Read The Sheik's Command for Free Online Page B

these rules, at least until he was officially crowned.
    He smiled. “Good morning, Nikki.”
    Averting her gaze, she bowed her head slightly, as Alar had no doubt told her would be a respectable form of greeting the king in public. But up close he saw that her face was frighteningly pale under her sunburn. Dark circles also rimmed her eyes. A pang of sympathy stabbed through Zakir.
    “I trust you found everything in your chambers to your satisfaction during the night?”
    She nodded slightly, mouth tight. And as she lifted her eyes to his, Zakir saw that they were an even more startling turquoise under the bright sunlight. In them he read a flicker of fear.
    “You did not sleep, Nikki,” he said gently. “You are worried?”
    “For my children,” she said crisply. “Am I free to leave now? Did my passport and papers check out?”
    Zakir frowned. She appeared anxious about her credentials. But her passport had looked legitimate. And the Mercy Missions base on the Canary Islands had also verified that a nurse named Nikki Hunt had been stationed at their outpost in Mauritania. The staff said they’d lost contact with the camp after a rebel attack. So far her story had held.
    Beyond this, Zakir had decided not to alert any U.S. authority—and by default, possibly the U.S. media—to the presence of an American in his land. It would make Nikki an attractive target to the insurgents, and thus a danger to Zakir and his country.
    That, in turn, could jeopardize sensitive diplomatic talks down the road.
    His goal now was to have her expeditiously escorted into the Rahm Hills, where she could minister to her children under the watch of a special Gurkha cadre. As soon as her orphanshad been stabilized, his men would transport Nikki and her children to the coast and put them on a ship to Tenerife. End of problem.
    Spy or not, she’d be out of his hair.
    Yet a part of Zakir was suddenly reluctant to see her leave. He was marching such a solitary road in Al Na’Jar, where he could confide in no one. He was still grieving over the sudden and brutal loss of his parents and older brother, still struggling to come to terms with his unexpected role as king. And deep down he was afraid of the lonely darkness that lay ahead in his life because of his secret disability.
    Nikki was a familiar connection with the ways of the West—and a tempting diversion.
    “Yes,” he finally answered. “Your papers appear to be in order, Nikki.”
    Her body sagged with such visible relief that Zakir’s frown deepened. “You did not expect this?”
    “No. Yes. I mean—” She cleared her throat quickly. “I’m just glad to be able to be going back to my children.”
    He handed her a clipboard with her list of supplies affixed to it, then gestured with a broad sweep of his arm to the waiting convoy of black Humvees. “Your supplies are being loaded as we speak. I have included gifts of food and cloth for the Berber clan on my behalf, and I have arranged for a cadre of my personal guards to escort you to the south end of the Red Valley at the base of the Rahm Hills. A small desert camp will be waiting there, along with camels, which are presently en route from a Sheik’s Army base in the area. You will go into the hills on camel—obviously the area is unsuitable for vehicles. Once there you may do what you need to care for your children. My men will then transport all of you to the Port of Al Na’Jar, where a ship will be waiting to take you to Tenerife. We have contacted the Mercy Missions base andtold them to expect you. You may make further contact with the mission from the port.”
    Her turquoise eyes widened, and under the translucent veil her lips formed a soft “oh” of disbelief. A smile tentatively dimpled her cheeks as it dawned on her that she really was free to go to her children, that Zakir had actually helped her and delivered on his promise. Her hand went to her chest. “Sheik Zakir,” she whispered. “Thank you!”
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