The Sheik’s Vow (The Billionaire’s Club #13)

Chapter 1

"No!" Kaia's sudden gasp echoed through the grand hall, a sharp discord against the elegant backdrop of the royal ceremony. The minister, in the midst of invoking blessings, froze mid-sentence, his eyes wide with surprise, mirroring the astonishment that rippled through the small group gathered for the crowning ceremony.

All eyes turned towards Kaia Treon, sister to the radiant new bride as she stood in front of the council minister. Kaia’s face, normally a canvas of calm composure, burned with an uncontrollable blush as she found herself the center of attention. The regal atmosphere hung in suspense, an invisible tension tightening around the room.

A hushed silence fell, broken only by the rustle of elaborate gowns and the shocked hiss of whispered speculations. Kaia's breath caught in her throat, realizing the weight of her interruption. She fumbled for words, her apology barely audible as she meekly lifted her hand, a feeble attempt to signal the minister to continue.

"Sorry!" she stammered, her voice shattering the stillness. "Completely separate thought," she added, desperately hoping to mend the fractured ambiance with an explanation. Yet, her words lingered in the air, leaving an indelible mark on the regal affair, transforming the joyous occasion into a moment of unexpected suspense .

After an admonishing glare that could have withered the most robust of flowers, the elderly minister turned back to Sheik Zayed and his wife of one day, and resumed the sacred service. Kaia, however, was on her own little island of profound embarrassment, fixating on the intricate design of her sister’s coronation gown, determined not to risk another glance in the direction of the "best man."

Nope. She wasn't about to subject herself to the sight of Sheik Riaz Abuzman, Ruler of Bidar. Not again!

He was just a guy, she reminded herself. A walking paradox wrapped in a tall, dashing exterior that expertly concealed the obnoxious, rude, irritating, bastard-of-a-jerk package. Sure, his shoulders were broad and muscular, but there were plenty of good looking men in magazines that she could ogle without dealing with the man’s irritating demeanor! And yeah, the dark hair and dark eyes…they were…nice, in a dreamy, mysterious sort of way. The hard, chiseled jaw was pretty appealing too.

He looked like a character on a romance novel cover, but Kaia didn’t buy it. In her eyes, he was less Prince Charming and more Prince Alarming, a master of the eye-roll-inducing arts.

And let's not forget the way he walked around, as if he was “all that and a popsicle”! Kaia couldn't decide if it was arrogance or just a severe case of overinflated self-importance. Either way, she was determined not to let those broad shoulders and the impeccable jawline distract her from the fact that he was, in essence, a walking, talking irritant.

As far as she was concerned, looking at him was akin to voluntarily staring into the abyss of annoyance.

Of course, the accused jerk in question would vehemently insist that he hadn't committed any wrongdoing. At least, nothing that could be proven.

Kaia, however, maintained a different perspective. The man's eyes, the way he looked at her, sweeping his gaze over her expression as if... as if he was trying to decipher a complex riddle or something!

"Damn him!" Kaia muttered under her breath, her eyes involuntarily darting towards him despite her best efforts. He was doing it again!

She couldn't help but feel like a hapless protagonist in some romantic comedy, stuck in a moment of cringe-worthy interaction with the leading man, who seemed to have graduated summa cum laude from the School of Irritating Charm.

Two days ago, Kaia would have sworn that no male of the species could ever get under her skin. None ever had in her twenty-seven years of life, so she’d thought that she’d become immune to the way men looked at her. Even the most handsome guys had left her cold and uninterested. With her past, that was to be expected. In her experience, men could never be trusted.

But the sheik guy wasn’t…exactly…handsome. Oh, sure, the square jaw and dark hair…they were…hmmm. However, Sheik Riaz couldn’t be defined as classically handsome. In fact, now that she was looking at him, really looking, he was the opposite of handsome. He was…attractive, but in a rough, mean-guy-image sort of way.

Women who preferred the “bad boy” look would drool over this man. He was as tall as her sister’s new husband, Sheik Zayed el Mastrion of Pitra. Zayed was a good looking guy, and ridiculously in love with Tara, which was the only reason Kaia hadn’t swept her baby sister out of this monstrosity of a palace. Tara, for her part, was just as madly in love with Zayed, so Kaia hoped this marriage would work out in the long term.

Still, as Kaia watched the solemn ceremony whereby her sister would be crowned, officially becoming queen one day after marrying her handsome husband, she couldn't fathom how her sister could willingly bind herself to a man in marriage, especially considering the tumultuous childhood they had shared. Memories of their past loomed like evil specters in the dark recesses of Kaia's mind, haunting her with the echoes of painful, brutal struggles .

The weight of those experiences fueled Kaia's resolve. She, in no uncertain terms, declared to herself that she would never, under any circumstances, utter vows that could potentially grant a man control over her life. No way! The notion of surrendering her autonomy felt like an unthinkable betrayal of everything she had fought so hard for, a betrayal she had witnessed firsthand during their shared tribulations.

In her eyes, marriage seemed like a sinister plot, a subtle theft of a woman's control. The very idea sent shivers down her spine as she recalled, in horrifying and tragic detail, the countless stories she had encountered where women were shackled, literally and figuratively, their voices silenced and their agency extinguished.

As the ceremony continued, Kaia couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that a veil was being drawn over her sister's independence. The ominous drumbeat of apprehension pounded in her chest, a forewarning of the battles yet to come. The drama of her internal conflict mirrored the solemnity of the ceremony, a silent protest against a tradition that, in Kaia's eyes, threatened to dim the flame of a woman's autonomy.

But Tara had willing risked marriage because she swore that Zayed would never hurt her. From what Kaia had seen so far, Tara might be right. Zayed only wanted to spoil and adore Kaia’s little sister. He’d done everything he could think of to make Tara happy, to the point that Tara had lovingly ordered the man to stop.

He hadn’t, but Kaia thought it was kinda sweet that he was so in love with Tara. Never before had Kaia witnessed the gentle kind of adoration that Zayed demonstrated towards Tara every single day. If it weren’t so beautiful, Kaia might think that their devotion was annoying.

However, Zayed’s devotion also allowed Kaia to release her concerns about Tara’s future. A little. Kaia had watched out for Tara their whole lives, so her concerns couldn’t dissipate immediately. It would take time before Kaia fully accepted that Zayed would keep Tara safe and happy.

It also helped that Elijah Collins, the filthy, disgusting bastard who had tried to marry Tara when she was merely twelve years old, had been captured and was now a very uncomfortable guest of the Pitra prison system. Yesterday, right after the wedding ceremony and moments before Tara had taken a sip of her champagne, the rodent Elijah had tried to attack Tara, and for that, he’d been captured by her sister’s new bodyguards.

“And now, the crown of Pitra will become one with your soul! May you take the people of Pitra to your heart as well,” the officiant announced, as he placed a heavy gold crown on Tara’s head.

The words broke through Kaia’s mental meandering. She forced her numb lips to what she hoped was a smile as the small crowd applauded the newly crowned queen. Tara laughed, more than slightly relieved, when Zayed took her hand and pulled her into his arms, kissing her with a passion that was definitely not appropriate at such a solemn ceremony.

The crowd loved it though, with laughter and delight echoing throughout the room. When Zayed finally pulled away, Tara had an endearing blush to her pale cheeks that only enhanced her beauty as she held the crown on her head with one hand, while gripping her husband’s shoulder with the other. Her green eyes, so like Kaia’s, glowed with happiness.

Kaia suppressed her habitual worry for her little sister. Tara would be safe. Plus, she was happy. Happier than Kaia had ever thought possible.

“She’s going to be fine,” a deep voice said, breaking into her thoughts.

Kaia looked up to discover that the man she’d been avoiding had taken her hand and tucked it onto his elbow. The giant led her away from the crowd of well-wishers busily congratulating Tara and Zayed, towards the dining room where the coronation feast would take place.

Sheik Riaz Abuzman plucked two champagne flutes from the tray of a passing waiter, handing one to her.

Kaia smiled her gratitude towards the waiter, still trying to avoid looking at the man by her side. He was devilishly attractive. Those dark eyes and dark hair combined with the angular nose and thin, hard lips gave him an air of mysterious danger. However, his nearness didn’t set off her alarm bells. Just the opposite, in fact. Her mind was screaming, “Yes!” and silly thoughts such as “Yum!”

"A penny for your thoughts," he murmured, smoothly disregarding the well-intentioned septuagenarian, who was enthusiastically offering the first toast to the new Queen of Pitra.

"I’m worth more than a penny," Kaia shot back, feigning a smile in the direction of the toast. With a theatrical flourish, she raised her glass of champagne toward the blissfully oblivious couple, chuckling as Zayed planted a kiss on Tara’s cheek instead of taking a dignified sip of his drink.

"Yes, you definitely are," came the man's response without skipping a beat, accompanied by that dangerously sexy, deep, husky voice that seemed to have a direct line to Kaia's internal shiver button. She fought valiantly to maintain her composure, pretending that his vocal vibrations weren't creating a delightful seismic activity in her body.

A practiced liar, Kaia skillfully concealed the fact that she was, indeed, affected by the man's voice. Meanwhile, her internal monologue debated whether the going rate for thoughts had just skyrocketed in the presence of such a captivating vocal performance. If only her thoughts could be monetized, she mused, she'd be swimming in metaphorical riches by now.

As his hand gracefully found its place at the small of Kaia's back, she braced herself for the customary tremor of fear, yet it eluded her. Odd, she thought, considering that past encounters with men had typically triggered her fight-or-flight response. But with this man's hand resting on her back, an inexplicable urge to move closer seized her.

Kaia, well aware of the perils that lurked in vulnerability, chided herself sternly – never trust a man, she reiterated in the recesses of her mind. Despite her resolve, she found herself strangely rooted in place, unable to retreat. Not even thirty minutes ago, she’d vowed to ignore this man! Focus!

Uncertainty circled her as she grappled with the unfamiliar sensations. Why did his touch evoke such a strong desire to step closer, contrary to her instincts? Kaia's internal dialogue whispered for her to run, to disentangle herself, to find a more protected corner to observe the celebration. But the strange, inexplicable force held her in place, resisting the logical directives of her thoughts.

She scolded herself inwardly, questioning this bizarre internal conflict. Kaia had spent a lifetime evading danger, protecting herself and her sister from the very real threats posed by men who reveled in causing harm. Yet, against her better judgment, there lingered an almost imperceptible desire to inch closer.

No! This couldn't be right – Kaia knew better than to willingly approach danger.

And yet, the pulsating sensation in her chest, and lower still, left her grappling for words to articulate this perplexing experience. What was happening to her? Were her solemn vows to avoid the company of men merely lip service to her survival instincts? Why were the painful lessons of her past now unraveling in the face of this inexplicable and unexpected allure? The enigma of her own emotions cast a shadow over the rational, self-preserving principles she had created to protect herself.

Thankfully, Kaia didn’t move closer, but nor did she step away. She couldn’t consciously encourage this oddly attractive man, but her feet remained firmly planted even as her thoughts reminded her that Sheik Riaz wasn’t just attractive, he was also powerful and wealthy. As sheik of Bidar, Riaz Abuzman had more money than she could even conceive.

And that made him so much more dangerous.

“By the way, you look lovely,” he whispered, his lips almost brushing her ear. “I thought you looked gorgeous in the lavender dress yesterday at the wedding.” He paused and Kaia held her breath. “But this shade of rose is even more lovely with your pale skin and green eyes.” There was a long moment of silence as Kaia reached unsuccessfully for an appropriate response. “Why did you take out your nose ring?”

Kaia's free hand instinctively shot up to her nose, grazing the spot where her faux nose ring had been earlier that morning. A momentary lapse saw her bowing her head in reflection, but she caught herself and straightened, shoulders squared in determination.

The air around them felt charged, intimately so, and Kaia found her senses heightened. His words and the heat emanating from him were an enchantment she must withstand, she reminded herself silently.

"I didn't think it was appropriate to wear during today’s ceremony," she offered as an explanation.

A soft sigh preceded his response, "I liked it."

Despite Kaia's efforts to downplay the compliment, a warmth crept into her stomach at his words of approval. The significance of that approval, he couldn't possibly comprehend. The reasons behind her daily choices of jewelry were deeply personal and intricately woven into her painful past. Kaia couldn't afford real jewels, but that was inconsequential. Every morning, she adorned herself with some form of ornamentation, a silent rebellion against the brutal lessons of her past. Each piece became a defiant statement, a middle finger raised to the cruelty she had overcome.

She turned to meet his gaze head-on. "Your Highness, I appreciate your attention, but I'm only here to witness my sister's coronation. After that, I'm returning to the United States. I know that you offered to bring me back to Bidar, but that’s not going to happen." She lifted her chin defiantly. “I can protect myself.”

Those deep, enigmatic eyes communicated a message that left Kaia unsettled and intrigued. "Someone hurt you," he declared, leaving the words hanging in the charged air. Stunned into silence, Kaia struggled to formulate a response. Eventually, he turned away, directing his attention back to the coronation celebration. "We will discuss this later tonight. "

Fat chance of that, Kaia thought, a wry smile playing on her lips as she raised her glass, pretending to sip the wine to help mask her internal turmoil. The promise loomed like a storm on the horizon, and Kaia wondered what secrets those dark eyes held and what price she might have to pay for them.

The wedding feast was the most elaborate Kaia had ever seen, let alone experienced. She might have actually enjoyed the meal, if she’d been able to put a bit of space between herself and the man sitting next to her.

Finally, Tara and Zayed made their escape, hands clasped together, beaming smiles anticipating the undisclosed pleasures awaiting them. They had tied the knot just yesterday, postponing their honeymoon until after today’s coronation. The couple yearned to retreat from the scrutinizing eyes of the world, eager to solidify their union and embark on their new life together.

As the newlyweds disappeared from view, Kaia released a sigh tinged with an elusive emotion. The day had been a tumultuous roller coaster, oscillating between euphoria for her sister's happiness, fear of some malevolent figure from their past disrupting the celebration, and the perplexing tremors inspired by the enigmatic stranger beside her.

A deep voice disrupted her thoughts. "Here," Riaz commanded, and Kaia found herself looking down at a glass of amber liquid. Before she could comprehend the gesture, the beverage was in her hands. She took an instinctive sniff, confirming its contents.

"Don't you need to leave?" she asked.

"Why?" He gestured towards a doorway, placing his hand back on the small of her back. “Let’s find a bit of privacy.”

Kaia nearly groaned with relief at the suggestion. She was used to living her life in the shadows, careful not to draw attention to herself. So the offer of getting away from everyone’s curious eyes was wonderful. Kaia allowed him to steer her into one of the smaller salons, eager to get off her fatigued feet. It had been a very long day. While she longed to shed her lovely gown and pull on a comfortable pair of soft leggings and a pair of running shoes, it seemed that the night still had more surprises in store.

Sitting down in the chair opposite him, she crossed her legs, balancing the glass of liquor on her knee. "Why don't you need to leave? Your role as best man yesterday and witness to the coronation today is over. Don’t you want to get back to your country?" she inquired, skepticism coloring her words.