CHAPTER SIX
The limo drew up outside the apartment block near the center of the city. This was the place Paige wanted to use as her escape from Razim. It was the early afternoon and the sun was shining brightly against the darkened panes of the tall building's exterior.
Razim glanced out through the limo's tinted windows. He'd have one last moment of privacy before Paige left the limo's interior. He needed to explain to her what would be happening tomorrow.
Paige uncrossed her legs and shifted on the seat next to him. "I'd prefer it if you don't come up to the apartment," she said.
"I wasn't going to ask," he said casually, although he knew that wasn't true. He forced himself to disguise the disappointment he felt at her request.
"Really," she replied, clearly unconvinced.
"I'll get the driver to help you up with your bags," he said.
Paige nodded. "That'll be fine."
"About tomorrow," Razim said.
She lifted a brow and stared at him for a long moment. "What about it?"
Razim stretched his legs out, leaned back and drew in a deep breath. "I've arranged for the papers to be at the palace in the morning."
"You have?" Paige said, obviously surprised. "I thought you said it would take a couple of days. And that there would be lots of people present."
Razim tilted his head. "I spoke with the Chief Administrator of Marriages," he said.
"Grand title," Paige observed wryly.
"He was present at our wedding," Razim reminded Paige.
"I know," she said. "I remember. I was only joking."
He narrowed his eyes. "This is no joking matter, Paige."
Paige turned away from him, reached down and picked up her small bag. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just tired. Put it down to my terrible sense of humor."
He squinted at her. "How could I forget?"
She looked at him. "What?"
He leaned closer to her. "Your marvelous sense of humor."
"That's not what you said the last time I was here."
He sighed. "That was different."
Razim recalled how Paige had made fun of some of his most sacred traditions. She'd made light of some of his customs and he hadn't liked what she'd said. He'd tried to express his disapproval and, before he'd known what had happened, they'd had a blazing row.
After some reflection, Razim had come to realize that it was actually her different ways which he really found most attractive about her. She was, after all, not a Qazhar woman. And that had been one of the reasons he'd been fascinated with her to begin with. There was so much about her which was different.
Unique, really. Paige was incredibly special. And he was about to lose her. He could hardly believe it.
"He'll be at the palace mid morning," Razim explained "I'll send the car for you," Razim added, feeling his heart sink into his stomach.
"That'll be good," Paige replied in a flat voice. She fussed with her bag, clearly feeling awkward about the discussion. She seemed lost for words. Maybe he'd taken her by surprise with his announcement. He'd made the arrangement while she'd been upstairs getting ready. It had been easy. Too easy. Just like this whole, unwelcome situation.
Their entire conversation had become so business-like that it was shocking to Razim that he felt able to control himself. Was this what they had descended to? Talking of divorce in such dispassionate terms?
"I better go," Paige said.
The driver opened the door and Paige stepped out. Razim couldn't resist taking in the sight of her curves, her full body as she maneuvered her way out the open door. Need hardened in his middle. Frustration made his jaw tighten. This was what he was being forced to give up. He didn't like it and every part of him rebelled at the thought.
A movement caught Razim's eye and he turned to see another limo, exactly like his own, sliding to a halt in front of his. Paige turned and looked at the limo.
The door to the black car opened and a tall figure stepped out. Razim felt a chill race up the length of his spine. He cursed quietly beneath his breath.
Abdul Al Besarih.
Razim moved quickly, as if jolted by an electric shock. He stepped out of the limo and moved to Paige's side.
Razim peered at the one man he hated most in the whole of Qazhar. The man who had been an enemy all his life. Their respective families had always been at each others throats. The enmity had lasted centuries and continued even now in modern day Qazhar. Outsiders often believed that there was little rivalry amongst Qazhar families. The belief seemed to be that wealthy families looked after each other. Just because they were rich. The truth was completely the opposite.
Abdul was dressed in traditional Qazhar white robes. Razim knew that Paige was accustomed to seeing wealthy sheikhs like Abdul dressed in that garb. But, perhaps because she'd been gone from the kingdom for three months, Paige looked mightily impressed by Abdul's imposing figure. Too impressed for Razim's liking.
Abdul Al Besarih was the same age as Razim, thirty years of age. But they couldn't have looked more different. Abdul's features were paunchy. His hooked nose was imposing. His mouth possessed a perpetually sardonic twist. In contrast to Razim's trim, elegant figure, Abdul was large. Stories were told around Qazhar society of Abdul's unhealthy lifestyle.
His family was wealthy and Abdul had taken full advantage of that wealth to indulge in a decadent lifestyle that many in the kingdom found shameful.
If the rumors were true.
And Razim believed every one of them. He knew Abdul. Knew his proclivities.
But, apart from suffering from personal weakness, Abdul was very much an enemy of Razim and his family. An ancient feud had been fought between their two families. It was one that stretched back many centuries, and had only been partially tamed in recent years thanks to the liberalizing changes which had been made to Qazhar society.
But, all of that seemed to matter little to Abdul. It seemed he wished never to forget the past between his family and that of Razim. Ancestral memory was the last thing to die in the face of progress.
Abdul gazed across at Paige and Razim. His mouth creased into an unpleasant smile.
To Razim's horror, Abdul started to make his way toward them, waddling heavily on his flat shoes. Instinctively, Razim placed his hand at the base of Paige's back. He felt her stiffen as he touched her. She glanced at him, almost as if seeking advice on how to handle this situation. Razim merely shook his head and sighed.
"Sheikh Al Kharif," Abdul said in a low growl. He bowed and placed a hand on his chest. "And with your beautiful wife," he added. "How lovely to see you, Paige."
Razim stiffened. How dare Abdul be so familiar with Paige, Razim told himself. Razim clenched his left hand into a fist. Abdul's gaze flickered down to Razim's hand. Abdul smiled, apparently pleased he'd gotten under Razim's skin so easily. These kinds of exchanges had been habitual ever since they had both been children. The trading of insults was all Razim had ever known with Abdul.
"How nice to see you out in public. And with your wife, too," Abdul continued peering steadily at Razim. "It's been a long time since I saw you both together like this."
Ignoring the taunt, Razim frowned. "Are you visiting someone?"
Abdul glanced up the length of the twenty level exclusive apartment building. "I have an apartment here," he explained. "Didn't you know that?"
Razim felt a mild nausea in his belly. He shook his head. "No. Since when?"
"A recent acquisition," Abdul explained. He rolled his eyes. "Some of my good friends have also taken places in this building." He waved a hand casually. "It has become quite fashionable to spend time here. Especially with it being so close to the airport. And the city. I like to be close to my friends."
Razim told himself that, if he'd known Abdul spent any time here, he wouldn't have agreed to Paige's request. No matter how strong her objections had been. Razim didn't want Abdul being anywhere near Paige.
"You have returned to Qazhar?" Abdul asked Paige.
Razim felt Paige stiffen. "I had business to attend to in New York," she said.
"Apparently quite substantial business. No-one has seen you in the kingdom for almost three months," Abdul said sarcastically. "I heard some gossip that you were never coming back," he added. "Could that even be true?" he asked Razim with barely disguised contempt. " I could hardly believe it when someone suggested it to me."
Razim knew that Abdul was mocking him, but he was determined not to grant his rival an easy victory.
"You know what gossip is like, Abdul," Razim said defensively. "It is hardly ever based on facts."
"I assume your return is permanent," Abdul asked Paige. Once again, Razim was sure he could feel her body press against his hand at her back. Paige merely smiled, offering no reply, and turned to the driver. "Can you bring my bags up?" she asked.
The driver bowed and went to fetch them.
"I'll see you to the apartment," Razim said to Paige.
To his astonishment, Paige turned and shook her head firmly. "I'll be fine," she declared emphatically. "You have those things to attend to, don't you?"
She was sending him away!
In spite of his best efforts, Razim felt the color drain from his face. Razim saw Abdul's eyes narrow. Had the man discovered the real nature of Razim's relationship with Paige? The distance. The coldness.
In that moment, had Abdul obtained a valuable understanding he would use against Razim?
Frustrated, Razim thought about insisting he accompany Paige. But, he saw the way Abdul was watching him. Scrutinizing Razim for even the barest hint of weakness. Examining Razim for confirmation of his suspicions.
Razim did the only thing he could think of doing. He leaned in and kissed Paige on the cheek. Her gaze was fixed on Razim as he did that. Her scent was intoxicating, and the touch of her soft skin against his lips fired familiar desire in him.
Then she walked away from Razim. The driver walked alongside her, carrying her bags.
"I'm so glad," Abdul said in a casual voice.
"About what?" Razim asked, although he could guess what was coming next.
Abdul grinned at Razim. "That all the rumors have been proven to be false. That your marriage isn't about to be annulled."
Razim fixed Abdul with a steady, defiantly calm look. "I don't know what made you think that."
Abdul waved a dismissive hand. "As you said. Maybe they're just rumors." He glanced at Paige and the driver. "Although, it would be such a shame if it were true. I can't imagine what it must feel to lose such a beautiful woman as Paige." Abdul peered at Razim. "Can you?" he added, probing for a reaction.
Razim clenched his fists and leaned closer to Abdul. "Keep your distance Sheikh Al Besarih. I'm warning you," Razim growled.
"What makes you think I wouldn't? She's your wife, Sheikh Al Kharif," Abdul snapped. "Unless you've got something you want to tell me."
Both men glared at each other for a few long moments. Then Razim shifted his attention toward Paige. She was entering the apartment block. He wanted to be up there with her. Anything to make sure she was going to be safe.
Abdul bowed to Razim and started to make his way toward the apartment block.
And all Razim could do was watch, temporarily impotent and fearful that his wife would not be secure in that apartment building.
No.
He would have to do something about that, he told himself.