The Sheik's Reluctant Hostage (The Quabeca Sheiks 2)

El-Tamar maintained a small army of soldiers that he paid monthly for future services. Comprised of only twenty men, they were highly trained mercenaries willing to do what it takes to get the job done. He bought their obedience and loyalty with cash. El-Tamar only called upon their services in the event of an emergency and this was definitely one. He summoned them to the house to stand guard and keep watch for the Prince’s men. If the situation went south, at least they would serve as a distraction while El-Tamar and his family fled. He had to prepare for every potential scenario, as his family clearly did not think through their actions before snatching Saja. As they say, revenge is a dish best served cold, and his wife and sons were too hotheaded to contemplate the consequences for their actions. This was now a matter of life and death.

After making calls and all the necessary arrangements, he went back into the house. He rejoined his family at the breakfast table. Abia had just finished making breakfast for them.

“Whom did you call?” Abia asked her husband.

“Have you given them food?” he asked about Saja and Mona.

“Worried that I might starve your bastard?”

“Abia, do not start. It is too early for this. I am sick of your insolence.”

“Had you controlled yourself twenty-four years ago, then…”

El-Tamar cut her off before she finished her sentence. He knew exactly how it was going to end. “Then we would not be in this situation. I know! You don't have to keep telling me,” he shouted and banged his fist on the table. She was being shortsighted. She refused to see that her own son had contributed to this mess that they were in.

“Please do not fight anymore,” Anwar said. He stood up and dished some food out for Saja and Mona. He took the tray to the room where they were held. He opened the door and walked in with the tray. Saja was analysing him as he walked towards them. She noticed his complexion was off.

“And what is wrong with you?” Saja asked him.

“What are you talking about?” Anwar asked.

“You do not look well.”

“Why do you care?”

“You need to be healthy and strong in order to continue torturing me.”

Anwar frowned and shook his head. He had not spent much time with her but she was as her father had described her. He put the tray down in front of them and walked out. He returned to the kitchen and sat down.

“They've been fed now,” he said to his parents

as he picked up his fork. His tone was full of irritation. Lately all his parents fought about was Saja. It was taking a toll on him.

“I called Guadalupe,” El-Tamar said changing the subject. Guadalupe was the commander of his mercenaries.

“Will he come?” Abia asked. Her faced brightened when her husband nodded.

“Also, if we get the money before sunset, then we will leave straight away. We will have to get flights from Umad.”

“Why that far?” Akeem asked.

“Well, we cannot fly out from Basrat. Obviously, Badir has our names and faces listed at the airport. The royal family is close to the king of Al-Badry, so he would have been informed about us by now,” El-Tamar said.

“That leaves Umad as the closest country we can go to.”

“Yes.”

“The borders are easy to cross,” Aman said as he realised that it was a brilliant idea.

“Exactly,” El-Tamar agreed. Umad seemed like their best shot of not being caught. They simply had to get to it as quickly and safely as they could. Once they were in Umad, they could stay under cover whilst they got fake identities and then fly out to a faraway country where the Prince would not find them.

El-Tamar told them of his plans. As they sat there listening, his family saw a different side to him. They no longer saw him as a useless father. He was making plans that they hadn't considered. They were taking it step by step. He was looking at the whole picture. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. El-Tamar put his finger on his lips to shush them.

“Blue sand,” a male voice shouted from the door. El-Tamar stood up and headed towards the door. It was Guadalupe using their secret phrase. He opened the door and saw the tall man with a rugged look standing there already dressed for battle. Behind him stood El-Tamar’s small army. They all put their right hands on their chests and dropped to one knee. El-Tamar was very happy to see them. Guadalupe saluted him.

“At ease, come in,” El-Tamar said to him. “You may all rise. I am honoured to have you all here,” he said to the soldiers. They rose and lined up against the house. They were already standing guard and ready for battle. El-Tamar and Guadalupe walked inside the house.

Abia stood up and greeted Guadalupe. She was very happy to see him. Her sons also greeted him. Before that day, they knew him as their father’s friend. They had no idea that their father had taken such precautions over the years or that Guadalupe was in charge of the security force.