Page 55 of High Treason
“Does Malik have plans to eliminate Prince Omar?”
Yasmine inhaled sharply. “Never. He loves him like a brother. Respects him.”
“I differ with your assessment since he’s broken laws regarding you.”
“That will soon change,” she said. “He will take care of—”
Malik stepped in front of Kord. “Yes, I assure you the matter will be handled as soon as we are finished here.”
Kord intercepted the man and shoved him back. “I’m talking to Yasmine. Has he spoken against Prince Omar?”
“No. Aren’t you listening to me?”
“Has he talked to your brother about marrying you? Has the prince refused to speak to your father?”
Yasmine flashed a bewildered look at Malik. “I don’t think so.”
“I’m loyal to the Saud family,” Malik said. “Look at my record.”
“He’d never hurt my brother.”
“But he’d entice you to meet him in secret,” Kord said. “To break rules and risk damaging your reputation.”
A second light flipped on. Monica whirled to see Prince Omar already in all his regalia for so early in the morning. How long had he been listening?
“Malik, are you guilty of murder?” The prince’s voice rumbled low.
“No, Amir. I’m loyal to you at all costs.”
“Yet you tempted and succeeded in having my sister meet you in secret.”
“Yes. I’m guilty of dishonoring her, and I regret my actions.”
Prince Omar nodded at Ali, who stood behind him. “You will assume Malik’s duties. The first one is to arrange a commercial flight home for him tomorrow.” He turned to Yasmine. “You are to remain in this house under Fatima’s care. You will visit our mother and resume your studies. You are not to mention this to our mother. This matter will be resolved when we return home. Until Malik leaves, you are to remain in your quarters.”
“Yes, Brother.” Yasmine shook.
“Your phone. Now.”
She pulled it from a pocket and gave it to him.
“Fatima, take your sister upstairs.”
The princesses left the room.
Monica stayed and slid a look at Kord. His dark eyes captured hers. Had he detected disapproval from the prince for her presence in the kitchen? Not that his approval mattered. She had a job to do. But Kord’s slight upturned lip gave her a bit of a lift before he looked to the prince.
“I read encrypted e-mail messages in which the IP address led back to Malik. A plot—”
“The words.”
Kord lifted his phone and scrolled through it. “These were traced to Malik’s IP address. ‘Prince Omar and those like him will be crushed like theahle-Kitab. Prince Omar will not leave US soil alive. Allah has given him into our hands. We know every move he makes while he stumbles into a sniper’s path. He’s a fool to trust the ones close to him. Many will be killed. Soon he will be under our feet.’”
Monica studied Malik for his reaction.
Ali pulled a knife from inside histhobeand lunged at Malik. Kord slammed his fist onto Ali’s arm. The knife hit the floor, its pearl handle glittering in the light. The two men struggled. Kord twisted Ali’s arm behind his back.
“Listen to me,” Kord said. “If Malik is guilty, why would he allow his IP address to be exposed?”
