The Sheikh’s Tempted Prisoner by Holly Rayner Page 0,32
ached, from the crown of her head to the soles of her feet. As he slapped the metal shackles onto her wrists, she mentally made a note of another bruise to count whenever she had the time. A pair of burly guards opened the door and walked in, awaiting Kaveh’s order. He turned back to face Lily.
“Your refusal to talk will cost you more than you know. You will be held in custody until a decision is made as to whether to imprison or deport you. Perhaps during that time you might come to a change of heart regarding this matter. Good day, Miss Hawthorne.”
He waved a dismissive hand at her, signaling the guards to take her away. Both of them came toward her, and she thought about fighting back and running for the nearest American embassy. She doubted they would be terribly sympathetic to her plight.
Feeling utterly defeated, Lily allowed herself to be led to the door, casting one last glare at Kaveh before stepping out into the hallway. A commotion was happening down the hall just out of sight. Lily kept her eyes on the ground as she tried to hide her tears, but when she heard a familiar voice, she looked up.
“Where is she? Where are you keeping her?”
Atnan forced his way through a pair of guards, who looked unsure about how to act as their Sheikh barreled down the hallway. When his eyes landed on her, he let out a cry of relief.
“Lily.”
To her embarrassment, she did cry then. A hard sob tore from her chest as he strode down the hallway, glaring at the guards holding her arms.
“Release her. That is an order!”
The two large men glanced at one another.
“Brother. Here I was, interrogating your mistress, and then you decide to turn yourself in, all on your own. That’s very kind of you. Saves me a lot of work.”
Atnan gazed past Lily’s shoulder, presumably at Kaveh.
“We need to talk, now. Have your guards release her and I will speak with you just like you want.”
Kaveh came into view, standing to Lily’s right as he watched his brother, surprised.
“Far be it from me to ask questions when our most wanted walks in making requests,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Still, he nodded at the guards, and one of them pulled a key from his belt before releasing Lily’s hands. She rubbed her wrists as she struggled to stand, her feet on fire.
Noticing this, Atnan reached for her, supporting her as she leaned into him. He glared at his half brother.
“What did you do to her?” he hissed.
Kaveh shrugged, stepping back toward the interrogation room.
“Her condition is entirely her own doing. She was so desperate to get away from you that she ran into the desert alone and half dressed. You certainly have a way with women, Atnan.”
Lily lowered her head, ashamed. She should have trusted Atnan. She should have at least confronted him about the stories before just running in fear. What had come over her?
Atnan half-carried her with him into the room, and she was grateful he didn’t drop her then and there.
“You would belittle a frightened woman and refuse to treat her afflictions simply to get back at me?”
Kaveh barked out a laugh, turning to face his brother as the door closed behind them, sealing them inside.
“How dare you give me advice on how to treat a woman, Atnan? You are a shame to our family. The fact that our father hasn’t hunted you down himself makes the shame all the more apparent.”
“You know I was falsely accused. Why do you continue to perpetuate this lie?”
Lily felt Atnan’s heart pounding in his chest. His voice was laced with anger, hurt, and confusion.
Kaveh slammed his fist against the table, glaring up at Atnan.
“It was not a lie! You molested Asha in front of an entire crowd of people. Dozens of people were there to see it! Not only did you shame yourself and our family name, but you shamed me. You knew how much I loved her!”
“Yes, I did, and that was why I did everything in my power to help her see the best in you, Kaveh, even after you two broke up. You are my brother! I have wanted nothing but for us to be friends all our lives, and you have fought me on that at every turn.
“Asha knew that. She wanted to get back at you after the breakup, and she tricked me into meeting her in a public place