The Sheikh's Marriage Proclamation (Mills & Boon Modern) by Annie West

Author:Annie West [West, Annie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon Modern
Published: 2021-02-18T13:44:56+00:00

Tara stood, hands bound, watching the two armed men. Fear was a harsh, metallic taste on her tongue and her pulse raced ten to the dozen.

A quick glance over her shoulder revealed all the women standing, silent, behind her, their expressions a mixture of fear and defiance. A couple of them had protested when the men had bound Tara’s hands and tried to hustle her out of the building. They’d been struck down with vicious blows, but now their quiet sobs had stopped.

Guilt sat heavy in Tara’s chest. She’d brought this horror on these friendly women. These men were Dhalkuris and it was her they wanted.

Her senses strained to heightened awareness as terror dragged every muscle tight.

Fuad wanted her alive. But if something went wrong, as it now appeared, would they dispose of any witnesses? The men looked panicked. Panicked men made mistakes, which could work in her favour, or ramp up the danger.

Better they take her, than endanger all these people. If she offered herself as a willing hostage, surely whoever was outside would let them pass. She’d be delivering herself into Fuad’s hands but there was no other option.

Tara stepped forward. ‘I’ll come with you quietly if you let the others go. The guards will let you pass if I’m with you.’

She slammed to a halt as a woven hanging on a far wall lifted. Her eyes widened. It took a moment to realise what she saw wasn’t the wall breaking, but someone entering through a door hidden by the traditional weaving.

There was a shout, the gunmen swivelling. Then Tara’s heart stood still as Raif stepped into the room.

Relief filled her, till she saw those ugly weapons pointed at him, and her knees went to jelly.

He said nothing, nor did he look at her after one sweeping survey of the large room. Instead he lifted his arms from his sides and slowly turned on the spot. His movements were measured, confident even, and his austere expression revealed no fear. His regal bearing, as much as his snowy robe and head scarf, put him in a different category to the two men before him, dusty and nervous-looking despite their weapons.

‘Don’t come any closer,’ one of the men said, his voice grim.

‘I’m unarmed.’ Raif’s voice rang through the strained silence with the authority of total assurance. ‘I come in peace to discover why you’re threatening my people.’

One of the intruders whispered something to his companion. The other shook his head, then growled, ‘We’re here for the woman.’ He jerked his head towards Tara. ‘We have no interest in the others. Let us pass and no one will be hurt.’

‘She doesn’t want to go with you.’

‘It doesn’t matter what she wants. She belongs in Dhalkur. Our orders are—’ He broke off when his companion whispered something in a rough voice.

Perspiration beaded Tara’s forehead and nape. The men were from Fuad. Her hands trembled and it took everything she had to stand there, upright, instead of cowering. The sight of Raif, so strong in the face of danger, gave her strength.

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