Page 47 of My Arabian Billionaire

Tarif shook his head, murmuring, “You are a surprisingly hard man, brother.”

The sheikh didn’t deny this, saying mildly, “It is a requisite for thejob.”

“Tongues have been wagging atrociously, too,” Rayyan pointed out, “and it does nothing for our own economy when people believe the king’s marriage is less than idyllic.”

Tarif smirked. “I knew you’d somehow find a way to link this to financial matters.”

In a perfect imitation of the Emir Sheikh’s tone, the blue-eyed sheikh deadpanned, “It is a requisite for thejob.”

“Airafi,” Khalil said pleasantly. Fuckyou.

The other men laughed, but it was not enough for the tension in the meeting room to abate completely. All of them knew from firsthand experience that rumors could be as viciously sharp as poisoned swords, with the power to turn people away forgood.

“Would you at least like any of us to interfere for you?” Malik asked finally.

Khalil shook his head. “The rumors will naturally die down once it becomes clear that I will never be in the market for a second wife. But as for the rest – it must be allowed to run its own course.” The sheikh’s tone was cold and flat, but despite what his seeming indifference suggested, he – more than anyone in this kingdom – was counting on Harper to realize her destiny. And she would. She must. The sheikh refused to entertain any other alternative. He would have no other woman in this lifetime. Only his Harper would do, but for this to happen, Harper had to find a way to show the world what he had always seen inher.

A woman, despite her commoner’s blood, who was born to be queen.

So prove me right, malakti, the sheikh thought fiercely.

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