Page 2 of A City of Hearts and Feathers

"We are aware, but this isn't for the family. It's for you, specifically, to take care of." Kerem opened the door to the cafe for her.

"Hey, Zoe, hot date?" Lily asked from behind the cash register. She was the owner and was always trying to set Zoe up with her sons.

"Very funny, but no. Business as always," Zoe replied, her neck going hot. She ordered her usual double espresso and was surprised when Kerem ordered the same.

"English coffee isn't robust enough. It needs to be double, don't you think?" he said and tipped Lily.

They found a table at the back of the cafe, out of the way of other customers. Kerem's eyes flickered to the people around them, as if scanning for something.

"Are you okay?" Zoe asked, uneasiness settling under her ribs.

"Yes, of course," he replied, placing the leather portfolio in front of him. "Shall we begin?"

Zoe swallowed hard and nodded. "Okay. I'm ready." She really, really wasn't, but she refused to be a chicken shit about it.

Kerem opened the folio and passed her a pale blue envelope. Her throat closed at the swirling letters stamped in the left corner—Kartal Rare Books. It was her father's stationary.

Zoe ran her thumb over it, and her name that was written on the front in a barely legible handwriting. She looked up at Kerem, feeling like she didn't inhabit her body properly.

"It's okay, Zoe. Take your time," he said kindly.

Zoe opened the letter and took out the single page.

Happy Birthday,my dearest love.

I'm sorry I can't be with you on this day, but know wherever I am, I'm thinking of you and the amazing woman you have become.

For your present, I wish to give you the family legacy that was passed onto me on my thirty-third birthday. The bookstore and everything in it are now yours to care for. I know your shoulders and clever mind are both strong enough to bear its burdens with grace and wisdom.

Should you need help of any kind, the Order is there for you. You can trust them with your life.

With all my love,

Your father.

P.S. Please don't be mad at Kerem for this surprise. You might not remember him, but he's not bad. For a lawyer x.

Zoe readthe letter twice more before folding it carefully with shaking fingers. "You knew my father well?"

"Very well," Kerem confirmed with a nod.

Zoe's eyes narrowed. "You don't look old enough to have been friends with him."

"I'm older than I look. I've been blessed with excellent genes. The deed and keys to the bookstore are waiting in Istanbul for you to collect," he said and pushed the leather folio towards her. "These are your flight details. A car will be waiting to pick you up from the airport…"

"Wait, wait. I can't go to Istanbul!" she said, leaning back in her chair.

Kerem lifted a brow. "From my understanding, you run your own business?"

"So? That doesn't mean I can just drop everything and run off to Turkey." Zoe drank her espresso to stop herself from talking. Technically, running her own business and finishing herlatest commission that day meant shecouldleave whenever she wanted. She just hated feeling like she had no choice.

Kerem frowned and placed his cup back on its saucer. "You don't understand yet, but your family's legacy is an important one. You need to come home, Zoe."

Home. Tears pricked her eyes at the word. She hadn't been back to Istanbul since Anita had moved them to her family home in London after her father died. She should have gone back but had known it would hurt her mother if she did. Her mother could be difficult, but Zoe had always tried to avoid causing her more pain.

"The bookstore has just…sat there all this time?" she asked, her fingers tapping on the table.

"Yes. As someone who has restored antique books her whole life, I thought you would jump at the chance. It would be worth going to take a look at least, don't you think? Who knows what treasures Oman had hidden in there that are just waiting for you to find."

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