The Sheikh's Stubborn Assistant (The Sharif Sheikhs 3)

Khalid was simmering with rage. Amira’s text had come through an hour ago, but it didn’t take long to confirm what she’d texted.

Katie was leaving Dubai.

It was one thing for her to quit the gallery. That was probably for the best. He was always distracted when she was there, and if he found her another job, one she was more suited for, then at least he could focus on the gallery again.

But—leaving the city? There was no way he was going to allow that.

As had become her habit, she arrived at the office thirty minutes early.

He gave her fifteen minutes to come to him and tell him the truth. He watched from his office as she sorted through the paperwork and packed a few things away.

Finally, he couldn’t wait any longer. Angrier than he’d ever been in his entire life, he stormed into her small office.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he demanded.

Lifting her head in surprise, she blinked at him. “Um . . . I’m packing my things? I gave you my notice.”

“You failed to mention that quitting the gallery also meant that you were leaving Dubai.”

Her hands stilled, and she sighed. “Which one told you?”

“What matters is tha

t you didn’t tell me.”

Katie stood, and there was a strange determination on her face. “My plans after I quit this gallery are none of your business. You don’t get to know what I’m doing, Khalid.”

“The hell I don’t! You are mine, Kadija! You will leave when I am ready for you to leave. I’ve canceled your ticket. You aren’t leaving.”

“You canceled my ticket? You can’t do that!”

“It’s already done. Have you forgotten how much power I hold?”

He could practically see the resentment welling up inside her, and to his horror, she burst into tears. “Why? Why would you want to keep me here? We don’t work, Khalid, and I can’t keep doing this!”

He knew that Katie cried when she was angry, but these weren’t tears of frustration. She looked completely helpless as she slumped into the chair behind her desk.

He wanted to comfort her. He wanted her to stay, but he had no idea what to say.

“You’re made of stone, Khalid. You can’t treat me like a thing and expect me to stay. You don’t know what you want,” she sniffed.

“I know very well what I want,” he growled. “I want you.”

“But for how long, Khalid?” She wiped the tears away and stared at him, challenge in her eyes.

What was she asking of him? “Can’t we just enjoy the time that we have now?”

“Yeah. I could enjoy my time with you—except that I never know what’s going on in that head of yours.” Katie shook her head as she grabbed one last stack of papers and shoved them into her tote bag. “It looks like I’m going to be a little more delayed getting home, now that I have to buy another ticket. Thank you for hiring me, Khalid. I’m sorry that things didn’t work out between us.”

Shocked, he stared as she stretched out her hand toward him. “Katie,” he said softly. “Don’t do this.”

Another tear rolled down her cheek as she dropped her hand. “Goodbye, Khalid.”

His jaw dropped as she gathered her things and slowly walked out. His heart sank to his stomach when he realized that he was losing her.

He had no idea what he could say to keep her, and he wasn’t sure he was ever going to see her again.

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