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She finished dressing, taking her time as thoughts of the future crowded her tired brain.
What am I going to tell Kam?Howam I going to tell Kam?
11
TALIB
The town car was parked at the curb, and both Talib and the driver were leaning against it with their arms crossed over their massive chests when Erin exited the building.
“Miss Malone.” Her head was down and she appeared lost in thought when she walked past them without recognition.
Talib hurried after her, hesitant about touching her to stop her from walking away but seeing no other option open to him. Gently taking her upper arm, he pulled her to a stop and turned her towards the car.
“Miss Malone. Erin, the car is this way.”
Looking up at the tall man holding her arm, Erin sagged against him, almost collapsing. She was shaking, and Talib panicked that something might be seriously wrong. His arm around her, he helped her walk to the car, which was parked at the curb.
“Thank you. I don’t have the energy to make the trek back to the mall. I’m so tired. All I want to do is go home and crawl under the covers.”
Talib helped her into the waiting car. She looked as though she might collapse at any moment. Worried about her, he climbed in after her. She looked at him questioningly, but when he made no effort to explain his presence, she turned her head toward the far window, laying her head back against the seat cushion.
Talib watched her relax into the seat and then fall into a deep sleep. The dark circles beneath her eyes spoke volumes about her current physical state. Connecting a call to Kamal, he spoke softly. “Your Majesty, we found her.”
“Where?”
“She was in a doctor’s office.”
Kamal cursed in Arabic before demanding, “Put her on the phone.”
“Your Majesty, she is asleep. She fell asleep immediately upon settling into the seat.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“I’m sorry, sir. I was not able to question her before she fell asleep.”
Kamal thought about this for a minute before asking, “Did she have any paperwork with her when she exited the building?”
Talib glanced at her bag, which was sitting on the floor at her feet. It was open, and he spied several pieces of paper that bore the same logo as the sign outside the doctor’s office. He retrieved them.
“Yes, sir. I have them in my hands right now.”
“What do they say?” Kamal demanded.
“It’s some sort of after-visit summary for the doctor.” Talib read through the paperwork quickly. “She is advised to take prenatal vitamins and some kind of chewing gum.”
“Talib, be very careful how you answer the next question. Did you sayprenatalvitamins?” Kamal sounded stunned.
“Yes, sir. The text is very clear.”
Talib pulled the phone away from his ear while his sheikh swore. He put the phone back to his ear when the volume dropped.
“Go directly to the airport. Khalil arrived in Washington earlier this morning to take care of some last-minute details with the marketing team, so the plane is already there. I will let the pilot know that you are coming. Bring her to me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Talib gave the directions to the driver and then sat back. He decided to enjoy the peace and quiet while he could. If experience had taught him anything, it was that the woman sleeping next to him was not going to be happy. Especially when she found herself on a jet heading to Jawhara.
* * *
At the airport, the driver drove the town car into the area reserved for charter and private aircraft. Pulling up alongside His Majesty’s private jet, Talib attempted to wake Erin. Whatever was going on with her had clearly exhausted her, though, and she wouldn’t wake up. With a mumbled curse, he leaned over, easily scooping up her light frame. Instructing the driver to grab her things, he carried her aboard.
