Page 163 of Defenders of Jawhara

She blinked in the bright sunlight.

This was her first time back in Jawhara after what had happened with the Guardians, and she was nervous. This would also be the first time she’d meet Sheikh Kamal, his wife Erin, and their new baby.

Would they like her?

Trent wrapped his arm around her as they walked to the car. “Relax, they’ll love you.”

Chloe laughed, hugging him back. “How do you do that? Know what I’m thinking?”

He tapped her nose and grinned. “Like, dudette, it’s because we are like one, like the ocean.”

“Oh, yuck!” They both turned to see Jason running toward them. “You sound gross,” he declared as Bethany and Slade followed him laughing.

“Uh-oh, are they being all lovey again?” Bethany asked, but Jason shook his head, a sour look on his face.

“No, Mom, he’s doing that surfer thing again.” Putting his hands on his hips, he glared at Trent. “That is so fake,” he declared, and Chloe had to agree.

Jason was almost eleven and had been receiving treatment to help with the growth of his shorter leg due to Russell–Silver syndrome, and he’d been doing really well. He’d just gotten a good report from his doctor and to celebrate, he went surfing with Trent and Travis. He was a better surfer than she was, and Chloe had vowed to double-down on learning how to surf and not be afraid of the water.

Everyone sat back in the limo as the driver took them to the palace. Slade’s phone pinged and he pulled it out and smiled.

“Listen up! Bradley Myers was just taken into custody attempting to board a private plane for Cuba.”

Cheers went up around the car. After the incident at the refugee camp, where Al Shabib had died, security had been dispatched to Raed Mehalel’s home, but they got there too late. Rather than face the sheikh, he’d elected to take his own life. He’d left behind a note, naming Amalia, his cousin, as the money behind the attempt to embarrass and discredit Sheikh Kamal. The government of Bashiria was only too happy to make the arrest. Her son, Zaid, had gone into hiding, but thanks to an offer of a reward, someone had turned him in. He was currently in jail, convicted of industrial espionage and murder, among other things.

Anna Neills had been apprehended attempting to board a freighter bound for Europe, and she’d been more than happy to spill her guts on Brad Myers, who had decided that it was more profitable to wreak havoc than save the world. Working for a nonprofit was probably not the best career choice for him. Well, either of them.

Of course, both the IRS and the FBI got involved and even if Anna and Brad managed to avoid criminal charges, they were both in deep trouble. The Guardians of the Earth was no more, which was too bad, because Chloe thought that some of them were doing good work.

“He was the last piece of the puzzle,” Slade told them. “Congrats to everyone.”

“Does that mean we’re getting a raise?” Trent asked as everyone else chuckled.

“Nope, but if you like, I’ll let you share the good news with Kam,” Slade told him.

“Dude, really?”

Slade snorted. “No. He was copied in the text. He already knows.”

Chloe laughed. Coming to work for Slade Security had been the second-best decision she’d ever made. The first was bringing her dad to San Diego for care. If she hadn’t done that, she would never have met Trent, and they never would have fallen in love.

The limo pulled up in front of the palace and everyone got out, but Chloe stayed in the car. She had no idea why she was so nervous. Trent popped his head back in and held out his hand. “Come on. They’ll like you, I promise.”

Nodding, she grabbed his hand and let him pull her out of the car.

Walking inside, Chloe stuck close to Trent. While she’d spoken to Sheikh Kamal on the phone, she’d never met actual royalty in person. And there he was. Holding his baby and talking on the phone. Turning around when they entered, Sheikh Kamal smiled at them and quickly got off the phone. Striding toward them, he was all smiles as he said hello to everyone.

“Looking good, Kam,” Slade told him as Jason rushed over to see the baby.

Dropping down to one knee, the sheikh introduced his nine-month-old son, Karim, to the little boy. Jason solemnly shook the baby’s hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Prince Karim.” The baby cooed in return, making everyone smile.

Rising, the sheikh gestured into the palace. “Everyone, come in, please. It seems we have much to celebrate.” He led the way with Slade walking beside him, the two of them deep in conversation.

Trent leaned down and whispered in her ear. “See? I told you there was nothing to worry about.” Chloe bumped her head against his shoulder in response.

Entering a large lounge with a full buffet set up at one side, Chloe was pleased to see the others in the room. She’d already met Kale and Shira when they’d come to San Diego. Brock, Keira, and PJ she’d only ever met via video and while Brock strolled over to say hello, she didn’t see the other two.

Laughter had everyone turning to see Keira and PJ enter the room with a woman with long red hair, who could only be Erin. Smiling, she came over to them, welcoming everyone. Chloe was soon swept up in hugs as everyone said hello and formal introductions were made.

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