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“Ah yes, a perfect plan but for the fact that within two weeks the province reverts back to the regime if you are unable, or unwilling, to accept control of it. And you cannot appoint a successor for at least ten years in the event you have children. ”
Abram leaned his arms on the pommel of the saddle and regarded his cousin assessingly.
“There is that,” he agreed. “But perhaps you could have ensured the vow was made at the very least if you and Azir had not dragged the Matawa into this. ”
Jafar grimaced. “That was not a decision I made but one Azir jumped into when he learned Pavlos and Marilyn Galbraithe were preparing to travel to the American embassy in Riyadh to protest the kidnapping of their only child, Paige Galbraithe. And I do believe our king himself must have been threatening repercussions against Azir despite the Matawa’s protestations of your sexual deviancy. ”
Abram dismounted slowly, the knowledge that they weren’t going to escape unless he managed to diffuse Jafar uppermost in his mind.
He’d wanted to leave Saudi Arabia
without shedding blood; he especially hadn’t wanted to shed Jafar’s blood.
It didn’t look like he was going to be able to get out of it.
He looked around at the men materializing behind their leader.
“You’ve wanted to know if you could beat me for years now, Jafar,” he said.
“This I have. ” Jafar nodded with a pleasant smile. “And always you have denied me this opportunity. ”
“Let them go. ” Abram nodded to Paige and Tariq, ignoring their sudden protests. “And I’ll give you the opportunity. ”
“What are you going to do, Abram?” Paige whispered desperately. “You can’t do this. ”
He kept his gaze on Jafar’s thoughtful face.
“Where is this a benefit?” Jafar drawled. “Your escape simply for the pleasure of the fight? This will bring me little comfort when the land of my father is taken by the king and we are asked to leave. ”
Abram nodded slowly. “I see your point. Let’s make it worth both our time and blood then. You let Paige and Tariq go either way. If you can beat me until I cannot stand then I’ll stay, take the vow, and give you the ten years to ensure your possessions. ”
Jafar’s brows raised in surprise. “And if you can beat me to the point I cannot lift myself?”
“Then you ensure my escape when the extraction team arrives. Even against Azir and the Matawa. ”
A smile touched Jafar’s lips.
“Abram, please,” Paige whispered behind him. “Please don’t do this. ”
“Does your woman not have faith in your ability to win?” Jafar laughed.
“I don’t have faith in your ability not to cheat!” Paige shot back.
Abram winced at the savagery in her voice as she spoke, and at the insult she delivered to Jafar.
“Strangely, neither do I. ” Jafar laughed as stared back at Abram. “Are you willing to risk this?”
12
Abram couldn’t say that he had ever felt another person’s pain or fear until now. His flesh
prickled with a deepening, dark sensation as he felt Paige’s grip tighten. Her breathing was louder than before, the anger that had been brewing inside her was building.
If she’d had a gun Abram feared she would have planted a bullet in Jafar’s head the moment he revealed himself. Her hatred of him was becoming absolute.
“A trade then?” Jafar chuckled. “Are there any rules?”
“Let’s keep it interesting,” Abram suggested, almost looking forward to the coming fight. “Fists, elbows, or knees only. Just as we did when we were boys. ”
