The Sheikh's Crown (Sheikh's Wedding Bet Series Book 2) Read Free

gets to the museum. Not to mention that it’s quite generous of your family to unveil the collection to the public eye. History isn’t meant to stay buried.” She laid on the flattery a little too thick and wondered if she should dial it back.
    “Well, we think it’s time. Such precious jewels shouldn’t be hidden away,” he murmured, as his eyes continued to rake over her in obvious admiration.
    Samine sipped slowly from the glass. Was he flirting with her? Her job might be easier than she’d first imagined. “Does that mean you’re going to let me take a look at the jewels?” she asked in a throaty voice.
    “Ahem.” Startled, she turned to see Bruce was still watching them. Embarrassed, she gave him a quick smile. “As I was just telling Ms. Isme, the collection is not ready. Once it’s properly catalogued, tagged, and crated, then we can discuss a press release on the tour.”
    Clearly, she’d been wrong. Bruce wasn’t budging.
    “What do you mean it’s not ready?” Adil demanded abruptly. “We’re supposed to be shipping it within a week.”
    Bruce gave him a steely glare, and Samine had a sinking feeling that the two men didn’t get along. Squabbling amongst the family about the tour would make things harder for her. Bruce pushed up his glasses. “If you had informed me of the tour sooner, we wouldn’t be having this discussion, but no one thought to ask the person doing all the work whether the items were ready to go on tour.”
    “If I remember correctly, the only reason we’re doing this is to satisfy your stepsister. Otherwise, the collection would still be collecting dust,” Adil said coldly. “When the Louvre wants to house your collection, you don’t turn them down.”
    Bruce opened his mouth to argue more, but Samine stepped in. If the collection wasn’t ready in time, her timeline wouldn’t match. She needed her window of opportunity to stay open. “Sheikh Khalidizack, I had no idea you had such an interest in the tour.”
    “Ms. Isme, was it?” he asked smoothly, as he turned his attentions from Bruce. “You’ll be happy to know that if you want information on the tour to the Louvre, you’ll be speaking with me. I’m in charge of everything now.”
    Samine blanched. What? Based on her research, Adil was a playboy. He was far more interested in women than the family business. She hadn’t even factored him in on this. The wheels in her brain turned. This was far too important to give up now. If she had to deal with Adil, then she would deal with Adil. And since he was a womanizer, she would use that to her advantage.
    She reached up to stroke her finger over the pendant around her neck. Just as she predicated, his eyes followed. “You have no idea how important this article is to me. My editor doesn’t think I’m good enough to write it. This is my chance to prove to him that I have what it takes, and if the tour falls through, I’ll lose my chance. I’ve done my research on the pieces. Perhaps I can help speed the process up?”
    “Absolutely not,” Bruce said with a scowl. “These are priceless artifacts, and it takes more than a little research to handle them.”
    She tried not to glare at him. This was really just step one, and she’d already had to change her plan several times. Adil was in charge of the shipment. Bruce wasn’t the pushover she’d expected him to be. “Oh, I’m not asking to actually handle the pieces. I’m sure I could be helpful in other ways.” As she said it, she cast a glance toward Adil, who swallowed hard while Bruce continued to glare at her. “I can type fast while you…dictate,” she emphasized, without taking her eyes off Adil.
    “I’d rather have it properly catalogued and then sent to the Louvre at a later date,” Bruce interrupted with a stern frown.
    Great. Clearly, her coy words were having no effect on him. Still, she couldn’t give up now. “Well, I’m sure if Sheikh Khalidizack here is in charge, you won’t