Page 164 of Shâhzâdeh

“And what is that?”

I bent down slightly to get in her face as I smiled wickedly. “My husband is absolutely insane. His wrath would rival that of a berserker when he’s got his sights set on you. Especially if you’ve wronged me. He told me if anyone even thought of harming one strand of flame colored hair on my head they would have hell to pay. And I believe him. Because one thing my husband doesn’t do is break a promise to me. So, you are more than welcome to play with your life if you want to. I wouldn’t recommend it. The last man who did, well, let’s just say he lost his head. And I don’t mean that figuratively. Oh, and let’s not forget my brother.”

She paled slightly and I knew she was going to run back and tell them, but it was too late. “You mean my son—”

“No, I mean my brother. You know the one you stole me from when you set my parent’s house on fire.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She was gulping and her face looked completely sallow.

“You do. And soon you’ll have to face the consequences of your actions. But you’ll be able to see what I mean firsthand very soon.” I watched her try to silently come up with something that she could say to save herself. Denial wasn’t going to work because there was too much evidence. Since Ahmad had found me alive, there would be plenty of questions that would come up for everyone that was involved with the fire, my adoption and the life I was forced to live. Instead of trying to defend herself she turned and walked away. I noticed that she was going to work and although I was pissed she hadn’t been fired, she would never make it to clock into another shift after today.

Navi was grinning and I was sure she was surprised by what I’d said. “I’m thoroughly impressed.”

“I save my sympathy for those who deserve it. I save my wrath for those who have earned it. And they are well past due for karma to pay them a visit.”

“You know your husband is going to ensure that happens.” Frankie was grinning but her eyes were still on my adoptive mother’s back.

“He will. And soon. Because they aren’t the type of people who learn from mistakes. They don’t take grace as a way to get better. They take it as a divine sign that they are above repercussions. They lack the ability to stay out of their own way.” Navi was speaking way too knowledgeably about this and I was wondering just how much she’d endured. Even knowing how bad it was, I could tell it didn’t even scratch the surface.

“Her coming up to you like she owned you pissed me off. Like she still has some type of authority over you.”

“I don’t even have to give them rope to hang themselves. They’ve supplied the rope and the chair for their demise. Xerxes will be more than happy to kick it away.” In my mind they were already dead and gone, I was just waiting on Xerxes to make it a reality.

“I’ve witnessed a lot of arrogance and boldness in my day but it was normal for people that have been in positions of power. But someone who doesn’t even have power in her own house? That’s a first.” Navi, with all that I was sure she’d seen, even seemed dumbfounded by that woman’s behavior.

“She’s the past. And I know that she will rest there. Even though I hope it’s not peacefully. But more than anything else, I’m ready to eat. There’s no telling what the hell those men have been up to with the kids..”

Navi started laughing and she adjusted the crossbody strap of her bag over her head. She was dressed in leggings and a crop tank top. Navi was oblivious to the attention that she drew or else she ignored it like Frankie did.

“Be ready to take that pony back to Carolina Falls with you.” Frankie’s eyes went wide at my words and I could see the panic in her face.

“You really think that man has a pony for my baby?”

“Frankie, the trailer is probably already on its way to your house.” Navi was admiring her manicure like what she said wasn’t a big deal.

“Shit, we need to get back!” Frankie turned around like she was about to head back to the car.

“No ma’am. We’re going right up here to this restaurant, I’m about to have something good to eat since I’m out with my friends and then we can go home and help Skye pick out a name for her pony.”

“Y’all think this is funny?” Frankie was looking between the two of us like we’d betrayed her while we just laughed.

“It is. Because you should’ve known the Blersian that gifted his wife an entire parure of diamond jewelry for her wedding and another for just because was going to spoil his god baby. Knowing him, he’s gonna have two ponies so that one won’t be lonely.” She spoke so matter-of-factly that even I paused.

Frankie looked so resigned and she should because this is what she signed up for. “Oh hell. Let me get this last meal before all the chaos begins.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Honor Killings

VANYA

“I GOT THIS for you.” Quentin was watching Ahmad as he held out a bag that he said was for me. We were in the first showing that we’d kept despite having our familial connection exposed. I still had a job to do and I was going to do it even better than normal since this was my family.

Quentin held out his hand signaling that he wanted Ahmad to open it up. I put my hands on my hips because I thought we’d moved past this. “Are you really about to do this right now?”

Quentin didn’t even bother to stop what he was doing because he had a job to do. “Bruh, you know your husband as yourhabibi. Your eshgham. I know him asshâhzâdeh. I fear no man nor do I fear death. But I enjoy living and I love doing my job well. I’m not finna die over something stupid.”

“That’s my blood.” Ahmad’s smile he was just giving Quentin shit and it was clear that Quentin knew it as well.

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