HOUSE OF HAYDAR 2 - THE WARRIOR OF HAYDAR - completed

Chapter Thirteen

Dark anger flared in his eyes. "He was married when he got engaged to Zoe," he hissed. "How was that even possible? Why didn't we know about this?" he demanded to know.

"A secret marriage I believe something like yours," Assad noted since Bella was still miffed she wasn't invited. Kahlil run a hand through his hair, also had been the end of Bella's disapproval. Zoe had found it all rather amusing, not so when she informed her parents. He would have to see to that as well.

"Okay I get it, wedding, a formal one, and...." he prompted.

"He wanted to get in with the family to further his career and the way in was through the queen's best friend, it seemed. He planned to woo Zoe, get in then send her home in disgrace and him the poor sucker left behind heart broken at her behaviour. That all went off sideways since all you two do was clash, so not looking so good," Assad chuckled remembering. "Oh she was a firecracker where you were concerned."

"Well at least she isn't a hot headed redhead," Kahlil noted not amused.

"No, she isn't and I have enough hot heads to put up with," Assad eyed him sideways making his point clear. Kahlil shrugged since he wasn't as angry anymore and Zoe never stayed angry for very long even in the early days, she did always search him out, so did he, he had to admit.

"So what has happened to our puffed up Brit? Deported I hope for his sake or he could go back in a body cast," he growled deeply in his throat.

"Sent to some outback post in Africa for a very long time. His uncle was less than pleased when I informed him what he had been up to and how pleased I was about it." Kahlil winced because his brother was very good at expressing his feelings in the most pleasant way leaving no-one in no misunderstanding of his views or feelings.

"Who's his uncle?"

"Lord Ashton. Dear friend of the family for years went to school with father and I have had a lot of dealing with him over the last few years myself."

"Why not just fire him?"

"This was so much more fun, stuck behind a desk, in some remote post for years and he won't bother anyone again if he wants to see his inheritance. Lord Ashton is in charge of his estate that would just disappear, if he puts one more foot out of place."

"He was a pompous bastard." Kahlil had never liked him, so uptight and preened.

"Who was?" a soft voice asked at the door to have Kahlil look across the doctor finished just covering his handy work with a gaze then bandage.

"Oh just some uptight Brit," he noted dryly.

"Ah why you are my adorable jerk," Zoe teased crossing the room to trail fingers over his back.

"Zoe," Kahlil growled glaring at his brother as he dared to smile though also noticed her swollen eyes from crying. He reached behind him to take a hand and guide her around to his side and into his form threading a hand through her hair. "Are you alright?" he asked concerned. She nodded. "Well habibti we can leave, are you ready to go home?" Again she nodded easing back to grab his shirt to help him into and button up so careful of his wound.

"Of course you will join us Assad."

"I think that's a given Zoe since we will be heading to his palace not our," Kahlil noted amused.

"Oh of course how silly of me," she eased into Kahlil side as he slid off the bed to stand and tucked under his arms still out of sorts by it all. His arm didn't leave her as they exited the hospital to waiting limousines where he helped her in. Very aware of his wound she took hold of his hand and held to her racing heart. Two days they stayed Kahlil mainly resting under the care of his wife who never left his side and attended to all his needs.