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| The Sheiks Of Kumar - Part One The Crown Prince By CJ |
| Chapter 2 Tara was positive the men in the group disliked her as they strolled into the winery building. It was built to match the Spanish architecture of the house with thick white stucco walls and a red tiled roof. Inside, however, it was a very modern creation with chrome vats and a sterile atmosphere. The men, on the other hand, all gave her stares that led to the feel of an entirely different type of atmosphere. The group parted as Tara and Nik walked into the building arm in arm. An extremely large man with rugged features and a dark suit stepped forward and appeared to be about to act when Nik held up a simple hand and the man bowed and stepped away. It was odd to observe this scene for Tara had never known anyone with such command who could simply dismiss their employees with the wave of their hand. That thought also frightened her, for she was again reminded of the power this man held over other people, her included. “Ms. Malone was kind enough to show me the way from the stables,” he announced to his entourage, finally releasing her and giving her hand a platonic pat of thanks. So different was his touch now than just a few minutes prior when he’d been pressing his strong lips to her hand. It could only be the moonlight, Tara reasoned. For inside the sanitary, fluorescent lit winery, he was all business. “We wondered what had delayed you, Nikash,” a tall, well built man with a handsome face stepped forward and said in English accented with that same wonderfully sounding dialect. “I was simply admiring the scenery,” Nik answered and he took a moment to smile down at Tara as though he had a secret. Then he looked back up at the man and said, “Rafee, I want you to meet Ms. Tara Malone. Ms. Malone, this is my brother, Rafee.” Rafee didn’t offer his hand, but he did tip his head in a bow. He possessed that same polished grace as his brother, as well as the same handsome features. His expression, however, was not nearly as open as Nik’s. Instead, he gazed at her with a cool distrust as he finished his gesture and took a step back. Nik proceeded to introduce his uncle and lawyer to her. Both were older men with graying beards. His Uncle Laxman carried those same family facial features and Tara was certain that every member of the Armanjani household was truly blessed, for they were handsome, eloquent people. As for the two other men in dark suits, they were handsome, but not eloquent and Tara was told they were Devesh and Omar, his “associates.” She was positive associate meant hired guard. They both possessed that menacing, predatory look. Although, they glared at her with less distrust than did Nik’s brother. When the introductions were finished, Rafee spoke up. “Perhaps, brother, we should finish the tour. We wouldn’t want to miss our flight this evening.” “No, we would not,” Nik answered then gestured with his hand down a long aisle. “Ms. Malone, if you would do us the honor of providing an escort through the winery.” Nik had a way of making a request sound like a subtle order and she was again reminded of that special world from which he’d evolved. She looked around at the entourage again, especially Nik’s “associates” and suddenly didn’t envy Sheik Nikash. She wouldn’t have wanted to be raised with such close supervision, every move planned out in advance. The only thing she did envy about him was that he was now the owner of her precious Villa Serena. She began the tour and the two older men fell into step right behind her. Nik and his brother, however, remained behind, their voices speaking quietly, yet rushed in a foreign tongue. “Nikash, what are you doing here?” Rafee insisted. “Lingering behind to admire the scenery? What scenery?” Nik smiled at his brother and returned lowly, “The scenery of Villa Serena. This is my home now. I’d like to get to know it.” “Or, perhaps you just want to get to know a young American woman?” Rafee offered. Nik’s smiled spread across his face. His younger brother could always read his intentions. “Perhaps. She is quite lovely.” Rafee’s face then frowned and he admonished, “She is American. And, she is a subordinate.” As much as he loved his younger brother, Rafee did not understand Nik’s obsession with America. To Rafee, America was too fast paced, too commercial and lacked any richness of culture. And as for American women, though Rafee found them beautiful, he did not trust them. He’d has his heart broken once in college by an American debutante and had steered clear of American women since. “I like Americans and I do not care that she works for me,” Nik answered. “She is charming. Besides, it was one walk from the stables. Quit talking like I have already proposed.” “Do not even joke about that,” Rafee warned. Nik had added that last sentence just to spite his brother. And it worked, for Rafee’s face pulled a larger frown and he quickly stepped away in a rush. Nik laughed at his departure, then hurried along himself to catch the rest of the group. When he arrived in the room where Tara was explaining how the wine was bottled, he was disappointed to see her on the arm of his uncle and skirted by Taj. They enjoyed her attention, but Nik felt a slight hint of jealousy that he would not be so lucky as to escort her like he had just minutes before. “Looks like you have competition,” his brother whispered to him in a quiet Arabic taunt. It was Nik’s turn to frown at his brother as he admonished in English, “Speak it aloud for all to hear, or do not speak it at all.” He flashed his brother a challenge, and Rafee turned and moved to the other side of the group. “Well, that just about does it for the winery. Like I said before, I only know the basics. If you’d like to know more, I suggest you speak with the winery manager,” Tara said as they stopped back at the front entrance to the winery. Villa Serena’s winery had still been functioning, the new owners having insisted it continue with business as usual, just as they’d kept the stables together with all the stock. Tara was glad for that because Villa Serena without its wine would be as lost as it was without her father. “Upon my arrival back at Villa Serena,” Nik spoke up, “I will be speaking to the manager. Until then, your explanation was more than enough. Thank you, Ms. Malone.” Tara nodded and though she’d been gazing longingly at him out on the path to the winery, here with his entourage, she kept her eyes diverted slightly. “We should be on our way, Nikash,” Rafee spoke up. The group retraced their steps down the long path through the vines and Tara remained on the arm of Nik’s uncle talking to him and the elder lawyer, Taj. The men were charming and talked easily with her as they walked, but she wondered where in the pack Nik was, for the walk on this path with him had been much more intriguing. When they arrived back at the limousines, parked in the horseshoe driveway, a lone figure was waiting. Devesh and Omar moved quickly but Taj halted their progress with an Arabic word. “This is Mr. Bryant,” Taj announced, and Tara watched as Gabe moved forward. “Mr. Badawi, I just wanted to ensure everything here was up to standards while Sheik Nikash was in town,” Gabe explained as he shook Taj’s hand. “Yes, everything here is acceptable, Mr. Bryant,” Nik said stepping forward and extending his hand toward Gabe. “I thank you.” “I have all the final paperwork with me, Mr. Armanjani,” Gabe said, holding up a manila folder. “It should only take a few moments to complete if you have a minute.” With a dismissive wave of his hand, Nik said firmly, “Please, conduct the business with Mr. Badawi. I am on my way to the airport. Mr. Badawi has all my instructions.” Tara bit back a grin as she watched Gabe’s self-assured face deflate at Nik’s order. She knew Gabe liked to think of himself as a man of the elite. He was very status oriented and that was one of the reasons why she felt nothing more than friendship for him. He had not come from money, but he was working his way up the social ladder. He, however, enjoyed broadcasting to everyone a certain air that made one believe he was from old money. Gabe possessed no polish, though, and watching Nik refuse to accommodate him tickled Tara. Gabe’s mouth was open, he was about to say more, when Nik turned away and strode to Tara. Taking her hand in his he gazed down at her for a short moment with that same glint he’d expressed on the walk to the winery. But it came and went quickly. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Malone. I will be leaving Taj, Omar and Jamaal behind to set up house for me. Feel free to use all the facilities yourself. The pool is quite lovely. Taj will have all instructions should you have any questions while I am away,” Nik explained. Without thinking, without remembering Jamaal’s instructions, Tara blurted out, “When will you return, sir?” Nik leaned closer, bent his head and whispered, “Nik.” Then he straightened and said, “I will be home sooner than I had first planned. Do not forget me in the meantime.” Tara wanted to laugh at his light words. How on earth could she forget this visit from a real life sheik and his entourage? “I don’t suppose I will,” she said quietly. “And give my regards to your sister, please.” At the mention of Jenny, Tara quickly apologized, “I’m so sorry she was not here for your arrival. I’m afraid she temporarily disappeared.” “Nikash,” Rafee said urgently from the door of the limousine. All who were leaving for the airport were already inside the car. Nik glanced over his shoulder then returned his eyes to Tara. Such a beautiful sight! He was determined to return to Villa Serena as soon as possible now, he had to, for his heart would remain here. “Do not fret. I understand completely the plight of having a younger sibling.” He smiled ruefully and Tara laughed. Jamaal shot her an angry stare and she bit her lip. “I will not be gone long,” he said with finality as he reluctantly released her hand. “Remember to take good care of Raja, Ms. Malone.” He was in the car and gone before Tara could blink. “Meet me at 8:00 at the stables, Ms. Malone,” Jamaal said suddenly, moving in front of her, breaking the spell Nik had so easily wove. “We have much to discuss.” Then he was gone, jumping into the remaining car. Taj moved forward next and said, “We will be staying in San Francisco at a hotel tonight. But I will be by tomorrow. I would like some assistance setting up house. I could use your help.” Liking this man’s humble air, Tara shook his offered hand and answered, “Of course, Mr. Badawi. When I am finished at the stables, I will come up to the house to assist you.” “I thank you,” he said, then bowed his head and moved in front of Gabe. “Mr. Bryant, I will be by your office in the morning to conclude all paperwork.” “There are some documents I must have Mr. Armanjani sign,” Gabe insisted, apparently still miffed over the rebuffing from Sheik Nikash. “I have complete power of attorney where Sheik Nikash is concerned with his property purchases. He has not the time for such business,” Taj said politely, then he too slid into the car. The giant Omar closed the back door, moved to the front passenger side and sat next to the chauffeur. They left the property, leaving Tara alone with Gabe. “Well, they certainly bring a new definition to the word efficiency,” Gabe remarked dryly. “They were in a hurry. Nik…uh, the sheik had a plane to catch. His brother was concerned about missing their flight,” Tara defended. Then she halted and wondered why she was defending the people who had bought her heritage, the people who now owned her family history. She was defending them, she reminded herself, because the man who had bought Villa Serena was charming and handsome and appeared quite approachable. “Do not forget me,” he had stated and there was a hint of intimacy in those words. “Apparently they weren’t in such a hurry that they had time to stand and chat with you about Jenny and whatever Raja is,” Gabe replied. “Raja is the sheik’s stallion that is coming out. That’s part of my job, remember? I now take care of his horses.” Gabe still frowned but then his expression softened and he stepped forward taking Tara’s hand in his. It was the same hand that still tingled from Nik’s touch and she barely felt Gabe’s fingers on her. “So, how is everything going here? You all right?” he asked. “I’m fine,” she answered. “Good. You’ll settle in soon enough. It won’t be so bad, Tara. It really won’t.” Tara shrugged. Loosing your heritage was nothing that one could simply “settle into.” “I do want to thank you for arranging this employment though,” Tara offered. “At least Jenny and I can stay on the property and be near Mystic.” “I’m glad,” he said, rubbing her hand. “And how about you thank me for the arrangement by coming to dinner with me tonight?” “Gabe, I can’t. Jenny’s nowhere to be found,” Tara declined. Gabe frowned again and released her hand. “Then call me when Jenny’s not acting up.” He was gone before Tara could explain how she was growing worried about Jenny and her recent moods. But Gabe didn’t want to hear about it and Tara had no one else to confide in. Her house was gone, her horse belonged to another and her sister was acting out from grief. A coyote’s cry issued through the night and Tara realized she was standing on the drive with no visible light aside from the moon. Her childhood fears were returning, she was alone and the lion was no longer there to protect her. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Crown Prince - Chapter 3 |