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One
Kasim stepped from his sleek black luxury SUV and inhaled the crisp mountain air. Making his home in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains had been one of the best ideas he’d had when he left his home in Makhtoum, the country he would one day lead as Sheikh, a position now held by his father. His fascination with the American cowboy had brought him to this beautiful country, and towards his favorite local spot to eat. Ted Montana’s. He remembered as a boy watching old John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies, admiring that wild west spirit.
The big red brick building that held the restaurant was just two blocks away, making his mouth water at just the thought of the day’s specials. Bison prime rib was a treat, both lean and succulent, and he knew his baby sister wouldn’t balk at the prices. He would be late meeting her if he didn’t hurry a bit, but knowing Rabiya she would be late. The girl even came into the world two weeks late, he grumbled to himself affectionately. Yes his little sister was a brat, but she was his brat and pretty much harmless if you didn’t count her interference in his love life. Kasim most certainly did count that. It was her worst quality, by far.
Still, she was his only sister and he loved her very much. Even if she was completely annoying. He smiled at that thought, pulled from his thoughts by the sound of an argument. The male voice was angry and aggressive, the higher pitched voice angry and…panicked. Glancing around Kasim spotted a dark haired woman scuffling with a green haired kid in the alley behind the restaurant over a bag. “Hey! What’s going on?” He shouted hoping that might scare the young criminal off, because this was certainly no lover’s quarrel.
It didn’t. The kid glared in his direction and yelled, “This doesn’t concern you Mohammed!” He then turned back to the woman, who’s eyes went round and wide with fear.
“Get a job you leech!” The woman yanked the bag with enough force to make the kid stumble, but only briefly. He scrambled back to his feet, swiping at the sweat dripping from his brow. Her hand slid inside the bag and Kasim’s heart raced knowing she was about to pull out her own weapon. For a moment he contemplated leaving. Just walking away and letting the two of them work this out on their own. Too bad that wasn’t his style.
“Give up the bag bitch or you’ll get a knife to the throat!” The kid’s voice was a snarl, his words droopy making it obvious he was already high on something.
His words kicked Kasim into action, running down the alley and ignoring the puddles that splashed up, adding uncomfortable moisture to his socks and the hem of his slacks. “Stop!” He was nearly close enough to help, or to at least get the kid to back off. But he wasn’t close enough. Not yet.
“Get a job and get your own damn bag, asshole!” She kicked an intimidating motorcycle boot at him each time he drew closer to her and her bag. It was a bloody ugly thing that looked hand painted. By a child. Finally she held what she was looking for in her hand, Kasim could tell because she became calmer despite the fear still jumping in her eyes.
“You’re gonna get it now bitch,” he snarled, finally grabbing a piece of the bag just as a plume of orange smoke was released in his direction. “Fucking bitch,” he screamed, eyes pinched tight but hand still clutching the bag and snatching it. Hard.
Kasim could tell the woman was surprised by the kid’s strength because her eyes—the perfect forest green—widened just moments before the force of his pull sent her head flying towards the red brick wall, hitting it with a loud and painful smack. Finally he was beside them, throwing a punch at the kid who fell to the wet, soggy ground before scrambling away with her purse. “Miss, are you alright?”
In answer, hazy green eyes looked at him in confusion and the woman crumpled to the ground while he could only look on in horror.
“Hey, wake up. You must stay awake!” He lightly tapped her cheek to make sure she didn’t pass out.
Her eyes fluttered, drawing his attention to the long sable lashes before they opened. Kasim whipped out his phone to call emergency services. “Hey gorgeous,” her words were slurred and he felt an odd sensation in his gut. “That fucker got my bag.” Her eyes closed again and she tipped over, right into his arms.
Kasim smiled at her words. Gorgeous. He gave the nine-one-one operator his location and promised to stay with the woman until the paramedics arrived. They wouldn’t let him accompany her to the hospital because he wasn’t family, which was ridiculous but he relented because what else could he do?
He didn’t even know her name.
By the time he finally arrived at the restaurant, his sister still hadn’t arrived. For once Kasim was grateful for her perpetual tardiness. He couldn’t get that woman out of his mind. She was beautiful with thick sable hair shot through with hot pink and wide green eyes that had held him in that moment when she called him gorgeous. Too bad she obviously is an idiot. What kind of person argued with a mugger and over a god awful bag no less? He had to admire her strength though. She didn’t cower or shake in fear, though he’d seen the fear in her eyes which suggested perhaps she wasn’t an idiot after all.
“Hey big brother, what’s up?”
Kasim looked up into the big brown eyes of his kid sister and scowled. “You’re late.”
Her response was an ever bigger smile. “Sorry but I was trying to get in touch with a friend of mine that I want you to meet. Her phone went straight to voicemail which is weird because Charla’s phone is always on. She’s almost as much of a workaholic as you Kasim.”
“Too bad,” he grunted, not at all sorry. The last thing he needed was another woman chasing after him and his fortune.
Rabiya smiled at him, that placating smile he hated. That said he was a moron. “You say that now Kasim, but I’m telling you she is exactly what you need.”
He raised a dark brow in her direction. “What is that, exactly? A gold digging schemer who’s ingratiated herself with my sister simply to get closer to me?” It wouldn’t be the first time it happened, but Kasim could only hope that as his sister matured it would happen with less frequency. She deserved real friends who wanted her for the fiery girl she was.
Her grunt of disapproval got his attention. “You are an arrogant ass! Charla did nothing of the sort. I met her, like normal people do, at the spa she owns. And she is amazing, so smart and funny. Gorgeous and independent as hell.”
He heard the genuine ring of friendship and affection in her tone and smiled. “You like her.”
“Of course I do, she’s my friend. Haven’t you been listening?” Rabiya shook her head, ebony waves crashing around her shoulders beautifully. He frowned noticing the bottom layer of her hair was a shocking electric blue but she went on before he could ask her about it. “And she’s as reluctant to meet you as you are to meet her, so this is totally happening big brother. Hello?” She picked up her phone to stop the ringing, holding up a finger to stop the argument that was about to leave his mouth. “Oh no, is she alright? Of course, I’ll be there as soon as I can. Thanks, bye.”
Kasim felt the hairs on his arms stand up at her panic. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing for you to worry about,” she told him with a disapproving glare. “Charla has been attacked and she’s at the hospital so I need to go.”
“Wait, why are you going? Does she expect you to pay her medical bills too?”
The look she gave him made him feel lower than pond scum. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that Kasim.” Grabbing her bag, she pecked a kiss on his cheek and left.
