Their Virgin Concubine, Masters of Ménage, Book 3 Read Online Free PDF Page B

queen? What if she buckled under the limelight, the expectations, the appearances? What had seemed so rational days ago now sounded mad.
    Piper had no real polish and no concept of what it took to run a country. Being a queen was about more than having a brain, a heart, and a compassionate spirit. Though those qualities certainly helped, surviving being royal today had become largely about media relations, the ability to be graceful under pressure. By all accounts, Piper currently struggled to walk down a hall without tripping—and that was before donning designer heels and walking to an explosion of flashbulbs with all eyes on her, as everyone would expect of their wife.
    If he and his brothers wed her, it was inevitable that Piper would struggle to fit in. The possibility troubled him, and Tal wondered if she would come to hate him for making her their captive bride. But her knowledge and passion for the Clean Energy Project would be a much-needed boon for Bezakistan’s future. Having a Western wife would help further separate his country from some of his neighbors and be an asset in global relations. So if Rafe and Kade approved, none of his concerns could derail his course. Her feelings could matter even less. She could be taught everything she needed to know. Bezakistan desperately needed a queen, and he couldn’t get Piper out of his head.
    But even if she handled being a queen, how would she feel once she realized she could be a target of violence as well? Dark voices started to whisper in Talib’s head. He’d already cost one woman her life. How could he even think about risking another?
    “Tal?”
    He turned slightly and caught sight of his cousin, Alea. She was dressed informally, but the troubled frown on her youthful face matched her personality. No amount of trying to convince her to finish university had helped. During her first year, she’d been abducted and rescued from a nightmare of sexual slavery by two of Tal’s old friends, Cole and Burke Lennox. Since then, nothing Tal had done, no amount of therapy—psychological or retail—seemed to cure the darkness that had settled into her soul. Of course, he couldn’t exactly cast stones himself.
    Six years ago, he’d been taken and tortured in an attempted political ploy. And he’d learned the hard way that a sheikh bled and prayed just like any other man. Yes, he’d been rescued, thanks to Cole Lennox, but nothing had been able to banish his darkness, either.
    “You are not sleeping,” he chided.
    “Neither are you.”
    “Touché. What is it, dear?” he asked gently.
    At least she didn’t flinch when he approached her now. It had taken six months before she stopped screaming every time any male came near.
    “It’s Khalil. I don’t trust him.”
    Alea no longer trusted anyone, but in this case, Tal agreed. “What has he done now?”
    “I overheard him giving an interview about your lack of a bride
    As if Khalil’s little mouse of a wife would be the strong pillar of a queen Bezakistan required. “I have six months to marry. I assure you I will do my duty to my country, then my part in this archaic ritual will be done. Bezakistan will be safe.”
    “He’s also harping about and how you’re going to send the country into deep debt with this new green energy project.”
    Little bastard . Tal sighed. “He’s trying to build his case with the people, as pitiful as it is. For now, Khalil has very few options. I will, of course, assure the country that the green project is the best course of action. After all, I have facts and figures on my side.”
    And his potential bride would be instrumental in that. Piper had all sorts of interesting ideas on financing the project. She thought out of the box. Her creativity and drive to make things happen were two of her most appealing qualities.
    If only she was a bit more attractive. But it was perhaps best that she was not. He had no intention of falling for his bride. She was a means to an end, and