Page 29 of The Sheik's Vow

“Of course, sir.” She went through the usual rigmarole about bed size and number of rooms.

“I just need a king sized bed, one room. No need for a suite.”

The woman nodded and continued typing on her computer. “Can I see your passport and your credit card, sir?”

Ethan handed over his passport and his credit card, then leaned an elbow on the granite countertop and turned, surveying the people walking through the white and green lobby. He wasn’t interested in the men, but wondered which of the women were available for a price. He wouldn’t mind some companionship tonight. He’d been celibate for several days. He needed a nice release before he headed out in search of his missing bitch.

“I’m sorry sir, but your credit card was declined. Do you have another?”

Ethan heard the words, but they didn’t register at first. “Declined?” It wasn’t just the taxi driver’s machine?

“Yes, sir. Do you have a different card I could use for the room charges?”

Ethan grumbled, pulling out a different credit card. This one he usually only used for town business. But this was nearing emergency levels. He could sort through the accounting issues once he got home.

This time, Ethan didn’t turn away as the hotel staff member ran his credit card through the machine. His eyes narrowed as the woman waited for the response.

The pitying expression on her face told him the answer even before she shook her head, indicating that this card had been declined as well.

“That’s impossible!” Ethan hissed. “This is a debit card attached to my business account. I know for a fact that I have several million dollars in this account!”

The receptionist shrugged. “I’m sorry, sir, but perhaps you could call your bank and ask if there is a problem. We have no discretion over how the credit card companies process our requests.”

“Get a man over here. You’re obviously not running my card correctly. I shouldn’t have to deal with a woman’s incompetence!”

The woman’s expression shifted from pity to indignation. In fact, her whole body stiffened with outrage. Still, the woman turned and lifted her hand. Immediately, someone came towards them. Unfortunately, this was another woman.

“How can I help you?” the woman asked, her voice polite, if cautious.

The first woman started to explain, but Ethan sliced his hand through the air, silencing the bitch. “I won’t deal with a woman,” he snapped. “Get me a man! Women don’t understand anything more complicated than a recipe.”

The woman’s mouth opened in shock for a long moment, then she snapped her mouth closed. She stiffened, then forced a professional, if fake, smile. “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“I need a room for the next several days!” Ethan insisted.

The female desk manager glanced at whatever was on the computer screen, then shook her head. “Sir, without a valid credit card, we are unable to authorize payment for the room.”

“She ran my credit cards incorrectly!”

The woman’s grim smile tightened. “Sir, there is a bank located on the next block. Perhaps you could visit them and ask for assistance. If the bank is unable to help you, I suggest you visit the American Embassy.” She pulled open a drawer and extracted a brochure. “This has the information about your embassy.”

Ethan ripped the brochure out of her hands. “I want to speak with a man!”

The woman shook her head. “Sir, you are causing a scene. Even if you are able to fix the problem with your credit card, you are no longer welcome in this hotel.” She leaned closer and whispered, “If you don’t stop yelling, I will be forced to call security to have you escorted out.”

Ethan was furious. A woman dared to threaten him? He would whip her until her back was in shreds! But that would have to wait until he fixed whatever was wrong with his damn credit cards. Once he had money, he would hire someone to find this woman’s home. Then he’d follow her to her house and pin her down until she was adequately disciplined and showed him the proper respect that a male is owed!

He turned on his heel and hurried from the damn hotel, muttering under his breath.

After fifteen minutes in the bank, Ethan was no longer angry. In fact, he growing concerned. The bank manager hadn’t been able to help him because…and this was the crux of the issue…his bank accounts had all been frozen! What the hell?

Chapter 17

“Where are you taking me?” Kaia demanded, laughing as she gripped Riaz’s arm. She lifted one hand, touching the blindfold covering her eyes.

“Do you trust me?”

“No!” she replied without hesitation. But there was laughter in her voice. And he knew that she did trust him. Surprisingly, Kaia trusted Riaz more than she trusted anyone else, besides Tara.

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