Page 48 of Defenders of Jawhara

PJ stared at her phone and issued a belated, “Yes sir.”

* * *

Kamal paced his office trying to decide the best course of action. Either Erin had deliberately disobeyed him and was simply occupied with one of the refugees, oblivious of the fact that everyone was searching for her, or his enemies had made good on their earlier threat.

He felt helpless, and that made him angry. Slade’s team had discussed every potential scenario. How could something like this have happened?

Picking up the phone, he called Khalil and waited for the call to connect.

“Kam, what’s up? We’re at Erin’s office now and will be heading back to the hotel soon. Is there something else we need to do?”

Kamal was silent on his end of the phone, not wanting to speak the words as that would make Erin’s disappearance more real.

“Kam? What’s going on?” Kale waited on the phone as the silence drew out. “Brother?”

Sitting down heavily in his chair, Kam finally spoke. “Erin is missing.”

“What? Where is she?”

“She was helping deliver food and water to the refugees. I sent a detail out to bring her back after the latest intel, but she and a guard have disappeared.”

“The guard is missing as well?” Kale asked.

“Yes. He has only been on staff for a few weeks and is fairly young.”

Kale swore. “I’m assuming Slade told you about the internal leak?”

“He did.” Kam tensed. “He would have had to pass a background check.” It was too coincidental that the very day the intel was discovered, Erin should go missing with one of the newest palace employees.

“Shira and I will be on the jet in a few hours.”

“No! I don’t want one more person in danger until we figure out what is going on here. Stay there, and I will call when I know more.”

“Kam, we’re coming home. You need my help, and you shouldn’t be alone during this time. Slade is already on the way and is bringing more men out at the end of the week. I’ll let him know we need them sooner. Shira will want to be there as well.”

Kamal sighed, knowing his brother was right. “Fine. Talib has already left to pick up Erin’s parents in Brisbane. They will be returning tomorrow. At least everyone will be under the same roof and not scattered around the globe.”

“Erin will be fine. She is a strong woman and will do whatever is required to stay safe.”

“I hope you are right, brother. I hope you are right.” Kamal hung up the phone, striding for the office door and the courtyard.

He would deal with Erin’s disappearance the only way he knew how. By demanding her return! The dissidents might not be in agreement with the refugees returning home, but return home they would. If they thought to hold his fiancée hostage and strong-arm him into backing out of the recent agreement, they were about to be sadly disappointed. Sheikh Kamal Mehalel El-Jawhara bowed to no one. He did not negotiate with terrorists or criminals. He always protected what was his. Erin and her unborn child were his. He would protect them with his life!

19

KALE

Kale clutched the phone tightly in his hand, dreading what he would have to tell Shira. So much had happened in such a short time and now, Erin was missing.

Calling the pilot, he asked how quickly they could be wheels up and was told this evening. Telling him to make the arrangements, he then alerted his security detail to their change in plans. Kale paced the sidewalk in front of the Charity Foundation, resisting the urge to storm inside and drag Shira out. Just as he changed his mind, the door opened and a woman he didn’t know escorted Shira out, telling her to give Erin their regards and to let her know that she’d be missed. He couldn’t hear Shira’s response, and then she was walking toward him.

Meeting her before she took two steps, he took the box she was holding and directed her to the waiting limo as Shira chatted about the messages Erin’s coworkers had sent with her. Her voice trailed off, and she put her hand on his arm.

“Kale, what is it? What’s happened?” Shira inquired as he handed the box off to the driver and Kale ushered her into the car.

“We are leaving for Jawhara tonight. Whatever else needs to be done can either be handled long distance, or we will return later.”

“Kale? I don’t understand. We already cut our time in half. What’s going on?”

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