Guilty Pleasure by Lora Leigh

who dared question his presence, that he was on vacation, though Khalid was well 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 rumblings heard in Saudi of the Mustafa’s brothers’ plans to strike against him and had helped set up today’s meeting 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 man looked back at him, his expression curiously bland, though 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 time for this?” Shayne tilted his head questioningly as his gaze darkened with a hint of disapproval.
    “I believe it is.” Khalid nodded. “Ayid and Aman are planning to strike, as we always knew they would. Marty is not going to back down, and resisting her isn’t something I believe I can do for much longer.”
    Explaining himself wasn’t something 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 room, Shayne slid the recliner back into its upright 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 to make their move. The question remaining is how to protect her while we’re resolving the situation.”
    Shayne nodded before his gaze narrowed and his expression became thoughtful, intent.
    “We’ve always known this was a dangerous game we were playing where your half brothers are concerned. I had hoped we’d have the proof the Saudi government required by now.”
    Khalid sighed wearily. “They’re smart. They wouldn’t have survived so long otherwise.”
    “What about Abram?”
    Khalid understood the question Shayne was asking, he merely preferred to ignore 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.”
    “Abram has other responsibilities, and what is in the past is long 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 some part of this relationship with Marty than angry, though anger 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 me for disturbing you.”
    Shayne glared back at him. “Sit back down you arrogant bastard,” he snapped. “Hell, at least give me a chance at part of her heart.”
    “I will give 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 himself feeling rather possessive where Marty’s emotions were concerned.
    Shayne grimaced at the statement.
    “Hell, I was hoping Marty would demand more along the lines of what her parents have.”
    “And you are prepared for such a commitment?” Khalid arched his brow in disbelief. He wasn’t