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"Oh God" I sinktoo fast, and I’ve only drunk half my coffee

"That’s e’ve tried to keep this a secret, Miss Wells," Rashid says gently "We don’t want to endanger anyone else by dragging them into it I love the country in which I was born, but soh to rule Qalif sos But I honestly don’t know if that will ever happen"

"Worry," Patsy Cline wails over Lisa’s computer speakers "Why would I letmy head "Okay So who else knows you two are ent Lancaster?"

Rashid and Ameera look at each other blankly "No," Rashid says "I certainly hope not"

"For obvious reasons," Ameera says, "we’ve told as few people as possible, and I’ve tried to keep people fro seen alone with hiifts froes Rashid reproachfully in the knee

"You don’t have to go that far," he protests "I got flowers for the two ladies in this office as well"

"My family doesn’t even know," Ameera says

"They don’t?" I’ er?"

The young couple exchange knowing glances, the way people who share a secret often do

"Because we love each other, of course," Rashid says simply

"So your family doesn’t know, Ameera," I say, frustrated "And obviously Rashid’s doesn’t know Your rooured out where Aht "Who does know?"

"Well, you, now," Rashid says He glances once rate "And Hauards know?"

"Of course," Rashid says, as if I’ aboutof Harip in which he’d held ht tell your father?"

Anger flashes across Rashid’s face "Of course not," he says "My men are coht literally have to die for ets out and my father sends his own men to kidnap us and take us back to Qalif for punishment--"