Page 16 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

"That'll be good," Paige replied in a flat voice. She fussed with her bag, clearly feeling awkward about the discussion. She seemed lost for words. Maybe he'd taken her by surprise with his announcement. He'd made the arrangement while she'd been upstairs getting ready. It had been easy. Too easy. Just like this whole, unwelcome situation.

Their entire conversation had become so business-like that it was shocking to Razim that he felt able to control himself. Was this what they had descended to? Talking of divorce in such dispassionate terms?

"I better go," Paige said.

The driver opened the door and Paige stepped out. Razim couldn't resist taking in the sight of her curves, her full body as she maneuvered her way out the open door. Need hardened in his middle. Frustration made his jaw tighten. This was what he was being forced to give up. He didn't like it and every part of him rebelled at the thought.

A movement caught Razim's eye and he turned to see another limo, exactly like his own, sliding to a halt in front of his. Paige turned and looked at the limo.

The door to the black car opened and a tall figure stepped out. Razim felt a chill race up the length of his spine. He cursed quietly beneath his breath.

Abdul Al Besarih.

Razim moved quickly, as if jolted by an electric shock. He stepped out of the limo and moved to Paige's side.

Razim peered at the one man he hated most in the whole of Qazhar. The man who had been an enemy all his life. Their respective families had always been at each others throats. The enmity had lasted centuries and continued even now in modern day Qazhar. Outsiders often believed that there was little rivalry amongst Qazhar families. Thebelief seemed to be that wealthy families looked after each other. Just because they were rich. The truth was completely the opposite.

Abdul was dressed in traditional Qazhar white robes. Razim knew that Paige was accustomed to seeing wealthy sheikhs like Abdul dressed in that garb. But, perhaps because she'd been gone from the kingdom for three months, Paige looked mightily impressed by Abdul's imposing figure. Too impressed for Razim's liking.

Abdul Al Besarih was the same age as Razim, thirty years of age. But they couldn't have looked more different. Abdul's features were paunchy. His hooked nose was imposing. His mouth possessed a perpetually sardonic twist. In contrast to Razim's trim, elegant figure, Abdul was large. Stories were told around Qazhar society of Abdul's unhealthy lifestyle.

His family was wealthy and Abdul had taken full advantage of that wealth to indulge in a decadent lifestyle that many in the kingdom found shameful.

If the rumors were true.

And Razim believed every one of them. He knew Abdul. Knew his proclivities.

But, apart from suffering from personal weakness, Abdul was very much an enemy of Razim and his family. An ancient feud had been fought between their two families. It was one that stretched back many centuries, and had only been partially tamed in recent years thanks to the liberalizing changes which had been made to Qazhar society.

But, all of that seemed to matter little to Abdul. It seemed he wished never to forget the past between his family and that of Razim. Ancestral memory was the last thing to die in the face of progress.

Abdul gazed across at Paige and Razim. His mouth creased into an unpleasant smile.

To Razim's horror, Abdul started to make his way toward them, waddling heavily on his flat shoes. Instinctively, Razim placed his hand at the base of Paige's back. He felt her stiffen as he touched her. She glanced at him, almost as if seeking advice on how to handle this situation. Razim merely shook his head and sighed.

"Sheikh Al Kharif," Abdul said in a low growl. He bowed and placed a hand on his chest. "And with your beautiful wife," he added. "How lovely to see you, Paige."

Razim stiffened. How dare Abdul be so familiar with Paige, Razim told himself. Razim clenched his left hand into a fist. Abdul's gaze flickered down to Razim's hand. Abdul smiled, apparently pleased he'd gotten under Razim's skin so easily. These kinds of exchanges had been habitual ever since they had both been children. The trading of insults was all Razim had ever known with Abdul.

"How nice to see you out in public. And with your wife, too," Abdul continued peering steadily at Razim. "It's been a long time since I saw you both together like this."

Ignoring the taunt, Razim frowned. "Are you visiting someone?"

Abdul glanced up the length of the twenty level exclusive apartment building. "I have an apartment here," he explained. "Didn't you know that?"

Razim felt a mild nausea in his belly. He shook his head. "No. Since when?"

"A recent acquisition," Abdul explained. He rolled his eyes. "Some of my good friends have also taken places in this building." He waved a hand casually. "It has become quite fashionable to spend time here. Especially with it being so close to the airport. And the city. I like to be close to my friends."

Razim told himself that, if he'd known Abdul spent any time here, he wouldn't have agreed to Paige's request. No matter how strong her objections had been. Razim didn't want Abdul being anywhere near Paige.

"You have returned to Qazhar?" Abdul asked Paige.

Razim felt Paige stiffen. "I had business to attend to in New York," she said.

"Apparently quite substantial business. No-one has seen you in the kingdom for almost three months," Abdul said sarcastically. "I heard some gossip that you were never coming back," he added. "Could that even be true?" he asked Razim with barely disguised contempt. " I could hardly believe it when someone suggested it to me."

Razim knew that Abdul was mocking him, but he was determined not to grant his rival an easy victory.

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