“The conditions in the refugee camps are deplorable, and before you start lecturing me, I did listen to you yesterday. I simply decided not to follow your advice.”
Talib rubbed the back of his head and mumbled something that made Erin pause.
“Excuse me? Did I hear you right? What was that about tying a bell to me?”
The man held up his hands in surrender. “Please, Miss Malone, do continue.”
Erin contemplated telling him exactly what she thought about his idea but knew that needed to wait. The very lives of those refugees were at stake. Taking a deep breath, she continued.
“I want you to arrange for as many water trucks as possible to take water out to the refugee camp. I want some sort of bathing facilities erected and containers provided so that the people can carry water back to their tents. I also want at least a dozen trucks loaded with food, whatever they will be able to store and prepare safely. I want it delivered and distributed among the people.” Erin went through the list in her head before adding, “And sanitation. Something needs to be done about the makeshift toilets, and there really should be a doctor out there to treat anyone who is ill.”
Talib shook his head. “I cannot do that. His Majesty is the only one who could give those types of orders. Or the Minister of Defense. You do not have the authority.”
Erin crossed her arms over her chest and stared Talib down. “You know what I did for a living before I came here, right?” At Talib’s cautionary nod, she continued. “Then you are well aware of the fact that with one phone call, I can mobilize humanitarian efforts and have people coming in from all over the world. Now, do you really think thatHis Majestywould want that level of attention and potential embarrassment while he is in the middle of negotiations?”
Erin mentally crossed her fingers that Talib wouldn’t realize that she was lying. As a lawyer, she had the power to help people in court, but what she was proposing was way outside her ability. But so long as he didn’t know, perhaps she could help these people.
Talib continued to stare at her, seeming to weigh her threat. Shaking his head, he retrieved his phone. After speaking at length in Arabic, he disconnected the call and put his phone back in his pocket.
“It will be done,” he told her curtly, and she smiled in triumph.
17
KAMAL
Kamal returned to the palace only to be met at the entrance by Talib. After speaking with him, he strode into the palace, fury burning through his veins.
“What have you done now, habibti?” Kamal demanded as he stormed into her quarters.
Rising to her feet, visibly prepared to fight, Erin said, “What you should have done in the beginning. Kam, have you seen the refugee camp?”
“No. I was assured by the Minister of Defense that everything was under control. Why?”
“That’s his idea of everything under control? There was a complete lack of sanitation, limited fresh water, none for bathing, and they were running out of food. Some of them may even be ill, not that you would know, sinceno one has been out there to check on them!”
“Are you telling me that Talib took you to the refugee camps?” Kamal asked in a quiet but carefully controlled voice.
“Of course not. I asked him to, but he refused, and he wouldn’t even consider bringing it up with you. I made the driver take me out there this morning, and it’s a damn good thing that he did.”
Kamal cursed in Arabic as he paced in front of her. “Why did you not listen to Talib? It is his job to protect you, and you chose to ignore him. Do you have any idea what could have happened if they had known who you were and what you mean to me?”
Erin shook her head. “But nothing happened. I wanted—no,neededto see the camp for myself. As soon as we arrived, I could tell their situation was desperate. The entire area stank, and there was no sanitation. The children…” Erin rubbed her chest over her heart. “They all looked so defeated. Everyone was just sitting around and barely moving. When I realized how bad it was, I ordered supplies taken out there immediately, along with medical staff to make sure that no one is sick. On your watch, Kam. Do you really want a bunch of sick and dying refugees in your country when you could have offered basic hospitality?” she demanded.
Kamal’s anger flared brighter than ever, but Erin showed no sign of backing down from helping these people.
Kamal stared at her in shock as she spoke. He realized that there was much more to her than he thought. Her passion for helping others shone as brightly as his anger at how she’d put herself at risk. She’d only just arrived, and she was immediately looking to see where she could be of service.
A slow smile crept across his face as he considered what an asset she would be at his side as sheikha. He also planned to have a long discussion with his Minister of Defense. He had ordered that the refugees be well taken care of. Having his bride-to-be discover the opposite was not something he was willing to ignore.
Walking toward her, he took her hands. “Erin, thank you for seeing to the needs of the refugees,” he told her as she looked up at him, startled at his sudden shift. He smiled down at her. “Tell me, could you really marshal that level of humanitarian response if Talib hadn’t made those arrangements?” Erin’s blush answered his question better than any words. Chuckling, he drew her into his arms, hugging her to him as he kissed the top of her head. “If I am going to keep your secret, then I need you to do something for me.”
Erin immediately stiffened in his arms as she looked up at him warily. “And that would be?”
“Not to worry yourself so. It is not good for the baby or for you.” At Erin’s nod, he tilted her head up to kiss her before stepping reluctantly back. “I need to go take care of a few things, but I will be back soon. Try to get some rest while I’m gone.”
18
KAMAL