Page 82 of Defenders of Jawhara

As he expertly twirled her around the dance floor, PJ looked around at all the happy faces who, days ago, had been so worried over the safety of their future sheikha. Given everything that had happened, PJ could understand why Khalil and Shira didn’t want to wait to marry.

Talib pulled her close as they danced, and she put her head on his shoulder. Leaning towards his ear, she said quietly, “Phyllis Jerome.”

Suddenly Brock exploded in her ear, shocked that she’d spilled the beans, and it left him speculating on her relationship with Talib. She reached up and muted him before looking at Talib, who was giving her a strange look. He was off duty for the wedding, since he was a family member.

“Sorry, did you say something? I couldn’t hear you over the noise in my ear.”

Talib repeated his question. “What is Phyllis Jerome?”

The music changed to a slower dance, and PJ fitted her body against his as they continued to move together. “Not what, who, as in me. I’m Phyllis Jerome. I was named for my parents, Phyllis and Jerome Williams.” She huffed out a breath. “I thought you should know.”

The smile Talib gave her was worth the confession. “It suits you.”

Laughing, she said, “No, it really doesn’t. I’ve been PJ my whole life, except when my mom was angry with me.” Talib chuckled against her hair.

“Then I will continue to call you PJ, and I fully intend to thank you for sharing that with me later.”

PJ couldn’t resist the sultry smile she gave him. “As you should.”

EPILOGUE

One month later

Brock Wells was in the new security office checking all the live camera footage both in and outside the palace while he got dressed. He’d decided to make use of the private beach on the palace property and had lost track of time and needed to hurry. If asked, he had no complaints. How could he? There were far worse jobs a person could have and far worse places to live. As part of Sheikh Kamal Mehalel El-Jawhara’s current security team, he was living in luxury, and he had only the best equipment available for his use in keeping the royal family safe.

His pants sat loose on his hips while he buttoned his shirt. It was nearing check-in time for his team, and his radio began to crackle before he’d had the chance to request status updates. One by one, security began to check in.

“Section A, all clear.”

“Section B, all clear.”

“Section C, found a couple guests in the gazebo near the stables and asked them to return to the garden.”

“Any problems with those guests, section C?” he called out, making a note.

“Only their embarrassment at getting caught. I’m fairly sure they didn’t come to the wedding together.”

Brock grinned. Yup, definitely a good job. After tucking his shirt into his pants, he slipped on his shoulder harness and side holster before putting his jacket on. While he wasn’t anticipating any problems, he wasn’t going to take any chances.

Since the sheikh’s marriage to Erin, Brock had been monitoring chatter that might impact the overall safety of the new sheikha along with that of her cousin, Shira, who was engaged to the sheikh’s younger brother.

After Erin’s kidnapping, she’d been determined not to allow the effects of her ordeal to get to her and started working with both Jawhara’s Minister of Education and Minister of Health on potential programs for children. Sheikh Kamal fully supported her efforts and was happy to see that she was becoming loved by his people.

She was also carrying the future crown prince of Jawhara, which was cause for much celebration and concern for her safety. Entering her second trimester, everyone had been relieved when the debilitating effects of her morning sickness had tapered off. From current reports, both Erin and the baby were doing well.

“Get a load of that!” one of the team members announced on the radio.

Sitting down in front of the monitors, Brock immediately began checking live footage. “Everything looks clear. What am I looking for?”

“The line of cars coming in. There’s a McLaren, a Bugatti, and is that an Aston Martin Victor? Why I’d give my right testi—”

“Enough!” Talib barked over the radio. “If you do not keep this line clear for emergencies, I will castrate you myself.”

Brock chuckled at the sudden silence while he zoomed in on the cars making their way up the long drive. Talib was definitely someone you didn’t want to rile up. Although PJ might disagree.

As the only female on the team, PJ was doing a great job protecting the cousins, but she was only one person. The Addams Group was busier than ever in their new satellite office, and Erin was determined to increase her humanitarian efforts, so it had been decided that another female security guard needed to be brought in, since PJ couldn’t be in two places at once.

Slade knew of the perfect woman, and after gaining Sheikh Kamal’s support, had placed the call. She was due to arrive today, which was perfect timing.

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