Page 49 of Defenders of Jawhara

Putting up the privacy screen between the front and back seats, he took her hands in his. “Shira, I don’t know any other way to say this, so I’m just going to tell you straight out. Erin is missing.”

Shira tried to jerk her hands out of his, but he held tight, needing her as much as she would need him.

“No!” Shira yelled. “What happened?”

“We don’t know,” Kale said. “She was in the refugee camp and has disappeared along with her bodyguard.” Kale couldn’t keep the sneer out of his tone and Shira picked up on it instantly.

“You think the bodyguard was in on it, don’t you?”

Kale nodded. “I’m afraid that is what it looks like. He is a young man and has only been working with the palace guard for a few weeks.”

“They won’t hurt her, will they?”

“I hope not. If one hair is removed from her head, Kamal will show them no mercy. Crimes are punished harshly and swiftly in Jawhara. We do not have prisons full of criminals. They either rehabilitate and join society as productive citizens, or they find themselves facing a firing squad.”

“Firing squad? Is that how you mete out justice in Jawhara?”

“For certain crimes, yes. While it is rare and hasn’t happened in decades, any attack against the sheikh is punishable by death. That protection is extended to his family, as well. An attack against you or your cousin is no different from an attack on Kamal himself, according to our laws. Have no fear, when the perpetrators of this atrocity are found, their judgment will come swiftly. But first, your cousin must be found.”

Shira began to shake, and he pulled her onto his lap, holding her to him as she began to cry. “Our parents…do they know?”

Kale rubbed her back as she cried. “I don’t know. Talib has gone to fetch them.”

“I don’t think they should know yet. Aunt Patty is a worrywart when it comes to Erin and me, and it will only upset her if she were to find out and not be able to do anything. Besides, maybe Erin will be found before they land.”

Swiping at her eyes, Shira started to shift back to the seat, but Kale didn’t want to let her go. He hugged her, and she immediately cuddled against him. He could well imagine what his brother was going through with Erin missing. Looking down at the top of Shira’s head, Kale knew deep in his heart that if Shira were ever missing, he’d move mountains to find her. He was never letting her go.

20

TALIB

Talib arrived in Brisbane shortly after the boat had docked, and he located Erin’s parents easily, since her mother had the same dark red hair as the daughter. They had been understandably cautious, and once he verified who he was, pleased to meet him and full of all kinds of questions. So many questions! And they didn’t stop once they’d boarded the jet. Talib had tried his best to answer them, but would be glad when they reached Jawhara. The couple was currently sleeping in the jet’s bedroom, and he hoped they would continue to do so until they were ready to land.

He was the head of security to the sheikh and his future sheikha, not an encyclopedia. The woman had wanted to know the history of Jawhara, what kind of culture and people her daughter would be living among, whether Erin would still be working as a lawyer, where they met, and how come Erin hadn’t brought the sheikh up sooner if they were going to marry. The questions had caused his head to hurt, and he’d answered them as best as he could. He’d deflected the ones about Erin and his sheikh, telling Mrs. Malone that she should wait to speak to her daughter to get those answers.

Kamal had best prepare himself, or he would regret bringing them in for the wedding. Finally recovered from the bombardment, he placed a call to Kamal. “Your Majesty, I just wanted to let you know I have Miss Malone’s parents. We are airborne and headed back to Jawhara.”

The silence on the other end of the phone struck Talib as abnormal, yet his training kept him silent. Finally Kamal spoke. “Erin is missing.”

“What?” Talib asked with a shout, quieting his voice with the hopes that his outburst wouldn’t rouse the Malones from their slumber. He was through answering their questions.

“She was in the refugee camp and has disappeared. Her guard is missing as well.”

Talib digested this information. “Have the Americans shown up yet?”

“Yes. The team from Slade’s Security are scouring the area for her even now, but they haven’t found her.”

“When did this occur?” Talib inquired, knowing that the sooner they could locate Erin, the less chance of her or the baby coming to any harm.

“Two hours. She’s been missing for two hours.”

“Your Majesty, she will be found. I will personally oversee the operation upon my return.”

“Thank you, Talib. I know you will do everything you can to bring her home and serve justice to those who have taken her from me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will see you soon.”

Talib waited until the call disconnected and then pulled up the satellite maps of the desert where the refugee camp was located. If the dissidents thought to sneak back across the border with Erin, they would quickly learn that the people of Jawhara were loyal to their ruler and those under his protection.

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