Page 29 of The Sheik's Embrace

The other man eyed them carefully, then smiled. “I understand.”

“I’m sure that the two of you have several issues that you need to discuss,” Tara inserted. “In fact, I’ve made a list.” She slipped out of Zayed’s arms. “Your Highness,” she smiled prettily to the other man, “I know that our ambassador worked with your staff to come up with a list of topics that are important to both countries,” she started, pulling out two neatly typed pages, handing one to each of them. “I’ve met with your assistant, Sheik Abuzman, and we have the main conference room set up for these conversations.” She moved to the other side of the table, looking for coffee. The person who normally stood sentry by the buffet table, ready to pour the coffee, was missing. Tara was aware that there was some sort of virus going through the staff, so perhaps they were just short staffed.

Focusing back on the two men who were sitting down with full plates, she continued. “I also arranged for you to have some down time together.” She looked over at Zayed, triumph inher eyes as she added, “The stables have been informed, and are ready to saddle horses if you are up for a ride.”

“That sounds perfect,” the other man replied, sipping his brew.

Over eggs benedict and fresh fruit, Tara took notes on the conversation between the two men. Initially, it seemed as if Zayed and Riaz Abuzman were trying to be contentious. But as the two men debated the issues, both seemed to realize there weren’t as many obstacles towards a healthy, more positive relationship. Slowly, their discussion shifted to a more animated, productive exchange.

Tara tirelessly took notes, relieved that her coffee cup was constantly refilled. They didn’t move to the conference room where the other members of Abuzman’s staff were waiting. Tara didn’t dare interrupt the discussion since the two were making so much progress. Instead of arguing, the two powerful leaders pushed their chairs back and faced each other, tossing out ideas, discarding some and expanding on others. It was one of the most productive meetings Tara had ever sat in on since she’d started working in Pitra.

Chapter 24

“How about a game of pool?” Riaz suggested, his eyes sparkling with eagerness for the competition.

Zayed looked at the man, a slow, brutal smile forming. “I think that would be an excellent idea!” he replied, and even reached out to slap the man on the shoulder. He looked around for Tara, but didn’t see her. “Where’s Tara?” he asked one of his guards.

“She’s in her office, Your Highness. She mentioned something about updating a database.”

Zayed’s mouth thinned, but he turned to face his opponent. “We’ll dine with Tara tonight.”

The other man nodded. “And the cute waitress?” he offered. “What’s her name?”

They’d already turned to walk towards the billiards room but Zayed paused to look at Riaz. “Waitress? Which…?” He thought back, a cute, too-slender woman with dark, curly hair. “The one from breakfast this morning?”

“That’s the one.” They resumed their walk. “I found her intriguing.” He looked at Zayed. “She seemed different from the other staff members. Where is she from? Do you know?”

Zayed’s instincts were on high alert. The fact that they both had noticed the woman sounded alarm bells in his head. Once again, he stopped and looked at one of his guards. “Find the woman who was serving coffee this morning. I’d like to speak with her.”

The guard immediately conveyed the information through his microphone and everyone resumed walking.

“What about her caught your attention?” he asked of Riaz. Zayed wasn’t ready to think of Riaz as a friend. Not yet. But the man was very different from what he’d expected. The man had risen to power six years ago and had been a thorn in Pitra’s side ever since. Perhaps that irritation was mostly because the previous ruler, Riaz’s stepfather, hadn’t been an effective ruler. Riaz had sharpened the political climate, which had created a diplomatic distance between the countries.

That had been the wrong approach. Or maybe not. Perhaps their bitter irritation with each other over the past few years was needed for Bidar’s ruler to bring his country to a place where negotiations made sense.

However, now that Riaz had mentioned her, the woman in the breakfast room bothered him. But he wasn’t sure why.

Chapter 25

Tara’s fingers flew over the keyboard, entering the information from the morning’s long conversations to her database. She was so focused on typing, that she didn’t notice her office door closing until she heard the snick of the latch.

For a long moment, her terror wouldn’t allow her to turn towards the door. But eventually, the dark blob in the corner of her eye warned her that she needed to look in that direction. From experience, Tara knew that it was better to be warned than to be surprised.

Slowly, Tara lifted her gaze to the person standing in the corner of her office. Whoever it was, they’d been hiding behind the door and, with the snick of the door, had locked her in here.

Was it Elijah? Or worse, had Ethan found her?

When her eyes focused on the smiling visage, she was so tense, it took her brain several moments to process the fact that it was her sister, Kaia, wearing a huge, excited smile.

“Kaia!” Tara gasped, then jumped to her feet, wrapping her sister in a tight hug. “Kaia, it’s been so long!”

Kaia laughed, bouncing slightly as the sisters hugged and laughed and cried. “You completely missed seeing me earlier in the dining room,” her sister admonished with a hearty laugh.

Tara pulled back, looking at her big sister more carefully. “Kaia, how did you get into the palace? And why are you here?”

Kaia flounced Tara’s braid then stepped back, surveying Tara’s appearance more thoroughly. “I love the dress!” she gasped with approval. “When did you start wearing flattering colors?”

Tara laughed. “Today. And I didn’t decide. I haven’t been back to my apartment since I got your message. These clothes were delivered to the room here in the palace where I stayed last night.”

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