Page 19 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

From somewhere far away there was a bell ringing. At first she wasn't sure where it was coming from. Or even where she was.

Then she started to drift up from the depths of sleep and she remembered she was in the apartment in Qazhar. A long way from home.

The bell rang again and she recognized it as the front doorbell. She glanced at the time on her phone. She'd been sleeping a few hours. Paige slid out of bed and padded, barefoot, into the living room. Through the wide, tinted windows she could see that it was dark outside.

Once again, the doorbell rang. This time, whoever was ringing it must have left their finger on the button, because the sound didn't stop.

"Okay," Paige called out. "I'm coming."

Even as she started toward the door, a quiet voice in the back of her mind murmured caution to her. She assumed it would probably be Razim. Maybe his impatience had gotten the better of him. Given how long it had been since she'd left him downstairs, she was surprised it had taken him this long to come and see her.

Paige tugged the door open and shrieked. Abdul was standing at the door, leaning on the wall. He smiled at Paige and ran his gaze down the length of her body. Paige pulled the gown around her body. She was sure couldn't see anything, but that didn't stop her feeling instant discomfort.

Paige thrust the door, determined to close it. Abdul shoved a hand out and stopped the door from closing.

"No need to do that, Paige," Abdul said. His voice was slightly slurred. "I thought I'd come up and make sure you're settling in."

Paige pushed the door, this time harder, but Abdul held his hand on the door, equally determined that it would not shut.

Paige thought about running back into the apartment, and reaching her phone. She could call for help. But it would take too long for anyone to come. She thought about the concierge and what he might do to help. Panic started to well up inside her. Breathing became sharp and fast. "Just leave," she barked at Abdul. "Now."

Abdul smiled. "I always did admire your spirit," he said. "There are those who say you should never have been allowed to marry someone like Razim. I was one of them." Abdul's gaze drifted languidly down the length of Paige's body. "However, I think I can see the reasons why he did. And it wasn't for your personality."

"Please leave, now," Paige stated firmly. Her voice cracked with emotion.

Abdul shook his head. "I only want to talk," he insisted.

"I've got nothing to say to you," Paige snapped. She pushed on the door. This time it did advance slightly. Another push, and it might close, she told herself.

Then Abdul advanced, placing his foot in the door. Any moment now, he would be able to get into the room. And then what? Paige didn't want to think about that.

"If you don't leave, I'll call for help," Paige she yelled.

Abdul sighed and grinned. He leaned in closer now and she could smell his scent, a sickly mixture of sweat and spices. Her throat tightened and, for a moment, she was sure he was going to be able to force his way into the apartment.

Just as she was about to kick out at him, Paige heard a noise from behind Abdul. It was the lift door opening. And then she heard a voice roar down the length of the corridor.

"Abdul! Step away. Now!"

It was Razim's voice. Abdul twisted around, surprise on his features. Paige looked past Abdul and saw Razim racing down the corridor, fists clenched, eyes wide, teeth bared. He looked like a feral animal, ready to fight. Ready to protect.

Razim halted in front of Abdul. "I said, step away!" Razim roared.

Abdul took a step back from Razim and glanced at Paige. "I was merely trying to see if your wife needed any assistance," he said.

Razim didn't respond to that lie. All he did was lean forward and glare at Abdul. His gaze was steady.

Challenging.

Although Abdul was taller and of larger stature, it was clear who would be the winner in any physical contest.

Once again, Abdul glanced at Paige. If he thought he was going to get any support from her, he was sadly mistaken, Paige told herself.

Razim positioned himself between Paige and Abdul. With one concerned glance, Razim seemed to satisfy himself that Paige was safe.

Then Razim pointed toward the lift. "Think yourself lucky, Abdul," Razim barked. "On another day, you wouldn't be walking to the lift. You have shamed yourself today. And you have shamed my wife. I will not forget this."

"Your wife?" Abdul sneered. "That's not what I have heard, Razim. News travels fast in Qazhar. You cannot fool everyone."

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