The Sheik and the Bought Bride Read Free Page A

him cheating, he would have left this place with several hundred thousand dollars.”
    Victoria’s breath caught.
    “He cheated in the royal palace, with guards in the room. Now that there are consequences, he is content to let you take his place in prison.”
    “I know.”
    What kind of father did that? Why wasn’t the man willing to be responsible? Why was she enabling his cowardice?
    He wanted to teach them both a lesson. The obvious solution was to put Dean McCallan in jail.
    “Return to your room,” he told her. “You will be notified when he is sentenced. You will be able to visit with him before he begins serving his time, but not after. There are—”
    “No!” She grabbed his arm with both hands. “No. Youcan’t. Please. I’ll do anything.” Tears filled her eyes. “My mother made me promise I would take care of him. That I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to him. She died loving him. Please, I beg you. Don’t lock him away. Take me instead. He offered me in the game. Did you tell him no or did you accept? Was I in play? Did you win me?”
    Kateb narrowed his gaze. “I knew he didn’t mean it.”
    “You’ve spoken with him. You know he did. You took the bet. You played the hand. You won me. So take me instead.”
    “As what?”
    Victoria drew herself up to her full height. “As whatever you want.”

Chapter Two
    V ictoria sensed Kateb’s impatience with both her and the situation. She knew she was running out of options. Desperate times and all that, she thought grimly, then shrugged out of her robe.
    The silk fell to the stone floor and puddled at her feet. Kateb’s gaze never left her face.
    “Perhaps you’re not as tempting as you think,” he said coolly.
    “Perhaps not, but I have to try.”
    “You are offering yourself? For a night? Do you really think that could repay your father’s transgressions?”
    “I only have myself to offer.” She felt cold and thought she might throw up. “You won’t take my money and I have no other skills you’d appreciate. I doubt my computer skills are of much use to you in the desert.” Her throat tightened and she fought fear. “It doesn’t have to be for a night.”
    One eyebrow raised. “Longer? To what end? You are not worthy of marriage.”
    A well-placed slap, she thought, refusing to let him know he’d hurt her. “I will be your mistress for however long you wish. I’ll go with you into the desert and do whatever you say. Anything. In return my father goes free. You can banish him from the country. Make sure he never returns to El Deharia. Just don’t put him in jail.”
    Kateb’s dark gaze continued to study her. She trembled but was determined not to let him see. At last he reached for the skinny straps on her nightie. He slid first one then the other off her shoulders. The short gown joined the robe on the stone floor.
    Except for a pair of tiny bikini panties, she was naked before him. She desperately wanted to cover herself, to turn away. Embarrassment burned her cheeks, but she continued to stand there. It was the last card in her hand. If this didn’t work, she would have to fold.
    Dean McCallan wasn’t worth it—she was clear on that. But this wasn’t about him. This was about the promise she’d made her mother.
    He looked her up and down. She had no idea what he was thinking—if he wanted her or not. Then he turned away.
    “Cover yourself.”
    She had lost.
    There was nothing left, she thought, refusing to cry in front of him.
    Kateb stepped into the hall. Not knowing what else to do, she followed him. He stopped in front of Dean.
    “Your daughter has agreed to be my mistress for six months. I will take her into the desert with me until the time is up. Then she may return. You will leave El Deharia on the first flight out in the morning. You are never to stepfoot in this country again. If you do, you will be shot on sight. Do I make myself clear?”
    For the second time that night Victoria had trouble maintaining