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And with that knowledge came the realization that to have her, he would have to protect Marty as he had never been able to protect another And there was one man, besides Abra fro room, Khalid strode down the stairs to thein solitude, as he nored coe rooent claimed, to the members who dared question his presence, that he was on vacation, though Khalid ell aware that the man had never had a vacation in his life Not a true one Shayne had been the first to warn Khalid of the rus heard in Saudi of the Mustafa’s brothers’ plans to strike against hi with Abram He had come to warn him But he would stay to protect the woman he had become fond of over the years

"Shayne" Khalid took a seat on the sofa across from him

The newspaper lowered slowly The other h his light brown eyes danced with knowledge "I will require a third" Khalid kept his voice low but his intentions clear

Shayne folded the paper before laying it carefully on the low table between them

"Do you think it’s the best tiaze darkened with a hint of disapproval

"I believe it is" Khalid nodded "Ayid and A to strike, as ays knew they would Marty is not going to back down, and resisting her isn’t so hi Khalid did well, but in this case, the explanation was required How to protect her, how to shelter and keep her safe would have to be discussed, questioned, and planned in exacting detail That would require more than just explanations, and he would have to face others besides Shayne He would have to face her fathers

Looking around the nearly deserted rooht position before leaning forward "They don’t know about her yet There’s a very good chance we can keep her out of this," he began

Khalid waved that suggestion away "There’s no way to keep her out of it She will draw their attention once they decide tois how to protect her while we’re resolving the situation"

Shayne nodded before his gaze narrowed and his expression becahtful, intent

"We’ve always known this was a dangerous ga where your half brothers are concerned I had hoped we’d have the proof the Saudi governhed wearily "They’re s otherwise"

"What about Abra, he nore it

"I do not require his permission," Khalid stated firmly

"The two of you share a past in this," Shayne pointed out, his gaze narrowing at Khalid’s deliberate attempt to avoid the subject "I admit, I expected you’d make him the offer instead"

"Abra buried"

Shayne slowly nodded "As long as that’s where we stand If you intend to introduce her to any other as a potential third, then I’ll decline if it’s all the same to you"

Khalid was more amused at the other man’s attempts to control soer wasn’t far behind It was rather a good thing that he had developed the patience he had over the years

"I understand" Khalid nodded soberly as he began to rise to his feet "Forgive lared back at hiant bastard," he snapped "Hell, at least give ive you the chance to secure yourself as our third, nothing more" Khalid resumed his seat "I have no desire to share more than I have stated Her bed, as well as her safety"

Khalid found hi rather possessive where Marty’s eri Marty would de the lines of what her parents have"

"And you are prepared for such a commitment?" Khalid arched his brow in disbelief He wasn’t surprised by the rueful save him in return

"It would have been nice to play house for a while" Shayne finally shrugged "She’s a da home to her wouldn’t be a hardship"

The life Shayne lived was solitary one He’d mentioned that to Khalid and Sebastian several tiht Marty could provide

"She’s not a toy" Khalid found hi "She’s my woman, and she will be treated as such"

"And you’ll need a third, one you can trust until the situation with your brothers is resolved" Shayne’s expression turned serious now "We’re not going to have much time, Khalid Ayid and A Old man Mustafaeach other, but you know they’ll make their move soon"

"Yes, I’m aware of this" He was, to the very darkest corners of his soul, aware of what he would have to do

"You’ll also have to come clean with Marty," Shayne told hi her about what’s co Her, as well as her fathers"

"You do not need to warn me about how I h "I ah to start so her of the consequences"

There was no way to hide his past froet her out of his head, his heart, or his fears

Shayne atching hiain "Marty and I are friends, Khalid," Shayne said, his voice serious "I don’t want to see her hurt Are you certain you can’t stay away frouarantee that once Ayid and Ao after Marty simply because they suspect her interest is returned by uarantee that"

"Once she learns why I have resisted her, she will run headlong into danger whether I allow it or not Not inforerous Tell me Shayne, what other choice is left?"