Their Virgin Concubine(41)

Piper looked up, pulling away from Rafe when she realized they weren’t alone.

They were doing the right thing. If they sat her down and tried to talk to her in a logical fashion now, it would take too long. Her natural caution would win that war. If she thought for a moment that the world would know about her relationship with three men, she would likely run. She wouldn’t be able to handle the pressure all at once, but after she’d been eased into it and shown how good it could be, she would end up happy, like their mother.

Though he would be nothing like their fathers.

“Sheikh, it is my deepest honor to officiate at this grand day.” The judge shook his hand. It had been his father who had married Talib’s parents. He spoke in Arabic, the same language that would bind Piper to them in mere minutes. It was a language she didn’t understand in the least, making everything so much easier, especially since her consent wasn’t required for thirty days. By then they would have wrapped her in pleasure and luxury, and she would never leave them.

“Thank you both for coming and for your discretion. My brothers and I would love to keep this quiet until the actual wedding day. If the press got hold of this, our bride could be hurt, and we would like to avoid that.” He spoke in Arabic as well.

The Prime Minister nodded. “We all agree. And no matter what Khalil says, she’s a perfect queen. I’ve found her to be incredibly intelligent, and she has an endearing manner. She can be taught to deal with the press.”

Fucking Khalil. He cursed the day his cousin had been elected to a seat in parliament. He’d been a pain in Tal’s ass ever since. “Is his chief objection that she’s a commoner?”

Tal knew what his real objection was, that she would ensure the al Mussad line continued to rule. But Khalil needed a logical argument, so he’d tried to invent one.

“I believe he’s upset that she’s an American. Some suggest they already have too much influence here. Between Black Oak Oil and your security team, you surround yourself with Americans, Your Highness.”

Tal shook his head. “And Americans have saved our asses time and time again. I’m not going to let my cousin’s bigotry influence my security force or my choice of a bride. As for going into business with Black Oak, no one complains when the shareholder checks come in.” There were some in Bezakistan who lived off shareholder checks alone. It was a moot point. “Can we finish the ritual quickly? I have a bride to claim.”

The other men laughed, and the Prime Minister nodded.

His cock hardened at the thought of Piper naked in his bed, spread out for his pleasure. Not that it spent much time in a relaxed position anymore. Since Piper had come to the palace, Tal found himself in a constant state of arousal. He glanced back and found his brothers each watching Piper with a hungry look in their eyes.

She was in for an interesting night.

He reached out, gesturing for Piper to come forward. Both of his brothers tensed, well aware of the gravity of the moment. He switched to English. “Piper, my dear, come here. I would like for you to meet His Honor, Judge Nejem and you’ve met Prime Minister al Feid.”

Her smile was wide with none of the easy pretension of a longtime socialite. “It’s so good to see you again, Prime Minister. And Your Honor, it’s a pleasure.”

Judge Nejem took her hand in both of his, his eyes getting a little misty. “She reminds me of my own sweet girl,” he said in Arabic.

Kade stepped up. “Sorry, habibti, the judge only speaks Arabic, but he’s pleased to meet you as well. He says you remind him of his daughter. She’s a lawyer following in her father’s footsteps.”

Piper blushed. “Please tell him he honors me.”

The judge spoke the Queen’s English with a perfect accent, but now he merely nodded and played his part. Tal kept Piper’s hand in his while Judge Nejem spoke to the brothers, intoning the ancient words that would bind them together. “Princes of the Desert, do you take this woman as your concubine with the promise to make her your wife in thirty days should she assent? Do you promise to make her the center of your world, the sun that warms your family? Do you promise to protect her and ensure her happiness?”

Kade stepped forward, placing his hand on Piper’s shoulder. He was solemn as he replied in his mother tongue. “I do so promise.”

Piper looked around as though figuring out something important was happening. She frowned, but remained silent.

“I do so promise,” Rafe said, pressing a kiss to her temple.

All eyes shifted to him. His throat felt almost unaccountably swollen. He had to push the words out. “I do so promise.”