Page 24 of Good As Hell

“Forgive me, Your Highness,” she begins gravely but stops when I raise my hand.

“Khadijah, we will always remain friends if that is your wish.” Watching as her shoulders visibly relax I take a step closer. “Never apologize. None of this is your fault. It’s is mine. I already settled the bride price and included the stipulation that it is yours solely to do with as you please. There is nothing you cannot do in this world. Don’t feel like you have to rush into anything. I will happily assist you in any way.” Dipping my head by way of apology I cover my heart in a gesture of contrition.

“I know you, Hassan. You have been more than generous. My father was somewhat mollified. He is why I’m here. He insisted that I come here today to get you to relent.” Shrugging, a little she turns worried brown eyes on me. “He hinted heavily that I should- should—” her face flushes hot as a crimson coal. “I would never.” She hurries to add. “Our friendship and my love of Amani would never allow me to act in such a way. Plus, I saw you with Lyric the other day on T.V. Seeing the way you look at her. I knew then I never had a chance and I told my father as much.”

Her earnestness makes me bite back the scoff threatening to burst free. I guess the little production we put on made an impression on the most important person to see it. If Khadijah was so inclined she could at any moment seek to force the marriage either through the courts or through some nefarious means in the palace. She’s been a resident here for most of her years and she has many allies in the halls. Probably more than me, since I’ve only returned to take the reins from my father, who is more than happy to focus on philanthropy.

It’s time to take on the role I was born into. I can’t let anything so petty as feelings distract me.

“I owe you a great debt. You must always think of us as your friend.” Every word is spoken with the fervor of me knowing there was none I wouldn’t destroy who tried to keep my son from me, I’d hate it to be her and I am grateful she had the good sense and loyalty not to heed her father’s guidance which is a fete in itself because actions such as the one she’s doing is simply not done. But I know she means more to her father than his ambition. He won’t disown her or beat her. Still, I say in a lowered tone. “You can always come to me if things become difficult.” The smile she gives me in return is sparkling.

“Hassan,” I have no choice but to catch her when she launches herself to my arms. “You are as awesome as my brothers. Thank you, thank you. I wish you every happiness. You have to promise to ask Lyric to sing at my next wedding.” She cajoles buzzing a kiss on my cheek.

Chuckling, I pull way looking down at her. “I promise.”

“Farewell friend,” stepping away she gives me a soft wave before leaving me in standing in the garden, my gaze lasers in on the point on the other side of leading from consorts wing.

Lyric is standing there and despite the distance there is no mistaking she saw the kiss.

Her back isto me when I enter her suite. Her body is trembling with rage. Petite shoulders vibrating with slight tremors and she tries to get her emotions under control. Puzzlement spirals through me as I try to find her reasoning. It’s obvious by her actions there is no lingering affection for me from the nightwe shared. Why else would she have been so cavalier about withholding the knowledge of my son from me?

Just thinking on it irritates the fuck out of me.

“Lyric,” Biting out her name, I stop just short of her vibrating form.

“What?” Whirling around she snaps. Then taking a step back she shakes her head, eyes hotter than the Sahara then raises her hand stopping me before I can utter words. “Never mindYour Highness,” saying the moniker like it is an epithet she sneers, “I don’t need your gaslighting, telling me I didn’t see what I clearly saw.”

Pivoting on slippered feet she moves to leave, dismissing me from her presence.

“You can go,” she wave negligently like I’m nothing, like I’m not the one running this shit.

Snatching her little ass back I look down into those expressive orbs flaming with hatred for me.

“And exactly what did you see?” Not really curious, more because she seems jealous. From what I’ve seen actresses try to emote for more than a dozen years — she’s hurt too. I need to know why.

“You taking advantage of an inexperienced girl.” She hurls the accusation at me with so much disgust I almost cringe.

“She wanted to say goodbye. I owed her at least that.” This gives the harridan pause for all of ten seconds.

“Oh, at least there is someone you think you owe answers to instead of taking decisions out of their hands, forcing marriage on them. Kidnapping and disrupting years of hard work.” Bitting her bottom lip to cut off more words she tugs. I let her go.

Staring her down as I seethe,“You mean like you not telling me about my son?”

Lifting her head she gives me stiff nod. “I guess you think all of this—” waving to the room at large she pins me with a look, “is justified by a child you never wanted.”

“You don’t know what the fuck I wanted because you didn’t give me a chance to know about him.” Teeth clenched I ground out feeling heat on the back of my neck. How dare she judge me. “Now we’ll never know will we? You took that from me and the whole first year of his life.”

A mean little smirk quirks the corner of her mouth as she looks at me in a way that seems to size me up and find me lacking.

“I know what you wanted. What men like you always want — no responsibility. To do your dirt without any of the filth coming back to cling to your bespoke suits.You’ll go to any length not to have your problems exposed to the public. I have my own life. I don’t need you, Hassan. I chose to keep my baby for me. He’s mine. I didn’t need to consult you. You were engaged, remember? Something you failed to tell me. One night, that was all.” She shoves away from me throwing a wicked laugh over her shoulder at me, “Hell, I barely remembered it until the mandatory pregnancy test came back before my tour saying I was pregnant. It took me a half a day to even piece it together. Blame it on the Remy.” She gives a rueful chuckle, “That could be a song, lemme get my notebook.”

Fascination, disbelief, anger then resolve coalesce down to the bone and sinew of my being as I stare in awe of this little lying ass motherfucker trying to convince me, as she wonders off into her bedroom, that she didn’t remember the night that has me jacking my dick on a daily basis.

I have no choice but to follow.

“Oh yeah?” My voice sounds almost subhuman as the lock clicks ominously behind me.

“Ha—”

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