The Sheikha’s Unexpected Protector: Desert Sheikhs Book Two

by North, Leslie

Christina reread the letter until the words didn’t make sense anymore. And then she read it one more time.

  She sat back on the dusty floorboard. “Ho-ly fuck.” Kasha was adopted, and their mom had never said anything.

  Disbelief swarmed her, followed by confusion. Maybe this wasn’t real. But how could she have never said anything? Neither their mother nor father had ever given any hint that Kasha wasn’t theirs. Nor did she think her parents to have been the type to keep such an enormous secret. How could they do that?

  She didn’t know what to do. If she told Kasha, it might add a whole new level of stress and questions that her sister absolutely didn’t need right now. But she couldn’t be the sole bearer of this secret. Besides, if she found out Kasha had kept something like that from her for any length of time, she’d be irate.

  Christina fingered the edge of the picture. And then she gasped.

  If Kasha was adopted, that meant that she potentially had an entire family in the Middle East that could serve as a positive match for Hope’s kidney transplant.

  Christina sat stunned and pondering in the attic until Kasha called her down for lunch. Thinking of game plans. Imagining trips to Kattahar. Wondering just how far she’d go to save Hope. An hour and a half must have passed. She was drenched with sweat, unsightly pit stains blooming across the heather gray of her T-shirt.

  But by the time she clambered down the rickety stairs, she already knew what the next step was. What it had to be, if this family had any shot at being happy and normal again. It might be extreme, but so was Hope’s illness. Desperate times, desperate measures, to the max.

  “I made our childhood fave,” Kasha began, glowing despite the chill of central air throughout the rest of the house. “Grilled cheese and—”

  “I have news,” Christina blurted, heart racing as she struggled to find the words for this half-cocked plan formed in the delirium of attic heat. She dragged her forearm over her face. “I was called to go out west.”

  Kasha lifted a brow. “Did you win a sweepstakes? Or maybe this is to appear on Ellen Degeneres?”

  Only if my plan fails. She wouldn’t risk worrying her sister now. Not when she had so much on her plate. Besides, she didn’t want to break the news about adoption and potential matches until she was sure. But with the information in that tin, she had plenty to go on. Further letters detailed surnames, Kasha’s birth city, even the hospital she was born in. It was practically a treasure map with clearly marked arrows.

  All she had to do was follow them.

  “No. It’s a conference for librarians.” Christina sighed, tracing a finger over the countertop. “My boss called while I was upstairs. It’s next week.”

  Kasha nodded. “Sounds very librarian of you. Why the short-notice travel plans?”

  Her mouth went dry for a moment as she thought. “A space opened up last minute, that’s why. I had heard about it but didn’t think I’d get to attend.” She swallowed. “It’s in Vegas.”

  “Vegas!” Kasha exclaimed. “How cool! Promise me you’ll send all the pictures of the gamblers and strippers.”

  Shit. Vegas is too interesting. “Oh, no, sorry, I meant…Albuquerque.” She forced a laugh, sliding onto a stool at the kitchen island where an empty plate awaited her. “I don’t know why I mixed those two up. Fresh news, I guess. Can you pass me that water?”

  Her throat was sandpaper. She was never good at lying to Kasha. And now she had the actual mother of all secrets resting in her possession. She needed to get to Kattahar fast and resolve this unnerving conundrum.

  “Hey. Albuquerque is still cool.” The enthusiasm had drained from Kasha’s voice. “Not as cool as Vegas, but I’ll get over it…”

  Christina quickly changed subjects, steering her sister toward a discussion about current prices for antiques and how much they might be able to get for some of Mom’s older items. Once lunch was done, in lieu of continuing work on the attic, Christina left for her apartment.

  She had work to do. And it started with researching flights to Kattahar.

  Grab your copy of The Sheikh’s American Fiancée

  Available 27 September 2018

  www.LeslieNorthBooks.com

  BLURB

  Sheikh Khalid Al-Qasimi’s playboy ways have finally caught up with him. After creating a scandal during a diplomatic visit to America, Khalid is given a choice by his father—marry or face banishment. Rather than lose his family, Khalid bows to his father’s wishes but an outspoken American interrupts Khalid’s would-be wedding. Now Khalid has a new plan that might please his father, secure his inheritance and leave Khalid still able to go on with his life …he’ll take the beautiful American as his bride—and then his father will hate her so much he’ll beg Khalid not to get married after all.

  Journalist Casey Connolly has never been afraid to share her opinions. While researching an article on arranged marriages, she lands in trouble when she crashes a royal wedding to get a quote from the attending American guests.. The sexy groom offers to set her free if she’ll step into the role of his fiancée—just for a short time. Seeing a chance to get the scoop she needs, Casey agrees.

  Soon there’s no denying the chemistry they share. But Casey’s boss is pushing her to complete her piece and head back to the States, while Khalid’s father is still pushing for a hasty wedding. Will this pseudo-romance become the real thing or buckle under all the pressure being put on these two?

  Grab your copy of The Sheikh’s Forced Bride

  (Sharjah Sheikhs Book One) from

  www.LeslieNorthBooks.com

  * * *

  SNEAK PEEK

  CHAPTER 1

  Sheik Khalid Al-Qasimi took a deep breath to steady his nerves and let it out. He stared at the enormous wood doors in front of him. Drawing another slow breath, he put his hands on the brass door handles. Once he stepped through those doors, his life would change forever. And not for the better.

  Letting go of the door, he shook his arms out and looked down at his traditional white robes of his country.

  From behind, Ahmed’s deep voice carried to Khalid. “She makes a beautiful bride, and Mehmood is a very traditional man, so I’m sure your wedding night with your bride will be a memory to treasure.” Ahmed stepped up and nudged his brother’s arm.

  Khalid shot him a scornful look. “You are partly to blame for our father making me do this. I’m not interested in Mehmood or his daughter. And I don’t care if she’s a virgin. Do you think the women we saw in America were virgins?”

  Ahmed shrugged. “You knew this day was coming. Granted, maybe a day with father a bit less angry than he is just now.”

  “Wait until it’s your turn. I suspect our father’s moon has more to do with the level of our transgression and less to do with age. You’re next, little brother.” Khalid turned his attention to the door again, waiting for the peace he needed before walking through.

  Ahmed shook his head and offered up a weak smile. “It was just one night of fun.”

  “Fun? A good time is one thing. Dishonor is another.” Khalid placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “And this is about family honor—and me keeping my place in our family. Now, go. I’ll make my entrance behind you.”

  “If there were another way…” Ahmed let the words trail off.

  Khalid had thought the same thing. But he knew his choices here—marry or lose everything. He was not ready to say goodbye to his brothers or to his homeland. So he would take the other option Father had put before him. He patted Ahmed’s shoulder and dropped his hand.

  Ahmed shook his head, pulled his black bisht with the gold trim over the shoulders and opened the doors. It was strange to see Ahmed in anything but the perfectly tailored suits he always wore. Ahmed stepped into the room, his white keffiyeh swaying as he walked.

  Khalid understood that it was each son’s responsibility to preserve their family’s honor. He understood his father’s reasons for arranging this marriage-but of course the main reason was that i
t would combine both families’ wealth. And this marriage prevented Khalid from marrying anyone else—in other words, from making yet another mistake.

  The marriage made perfect political and business sense, but Khalid preferred a world that was not quite so calculating. He had always thought that someday—a much later someday—he would marry a woman whom he loved. Regardless of her background. That was yet another dream to be set aside it seemed.

  Khalid took another deep breath, reminding himself that he was destined to one day to become sultan.

  He never should have disrupted the meeting. But he’d been drinking, and of course his father had found out. The embarrassment had proven Khalid’s undoing.

  “Marry and prove yourself worth of your family’s name, or never show yourself to me or to anyone of your family again.”

  Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi’s words had been hash, but Khalid had at least been happy to have been given a choice, such as it was. He would prove he was ready to accept his responsibilities.

  He drew his own black bisht over his shoulders, adjusting the tail of his keffiyeh out so the headpiece could hang down his neck onto his back. He pulled the gold trim close in front and then followed Ahmed’s path up the aisle.

  The ballroom seemed to be packed to capacity with both families, but not everyone in attendance was a blood connection. A few of his father’s American business partners stood out in their tailored suits. Everyone else wore traditional garments. Khalid pasted on a stiff smiled. He would get through this somehow.

  The deep red carpeting and golden walls seemed to him garish. Lights glittered in the golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Further back from the main aisle, round tables covered with white table covers stood out against the carpet. Golden chairs boasted red cushions the same color as the carpet. In the Western weddings he’d been to, Khalid had seen the guests seated in rigid rows, all facing the front in some sort of somber ritual. But weddings in Sharjah were celebrations through and through. The party began before the ceremony took place and it lasted until the last person left.

  Reaching the front of the room, Khalid stepped up to where Mehmood waited. Mehmood gave Khalid a nod and then turned to the side.

  Double doors to the left of the ballroom opened and Fadiyah stood framed in the entrance.

  Khalid had to admit she was gorgeous. She looked a queen in her golden dress that glittered with crystals and gold embroidery. Slender as she was, the dress almost seemed to overwhelm her. A headpiece covered her black hair and a veil draped her shoulders to preserve her modesty. Curling designs had been tattooed onto her arms with red henna, and the swirls were almost lost under gold bracelets.

  He knew he was lucky to have such a beautiful bride chosen for him, but the forced choice still rankled. He wondered if Fadiyah had been given much of a choice, or had she simply been told by her father that she was to marry and that was that?

  His stomach tightened and turned at the thought.

  She came to him, her stare fixed on the carpet. He tried to offer up the warm, loving smile she deserved. But she would not look at him. Her hands seem to be trembling. From fear?

  At last she looked up. Her dark eyes seemed huge. She drew in a deep breath. She did not smile at him. He assumed they were both nervous for the same reasons—they knew next to nothing about each other. Did she hate this whole thing? Maybe that would be something for them to talk about after this was all over.

  He put his hand out to her, but the doors behind him banged open, voices lifted. Khalid glanced over and saw two burly security men—noticeable for their Western suits and their muscles—were trying to bar a woman who was struggling to keep a cell phone out of their reach.

  Her blonde hair was pulled back, and glasses obscured her eyes, but she was not dressed for a wedding. She struck him as attractive in tight blue jeans, a beige blazer over a button-up blouse. She also looked like a reporter. He could admire her courage, but he wished she had chosen some other place for its display.

  “I have a right to be here. This needs to be covered. Do you know that Sharjah is one of the few countries where women’s rights are routinely ignored, and this is a prime example of that.”

  Khalid groaned. The woman’s accent was clearly American—and brash. Had he not already courted enough trouble because of these Americans and their ideas. He glanced around, saw his father’s face reddening, as was Mehmood’s. Black beards had started to bristle. Glancing at Fadiyah, he saw her staring at the woman, her eyes wide.

  The reporter was not wrestling with one of the security guards over possession of her cell phone, which no doubt had photos or videos. The sultan had ordered no media. Khalid watched the woman’s hair come undone and spill out golden strands. Her glasses fell to the floor, and she went after them, slipping away from the security men.

  The reporter rose and darted over to one of the American businessmen, pushing her cell phone into his face. “As the CEO of AmeriTek, does your presence here mean you condone Sharjah’s treatment of women as mere property?”

  Khalid winced. What could the poor man say? That he disapproved and have the sultan ready to sever ties? Or that he approved and then watch that quote appear on American news?

  Security caught up with her. One man wrapped one hand around her waist and the other around her mouth, muffling her protests. The other grabbed her cell phone from her hand. They hustled her back out through the back doors, which clicked shut on what sounded like a threat to call the American Embassy.

  The commotion had distracted the guests. Concerned whispers raised into a low murmur and some stood as if leave. Khalid glanced at his father—the old man was sending one of Khalid’s uncles out of the room, presumably to be sure the woman had been arrested. The American had all stood and were tugging suits straight and looking at the exits. The unhappy expressions were impossible to miss or ignore.

  Khalid glanced down at his bride to be. She looked up at him, her lower lip trembling. He had no idea what he could say to her.

  In the next instant, she let out a shrill cry and tears spilled from her eyes. Her father put a hand on her arm, but she smacked him away, and cried out, “I’m not marrying anyone. She’s right. I won’t be treated like…like…like a barrel of oil!”

  Hiking up her gown, she turned and ran from the room. Mehmood shot Khalid a glare so hot it rivaled the sands of the desert. He followed after his daughter, begging her to be the reasonable child she had always been.

  Khalid blinked twice.

  West had apparently collided with his traditional wedding, and he was uncertain if he had been saved or cast from one disaster into a worse one.

  His father’s hand fell onto his shoulder, a heavy weight, and the sultan muttered, anger tight under his words, “Get your brothers. I do not know if there is anything of honor to be salvage here.” Khalid shook his head. This was his wedding. His disaster to make right. Turning to the guests, he lifted his hands and his voice. “I do apologize for the interruption. Due to such inauspicious circumstances, this is obviously not a day for any wedding to be held. Please, say and enjoy the hospitality and the food provided.”

  Turning, he headed after his brothers. They slipped into a smaller, side room. He had no idea what would be the consequences of this interruption. Was this wedding truly off? Or simply delayed? He honestly did not think he could ask Fadiyah to attempt this marriage again, not when she had made it clear that she was indeed being pushed into this.

  “What was that all about?” Ahmed pulled off his keffiyeh and rubbed a hand through his short, dark hair.

  Zaid folded his arms across his chest and leaned a shoulder against the wall. His expression mirrored that of the American businessmen—unhappy and uneasy.

  “I don’t know,” Khalid said. “But somehow we’re going to end up paying for it.”

  A moment later, Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, burst through the door, slamming it shut behind him. He glanced from son to son, but spoke to Khalid. “If you hadn�
�t attracted so much attention on your last visit to America, would not be happening. Your actions have brought dishonor upon our family, and a reporter to your wedding. You are not worthy of Mehmood’s daughter, not that he would have you for a son now. And now…now!”

  Khalid lifted a hand. “And now your American business partners are most unhappy?” Khalid asked.

  The sultan’s face reddened. His mustache—thick and black—twitched. “They expressed…sentiments that…that perhaps we should set a better example for our country. But they are not even remotely interested in a discussion of our traditions. So, that being said, and since it is obvious the bride I have chosen for you wishes to have nothing to do with you, you will now be forced to the other option.”

  Khalid stiffened. “Ah, Father, I agreed to your choices—I made a choice.”

  “To marry! But you are not married, are you?”

  Khalid shook his head. The cords holding his keffiyeh slapped at him. He knocked them back and faced father. “Then I will marry. I made my choice. I will not face banishment.”

  The sultan smoothed a hand over his face. “And what choice will you make? An American wife?”

  With a shrug, Khalid asked, “Why not Perhaps.”

  With a snort, the sultan waved away such an idea. “You will not. You will delay and make excuses. So…I give you one month. Only one month. You will be married then, or every bit of your inheritance will pass to your brother, Zaid. And I will not wish to see you again or call you my son!”

  Khalid shook his head and forced a hard smile. “Ah, but, Father, I will not fail. That is my promise. A wife within the month—and this time I will choose.”

  Grab your copy of The Sheikh’s Forced Bride

  (Sharjah Sheikhs Book One) from

  www.LeslieNorthBooks.com