Read Online Saving the Sheikh (The Legacy Collection) by Ruth Cardello - Free Book Online Page A

the time I return.” She opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off and said, “My father is here.” With that, he closed the door behind him and locked it.
    The door rattled as Zhang tested it.
    Rattled louder as she retested it.
    A thud that might have come from an angry open hand smacking against the door revealed her feelings about being detained. As did the Chinese curses that followed him down the hallway: “Open this door, Rachid.”
    A small smile pursed his lips. Each castle door had been built as a last line of defense for a family to hide behind if the castle were ever invaded and should be able to contain one petite, furious Zhang.
    The door rattled again.
    Unfortunately, he didn’t have the luxury of time to watch her test his theory. He navigated the long hallways with purposeful haste. When he entered the library he walked directly to his father, gave a slight bow of deference and said, “Father.” Despite the look of anger he saw on his younger brother’s face, he greeted him warmly: “Ghalil.”
    Dressed in a simple, traditional white thobe, white keffiyeh and black agal, the older man was an intimidating figure. His voice was soft, but a man like Amir didn’t require volume to make his displeasure known. With his hands clasped behind his back, he said, “I received a rather disturbing phone call this morning.”
    Rachid bowed his head in acknowledgement. “You shouldn’t have been contacted, Father. It’s a personal matter.”
    “I would say kidnapping is a family concern,” his father countered calmly.
    “Kidnapping?” Rachid thought back to the role-playing he and Zhang had enacted in front of the pilot the night before. We were that convincing? He didn’t hide the small smile the memory elicited. Seriously? That’s why the staff involved my father? “Let me assure you . . .”
    Ghalil interrupted, “It’s as I said, Father. He doesn’t care how this may endanger all of us. He thinks only of himself and satisfying his immoral lifestyle.”
    How do you really feel, Ghalil? Rachid thought sarcastically. His younger brother’s opinion wasn’t a surprise or a concern at the moment, but the displeasure on his father’s face was. “None of this will endanger anyone. She came with me willingly and she leaves this morning.”
    Ghalil continued his verbal assault and went nose to nose with his brother. “You think we care if she was willing? Victim or woman of no virtue, it matters not. She’s here and evidence that you’re not fit to rule.”
    A hot fury seared through Rachid. His hands clenched at his sides. “Speak of me as you wish, Brother, but you will not mention her again.”
    “I will do as I –” Ghalil started, pulling a fist back aggressively.
    Rachid didn’t raise a hand to defend himself. He stood, holding his brother’s eyes, neither engaging nor backing down.
    “Enough!” Amir roared before contact was made. “Control yourself, Ghalil.”
    Ghalil’s hands fell to his sides. The young man spun on his heel and addressed his father angrily. “Me? He makes a mockery of his title and you correct me?”
    The stern lines on Amir’s face deepened. His words were spoken softly but held a warning. “You forget your place, Son – and Rachid’s.”
    Neither son needed to have that reprimand translated. Amir was reminding Ghalil that Rachid would soon become king. Angry red stained the younger brother’s cheeks. Rachid felt sympathy for him and a sadness as the chasm between them widened.
    Amir ordered quietly, “Sit down, Ghalil. This conversation is between Rachid and me.”
    Visibly shaking with anger, Ghalil did as his father asked. He took a seat nearby, across from his brother, with the bottom of his feet facing Rachid in an age-old insult: You are beneath my feet.
    The move only saddened Rachid more. A brother was a gift. Would his always be an angry stranger? While he was amassing his fortune, Rachid hadn’t had time to get to know Ghalil. Only