Page 25 of Shâhzâdeh

“I’m trying, but it’s hard.”

“And I get that, sis. I really do. But when they said it, it was meant to demean. To make you less than or feel inferior. You have to understand that the reclamation of that word, the no longer letting it rule us is part of taking our power back.”

“So white people can say it now?”

“If they wanna get slapped in the mouth with a gun.” She was so deadass I had to crack up because I knew she would more than back up what she was saying.

“Francesca Morrow Merrick, I’m going to bed.”

“Yoo ave the best timin’ of anyone, Vanya. I needed to ‘ave a word with mo reul.” Only Liam’s voice was heard but with the way Frankie’s eyes softened then clouded with lust, I knew this call was over. Her body language shifted from relaxed to anticipatory, as though being in his presence put all her senses on alert in the best way.

“Just say you wanna be fresh. No need to lie. Call me whenever he turns you loose, Frankie.”

His broad golden tan hand and forearm came into view as his fingers caressed her chin and brushed over her lips. I was getting ready to hang up, but Liam seemed to remember I was on the phone and he addressed me after a few seconds.

“Yoo’ll ‘ear from ‘er afore next week, Vanya. If not soon after.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Connections

VANYA

“WHY ARE YOU here?”

A smile sliced through the normally serious mien he wore on his face, elevating him from dangerous to decadently handsome. I hated the fact that he was so attractive.All the fine ones had to be crazy. Francesca and her husband’s friend's group, including the man in front of me, were proof of that.

“Why else does one come to a realtor,habibi?”

He slowly unbuttoned the top button of his suit jacket as he walked to my desk and sat down. He moved like a model—no that wasn’t accurate. Xerxes moved through a room like he owned it. As though everything within it recognized that he was the one at the top of the food chain and they would do well to make a friend of him instead of an enemy. I could see that air about him, but the one that projected to me was worse. As I watched him move so effortlessly toward me his hunter green suit custom tailored to his broad athletic frame almost made me forget he was more than just a businessman. Xerxes intoxicated me. Motioned for me to come closer like the wisps of smoke from a genie’s lamp promising to fulfill the desires of my heart. Only instead of offering me three wishes, he offered me a lifetime of endless possibilities. Hope. The promise of love. And I wasn’t sure I could handle that.

It wasn’t until he sat down that I realized I’d been gawking at him unblinkingly as he made his way to me.

“By all means, have a seat.”

He grinned at my sarcasm, and it bothered me that I didn’t affect him. Nothing I did annoyed him. He always smiled at me as though he knew I was attempting to keep him at arm’s length. And failing.

Xerxes was a man with looks that would make anyone look three or four times. Hell, I’d been in the same room as him when women just openly stared despite him not paying them any attention. I wasn’t trying to be around someone who had that kind of magnetism because I’d spend too much time cussin’ people out.

And I didn’t want to be anywhere near another man with the type of all-consuming power that leapt off of him like static whenever I got too close.

Been burned enough in this lifetime thank you very much.

I shifted in my desk chair, yet another move that seemed to make his smile deepen and that damn dimple pop out. Why God gave this man a dimple was just pure visual torture for everyone that came in contact with him.

“From what I understood, you live in Tennessee, and while I’m licensed and insured there, I’m not currently taking traveling clients.”

Because of my boutique service, I dealt with high-profile clients who preferred to work with one agent no matter what state or country they wished to make a purchase. Because of that, I’d sat through exams in multiple states to ensure I could fit their needs. Most major markets were covered, and for those I didn’t have access to, I studied up and got it. There was a time in my life that I was controlled by money. Controlled period, if we’re being honest and I swore I would do everything to never return to that life. Having been brought up to be a pretty fool was the goal, but jokes on them because I was naturally smart. Whenever business conversations were had at the dinner table, I soaked in the knowledge they’d thought they were dispensing to my brother. More times than not, I was there to help him when he had issues. If only I would’ve known how that help would slap me in the face literally years down the line. I would’ve kept my mouth shut.

“I plan to move and zhere is no one else I trust to handle zhis purchase zhan you. Your reputation in zhis city speaks for you and I’m sure zhat you will find me exactly what I need. Besides, we don’t allow money zhat could be spent wiz family to be handed to strangers. We take care of our own.” His eyes were the epitome of bedroom: deep brown, heavily lashed so thick and dark they didn’t look real. His eyes were dreamy, seducing orbs that had me once again mesmerized until he winked at me and I snapped out of the trance.

I smiled tightly, sitting back to put some space between us. “I’m not family.”

“Are you not Francesca’s best friend? Zhat provides you with our care and protection. Not to brag, but zhe commission for zhe house alone would match your profits for last year.”

My brain filtered through his words before parts of it began to register and questions started to fire off in my brain. “First off, what do you mean for the housealone? What are you planning to buy?”

“I need a house and business location,ma beauté.Preferably a complex. Zhat way I can lease out other businesses or even a high rise would be suitable. If nozing is available we can look for land to purchase to build.” He was speaking about investing tens of millions of dollars into a location like it was nothing. For him to trust me with this was a really big deal.

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