Page 60 of A City of Hearts and Feathers

Zoe relaxed under him, her arms wrapping around him. "Thank god, otherwise I would've made a total twat of myself."

Kahil kissed her gently. "Believe me, I'm the one thing in Istanbul you don't need to worry about right now. You have to remember this whole business with the book is temporary."

"Is it? Tonight proved yet again how much I don't know or understand about this world. Maybe I'm not cut out to betheKartal ofKartal Books. Babahad good relationships with everyone. I'm pretty sure I've pissed off both Akamos and Lydia. How is that a good way to start this career?"

Kahil brushed his fingers over her cheek. "You stood up to them and didn't let them push you around. That is the only way to deal with them, and it takes courage. Not everyone would walk past what they offer. You are the best Kartal for this place. Oman was friends with everyone, and it still got him killed. You don't need to be like him. Be the real Zoe because she is smart, amazing, and very, very sexy," he said, brushing his lips over hers.

Tears threatened at the back of Zoe's eyes. "No one ever wants the real Zoe.Idon't even want the real Zoe most of the time."

"I do. I wanted her since I first saw her." Kahil nibbled down her neck before whispering in her ear. "And I have her right where I want her."

"Ah huh. For now." She flinched at how bitter she sounded.

"I'm not going anywhere, sweet Zoe. You just need to accept it." Kahil pulled back from her neck so he could look down at her. "If you don't want to believe me, remember what the sphinx said tonight. 'The wisdom you seek lies within you. You have everything you need already.'"

"No pressure," Zoe said, her hands stroking his sides.

Kahil kissed her. "You will figure it out. You have been smart enough to find the pieces of the codex. You will be smart enough to know what to do once you have it together."

Zoe pulled him closer still, letting his weight and heat press out all her remaining anxiety. Kahil believed in her, and that would be enough to carry her through even if she struggled to believe in herself.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The Galatasaray Bathhouse was almost as old as Kahil. Established in 1481, during the reign of Bayezid II, it had been open for over five hundred years.

It was close enough to the bookstore that Kahil and Zoe decided to walk to it the following day. She claimed she needed the walk to think, and Kahil wanted to do anything in his power to help her.

A part of him—the increasingly loud, overprotective part of him—wanted to throttle Oman's ghost for putting the responsibility of the Sais Codex onto her shoulders. Why not leave it to one of his brothers who knew what they were up against?

Zeki Kartal was deeply enmeshed in the magical world. Ahmet, while he believed in science's superiority over magic, thought like a merchant and would have sold it to the highest bidder and washed his hands of it. Kahil didn't have to think too hard about why Oman didn't leave the codex to Ahmet, but Zeki was reliable and level-headed.

It was just one of the many questions Kahil had to let go of regarding the whole mess. Oman hadn't been in his right mind in the end, that was for damn sure. Kerem had worried for himenough to send Kahil to check on him because he'd been on a job in Romania at the time. Kahil should've taken the threat more seriously.

"You are suddenly looking more worried than I am," Zoe said, pulling him out of his head.

"Not worried, just trying to understand your father's reasoning with this treasure hunt." Kahil put his arm around her shoulders. "At least the company is good."

Zoe gave his ass a pat. "I think so. I'd love to spend some time in this bathhouse, getting a massage. I think I need it."

"The one at the Order is better, and I will be able to come with you and provide my massaging services. I am very good with my hands," Kahil said sincerely.

Zoe's full belly laugh made him grin like a fool. "I know. If you can make it so we don't get interrupted, I'll happily go for a steam with you tonight."

They were going to move back to the Order as soon as they got the next codex piece. Kahil had to admit, he had been relieved when Arslan had suggested it. Oman's wards were good, but he couldn't trust that one of Lydia's followers, or the combined effort of all of them, wouldn't be able to bust through them.

From the outside, the blocky gray building didn't look like a bathhouse. If it wasn't for the eye-catching yellow sign, Kahil would have walked past it all together.

"Maybe you should let me go first?" Zoe suggested.

Kahil crossed his arms. "And why is that? I am your bodyguard. I'm meant to go with you everywhere."

Zoe gestured at him. "You are intimidating as hell. I have the receipt forbaba'slocker, so maybe I'll get further with the staff if you aren't scowling at them."

"Okay, let's do it your way. If it looks like you need some assistance, I'll come in," Kahil replied, hiding his smile.

"I'll be right back," she said and went through the glass doors. Kahil watched as she approached the male attendant at the counter who inspected the receipt. He made gestures at her and shook his head. Zoe put her hands on her hips, but whatever she was saying wasn't working. She turned and waved at Kahil.

Kahil chuckled under his breath before stepping inside. The air was warm and humid. He could smell the rose-scented soaps used in the hammam and the laundry detergent they used on the towels.

---