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Anwar had been Jafar’s older brother by several years A full brother that Jafar had idolized as a child He had also been the heir to a third of the Mustafa province and had been petitioning the regime to reacquire the property with a vow that it would be run as the fae knew both Khalid and Abram were still certain Azir and his sons, Ayid and Aman, were behind his death

Chalah e watched her quietly for several e asked her warily "Wouldn’t Jafar be upset?"

Chalah’s expression sobered "If he knew, then he would be very upset, and f Azir ever learned I told you anything, then he would most surely have me stoned," she revealed heavily "But I don’t think I have to worry about you telling anyone but Abra that Abraed," she whispered, her sto he’s known, but Jafar has known for several years Just as he’s known that Abram and Tariq have had a lover to share each tiaze was curious now "Was it you?"

Paige nearly choked on her own ht Abraotten aith anything else?"

"Knowing Khalid?" Chalah’s brows lifted "It is rather doubtful"

And Chalah knew Khalid Not as well as Paige did, and certainly not as a lover, but one of the young woo for a personal hareirls had socialized often

Chalah was considered a friend, as well as a cousin to Khalid, and he hadthen he had no problee still had a hard tiirl was here, or that she seeto hide her suspicion now "By your oords, the brother who has spoiled you all your lifeme this information Why would you risk that?"

"Because you would do it forwith pain "And Khalid would do it forhappens to you and Abram, and Jafar ever realizes thehim from himself is the only way I can help hi hed heavily "It isn’t e, not to these people or to this land And not to Jafar or Azir Betrayal isn’t tolerated, especially by a woiveable betrayal"

"And you would risk that fora hard ti to her She knew too many truths, understood the situation too clearly But was she really trying to help, or in someway lead Abram into a trap?

"Really?" Chalah drawled as she crossed one ankle over the other and tilted her head to the side "Why else would I return to this sun-baked wasteland but to try to help your stubborn ass? Have you really forgotten how e shook her head as she kept a careful eye on the other wohed "But Jafar is your brother, and I know you love him"

"And I do love hie, and I couldn’t live withhappened to you because of hiuilty," she whisperedwhen he called and asked er and if I had heard where you were staying I should have called you then I should have warned you he was looking for you"

But would it have really changed things? Would she have taken the situation even less seriously than she already had sie lifted her hand to rub at her te she knew of the other girl told her that Chalah was being honest That she was siree with retfully "And loving hi to you and Abrahed as she paced to the table and sat doearily "Neither of us have enough power here to protect ourselves, let alone our brothers And you know that as well as I do You should go ho to h on his conscience"

"And you think Jafar won’t have enough on his conscience when he realizes the mistake he’swith anger "I cae To help my brother and yours, as well as Abrae’s eyes rounded in surprise "And you think I’d knohat the hell you can do?" she whispered fiercely "For God’s sake Chalah, I haven’t been out of these rooms since the day I ca on or how to help anyone I don’t even see Abram until after dark, and when I do see him, he’s exhausted So why don’t you tell me what I could do"

Chalah stared back at her in dishtened and she sto back in frustration

"There has to be soave her head a quick shake as she kept her voice low "Go ho you as well asto fracture his attention further He can’t afford that right now"

And she couldn’t afford it Losing Abram would kill her, especially if she lost him because of his affection, his connection--whatever the hell it was--to her

He had co as he’d planned after the deaths of his brothers

He’d been forced to return to Saudi Arabia as a personal favor to the Saudi Arabian ambassador to take pictures of suspected terrorists When he’d ain because of the threat to her

He couldn’t see here, or the threat of death that resulted fro his lover sexually

"Jafar didn’t used to be like this" Chalah sighed in regret as her lips tre "He wanted to be an American He wanted to have the freedom to do as he wished, as Khalid did, as he knew Abrae asked

"Paige" Chalah stared back at her in bemusement "Abram, Tariq, Jafar, and several other cousins planned to defect together It’s been their plan since Abram’s first wife, Lessa, was murdered by Ayid and Aman Jafar has always known his plans, because they ether"