The Sheikh's Amulet (Sheikh's Wedding Bet Series Book 3) (4 page)

“Dad? Another car is coming. If we’re going to hide, we need to do it now.”

“Duck into the trees,” her father ordered.

“What about you?” she cried out as the car got closer and closer.

“I’m coming. I can’t just leave this man behind,” her father said as he struggled to pull the man around the car. Unwilling to leave her father behind, Tamrin went to help him.

Her father glared at her, but he didn’t order her away again. When the car stopped, three men got out. “Mr. and Ms. Lewis? We’re the Khalidizack guards. You’re safe. Come with us.”

Immediately, her father began to pull the driver toward the guards.

“Can we trust them?” she asked as she held her ground. She looked past the car, but the road was still empty.

“They weren’t the ones shooting at us,” her father said grimly. “Come on.”

For a moment, Tamrin only stared at her father. In the whole mess, she had not once looked out the window to see who was shooting at them. And neither did he. So if he knew that the guards weren’t the ones who shot at them, then he already knew who did.

What the hell was going on?

J
aymin watched anxiously
as his guards returned with Tamrin and her father. Blood stained both of their hands. “Were you shot? They didn’t say you were hurt. I’ll call the doctor.”

“It’s not our blood, but we do still need a doctor,” Tamrin said without even looking at him. “Your driver hit his head pretty bad when we crashed, but he hasn’t been shot.”

For a moment, he just stared. Then he remembered that he was in charge, and he pushed his concern for Tamrin aside. Now was not the time to wonder about the beautiful woman’s sudden personality change. He didn’t have time for that.

“Take the driver into the lounge and call for the doctor. I want security doubled at the gates and two men on each of my brothers and my father. And I want to know who was shooting at my guests. Now,” he ordered. Immediately, his men scrambled. Jaymin focused on Tamrin and her father. He knew that he didn’t have to worry about his guards. They were trained to perform easily under all kinds of pressure. A shooter wouldn’t shake them.

Tamrin, on the other hand, was still shaking. He yearned to take her in his arms and reassure her that he would protect them, but he knew she would shrug it off. Even in the wake of her panic, he could see the coldness in her eyes. Something was wrong.

“I’m afraid that this time, I must insist that you stay here. Since I have to assume that whoever shot at you is connected to the missing necklace, this is on me, and you will remain here for your safety.”

Sean shook his head. “It’s not on you, son.”

“We’ll stay,” Tamrin said abruptly. “Someone shot at you, Dad.” She glared at Jaymin, and for a moment, he could have sworn that she blamed him. It was just as well. He also blamed himself.

“If that will make you feel better,” Sean said softly.

“I’m going to coordinate with the guards,” Jaymin muttered. “I’ll have someone go to the hotel to collect your things.” Reaching over to the intercom on the wall, he summoned two members of the household staff. “If you’ll follow these ladies, they’ll show you to your rooms. I’ll see you again for lunch.”

Unable to help himself, he reached over to brush his hand over Tamrin’s arm. “I’ll take care of you.”

“I appreciate that, but I can take care of myself,” she said without inflection as she pulled away. Taking her father’s arm, she left Jaymin alone in the foyer.

“What the hell?” Jaymin muttered as he left the house and jogged down the front steps. At no point had he thought a theft would turn into a shooting, and he couldn’t even begin to figure out Tamrin. But right now, his main focus was protecting his father and his family. That meant trying to figure out the identity of the shooter and who they were after.

The guard at the gate saw Jaymin coming and already had the door unlocked for him. “Sheikh Khalidizack. How can I help you?”

“I want the video from the last hour sent to the head of security. The shooter had to follow them from the palace, and I want images of that car. How far out do the cameras scan?”

“Long range cameras will show up to one mile in both directions, sir. Plus we have the CCTV cameras along the major routes we can access.”

“Good. Send what you have to Kaz, and if any car that you cannot identify enters within a five- mile radius, call Kaz immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jaymin nodded before turning to go back inside.

His next stop was the security room within the palace. Two guards were already reviewing the video feed. “Where are my father and brothers?”

“Crowned Sheikh is visiting the embassy, Masoud is at the dig site with his wife, and Adil is overseeing the collection in London.”

“Adil is in London?” Jaymin muttered angrily. “He didn’t tell anyone.”

“Your father made the arrangements for him and Mr. Summers,” the guard said quietly.

“Fine. When does he return?” Jaymin felt like he was slipping. Normally, his father didn’t make arrangements without his knowledge. Masoud and his father were well within driving distance, but Adil was a plane ride away, and he didn’t like that.

“Not until Friday, sir.”

“Call his security and let them know what happened. I want him on the plane and back in the country as soon as possible. Until we identify this threat, no one is to move without going through security first, do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Kaz is following up on some leads. I want him back here as soon as he’s done. I have two guests within the palace walls who need twenty-four-hour security. Tamrin Lewis and her father, Sean Lewis, are not to leave without guards,” Jaymin said tightly.

“Yes, sir.”

“Keep me posted.”

Now that it was finished, he could see to his guests. And maybe he could get a few minutes alone with Tamrin to find out what was going on with her.

“Mr. Lewis?” Jaymin asked as he knocked on the older man’s door. “How are you settling in?” There wasn’t an answer, and Jaymin frowned. Turning the knob, he walked in to find the room empty.

“Looking for me?”

Straightening, Jaymin leaned out the door into the hallway. “Mr. Lewis? Exploring?”

“I am. I happened to wander into your library. Your book collection is absolutely stunning. I’ve never seen manuscripts as old as the ones you have behind the protective glass.”

Proud of his collection, Jaymin smiled. “It’s my personal collection. Our most used books are in the study downstairs. When you get a chance, you should look at those. Feel free to borrow some during your stay here.”

“You’re a collector of ancient texts?” Sean asked with a lifted eyebrow. “You don’t seem the academic type.”

“One could argue that it has less to do with knowledge and more to do with value,” Jaymin said vaguely.

Sean chuckled. “Says the man who threw a massive fundraiser to help pay for education. I’d say that you’re more interested in the academics than you want to admit.”

He was sharper than Jaymin gave him credit for. Unwilling to delve into his personal interests with a stranger, he decided instead to find safer ground. “I don’t want to keep you from your job, but I don’t want you or your daughter leaving the palace until we can get a handle on the situation. I’d be more than happy to vouch for your whereabouts. Where do you work?”

“No worries,” Sean said with a smile. “I’m a freelance consultant, so I can work just as well from here as anywhere else.”

Jaymin noted that he didn’t seem inclined to go into any personal details of his work. There was something off about the man that made him suspicious, but it wasn’t enough for him to pursue it. Yet.

“I’m going to check on your daughter. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Speaking of my daughter,” Sean said quickly. “What’s your interest in her?”

Jaymin squared his shoulders. “Excuse me?”

“I know you understood the question. I don’t want my daughter staying here if you’re putting pressure on her in any way. She’s a very independent woman, and she won’t take well to you throwing your weight around.”

Bristling, Jaymin faced Sean and narrowed his eyes. “I don’t throw my weight around. Your necklace was stolen on my property. You were shot within twenty miles of my palace. You and your daughter are now the responsibility of the Khalidizack family, and I’m the only one here right now. So I don’t know what impression you’ve gotten, but the only weight I’m throwing around here is the one that’s going to keep you and your daughter safe. And for the record, that is the only time I’ll allow you to speak to me in this manner, do you understand?”

“My apologies, but she’s my daughter. I’ll face off with anyone to protect her.”

“Fine,” Jaymin said tightly. “Don’t leave without security’s consent.”

“Tamrin went shopping. She took two guards with her, but she’s not here. When she’s nervous or upset, she shops. I imagine she’ll be gone for a few hours.”

Flabbergasted, Jaymin stared at him. “I’ve been gone for less than an hour, and she went shopping? How was she able to leave without my knowing?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “When my daughter gets something in her head, there’s no telling her what to do.”

“Enjoy looking at my collection,” Jaymin said dryly as he pulled out his phone. “I need Tamrin Lewis brought back to the palace right now,” he ordered when he reached her guards.

“Yes, sir.” There was a scuffle in the background, and he heard Tamrin objecting. “Put her on the phone.”

“Jaymin, I’m almost finished here. Just give me twenty more minutes.”

“Twenty minutes? Tamrin, you shouldn’t even be out shopping. What were you thinking? Someone just shot at you,” he said angrily. He barely knew the woman and already she was the most frustrating thing he’d ever come across.

“I have two guards with me, and they won’t even let me go to the fitting room alone. It’s overkill, and I’m fine.” Her voice softened. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

Jaymin closed his eyes as the sound of her voice washed over him. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but there was something about her that affected him. Gone was the cold woman who had entered his palace this morning. This Tamrin was the woman who had flirted shamelessly with him last night, and he found that he couldn’t deny her.

“Twenty minutes,” he said finally. “If the guards don’t call me to tell me that you are on your way back, I will send ten more men after you. Do you understand?”

“You are a doll! I can’t wait to show you what I bought,” she squealed as she hung up the phone. Jaymin sighed and rolled his head around on his shoulders. He was the next in line to be crowned sheikh, but he’d never felt as much pressure as he did right then and there.

Unable to stand still, he walked along the grounds and checked on security. Everything seemed to be in place. He sent another message to Kaz, who responded that he’d still be out for a few hours. He returned a few emails, and even though she was right on time, it still seemed like hours before she finally returned.

“Jaymin!” she said as she burst into his office. “The shops just down the street are absolutely amazing! How do you keep such a treasure a secret?”

He jumped from his desk and stared at her as she dropped the bags on the floor. “Never mind that. What were you thinking? Do you always go shopping when someone shoots at you?”

The anger in his voice surprised even him, and she stared at him. Gone was the pleasure from her face. Instead, she looked almost like a lost little girl. Clasping her hands in front of her, she took a deep breath. “I don’t know, Jaymin. I’ve never had anyone shoot at me before. Or, shoot at my father.”

Before the tears that were gathering in her eyes could fall, he was up and wrapping his arms around her. “I’m sorry, Tamrin. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I was worried.”

She returned his embrace and buried her head in his shoulder. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have left. It was all I could think about, and I needed something to distract me.”

“I’m going to protect you and your father, Tamrin. Don’t think about it, okay? Why don’t you show me what you bought?”

She sniffed and wiped her eyes with the palm of her hand. Pulling away from him, she grabbed the first bag and pulled out the first dress. In quick sequence, she showed him all the brightly colored dresses, some more scandalous than others.

“I think you’ll look beautiful in them,” he said softly. “Where are you going to wear them to?”

Giving him a coy smile, she pulled out a red dress that scooped low at the neckline and fell high along her thighs. “I was hoping you would invite me back out to dinner again,” she said softly.

“Dinner?” he asked, as he cocked his head. “Your father might have a few choice words to say about that.” He leaned back in his chair and regarded her with a curious gaze. He didn’t like her split personality, but he couldn’t help but stare as she swayed her hips when she walked toward him.

She leaned over the desk, and her shirt fell so that he could see a hint of cleavage. “Jaymin, I’m an adult woman. I don’t answer to my father, and if you take me out to dinner again, I’ll get a chance to show you just how adult I can be.”

Swallowing hard, Jaymin nodded. “How does eight o’clock sound?”

“Let’s go with nine. I want to make sure my father is asleep when we get back so there is nothing else that might hinder me from doing what I want,” she said seductively. “Or from what I need.”

He didn’t trust himself to respond. As she bent down to collect her things, he stared at her curves. If he had his way, he wouldn’t even wait for dinner.

But his father was calling, and she was already out the door to her room.

J
aymin waited
for her at the bottom of the stairs. Tamrin’s heels clicked on the tile and echoed off the walls as she slowly descended. She’d wanted to start the evening with an impression, but she couldn’t lie to herself. The way that he watched her created a small flutter in her chest.

The red dress fit perfectly, wrapping snugly around her figure and showing more than a little cleavage. The opaque stretchy fabric stopped teasingly just above her mid-thigh, but there was a thin veil of fabric that tied around her waist and swept over one side. She’d bought red heels to match, and she’d curled her hair and swept it over one side to bare her throat.

As she watched his Adam’s apple bob with each hard swallow, she couldn’t help but think of the kiss they’d shared a couple nights ago. Although she’d played it cool, it was heart stopping for her.

She hoped he was thinking the same.

“You look beautiful,” he said hoarsely as he held out his arm.

“Thank you,” she said demurely as she hooked her arm through his. “These are my dancing shoes, so I hope that there will be some music involved in our dinner.”

“You didn’t ask for dancing. You just asked for dinner,” he teased.

She mocked indignation as she stared at him. “Oh, Jaymin, I know you’re an intelligent man. Surely, you can tell what a woman wants.”

His beautiful mouth twisted into a smile. “I didn’t say there won’t be dancing. I’m simply pointing out that you didn’t ask for it.”

Jaymin held the door open for her, and she laughed as she walked through. The man never ceased to surprise her. Outside the front steps was a limousine with two dark cars waiting in front of it and another two behind it. “A limousine?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “I was thinking tonight would just be informal and fun.”

“It can be. However, this limo has bullet-resistant glass. I might have agreed to dinner, but I’m not taking any chances. When we go out tonight, we’re not going alone.”

Tamrin exhaled slowly. The memory of the shooting was still fresh in her mind, and even though she was trying to pretend that it didn’t get to her, she was happy for the extra protection. Her plan hadn’t included a shooting, but that didn’t mean she was about to abandon it now.

“As long as I have the illusion of being alone, I can’t complain.”

“Will it be an illusion if I’m right there with you?” he whispered in her ear while the driver opened the door.

Tamrin turned her head and was tempted to steal a kiss from him. Instead, she smiled. “Admittedly, I’ll be much happier when I really am alone with you. I think you will be too.”

Chuckling at his wide eyes, she slipped into the limousine and waited. She’d hoped that he’d sit right next to her so she could put her hands on him, but he picked the seat across from her instead. She crossed her legs slowly so that his gaze could follow the movement.

“Champagne?” he offered, as he pulled out the bottle and two glasses.

“Lovely. Tell me, Sheikh, what do you do for fun?”

“Fun?” he asked as he handed her a glass. “I review paperwork and give speeches.”

Laughing, Tamrin shook her head. “Fine. Don’t answer the question. Tell me about your brothers. Adil has always had a reputation for being a playboy, and yet he’s settled down. Is that your father’s doing? Trying to leash the scandalous one?”

“Hardly,” Jaymin growled with an eye roll. “The only person who can leash Adil is the woman he married. Samine and Adil are a match of love. He’s smitten, and that works well in our favor. If I need Adil to do something, all I have to do is ask Samine.”

“Adil in love? That’s one for the books. Do he and Masoud live in the palace? I didn’t see them.”

“Yes, but we’re a busy family. You may not see them very often, and I’ll make sure that you’re not disturbed. Besides, we all have our own suites within the palace. You and your father are in the guest suites. My father has the biggest suite on the west side. Masoud lives in the suite on the east. Adil lives in the suite adjacent to yours.”

“And where do you live?”

“I prefer a little more privacy. I reside in the apartment that’s a quarter of a mile south of the palace.”

“Really?” Tamrin asked with a raised eyebrow. “I figured you for the man who liked to be in the middle of the action.”

“I do, and my office is right next to my father’s, but when I sleep, I want to be as far away from my brothers’ drama as possible.”

“Drama?” she laughed and drained the rest of her champagne. The bubbles were warm in her belly. “That sounds more like a palace of girls than grown men.”

“Do you have any siblings?” Jaymin asked dryly.

Tamrin opened her mouth before snapping it shut. “No.”

“Then you have no idea what’s it like.” He held up the champagne and she let him pour another glass. Normally, she didn’t drink all that much, but she could handle her alcohol, and she felt like she needed a little extra liquid courage. Jaymin made her a little nervous, and she didn’t like it. Normally, she was calm and collected around men.

The limousine stopped, and she glanced out the window. “Jaymin? We’re in the middle of a field.”

“Courtyard,” he said with a smile as the driver opened the door. Confused, she took his hand and let him pull her out. Between two lit arches was a dinner table adorned with fresh flowers. Truly surprised, she looked to see two staff members standing quietly in the corner with a cart full of covered trays.

Below the hill were more tables and a dance floor. There were quite a few couples dancing as the laughter and music floated from below. “This is amazing,” she said honestly. “Where are we?”

“It’s a pavilion owned by the de Luca restaurant. They only host private parties in the courtyard, but I’m allowed to crash whenever I like. This is the VIP area,” he said as he swept his arms out. “And believe it or not, it’s an easy area to protect.”

“Jaymin, I’m not easily impressed, but this takes the cake,” she said softly as she reached out for him. He took her hand and led her to the table where he pulled a chair out for her.

When she sat down, he leaned down and surprised her again when he kissed her bare shoulder. Biting her bottom lip, she cocked her head and hoped for more, but he only brushed a finger down the curve of her throat before he sat down across from her.

“I ordered both the chicken and the fish because I wasn’t sure what you’d like.”

“Both please,” she said with delight.

“Why does that not surprise me?” he said as he shook his head. Reaching his hand up, he signaled for the servers who immediately came forward with the wine. Tamrin wasn’t used to being waited on hand and foot, but she tried to act natural. After a while, all she could see was Jaymin.

He was sweet and charming. There was no talk about the necklace or the shooting, and she didn’t ask. For tonight, she wanted to feel special. She wanted to forget all about the damn amulet and feel like a woman on a date. Jaymin seemed to understand that.

“You know; you’re supposed to be the most uptight of the brothers. No one has ever seen you out on a date,” she said as she fingered the stem of her wineglass.

“Is that a question?”

Narrowing her eyes, she leaned forward. “Do you date?”

“Not in the traditional sense. I take out women when it serves my purpose. That includes daughters of powerful figures who visit our country,” Jaymin said easily.

“Do you date for fun?”

With a sigh, Jaymin softly rapped his knuckles on the table. “Tamrin, when I want the company of a woman, I go out.”

“You’re worse than your brother,” she said with a laugh. “At least he owned up to his playboy ways. So, if you only go out when you need to, does that mean that you’re only out with me tonight because you want the company of a woman?”

“I’m out with you tonight because you asked.”

Feeling like she’d just been stung, she sat back and looked down at her hands. “I see. Well, that’s what I get for prying.”

A shadow fell over her, and she looked up to see Jaymin standing over her with his arm outstretched. “Dance?”

Confused, she stared at him. “Do you want to dance?”

“You want to dance.”

Frustrated, she shook her head. “This is a bad idea. You should probably take me home.”

“Tamrin,” he said softly. “I would not be here if I didn’t want to be. I’m not in the habit of taking out beautiful women simply because they ask. And I would not be asking you to dance unless I wanted to dance with you. I’m a man of power. I don’t do anything that I don’t want to do.”

The flutter in her chest came back, and she took his hand. “In that case, I’d be more than happy to dance with you, Sheikh Jaymin.”

They took a small path down the hill, and more than once, she stumbled on her heels. He wrapped a hand around her waist and steadied her. “Careful,” he whispered in her ear.

His breath was hot, and she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation of being near him. For a moment, he wasn’t one of the most powerful men in the country. He was her date, and he smelled delicious.

On the dance floor, she flowed into his arms like they danced all the time. “Did you take lessons? You’re better than the last time we danced.”

“I was perfect the last time we danced,” he said with a grin. “And I’ve been far too busy to take lessons. You, on the other hand, are much more susceptible to my touch.”

She hitched her breath as he pulled her closer. “I don’t know what you’re insinuating,” she said as she moved her hand suggestively up his back. His hand rested low on her waist, and she wanted him to move just a little lower. His breath was hot on her neck, but he didn’t kiss her again.

“You’re the one who wore the red dress,” he murmured softly.

“What’s wrong with my red dress?”

“Believe me, there isn’t a single thing wrong with your red dress.”

Tamrin laughed and closed her eyes. The music embraced them, and she let him lead her around the dance floor. Everything melted away except the way that she felt in his arms. Safe. Secure.

Desired.

When the music finally ended, she pulled away and stared at him. “Take me back, Jaymin,” she said seductively.

“My pleasure,” he murmured.

Keeping his arm around her waist, he led her back to the limousine. This time, he sat next to her rather than across and put a hand on her knee. Without any hesitation, she swung her legs over him and he leaned down for a kiss.

Unlike last time, she didn’t pull away. As she gripped his jacket with one fist, she slid her arm under and tried to get closer. Opening to him, she invited him in, and he didn’t hesitate. As his tongue swept in, she lost herself in the heat.

When he pulled away, she whimpered and moved so that she straddled him. There was no doubt in her mind that he wanted her. He was hard as a rock as he gripped her hips and stared deeply into her eyes.

“Careful, Tamrin, or you’re going to give my driver a show.”

“There’s a partition for a reason,” she said as she reached up and hit the button to raise it. Alone, she leaned over and pressed another kiss on his lips.

Suddenly, he changed his grip on her and slowly moved her off his lap. Frowning, she pulled the hem of her dress back down and stared at him. “Okay,” she said uncertainly as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “I guess I read that situation wrong.”

“It’s not that I don’t want you, Tamrin,” he said quietly. “It’s just that we have a lot going on.”

“Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. Embarrassment stained her cheeks. She knew when she was being rejected, although it didn’t happen very often. Turning away from him, she stared out the open window. If she could move to another seat without looking too obvious, she would.

“Tamrin,” he whispered as he touched her shoulder.

“Jaymin, it’s fine,” she said sharply. “I’m an adult. I can handle the word no. You don’t have to try to candy coat it. It’s fine. You should be focusing on who stole my damn amulet.”

They rode in silence until they reached the palace. She couldn’t get out of the limousine fast enough. “By too much going on, I meant the limousine, Tamrin. I was going to invite you back to my place.”

Closing her eyes, she stopped short in front of the door. Wow. She’d really read that one wrong. “My apologies,” she said, without turning around. “But that doesn’t change anything. You have other things to focus on, and I shouldn’t be getting in the way of that.”

Leaving him standing on the sidewalk, she made her way into the foyer and breathed a sigh of relief when the door closed behind her.

“Great,” she muttered to herself. “Now, I have to figure out how to come back from that giant mistake.”

One thing was for sure. She would not be telling her father about this.