Page 1 of Hiding in the Sheik's Arms

Prologue

The pain was overwhelming, an all-consuming fire coursing through her body. Her bones throbbed and her muscles were taut with agony. Even her eyelashes seemed to protest, each flutter sending a jolt of discomfort through her. Tasha struggled to open her eyes, but only one lid obeyed, the other remaining stubbornly shut. She tried to lift her hand, but it felt like it was weighed down, her muscles screaming in protest. The harsh, incredibly bright lights overhead pierced through her eyelids, intensifying the throbbing in her head. Defeated, she kept her eyes closed, trapped in a world of relentless pain and disorientation.

“Don’t move, dear,” a soft, comforting voice whispered. “You’re safe.”

Safe? No, that wasn’t possible. She wasn’t safe. She’d never be safe! Panic surged through her, a desperate, suffocating wave that threatened to choke her. Moaning, Tasha tried again to move, to sit up, but her body betrayed her, her muscles resisting her frantic attempts.

“Shh!” the stranger's voice came again, a gentle but firm whisper. “You’re in a hospital. And we’re taking very good care of you.”

Hospital. The word echoed in her mind as she relaxed back against the uncomfortable mattress. Her one open eye fluttered, struggling to adjust to the miserable lights overhead. The stranger must have understood because, suddenly, the harsh, fluorescent lights in the ceiling went out, plunging the room into a merciful dimness. The pain in her eye eased slightly as the softer, natural light from the window bathed the room.

“Better?” the soft, kind voice asked. Gentle fingers touched her arm, a tender, reassuring presence. At least that was one place that didn’t hurt, she thought, clinging to that small comfort amidst the overwhelming pain.

She tried to speak, wanting to understand why she was in so much pain. But there was something in her mouth. She couldn’t speak.

“Don’t try to talk just yet,” the voice said. “You have a breathing tube in your throat. One of your ribs broke and punctured a lung, not to mention all your bruises and scrapes.”

Tasha closed her eyes as the pain radiated towards her toes. They were cold. Why were her toes cold?

“I’m going to get the–” the voice started to say, but a commotion nearby stopped her words. Raised voices echoing, like they were in a hallway.

Suddenly Tasha recognized one of the voices and the reason she was in such pain came rushing back to her! He was coming! The bastard was close by and he was coming for her! She had to get out of here! She wanted to scream, to beg the person with the kind voice to stop the man from getting to her! But she couldn’t speak. She was helpless, terrified, and in so much pain, she couldn’t stop the tear from slipping down her cheek.

She tried desperately to sit up so that she could hide. He was too close! She had to get away!

“Tasha!” Senator King called out in his most jovial voice. “You’re finally awake! Darling, we’ve been so worried about you!”

Tasha cringed, her thoughts felt like they were in slow motion. Every thought that came to her was like trying to slog through thick, cold mud!

The bastard’s voice created another wave of pain, making Tasha tremble with misery. “This, ladies and gentlemen, is what our current administration’s crime prevention…orlackof crime prevention…is doing to the good people of our nation!” the senator announced.

Tasha couldn’t believe this! What the hell was Nathan saying? And who were the others that were coming into her hospital room? Reporters? Had he seriously brought reporters into her hospital room? This couldn’t be happening!

“Yes, everyone, my fiancée was beaten and assaulted while walking the hallowed halls of our great capital building! Our president can’t even protect my fiancée as she walks to her car!”

Tasha couldn’t stop another tear from escaping so she closed her eyes, trying to mentally block out the group of people taking photos of her, as she lay helpless in the hospital bed.

This man…this…monster…was using her as a political prop! She was such a fool! And with this thing in her throat, she couldn’t even tell him to stop! She felt trapped, out of control, and abused in so many ways.

“Look at her!” the bastard announced. Tasha couldn’t see him because her eyes were closed, but she could imagine him gesturing grandly towards her pathetic self. “Take all the pictures you want and release them to the world, so everyone knows what a mess this administration is!”

Tasha kept her eyes closed and prayed that this nightmare would somehow end.

But it didn’t! The nightmare just kept going. He took her hand in his. She doubted the reporters taking dozens of pictures and videos of this insane scene could tell that the “good” senator was squeezing her fingers. Hard!

“Smile for the cameras, love,” the rat-bastard whispered into her ear. “Thanks to you, my campaign fund will be filled to the brim with donations in no time!”

“That’s enough!” the kind voice called out sharply. “Everyone, get out of here! A hospital room isnotan appropriate place for a news conference, Senator! You can’t just invade my patient’s privacy like this!”

“This is my fiancée!” Nathan replied, his voice silky smooth as he squeezed Tasha’s fingers viciously again. “She’d been working late, helping to fix the problems this administration heaps on the poor people of our great nation, and she was attacked while trying to go home!”

“I understand, Senator,” the voice, presumably a nurse, interjected, “but these reporters can’t be here. This is a huge violation of your fiancée’s privacy. Her blood pressure is spiking! Everyone needs to leave. Now!” she said and Tasha heard shuffling sounds. “You too, Senator. She needs proper rest.”

Tasha nearly whimpered with relief. But her hope was dashed when Nathan’s hand tightened around her fingers one more time. Then she felt his hot breath against her cheek. “I’ll be back, darling,” he whispered to her. That last word was spoken in a warning voice. “I’ve moved up our wedding date. You’re like gold to me now!”

Tasha couldn’t even whimper. She was too terrified.

Nathan King was one of the most powerful senators at the moment. He wasn’t particularly tall, but he had that all-American style to his good looks. Those looks were backed up by family money and a legacy of powerful family members that would do anything, literally anything, to increase their power.

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