The Sheikh's Secret Bride (The Adjalane Sheikhs 1)

“You were going to marry Nehla.” She raised a brow at him.

“Only because I thought had no choice. Then I realized without you in my life, marriage was meaningless. Everything was meaningless. Even my job. The only thing that mattered was finding you and convincing you of my love.”

“You really weren’t going to marry her?” She gave him a coy little smile.

“No.” He chuckled and tucked her tighter against him. “She wasn’t you, you are the only woman I want. Period. Even if you do drive me insane sometimes with your stubborn American ways.” Nassir took a deep breath and turned serious again. “Janna, I realize staying in Al-Sarid means you’ll give up many things. Your independence. Your family. I want you to stay with me more than life itself, but I want you to do it with your eyes open and of your own free will. Will you stay with me, kalby?”

Janna was about to wrap her arms around his neck and tell him yes, when he shocked her yet again. In front of everyone, Nassir took a step back then knelt before her. “Janna Davis, you are the light to my darkness. The love of my life. I want to spend the rest of my days learning to laugh again. With you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Love and joy welled within her, taking away every doubt and fear. She gazed into his eyes and whispered, “Yes. And it seems today might be a good time.”

Nassir stood, wrapping his arms around her once more and laughing. “Yes, kalby. I believe now would be perfect.” He kissed her quick then leaned back. “Where is Adilan?”

“Right here,” his brother said, jogging up beside them.

“Would you be so kind as to walk my bride down the aisle?” Nassir kissed the back of Janna’s hand then passed it to Adilan.

“It would be my honor.” Adilan placed Janna’s hand on his forearm. “Hazim and Nehla have been turned over to the authorities. They will be held until a judge can decide their fate, but my guess is that will not happen for several days, what with the celebration.”

“Celebration?” Janna looked between the two men. Maybe there was some Al-Sarid holiday she didn’t know about?

“Wedding celebrations go on for several days here,” Adilan said, then frowned. “Why do you look so upset, Janna?”

Her heart sank. Just when she’d thought she’d handled every detail to perfection. “If that’s the case then I’ve made a terrible mistake. I only asked the caterers to do food for this afternoon.”

Nassir laughed. “Trust me. One word from me, or my bride, and they will happily prepare food until every last guest has left.” He tapped her on the nose. “It makes me happy that you are not perfect, kalby. It means that I may still stand a chance with you.”

“Believe me, I’m far from perfect. And you always stood a chance with me.” Janna winked, taking Adilan’s arm again. “Now come on. Let’s get married.”

Nassir nodded and resumed his place at the front of the guests, taking the microphone away from the irritated soloist once more. “Thanks to my brother’s

quick thinking, my original fiancé has been returned and still wishes to marry me. I intend to make that wish come true. Please enjoy the rest of the celebration.”

“Ready?” Adilan asked, patting her hand.

“Yes.” She walked down the aisle with Adilan, her legs shaky from adrenaline. She kept her gaze locked on Nassir, drawing strength from the love in his eyes. As they neared the front, a familiar sound to her left drew her attention. She turned and gasped. “Mom?” She dropped Adilan’s arm and hurried to greet her family. “What are you all doing here? I thought you weren’t coming?”

“Jack convinced us that after all you’ve done for us, we needed to be here to show you our support,” her brother said. “I wanted to help Adilan find you, but he said it was important to keep up the pretence for Hazim as long as possible. Thank God he found you when he did.”

Janna hugged her mom once more then walked the last few feet to stand in front of Nassir. “Did you know they were coming?”

“Not until Jack arrived with them this morning. Are you happy?”

“Never been happier.”

The official performing their ceremony began again, reciting the traditional American wedding vows first in Arabic then in English. As Nassir slipped a ring onto her finger, she heard his slight gasp when his fingertips brushed against the raw skin of her wrist. He turned it over slightly and his gaze narrowed on the reddened skin rising above the henna tattoos. “I will make him pay for every bruise, every hurt he’s caused you, kalby”

“Please, Nassir.” Janna’s heart swelled at the protective growl in his voice, but she wanted to leave the past in the past and start anew, with him. “Let it go. For me. Please?”

He stared at her for a moment, his jaw tense. Finally, he exhaled and lowered his head. “If that is what you wish, kalby. From this day forward I live for your happiness.”

“You do?”

“I do.” He raised his head and looked to the official. “May I kiss her yet?”

The official gave Nassir a prim look, but relented. “Yes, Sheikh.”

Nassir kissed Janna deeply and she clung to him, craving more. So much more. They only parted when the crowd began snickering.