Read Online Charmed & Dangerous by Candace Havens - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Candace Havens
Ads: Link
arms against his chest. The crinkling of his brow and frown on his face indicated he wasn’t comfortable sharing the story.
“Our mothers were sisters and very close. Years ago when I was at college in England, I received news from home that there had been some trouble.
“I returned here to discover that my uncle had nearly killed my aunt in a jealous rage. He’d been certain that another man glanced at her in town and he blamed her for the attention.
“I’m sure you know that my country doesn’t treat women fairly and my uncle had been perfectly within his rights to beat her into a coma according to our laws at the time.”
The PM and I sat stunned. Domestic violence is nothing new, but it’s hard to stomach when an entire country does nothing about it.
The sheik pushed away from his meal and ushered us into a plush garden sanctuary. Filled with exotic birds, palms, and a running brook, it was an oasis in the middle of his home. We sat at a small table and he continued his story.
“As I look back I’m certain I could have handled it better, but I was young.” Azir ran a hand through the waves of his black hair. His eyes had a faraway look as if the memories were just beyond his reach. “My mother suffered great grief by my aunt’s bedside, and you must know I adore my mother. ‘This cannot be allowed to happen again,’ she said. And I agreed.
“I went to my uncle’s home and confronted him. Threatened him, really. He pulled a knife to punish me for my insolence. I don’t think he intended to kill me, just wound me. There was a fight and he lost. My cousin, who was only fourteen at the time, had been hiding behind the door and saw the whole thing. Later that night his mother, my aunt, died.
“In her honor I opened the Women’s Hope Foundation to help those who have been abused begin new lives. I don’t know if my aunt would have accepted help, had she had any options. But I didn’t want another woman to suffer if she did desire to get out of her present circumstances.”
I picked up a flower that had fallen onto the table. “I had no idea you were behind that organization. It’s huge in America and there are success stories in the newspapers about women who you helped and then they went on to do great things.”
I shook my head. Here I thought this guy was all about business and I discover he’s trying to save the world. As obstinate and annoying as he could be, I found myself liking him. It didn’t hurt that he’s gorgeous.
“I’d like to take you both to visit the safe haven we’ve built here. But the organization has not made me popular among my countrymen, who have old-fashioned ideas about women’s rights. That, along with my research into solar power, has put me on several blacklists. This is why I need your help over the next several weeks.”
“Why is that?”
“I have a feeling it’s not just my cousin who is trying to kill me. While we try to unravel this mystery, I need your protection.”
“Sheik Azir, you’ve had my protection for a few weeks now, and you will until I round up all the bad guys.” Both men stood and I walked in the small garden with them.
Azir pulled on a leaf of a large palm tree. “I understand the prime minister must return to England tomorrow, but I would appreciate your staying for a while longer, Bronwyn. I need you here.”
I heard the desperation in his voice. Turning to face him, I almost toppled on a stone. “How long are you talking about?”
“Perhaps a week, maybe two.”
I blew out a breath. I’d expected to be here over the weekend but no longer. I had so much to do at home. Simone had emailed that she would be at my house on Tuesday.
“Please know you are a priority and I can protect you from wherever I am in the world. But I can’t stay here and ignore my other clients, or the work I do back in the States.” I touched his arm to take the heat out of the words and received a flash of energy that curled in my
“Our mothers were sisters and very close. Years ago when I was at college in England, I received news from home that there had been some trouble.
“I returned here to discover that my uncle had nearly killed my aunt in a jealous rage. He’d been certain that another man glanced at her in town and he blamed her for the attention.
“I’m sure you know that my country doesn’t treat women fairly and my uncle had been perfectly within his rights to beat her into a coma according to our laws at the time.”
The PM and I sat stunned. Domestic violence is nothing new, but it’s hard to stomach when an entire country does nothing about it.
The sheik pushed away from his meal and ushered us into a plush garden sanctuary. Filled with exotic birds, palms, and a running brook, it was an oasis in the middle of his home. We sat at a small table and he continued his story.
“As I look back I’m certain I could have handled it better, but I was young.” Azir ran a hand through the waves of his black hair. His eyes had a faraway look as if the memories were just beyond his reach. “My mother suffered great grief by my aunt’s bedside, and you must know I adore my mother. ‘This cannot be allowed to happen again,’ she said. And I agreed.
“I went to my uncle’s home and confronted him. Threatened him, really. He pulled a knife to punish me for my insolence. I don’t think he intended to kill me, just wound me. There was a fight and he lost. My cousin, who was only fourteen at the time, had been hiding behind the door and saw the whole thing. Later that night his mother, my aunt, died.
“In her honor I opened the Women’s Hope Foundation to help those who have been abused begin new lives. I don’t know if my aunt would have accepted help, had she had any options. But I didn’t want another woman to suffer if she did desire to get out of her present circumstances.”
I picked up a flower that had fallen onto the table. “I had no idea you were behind that organization. It’s huge in America and there are success stories in the newspapers about women who you helped and then they went on to do great things.”
I shook my head. Here I thought this guy was all about business and I discover he’s trying to save the world. As obstinate and annoying as he could be, I found myself liking him. It didn’t hurt that he’s gorgeous.
“I’d like to take you both to visit the safe haven we’ve built here. But the organization has not made me popular among my countrymen, who have old-fashioned ideas about women’s rights. That, along with my research into solar power, has put me on several blacklists. This is why I need your help over the next several weeks.”
“Why is that?”
“I have a feeling it’s not just my cousin who is trying to kill me. While we try to unravel this mystery, I need your protection.”
“Sheik Azir, you’ve had my protection for a few weeks now, and you will until I round up all the bad guys.” Both men stood and I walked in the small garden with them.
Azir pulled on a leaf of a large palm tree. “I understand the prime minister must return to England tomorrow, but I would appreciate your staying for a while longer, Bronwyn. I need you here.”
I heard the desperation in his voice. Turning to face him, I almost toppled on a stone. “How long are you talking about?”
“Perhaps a week, maybe two.”
I blew out a breath. I’d expected to be here over the weekend but no longer. I had so much to do at home. Simone had emailed that she would be at my house on Tuesday.
“Please know you are a priority and I can protect you from wherever I am in the world. But I can’t stay here and ignore my other clients, or the work I do back in the States.” I touched his arm to take the heat out of the words and received a flash of energy that curled in my
Similar Books
