Chapter 17
I look down at the phone in my hand, knowing that the moment I make this call, my life will change forever. But from every angle I consider, it still seems like the best decision.
It will benefit us both, and it’s far better than the first option Adeela’s father gave her.
My finger slides over the button, and my sister answers on the third ring.
“Jazmina, I need you to take Adeela out to buy an evening dress.”
“Kaled, did something happen? What do you mean, an evening dress?”
By now, I’m sure Adeela must have told her everything about her father’s disgraceful proposal.
“Send me the names of the stores you want to visit with Adeela, and I’ll have my secretary schedule an appointment at each so you can shop as you please. But today, one dress will be enough.”
“I doubt she’s in the mood for shopping after that phone call from her father . . .”
“Do as I say. Help her pick something special to wear tonight.”
“Are we going somewhere?”
“Not we. Just me and her.”
“But—”
“I’m taking her to dinner tonight. When we get back, I’ll explain everything. Now, enough questions. Tell her I’ll pick her up at eight.”
As soon as I hang up, I call my secretary into my office. As much as Amin is my right hand, I know Giselle is better suited for what I need right now.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“I want you to schedule a private appointment this afternoon with a Tiffany’s salesperson. It must be a closed-door purchase. Ask them to select only exclusive pieces. I’ll go there personally.”
She stares at me, wide-eyed, and I know why. I never choose jewelry for my women myself; I usually let her handle that.
“Personally?” she repeats, half in shock.
“Yes, that’s what I said. And make sure that among those pieces there are also engagement rings.”
Her head bobs up and down, as if she can’t quite believe her own ears. “Excuse me,” she says, heading toward the door.
“Giselle?”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“There’s no need to remind you this conversation stays between us.”
“Of course. I’d never say a word, Mr. Kaled.” She must really be nervous—this is the first time since she started working for me that she’s forgotten to use the proper form of address for a prince.
“Now tell Amin I need him in my office.”
Minutes later
“Daisy Ellis. Is that a common surname in the United States?” my assistant asks.
“I’m not sure, but considering she’s an American citizen, a good private investigator shouldn’t have trouble finding her. It’s best to start in New York—that’s the state she was born in, according to Adeela.”
“Would it be intrusive if I asked why we’re looking into this woman, besides the fact that she’s Miss Ghazal’s mother?”
“She’s dying, Amin. That’s why I need you to find her as soon as possible. Spare no effort, no expense. Hire as many investigators as it takes.”
“We haven’t had much success locating people in that country,” he reminds me, alluding to my brother’s disappearance.
“This case is different. She’s just a sick woman, not someone in hiding.”
“And His Highness Sheikh Naim is hiding?”
“Maybe someone’s hiding him,” I answer bluntly.
I’ve gone over Naim’s disappearance a hundred times in my mind. And even though there’s no evidence connecting him to Odin Lykaios, my instincts tell me that man is involved.
“Are you saying Your Highness believes he was kidnapped and they’ll demand a ransom?”
“No. If that were the case, they’d have made contact by now.”
“You believe the sheikh is no longer alive, then?” His question is calm, detached, and I understand why. Years ago, before I ever dreamed of taking power, Naim pursued Amin’s sister, refusing to accept that she’d turned him down.
Yes, because the bastard didn’t think she was good enough to be a wife, yet he still wanted her in his bed.
The situation escalated to the point where I had to get her out of Rheadur, so I brought her here to study in Paris. Today, Abla is a successful dentist. She’s married and has three children.
Even so, Amin has never forgotten that Naim nearly destroyed his sister’s life.
And that’s the biggest problem with my half-brother’s disappearance: he has so many enemies scattered across the world that even though Odin Lykaios seems the most likely culprit, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone else from Naim’s past in America decided to settle an old score.
“No, I don’t think he’s alive. But keep the investigators searching. My father needs closure on this matter. As for Adeela’s mother, the situation is far more urgent. We don’t know her condition or how much time she has left.”
“And if we do find her, what will be the next step?”
“As soon as she’s located, if she truly is ill, have someone take her to the best hospital and start treatment immediately. I want updates on every development. If she’s healthy but living in poverty, move her to a good hotel until I can arrange for her daughter to see her.”
He’s about to leave when a thought strikes me.
Absurd as it may sound, I’m not willing to take any risks. A man capable of offering his daughter in marriage to a brute, knowing she’d be hurt—what limits could such evil possibly have?
“Amin, one more thing: sick or not, in a hotel or a hospital, assign guards to ensure no one connected to Arif Ghazal gets near her. Daisy Ellis is under my protection now.”