Free Sheikh Obsessions - A Sheikh Romance Box Set by Holly Rayner

watched the downturned faces of the wait staff, too busy tending to their customers to notice him leaving before ordering a meal. He thought one more time about shouting out before thinking better of it.
     
    They strode through the front doors and Osman was turned immediately into a back alley. The man’s grip became rougher as they wound through darkened streets, until they reached a black van with the engine running. The man then threw Osman against the van door, pinning his face against the vehicle.
     
    “Sorry to get a bit rough, Your Highness, but my employer requested a touch of intimidation, you see, to make sure you know we’re serious.”
     
    “Who are you working for? Who would do this? I don’t have any enemies!”
     
    The man pulled out a pair of handcuffs and slipped them onto Osman’s wrists, clicking them a smidge too tight. Osman winced.
     
    “You’re a rich brat, Your Highness. You had enemies the minute you were born.”
     
    The man then opened the van’s back door and tossed Osman inside. “Thank you for your cooperation, Your Highness,” he said, peering into the van with a sneer.
     
    Osman glared at him, crouched on his knees, his arms already aching behind his back. “If you hurt one hair on Beth’s head…” he began, but the man interrupted him with a laugh.
     
    “It’s too late now. My part of the deal is done. Your driver will accompany you to the next location. Have a lovely evening!”
     
    With that, the man slammed the door in Osman’s face. Osman could hear him whistling a jaunty tune as his footsteps grew lighter, and eventually all he could hear was the gentle rumble of the van’s engine.
     
    Panicking, he crawled on his knees toward the front of the van, where a gated window separated him from the driver.
     
    “How much are they paying you?” Osman asked.
     
    “Enough to ignore you,” the man grunted. His stench nearly sent Osman reeling backward, but he stayed propped on his knees, desperate to negotiate.
     
    “I’ll double it. I’ll triple it. Turn your alliance and I’ll see you retire in a villa with servants waiting on you for the rest of your life.”
     
    The man turned at this, staring at Osman as though considering his offer.
     
    “He said you’d offer such things. Then he said he’d double whatever you said, no matter how extravagant. I think I’ll take that offer—but thank you, Your Highness. That will be quite nice to relay to him when we arrive,” he said with a grin. The man was missing several teeth.
     
    Osman thrashed against his bonds, feeling the handcuffs cut his wrists, and not caring. “Who are you working for?!” he yelled.
     
    “No need to lower your voice for me, Your Highness. These walls are soundproof. You go ahead and shout it out, if you feel like it. I’m going to listen to some music until my partner returns. Should be any minute—I’m sure he made quick work of your girl. He’s quite the professional, if you know what I mean.”
     
    With that, the man slammed a metal grate between them closed, cutting Osman off.
     
    Defeated, he scooted back to the van’s doors and sat staring ahead with a blank expression. If they’d taken Beth, or worse, it would be all his fault. He hung his head, feeling utterly hopeless.
     
    “Please be okay, Beth. Please,” he whispered. Surrounded by soundproofed walls, his voice sank into the silence; no one was there to hear.

 
     
    NINE
     
    Beth

“Stop flirting with him!” Beth implored her reflection in the mirror.
     
    She glared at her rosy cheeks—his doing, of course. When she’d woken up that morning she’d been surprised by an entourage of people waiting to enter the room. A masseuse, a manicurist, really a whole spa had walked in and insisted that she be pampered all day long. By the end of it Beth had felt like an entirely new person, a queen even, and she’d luxuriated in every minute of it.
     
    When it had come time to get dressed, she had been quick to