Page 15 of The Sheik's Vow

“What about the children?”

“The kids suffer along with the parents. It’s another way that Ethan controls the families.”

“And the authorities?”

“Well, Ethan has convinced the police that his members are holy, so the police don’t get involved since there are no crimes being committed that they can see. I also discovered that Ethan donates large sums of money to the members of the state legislature, so they keep their noses out of Ethan’s business.” She kissed Marta’s nose, who whined encouragingly at her. “Who was I going to ask for help? I took the pictures of Ethan’s disgusting habits to the police, but they said he wasn’t breaking any laws. Apparently, women get manacled in bondage play all the time.”

“Consensualbondage play,” Riaz snarled. “From what you’ve told us, nothing this man does sounds consensual.”

Dihrain nodded. He’d been taking notes in a big notebook. “I need you to give me more information on his security measures. And the layout of both the village and his house. We’ll get satellite images of the area, but give me more details, please.”

Kaia stared at the man for a long moment, stunned by what his questions implied. “But…?”

Riaz shook his head. “Dihrain, why don’t you get your team started on the images and begin working on a plan? I need to speak with Kaia alone for a minute.”

Dihrain didn’t hesitate. He stood up, collected his notes and pen, then hurried from the conference room.

Riaz eyed her for a long moment. “I think you need a break.” He walked around to her, then crouched low. “How about a walk?”

Kaia liked the idea, but then looked down. Dibi and Marta had their heads nuzzled against her thighs and they’d pressed their bodies as close to her as they could manage.

She laughed softly, still stroking their furry heads. “I don’t think I can move,” she admitted.

“They’ve adopted you,” Riaz announced, chuckling as he stroked Dibi’s back.

One of the dogs, Kaia wasn’t sure which, let out a happy huff. As she smiled down at the dogs, she felt Riaz touch her cheek.

The sensation felt so good, so perfectly pure, that it startled her. She didn’t want to move for fear of losing his touch.

“I’m so sorry about what you went through as a child, Kaia.”

She shrugged, scratching Marta behind her ears. “I survived.”

He shook his head. “Children struggle all over the world, but that doesn’t make it right.”

Kaia licked her lips and nodded. “I know.”

“I’d like to make it up to you.”

“Make what up to me?’ she asked, laughing when Dibi nudged her hand with his wet nose. Apparently, Kaia had stopped scratching his ears.

“I want to give you all the happiness that you missed out on asa child.”

Kaia couldn’t stop the warmth from surrounding her heart with those words. “I…that’s…not necessary.”

“How about if we start with a walk? I can introduce you to the horses and,” he glanced down at the dogs. “Perhaps we could even find a few…” he paused meaningfully and both dogs lifted their heads, mouths slightly open and intelligent eyes gazing longingly up at him. “Kittens.”

As soon as he said the word, Dibi and Marta raced out from under the table, spinning around and dancing with enthusiasm. They seemed to turn into eager puppies right before their eyes. It was an intriguing sight!

Riaz laughed, reaching down to stroke both dogs as he turned to look at Kaia. “These two love the kittens. Wait until you see them interact.”

Kaia stood up slowly, surprised at how stiff she was. “I thought that dogs and cats were mortal enemies?”

“I used to think so as well. Until these two came into my life.” Riaz lifted his hand, doing the first signal again. Both dogs immediately stopped spinning and sat back on their haunches, watching attentively as they waited for their next command.

“This should be interesting,” she said with a chuckle.

They left the conference room through a different door and entered a new hallway. This one was just as beautifully decorated, but with different scenes.

---