Free The Sheikh's Island (Sheikh's Wedding Bet Series Book 4) by Leslie North Page B

feed off their hatred of each other. I've never seen anything like it. People fight and hate each other all the time, but there's a reason. Usually it's adultery or betrayal of some sort, and sometimes its little things that mount up. Leaving a towel on the floor. Forgetting to turn the coffee pot off. People keep things bottled up, and when they finally explode, it's hard for them to reconcile after that moment. But all anyone can say about the Molamid cousins is that they've always hated each other. No one knows why, or if they do, they're not saying."
    Qaura cocked her head and frowned. "Maybe you're not talking to the right people. They weren't always from here.”
    "They weren't?"
    "I don't know the whole story, but I know that they moved here after Rameez's father died. Rameez would have been a teenager. Haris’ father got a job here, and he asked Shifa to come with him so he could help support her. Haris’ father passed away not too long after that. Before that, they lived in Dhahashken."
    Stunned, Wynifred leaned back in her chair. "Why would Shifa keep that from me? Whatever happened to the boys happened long before they got here. I've been talking to the wrong people."
    "I don't know. That is strange." A slow smile spread across Qaura's face. "But then, there's something that you're not telling me."
    "What do you mean?"
    "I saw the way Rameez was looking at you when you two entered the restaurant. You're telling me that there's nothing between the two of you? You've never…" Her voice trailed off.
    Blowing out her breath, Wynifred shook her head. "I don't know what you think you saw, but Rameez only sees me as an irritant. There was a moment when I thought that maybe there was something there, but I'm a professional first and foremost, and he thinks that I'm working with Haris and against him. Trust me. I'm fairly certain the man hates me."
    "He drove you here," she pointed out.
    "There have been a string of robberies of taxi passengers in the area," Wynifred said easily. Qaura stared at her, and Wynifred frowned. "What?"
    The sound of the door opening caught their attention, and they looked up to see Rameez and Haris cross the patio together. They stopped hesitantly at the table, and Haris cleared his throat. "We wanted to apologize for our behavior. We'd like to join you ladies for dinner."
    "I don't know. Wynifred?" Qaura asked teasingly.
    Wynifred wanted to join in on the torment, but she had a job to do. "No more fighting tonight,” she said sternly. “Qaura and I are having a lovely time and you will not spoil it with your petty squabbling."
    They nodded and took their seats. "You're not talking about me, are you?" Rameez asked wearily.
    "Why would we talk about you?" Qaura said as she winked at Wynifred. "We're talking about our glory days in Phi Gamma Chi."
    Haris stared at them as if they'd grown a second head. "What?"
    "It's a sorority. It turns out that we're sorority sisters," Wynifred said with a chuckle. "I think we're going to be good friends."
    "Good friends," Haris spluttered. "You're kidding me!"
    "Does that surprise you?" Qaura asked, her voice suddenly cold.
    For the first time since they sat down, Wynifred had a sneaking suspicion that there was something going on between the three of them. Something that no one was telling her. She tried to push her annoyance down, but there was a bitter taste in her mouth. Everyone was keeping secrets, and it was only making things worse.

9
    R ameez grunted as he took another swing at the punching bag. Jaymin held it still and grumbled with the impact. Next to him, Masoud and Adil were sparring. It was their weekly session at the gym, but Rameez wasn't only trying to get a workout in. He had some rage that he needed to release.
    "Easy," Jaymin snapped as Rameez hit the bag again. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
    Gasping for breath, Rameez pulled off his gloves and leaned against the wall. "Sorry, Jaymin. I got a little worked up."
    "A little? You've