Free Charmed & Dangerous by Candace Havens

palm.
    “I’m asking for two weeks, and you could very well save my life and the lives of several others in the process.” If he noticed that our skin touching had created heat he didn’t give any indication. From the look in his eyes I knew he held something back.
    “Tell me why it’s so important. Why now?”
    He opened his mouth and closed it again. Ripping to pieces the leaf he held, he told me, “My security detail discovered that someone plans to bomb some of the women’s shelters.”
    I gasped. How could anyone be so cruel?
    He continued. “You have to understand that I wouldn’t ask you to stay unless it was necessary. If you’re here and the people who are planning this are close, perhaps you can ‘tap into them,’ as you say.”
    He had a point. The closer I was to the source, the more effective I could be. With so much at stake he was right. I couldn’t leave.
    The PM spoke from behind me. “Bronwyn, I don’t see how you can turn the sheik down. Women around the world depend on that organization. Imagine what could happen if they have nowhere to go.”
    The horror of the sheik’s story about his aunt came back and I saw it played out again a million times over. Simone would understand and hopefully so would Sam. I had to help these women and the sheik.
    “Do you have any idea who might be behind the possible attacks?”
    “At first I thought it might be my cousin because of what happened. But my people have been watching him and find no evidence of it.”
    “If your people are watching him, why not eliminate that threat right away? The man did try to kill you.” I couldn’t believe he’d just let his cousin live after everything that had happened in Norway.
    “He’s family. It’s even more complicated than I can explain.”
    “I could have killed him in Norway if I had known about the warlocks protecting him. What’s the difference?”
    The sheik turned away and pushed his hand through his hair again. If he didn’t tell me the truth I’d probe his mind.
    The PM spoke up. “Azir, if you want Bronwyn to help, you must tell her everything.”
    “I realize that, but—”
    “Look, you can tell me or I can read your mind. Either way I’ll find out.” I stood with my hands on my hips.
    The PM raised an eyebrow and I thought the sheik might blow a gasket. His head whipped around and those intense brown eyes bore into me.
    “You can’t do that without my permission,” he whispered angrily.
    “I’m not sure who told you that, but it’s wrong. Any ethics I have regarding reading minds are my own. There are no rules.”
    “Well, this is my home and you are a guest and I do have rules. No reading minds!” He punctuated his words by pointing his finger.
    I pushed his finger away. Stupid jerk. “See, now here we have a problem. I have issues with authority figures and people telling me what to do. If you’ll back off a minute you’ll only see I’m trying to help.”
    The PM moved forward ready to step in, but the look in my eyes must have made him decide not to.
    Rubbing his hand across his brow Azir whispered through gritted teeth, “If I say I’d prefer you wouldn’t read my mind while you’re here, would you listen?”
    “Yes.” I smiled to defuse the situation. “But you need to tell me what’s going on.”
    Just as he was about to speak, Miles walked out into the garden and interrupted. Damn twit.
    “Sir,” he addressed the PM, “you have a call, and Sheik Azir, you’re needed in the office on the first floor. From what I understand it’s quite urgent.”
    “Thank you, Miles. I’ll follow you in.” The PM walked to the door.
    Azir started to do the same but turned to me. “We’ll talk after dinner tonight. I’ll tell you everything and there are some things I need to show you. But understand that you cannot tell anyone beyond these walls.” The worry in his eyes said it all.
    “Your secrets are safe with me. I’ve taken an oath to protect you and in my