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“Aunt Patty, Uncle Tom, I’d like to introduce you to my fiancé, Prince Khalil Mehmed El-Jawhara.”
Khalil shook hands with her uncle first and then her aunt, bowing over her aunt’s hand as he softly stated, “It is a pleasure to meet the two people who are responsible for this lovely young woman. Thank you for taking such good care of her.”
“We’re so glad to meet you. And to see your beautiful country,” Patty told him, as she smiled at him.
“I understand the circumstances could be better, but I am sure my brother is doing everything within his power to bring Erin home safe and sound.”
Tom nodded, but before he could reply, Kamal came striding into the room. Khalil turned and gave his brother a brief hug before Shira stepped forward to receive the same.
“Do not worry, Shira. Talib and the Americans are on their way to get her back now.”
“They’ve located her?” Khalil asked.
“We believe so. They have spotted two figures on the satellite feeds traveling back to Sumari. Talib and the young American woman, PJ, are heading towards them right now. The rest of the American team is setting up a base of operations inside Sumari, and the new leadership is rounding up as many of the extremists as they can.”
Khalil raised an eyebrow. “Brother, you’ve been busy.”
Kamal nodded. “Little good it has done. If that young man has harmed so much as one hair on her head…”
“Kamal, you can’t think like that,” Patty told him. The look she gave him reminded Kale of their mother.
Khalil watched as Kamal simply nodded, amazed that not only had he not corrected her familiar use of his name, but he had responded to her reprimand much like he would have had their own mother still been alive. Kamal and the Malones seemed to have developed a rapport with each other, for which Khalil was very thankful. He hoped to have time to develop his own relationship with them, but for now, he needed to focus on helping Kamal find his missing bride.
“Brother, if you have time to update me on the operation, I will lend my assistance where I can.”
Kamal nodded at Khalil before turning to address the others in the room. “Shira, I’m glad to have you back in Jawhara. Mr. and Mrs. Malone, I’ll leave you to catch up with your niece. If you will follow Zahia, she will show you to the family dining room. Khalil and I will join you shortly.”
Zahia, a slight young woman, appeared from a side door, dressed in the colorful clothing so favored by the women of the country, smiling openly at Shira as the two greeted each other. Shira and her family followed Zahia out of the room, and Khalil followed Kamal back to his office and the computers that had been set up there to track the satellite feeds and the security agents’ operations.
“Tell me what is happening and how I can help,” Khalil said, taking a seat in front of a large computer screen.
“Talib and the American woman are traveling from the north toward the two figures they believe to be Erin and her kidnapper, thinking that will prevent him from spooking and running to some safe haven in Sumari. They’re hoping to identify them, neutralize the threat the man poses, and thus rescue Erin. The others from Slade’s group contacted me only moments before you arrived. They will contact Talib soon.”
“It’s getting dark,” Khalil stated, walking to the large windows that overlooked the palace gardens. “The kidnapper will most likely stop for the night.”
“I hope he does. That will give Talib some time to close the gap. We’ve lost visual contact through the satellite, but they have a good idea of where they should be. The Americans are hoping to send up a high-altitude drone and get a heat signature within a few hours, but there is the chance that the drone will be heard or seen, which could endanger Erin’s life.”
“I take it they have left the decision up to you?” Khalil asked.
Kamal nodded. “While I would love for them to positively identify Erin and her attacker, I do not wish to do anything that might put her in greater jeopardy.”
Khalil nodded, glad that he was not having to make this decision about Shira. “What are you going to do?”
Kamal grimaced. “For the first time since taking throne of Jawhara, I can honestly say I don’t know. I hate this situation. I hate feeling like my hands are tied and I’m at the mercy of this unknown assailant! I hate knowing that another holds my future happiness in their hands!”
Khalil could see the growing frustration on his brother’s face. “Give Talib and his companion a chance to locate the kidnapper and Erin. If in a few hours they’ve made no progress, you can still send up the drone before dawn. A high-altitude drone sent up from a long distance away should be a safe approach, especially in the dark.”
Kamal gave his brother a grateful smile. “Thank you, Khalil. That is good advice and the perfect solution to my present dilemma. I will contact the team immediately and let them know a decision has been made. If you want to join the others, I will be with you in a few moments.”
Khalil nodded and took his leave. Kamal needed time to reassert his control of this situation. As he headed towards the family dining area, he gave thanks for Talib. He knew the man would do everything possible to locate Erin and bring her safely home. That might be the only thing keeping Kamal from racing off into the desert himself.
10
ERIN
“We will stop here for the night.” Amir dropped the donkey’s reins, walking away and leaving Erin to get herself down from the animal’s back once again.
She lifted her leg over its back and then slowly lowered herself to the ground, maintaining a firm grip on the donkey’s harness in case her legs should give out again. When the trembling stopped, she patted the donkey’s neck, thanking him for lending her some much-needed support. She removed her veil and walked a short distance away to sit down on the sand.
