Page 6 of The Sheik's Embrace

“Woman is more guilty than man, because she was seduced by Satan, and so diverted her husband from obedience to God that she was an instrument of death leading all toperdition.”Beth Ann whispered the Bible verse to herself, lowering her eyes as she quickly prayed for forgiveness. “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”She continued, clasping her hands together as she recited another verse that she’d been required to memorize.

“Quiet, Beth Ann,” Elijah remonstrated. “We are in the world of heathens. We cannot let our wills be diverted.”

“Yes, Elijah,” she replied back in a placating tone, lowering her head even more to demonstrate her subservience.

The two women in drab clothing waited for Elijah, who looked quite dapper since he’d purchased a new suit and white shirt for the trip. He even had shiny new shoes. Beth Ann looked down at her son’s shoes, wondering what it would be like to wear something new. Everything they were allowed to wear and to use was purchased from the thrift stores in the small town near their home in Kentucky.

Beth Ann and Nora waited in silence. Beth Ann could see the overhead signs that instructed tourists where to go to find a taxi, but she kept silent. It wasn’t her place to instruct her son. It was his place to instruct the women. She waited, praying that she could find the patience. It was difficult. Elijah wasn’t the smartest man. He was similar to his father and Beth Ann had hated that man from the moment she’d been forced to marry the violent bastard. The day he’d died of a heart attack was both the happiest and saddest day of her life. When she’d found her husband dead in the field, she’d laughed with joy, thinking that she was finally free.

That joy had been short lived. Elijah had been notified and Beth Ann had been brought back under a man’s domain.

It was how it should be, she reminded herself. It was the will of god. As a woman, she should know her place. Every day,she prayed that god would take away her desire to be free, to make her own decisions. Or even to be married off to a man who didn’t smack her around at every opportunity.

But she’d birthed two children; Elijah and Nora. That meant she was no longer a virgin. Therefore, the men of the church family would never marry her. Virgins were required for a godly marriage.

In fact, finding Elijah’s virgin “wife” was the whole reason the three of them were standing in the Pitra airport now. Having been told by their leader, Ethan Howell, that Elijah’s wife had finally been found, they’d flown into the capital city to retrieve his bride. Elijah and his bride had been married thirteen years ago. But the little brat had run away, humiliating Elijah in front of their leader and all of their village members. It was a deeply embarrassing thing to not be able to control one’s wife!

Ever since that hussy had left Elijah, he’d been banned from certain church ceremonies because the elders considered him weak. If…when…Elijah returned with his wife in tow, their family’s honor would be restored. Elijah, and through him, Nora and Beth Ann, would be permitted to rejoin the others.

“We’ve received word of my wife’s presence here in this heathen country,” Elijah announced unnecessarily since Nora and Beth Ann knew exactly why they were all here. “Let’s go, women. Find a way for me to retrieve my wife so that we can get back home.”

That was all she needed to hear. Beth Ann pointed towards the sign. “Do you think that sign indicates that we should purchase a taxi to the city? We have her address.”

Elijah stared at the place where Beth Ann was pointing, but she was starting to wonder if her son actually knew how toread. It was entirely possible that he didn’t. Knowledge wasn’t required to farm the land and the elders in the church “helped” all of the members of the congregation when it came time to sell their harvest.

Her son offered an arrogant nod, agreeing with Beth Ann. “Let’s go!” he snapped and headed towards that area, ignoring the glances from passersby who didn’t understand why he spoke in such a sharp tone.

A half hour later, the taxi pulled up to the address he’d provided to the driver. Elijah stepped out and waited for his sister and mother to collect the luggage while he stared up at the tall apartment complex.

“She’s still a heathen,” Elijah grumbled as his women-folk stepped up beside him, a suitcase in each of their hands. He looked down at them, noticed the strain on their hands and said, “Second Corinthians, my women; god expects you to use your pain to help others.” He nodded approvingly. “The pain of carrying the heavy burdens will bring you goodness in heaven.” And with that, he walked into the building, not slowing his steps as his mother and sister struggled with the heavy suitcases, two of which were his own. The larger two. He didn’t allow his women to pack a large suitcase since they were required to smother their vanity to be pleasing to god.

Knocking firmly on the door, he waited, fully expecting, eagerly anticipating, his wife to answer. But when only silence greeted him, his temper sparked. “Where is my wife!” he snarled, irritated that he had to endure the indignity of standing in the hallway. He was a man and should immediately be brought inside, offered refreshment and comfort!

Neither Beth Ann, nor Nora, answered him, which was appropriate. He would never listen anyway.

Turning, he told his women, “Wait here while I find the building manager. I’ll be back.”

Ten minutes later, he returned, smiling pompously as the manager of the building trudged down the hallway with his keys. “Thank you, sir,” Elijah said to the man with a rotund belly hanging over his belt. “You will be gifted by god for your assistance in this matter.”

The manager slid the key into the lock and pushed open the door. But a moment later, he paused, standing in the open doorway as he surveyed the trio, his gaze resting on Elijah. “Are you seriously Tara’s husband?” he asked, his gaze moving over Elijah’s expensive suit. “She’s never mentioned a husband before.”

Elijah waved his hand, indicating that the building manager should step aside so that they could enter. “I’ve been married to Tara for over thirteen years,” he told him. “I’m here to bring her home.” He waved his sister and mother into the apartment. “When did you say that my wife usually arrives home?’

The man scratched his belly, tilting his head to one side. “Oh, I don’t know exactly when my tenants come and go, but I think that the woman who lives here comes back pretty late every night.”

Elijah’s eyebrows drew down over his eyes in disapproval. “She’s must be out getting food for us. However, her late nights will have to cease immediately. My wife is not allowed out after dark.”

Elijah slammed the door in the manager’s judgmental expression and looked around the small apartment. He was annoyed that the space was nicer than what he’d built at home. The apartment was sparsely furnished, but that was a positive.There was only a small chair in the main area of the apartment and a box spring and mattress sitting on the floor in the bedroom. There was one light in each room, with seven dresses hanging in the closet.

No use spending money on material things, Elijah thought with approval after going through everything in the apartment. Tara was most likely saving her money in order to give it to charity. And if that wasn’t the case, if Tara was saving her money to spend it on something frivolous, then he would beat her until she understood her place and how she should spend her money. On him and their community.

He surveyed the contents of the fridge, then slammed it shut in disgust when he saw only a few cups of yogurt and an apple inside. “We need food! We’ll read the good word until my wife returns.”

Nora and Beth Ann immediately knelt on the floor, both of them secretly grateful for the carpeting to cushion their knees.

Chapter 6

“Where is she?” Zayed demanded, hurrying briskly down the hallway.

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