she had found out so much about him? About his changed life?
"It looks lovely."
"I'll get one of the staff to come and help you settle in."
She didn't object. He hesitated a moment before stepping away from the door. He looked like he was about to say something, but then clearly changed his mind.
"Maybe, you'd care to join me for dinner downstairs. Once you get settled," he said.
She nodded and smiled. "I'd like that."
He seemed cheered by her agreement and then turned and walked away.
She watched him for a few moments as he walked down the corridor. As she closed the door, she wondered if the man she'd just met again was the same man she'd left behind.
CHAPTER FOUR
As he walked along the corridor, Taliq reflected on what had just happened. The first thing that came to mind was that Abby seemed to understand. He'd seen it in her eyes, felt it in her gentle touch.
There had been sympathy in the way she had listened to him. He felt relieved about that because he'd been worried how she would receive the news about the children. He hadn't had a chance to mention any of this to her on the phone.
But, there was another thing which had impressed him just as deeply. Abby was even more beautiful than he'd remembered.
Still incredibly gorgeous.
She still had that elusive quality which had drawn him to her in the first place. The stunning beauty which had driven him crazy with desire. Her beauty was exquisite, and still had the ability to trigger fierce, primal need in him.
He recalled their meeting a year ago. She had been on a business trip with her company. Taliq had met Abby at a business reception in Qazhar city. Business was a subject which bored him. In fact it had been his brother, Ahmed who had persuaded Taliq to attend. This had been before Ahmed had fallen for Gemma.
Taliq and Abby had hit it off immediately. Before either of them knew what had happened, they were deep into an intense, wildly sensual relationship. Because of the success of the visit, she had been allowed some time by her boss, to combine work with a badly needed vacation.
Abby had seized the opportunity to be with Taliq at every moment. She'd moved into his palace for those two weeks and everything had been perfect.
Too perfect, as far as Taliq had been concerned. Within days, he'd realized that he'd fallen for the beautiful American.
Completely.
How could he not have, he reflected. Abby was simply stunning. Her figure was deliciously full; her features exquisitely pretty; her hair blonde and soft to the touch; her scent intoxicating; her skin pure and smooth.
She was astonishing.
At first, that had been excitement enough. He'd never known anyone quite like her. She was completely different from any woman he'd ever been with. She had qualities he'd never found in any other woman.
There was a depth to her, a sensitivity, as well as a powerful, feisty spirit. She never missed an opportunity to challenge him, to face him down whenever his natural arrogance threatened to get the upper hand.
At first that willingness to confront him, to push back, had shocked Taliq. But, pretty soon, he'd come to enjoy it. Even look forward to their sparring matches.
The thought had occurred to him that finally he'd met his match.
And that had been when the problems had really begun.
Having her in his palace had been a revelation. It had felt as if she already belonged within these walls, he reflected as he continued to make his way downstairs.
Taliq crossed the hallway, went through the sitting room, and headed out onto the terrace. The night air was cool and the only sound to be heard was the gentle whisper of the water sprinklers in the garden. He gazed up at the side of the palace where he knew Abby's room was located. He could see a light on in the room which was hers.
She was back.
Until he'd seen her again, until they'd spoken in the limo, he hadn't realized how he'd feel about that. But, he knew now.
He was glad she was back. From the moment he'd laid eyes on her at the airport, familiar sensations had swept through him. Sensations he'd never forgotten. Abby still had the power to affect him like no other.
He recalled the anger and frustration of their split. The accusations she'd hurled at him had stung. Because he'd known that most of what she'd accused him of was probably true.
He was arrogant. He was self-centered. He was irresponsible.
But hadn't those been the things she'd liked about him to begin with. That he didn't take no for an answer. That his first priority was pleasure for himself and for the woman in his life. That he lived for the moment, without really worrying about other people.
Maybe she'd been right. Perhaps he hadn't been the right man for her, after all. Perhaps he was all the things she'd accused him of being.
But all that had changed.
Everything had changed when Zahir had died.
Taliq's entire existence had been utterly transformed when the time had come to keep that promise.
It had been a promise given almost in jest, in passing, when they'd been riding out across the desert on one of their many escapades away from family. At the time, Taliq could never have guessed that his casually spoken words would come back to demand he act with absolute honor.
That he keep his word to his friend.
Taliq leaned against the marble balustrade and gazed out across the garden. Zahir had been a man in a million, as far as Taliq was concerned. There had been many times during their friendship when Zahir had prevented Taliq from succumbing to a natural wildness. The same primal ferocity for life which had so often led Taliq into making questionable decisions.
Zahir had saved Taliq many times.
And now, Taliq had been called upon to save the only thing left of Zahir and Anya. Their children.
Nothing was going to stop him from keeping his word. Taliq had already resolved that from now on, his life would be devoted to the children.
But, there was a problem.
In spite of all his confidence; despite years of seizing life in his hands and wringing the best out of it, Taliq knew one thing, deep down in his soul.
When it came to being the best father to the children, he knew that, as things stood, he had been found wanting.
The truth was he had tried his best, but he had not measured up to the challenge.
For one thing, Taliq had still not found a way to forge a meaningful bond with Kamil. The boy had been badly affected by the loss of his parents and had never really warmed to Taliq.
In fact, it was worse than that. There had been times when Taliq and Kamil had argued and disagreed over seemingly trivial things. In many ways, Kamil
reminded Taliq of himself when he'd been growing up.
Rebellious. Determined to never take orders.
And those qualities in the boy would be useful in the years to come. But, for now, Kamil needed stability. He needed certainty. And Taliq wasn't sure that, as things stood, he would be able to give Kamil and Aisha exactly what they both needed in that respect.
He thought about Abby and her parents' predicament. Just thinking about them suffering such a thing made Taliq's jaw tighten. He knew how such a crime would be punished in his kingdom. A criminal such as that would suffer greatly in his kingdom.
But, the only people who were going to suffer, as far as Abby was concerned were her parents.
Taliq drew in deep breath and reflected on the injustice of their suffering. He'd felt the pain of losing his best friend and it had taught Taliq a lesson he would never forget.
Suffering should be fought against with every sinew in his body. With everything at his disposal.
He already knew what he would do for Abby. Had decided upon it as he'd sat alongside her in the limo, reflecting on her situation.
He would provide the money to completely remove all uncertainty for her parents. The decision had been made in an instant. It was the right thing to do.
Money had once meant nothing to him. It had been the means to pleasure and gratification. Something to waste.
But not any more.
For Taliq money existed for one thing and one thing only. To reduce the suffering in the world.
And he had already resolved that he would do just that for Abby's parents.
There was a flurry of activity behind him. He turned and saw Kamil and Aisha racing toward him.
Aisha ran into Taliq and wrapped her arms around his waist. "She's pretty," Aisha said. "I like her."
Kamil came to Taliq. "What do you think, Kamil?"
Kamil stood apart from Taliq, watching his sister. The boy nodded. "I like her, too," he said in a flat voice. Taliq wasn't so sure that Kamil was speaking the truth, but he chose to be patient for the moment.
"I'm glad you like her," Taliq said them both. "She's a very good friend of mine from some time ago."
"Is she going to stay?" Aisha asked.