Page 49 of Liam

Taamira’s heart gave a jump at his words, and she leaned her body into his as his arm came around her waist. Instantly her world settled at his touch.

Her brother followed the movement, and she saw a sadness in his eyes before they turned hard. “This will end badly. Love is a myth fed to ignorant people to keep them prisoner.”

“Love is the only thing that matters, brother. It saddens me that you do not see that, that you do not value the right things. I have love, I have friendship, and I have worth, and that is what matters to me.”

The sound of loud clapping from a single person had everyone turning to the sound.

Taamira’s legs went weak as the men around her went still. “Father?”

King Saud al Kamali of Eyan was standing just feet away, and he was clapping. “Bravo, my daughter, wise words indeed.” He turned to Abdul. “Leave us.” His tone was harsh with the authority born from never having his words questioned.

Abdul paused, and she almost wanted him to speak out, to not to be the man he had become, to be the Prince who was strong and questioned people, but his backbone was weak now it seemed. He dipped his head, and he and his guard left without a word.

“Daughter, will you speak with me?”

Taamira straightened her spine, ready to do battle and set this meeting on her terms. “I will speak with you in my suite in twenty minutes.”

She watched his look of shock morph into pride. He inclined his head, and she and her entourage swept from the room.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

THE SECOND THEY WALKED BACK INTO THE SUITE SHE TURNED TO LIAM AND THE OTHER MEN, including Dane and Kanan. “I am sorry. I should never have put you in that position. It was wrong of me. I am not that person any longer. I hope you can forgive me?”

The anger she had previously seen on Kanan’s and Dane’s features left them.

“Princess, you do get that we are both married to stubborn women, right?” Kanan said with a grin that left her in no doubt he adored that stubborn woman and that he forgave her. “Just let Liam keep you safe, all right?”

Taamira nodded, and with tips of their chins, the two Fortis men went to take up their positions in the hallway again.

She turned and looked at Jack and Lopez, not wanting to face Liam just yet. “I hope things can go back to being as they were before. I treated you badly, Manny and I don’t want to be that person to you. You are Liam’s friend, and I want you to like me.”

Lopez chuckled as he moved to her. “I do like you, T. Just don’t do that shit again.”

Jack just shook his head. “Another pain in my ass.” His wink took the heat from his words as he walked away. “I have a bloody King to prepare for now.”

Taking a breath, Taamira twisted to Liam who had not left her back the entire time she had been apologising and raised her eyes to his face. Expecting to see annoyance, she found his lips twitching with mirth.

“What is so funny?” She angled her hands up, resting them on his chest as his arms instantly came around her.

“You are.”

The smile in his voice relaxed her. “Oh, really?”

“Yeah, really. You just announced to the entire world that the Princess of Eyan is dating some cockney who thinks dark jeans is dressing up and all you’re worried about is if my friends like you.”

Taamira’s heart warmed, her body tilting to him as if drawn by a magnet. “They matter to you, so they matter to me.”

“Have you any idea how much guts it took to confront your brother? To tell a King you would speak to him on your terms?”

“It is not seen as brave in my world.”

“Well, in mine it is. You are brave, you are caring, and so fucking strong. I’m so proud of you, Taamira. The world needs more women like you.”

“Thank you,” she said simply because emotion had her eyes wet and her throat constricting.

He didn’t stop, though. “Your brother is a fool. He’s missing out on so much with his weakness. I see that now. I don’t believe he’s evil, but he is weak. He will never be half the person you are.”

“He was, once.”