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“Your good works do not excuse the dallying you do—playing the clown for these low, foreign women!”

Laine could hear soainst the wall She touched her lips and wondered if she should go back to Hadiya This was a family conversation, after all—

“You will not speak ill of her!” Aziz roared

Laine ju her coffee She’d never heard him sound like that Yes, he’d confronted those who denied his wishes before, but he’d never truly sounded nant

“And what of this one?” Amin continued “Why should I consider her of any value? A Western woman of no importance, no status—”

“I warn you, Amin!”

“And no faith What are you doing with her? More fun, another plaything”

Laine sed at a lump in her throat

“You cannot even marry her,” Amin said cruelly “You can only pollute her further!”

Laine felt as though she’d been struck Marriage? Who was talking about e?

“You go too far” Arowl deep in his throat “Your as not Shia when you !”

“How dare you!”

“I do not dare; I did not Because the affairs of your heart are yours to keep! And I will thank you to affordslaain so disrespectfully, or you will find yourself out of this house and out ofbut strict adherence to this rule”

Aziz storrily, and disappeared down the hall before Laine could call out to him That had been intense Laine had known Aziz took on a lot of responsibility in the fae He’d spoken of his father as though he were alive, but if that were true, then Aziz would have been given the reins early Did sheikhs retire?