Sheikh's Fake Fiancee by Jessica Brooke, Ella Brooke

the secret from Mom, and then yesterday I got the big honeymoon secret out of Mom. Thus, you’re getting to run away to Paris with royalty and it has to be the most fun thing you’ve ever done. So tell me. What have you seen so far?”
    Well, there was the bedroom of his private jet…
    Jennifer bit her tongue. Her sister was a college grad and not a kid anymore, but she couldn’t really share details that, well, detailed with her sis. That was too much. She still had to protect Syd from some of the big stuff in the world. After all, couldn’t she just like freeze her sis in carbonite and keep her safe and secure for the rest of her life?
    “I’ve seen the hotel. We got here and I had to shower and unpack and I’ve had that jet-lag exhaustion. I…Bahan’s down in the lobby doing some remote business.”
    “So you went to one of the most romantic cities in the world to nap? That’s the lamest thing I’ve ever heard!”
    “Jeez, sis, thanks for the vote of confidence,” Jennifer said. Then she even felt guilty about that. How could she resort to sarcasm with a sick person, someone so ill they were in the hospital and getting their fucking blood filtered three times a week? If only her kidney had been a match. Then Sydney would already be on her way to recovery. “God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped.”
    “That was hardly snapping,” her sister said, her voice quiet and thoughtful. “Don’t stop having a good time because you’re worried about me. I’m going to be okay, and one of us needs to see the world. I’m going to every country when I get better, trust me. Right now, just remember that you’re seeing Paris for both of us, so go have the time of your life. I’ll be begging for the pictures when you return.”
    “I…”
    “Sis, I’d feel terrible if you were martyring your trip because you were worried about me. Have fun. You deserve it more than anyone I know, and I won’t be the block between you and Bahan getting to know each other. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you, and I want to know you came back with a ton of pics of you two smiling.”
    “Thank you,” Jennifer said, her voice thick with emotion. Sometimes it felt like Syd was the older sister, caring for her in some ways, at least making sure that Jen didn’t burn herself out. Maybe it was just that all the times in the hospital gave one a different perspective on everything. Not that Syd was a Zen master, but she certainly was giving her advice today. “I’ll bring you a cheesy gift from the Louvre, some plush version of the Mona Lisa or something.”
    “Now you’re talking!” she chirped again, her former jovial nature returning to her tone. “I love you, Jen. Never forget that.”
    “I couldn’t. Love you too.”
    ***
    The day had progressed like a dream. They’d had a VIP tour of the Louvre. Actually, with Bahan’s influence and power, he’d literally shut down the museum for the day. They (and Bahan’s security staff, of course) had been the only people strolling through the exhibits. While seeing the Mona Lisa had definitely crossed an item off her bucket list, Jennifer had to admit it was smaller and less impressive in person than she ever would have imagined. She much preferred the exhibits on the side. There was an entire hall of nothing but the Flemish masters, and she’d appreciated the darker, more nuanced art of Vermeer and Rembrandt. Even the wild colors of the impressionists had caught her eye more than the small wooden painting with the world’s most famous and enigmatic woman on it.
    When they’d moved on to the Eiffel Tower, the same secluded, VIP experience had been hers. Jennifer had to admit that being a sheikha came with its advantages. Not having to wait in line or deal with crowds was a massive bonus. But those were the more typical tourist experiences, the ones that everyone had shared. Now they were standing on the Pont des Arts , overlooking the flowing river Seine as