Page 12 of The Billionaire's Timed Wife

“Maybe not the freedom to do all the reckless things he desired.”

“Jazmina, forgive me for saying this, but unlike your father, your brother becoming sheikh didn’t stop him from doing everything against our beliefs.”

She seems thoughtful. “You’re right. So what do you think happened?”

“I have no idea, but maybe something more serious.”

“With all the bodyguards around him? I doubt it. There are only two possible ways my brother could’ve been trapped: either by a terrorist attack, which it wasn’t, or it would’ve made international headlines, or he crossed someone powerful enough not to fear him.”

“If he never comes back, even if he’s not dead, what happens then?”

“Dead or alive, there’s a law stating that a sheikh can’t remain outside the country for more than three months without a valid reason. In forty days, that time will run out.”

“And then?”

“Kaled will be named the new sheikh of Rheadur.”

Chapter 6

Paris – France

Two Weeks Later

“I managed to get some footage from the security cameras of a hotel in Manhattan showing His Highness entering and leaving the place with several bodyguards. He was wearing Western clothes, but I have no doubt it was your brother, Your Highness.”

I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes at my aide’s formality. No matter how many times I tell Amin, my childhood friend, that he can speak naturally when it’s just the two of us, the man never listens.

I really hate being calledYour Highness, even if traditionally it’s the proper form of address. After all, I do carry the title of prince of my emirate.

“Why on earth would Naim go to the United States in secret? He travels all over Europe, as we both know, but he’s not in the habit of going to America.”

Even though I stay out of my country’s political affairs, which are currently managed entirely by the sheikh, I keep myself informed about everything that happens in Rheadur.

I’ve always preferred to stay on the sidelines while my father was in power, but lately he’s been increasingly anxious about the way his eldest son is handling his legacy. Our emirate’s economy has weakened because my brother has managed to quarrel with almost every neighboring ruler, acting like a spoiled child who storms off whenever things don’t go his way. He’s destroyed trade alliances that took years to build.

The problem is, this isn’t his private playground—it’s an entire nation that could suffer the consequences of his reckless decisions.

It’s gotten to the point where the rulers of neighboring emirates have started ignoring his invitations to state receptions.

Once upon a time, such snubs would have been seen as an act of war, but Naim’s reputation has sunk so low that no one takes him seriously anymore or fears him.

I glance at Amin. He doesn’t answer my question. He simply lifts a brow, and I’m pretty sure we’re thinking the same thing: the sheikh probably went to the United States because of a woman.

Naim has always had a weakness for them, and more times than I can count, his uncontrollable lust has gotten him into trouble.

Now that he’s the country’s ruler, he seems to think he can do whatever he wants.

Back in Rheadur, my father has managed to suppress the scandals, at least as far as I know, since I never stay long enough to be certain.

The problem is, Naim started crossing borders, leaving trails of disgrace across Europe, and now, maybe, in the United States too.

“Any idea who she is?” I ask, getting straight to the point.

“No, but he’s been visiting the island of Argyros[24] quite often lately.”

I once considered doing business with the old Greek, but I backed out the moment my advisors handed me the results of a quick background check.

The man’s supposed integrity was nothing but a façade. He’d been involved in so many shady deals that I withdrew immediately. I already have one crook in the family; I don’t need another. For my peace of mind, Naim has no ties whatsoever to my shipping company.