Prince Under Cover. Adrianne Lee
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He drew in a deep breath, then said on the exhale, “I’m not Zahir.”
Miah’s ears buzzed. Had she heard him right? She frowned so hard her face ached. “What did you say?”
“I am Prince Javid Haji Haleem of Anbar. Zahir is my twin brother.”
“Bull.” Miah laughed at the absurdity and glared at him. “Zahir hasn’t got a twin.”
“Yes, he does. Me.” His voice was so impassioned, his expression so earnest, her fury faltered.
Her skin burned. She’d met Zahir last January, had dated him, spent time with him during these past six months, but she’d never noticed when one twin took the other’s place? No way. If that were true… No. That was too humiliating to contemplate.
Dear Reader,
We have a fabulous fall lineup for you this month and throughout the season, starting with a new Navajo miniseries by Aimée Thurlo called SIGN OF THE GRAY WOLF. Two loners are called to action in the Four Corners area of New Mexico to take care of two women in jeopardy. Look for Daniel “Lightning” Eagle’s story in When Lightning Strikes and Burke Silentman’s next month in Navajo Justice.
The explosive CHICAGO CONFIDENTIAL continuity series concludes with Adrianne Lee’s Prince Under Cover. We just know you are going to love this international story of intrigue and the drama of a royal marriage—to a familiar stranger…. Don’t forget: a new Confidential branch will be added to the network next year!
Also this month—another compelling book from newcomer Delores Fossen. In A Man Worth Remembering, she reunites an estranged couple after amnesia strikes. Together, can they find the strength to face their enduring love—and find their kidnapped secret child? And can a woman on the edge recover the life and child she lost when she was framed for murder, in Harper Allen’s The Night in Quesiton? She can if she has the help of the man who put her away.
Pulse pounding, mind-blowing and always breathtaking—that’s Harlequin Intrigue.
Enjoy,
Denise O’Sullivan
Associate Senior Editor
Harlequin Intrigue
Prince Under Cover
Adrianne Lee
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When asked why she wanted to write romance fiction, Adrianne Lee replied, “I wanted to be Doris Day when I grew up. You know, singing my way through one wonderful romance after another. And I did. I fell in love with and married my high school sweetheart and became the mother of three beautiful daughters. Family and love are very important to me and I hope you enjoy the way I weave them through my stories.” Adrianne also states, “I love hearing from my readers and am happy to write back. You can reach me at Adrianne Lee, P.O. Box 3835, Sequim, WA 98382. Please enclose a SASE if you’d like a response.”
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Miah Mohairbi—Finding out she’s a real live princess betrothed to a real Prince Charming puts this Chicago-raised all-American woman on the roller-coaster ride of her life.
Javid Haji Haleem—The Prince of Anbar is keeping secrets that could get not only himself killed, but Miah, too.
Zahir Haji Haleem—Javid’s twin brother wants to rule the world, and will stop at nothing to gain this end.
Sheik Khalaf Al-Sayed—Miah’s newly discovered father is like a fairy godfather, lavishing her with riches and adoration. Could he be anything but what he seems?
Big Tony De Luca—This former wrestling champion now publishes a tabloid that thrives on lies and innuendo and seems to be waging a vendetta against Javid.
Bobby “The Buzzard” Redwing—Is this paparazzo as much of a vulture as his nickname implies?
Cailin Finnigan—Does Miah’s best friend have pre-knowledge of events because she’s fey, or because she’s behind the danger?
Rory Finnigan—Cailin’s brother is suddenly spending money he hasn’t earned tending bar.
I dedicate this book to those we lost on Sept 11, 2001, for not only were they lost to their families, friends and co-workers, they were lost to us all.
We will never forget.
SPECIAL THANKS to all the men and women in our armed forces. God bless you and keep you safe, and thank you for risking everything to keep our wonderful country free.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Prologue
Martha’s Vineyard
“Hurry, Javid,” Zahir Haji Haleem urged his twin as they raced up the stairs to the second level of their American grandparents’ Victorian summer house, their movements as quick and furtive as the warm, sea-scented breeze stealing in through the open windows.
Their destination: the attic, that forbidden refuge of irresistible treasures—Grandfather Hayward’s stash of antique war relics, daggers, swords, helmets and rifles. All were tinged with a musty scent of bygone days, of mysterious lands, of adventurous times, their lure irresistible. Especially after Nana Hayward, ever fussing at Grandfather about the dangers of weapons and “boys being boys,” insisted he store “that junk” away under lock and key. Grandfather had informed Nana that what she called “junk” belonged in a museum. She’d suggested he put them in one, but he refused to part with even one item. In the end, he’d stored them in the attic not only under lock and key, but with an alarm system for protection against theft.
The rattle of the keys Zahir had taken from Grandfather’s desk brought Javid up short. He hesitated as Zahir worked the right key, disarmed the alarm, shoved the door wide and quickly ducked inside.
Torn between the pull of temptation and the push of wrongdoing, Javid held back, weighing the pros and cons of disobeying Father. He could no more help his prudent nature than Zahir seemed able to help his reckless one. His brother was forever rushing into mischief as though he didn’t understand right from wrong, as though he hadn’t been taught the same virtues as Javid, as though his DNA makeup was the polar opposite to Javid’s.
But that was impossible.
They were identical, their fourteen-year-old faces mirror images, down to their pitch-black hair and date-brown eyes, down to their love of competition, their need to win.
But there were differences.
The