Free The Sheikh's Kidnapped Bride (The Sharqi Sheikhs Series Book 3) by Leslie North Page B

doesn’t make the payment on time, all of the interest will be added back in and he’s threatened to take the house her mother used to live in.”
    “Used to live in?” Mahil asked.
    “Her mother was diagnosed with cancer four years ago and is now dead. It was about this time that Carolyn became aware of her father’s gambling problem.”
    Mahil clenched his teeth and then asked, “How much has the father managed to pay back?”
    Ahmed made a circle with his middle finger and thumb, “Zero. He’s still gambling, but recently has been on a small winning streak which is the only reason he hasn’t run up more debt.”
    “This needs to end now.”
    “It would be in her best interest, but what is in yours?”
    Mahil looked at his friend and employee and sighed, “What is it you’re really asking me?”
    “Why are you doing this? Helping this woman you barely know?”
    “Because I can and I want to. She is an amazing woman and doesn’t deserve this.”
    Ahmed shook his head, “You can’t even be honest with yourself about your reasons! Listen, helping Carolyn won’t bring Lyla back!”
    “I am aware of that fact!” Mahil answered back, his voice rising to a near yell. “Nothing I can do will ever erase the fact that she died on my watch.”
    Ahmed looked at his friend and boss and softened his voice, “Do you care for this American woman?”
    Mahil took a deep breath and then nodded his head, “Yes. I find her…intriguing.”
    “That’s not what I meant and you know it. You’re falling for her.”
    Mahil shook his head, “That’s ridiculous. We get along together well enough and there is a certain chemistry between us, but that is all.”
    “Sir, we’ve known each other quite a while, and I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong. You’re falling in love with her and if you don’t find a way to forgive yourself for what happened with Lyla first, you’ll lose Carolyn.”
    Falling in love with her? No! “I don’t know what you think you have seen, but in a few days this problem of hers will be resolved and she will fly home. That will be the end of it.”
    Ahmed looked at him and then patted him on the shoulder, “I feel sorry for you. Carolyn could be the woman you need to start living in the present, but you would rather hold onto the past, and the heartaches there.”
    “I thought you didn’t like her.” Shaking his head, “What I didn’t like was your methods, which for a man not in love, is a bit extreme, don’t you think?”
    “I did what was necessary for her own good.”
    “What happened with Lyla wasn’t your fault!”
    “That is where you will always be wrong, my friend,” Mahil told him sadly. “What happened with Lyla was only my fault. I’m the one who let her down. Who left her alone to… die. No one else. I did that and I will forever have to live with the knowledge that while I am here on this planet, she is not.”
    “Sir, she died. I know you think you could have saved her, but you couldn’t have and it’s time you faced those facts. You were only a boy when your sister became sick and you were both living on the streets. How could you be expected to help her when chances were medicine couldn’t?”
    Mahil shook his head and turned to leave the garage, “I will need the helicopter serviceable by this evening. I am taking Carolyn to the southern oasis for dinner.”
    Ahmed watched his retreating back and then called out, “Think about what I’ve said. Please. It’s time to let the past be in the past.”

Chapter 13
     
    Carolyn exited the luxurious shower in her bedroom suite, wrapping a towel around herself and wondering what she was going to do about clothing. She’d still to find Mahil, but surely he was very aware that she only had what he provided for her.
    She needn’t have spent so much time worrying about the issue. As she exited the bathroom, Jessenia was just finishing laying out another American dress and the sandals she’d worn