Page 26 of Shâhzâdeh

“Build a high rise. In Uptown?” I was wondering if he understood what that would entail and how much he would need to spend to get what he wanted. But judging by the arrogant, no confident, look on his face, he was completely undaunted at whatever number I would throw at him.

“I have never understood zhis place’s need to be different by calling zheir downtown Uptown.”

“It’s because of the elevation of Trade and Tryon. They are the highest elevation in the city. But honestly, it’s just propaganda.” I shrugged and he had a smile dancing on his full lips, that dimple playing peekaboo in the hollow of his cheek.

“Most zhings in zhis world are.”

“So tell me, what are you looking for in a home?”

He hesitated as though he was undecided, which seemed patently against this man’s nature. “I’m not sure. It has to be large. As you can see, I have a very large friend group who have the desire to expand their bloodlines immediately. With three children currently and with Jahmir’s wife due in the summer and Bhaltair’s due in the early fall, we will need space.”

I hesitated to speak on anything because he spoke about the people he hung around with as though they were just his friends. His brothers. And not… an organization. Of course, my best friend was married into it and she had to be as crazy as her husband to handle him so…

I made a mental note of what he was going to need because homes that had upward of seven bedrooms weren’t rare in Charlotte but we would need to move fast. “A lot of bedrooms. How about privacy?”

“What would you zhink a man of my background would need?” His brow rose, not in offense, but almost like he was questioning what I knew about him. Since I wasn’t crazy, I was going to play dumb.

“Well, I would assume that you would need more space than normal. That comes at a premium.”

“Zhere is no price limit I can’t afford to pay wiz cash, Vanya.”

I paused not wanting to assume anything about his finances because he, of course wasn’t broke. The most expensive house in Charlotte was still something that would make even a wealthy person blink twice. “So you won’t need financing?”

“I have a friend who owns a bank,habibi. If I needed it, it would be zhere. Would zhat ease your mind zhat you weren’t doing somezing illegal?”

“Considering the people you call friends? No.”

He barked a laugh that pulled one from me and some of the tension ebbed out of my spine.

“A smart business woman who is blunt. I like you very much Vanya.” The words were loaded but there was no need for me to ask him to elaborate. The look on his face spoke louder than his words.

“I’m not trying to be nosy—”

“Zhere is no offense taken. You have been more zhan vetted to have zhe knowledge zhat you do. We trust you, which is a very high honor.”

“Thank you. But I will say, if you don’t want people wanting access to your financial information, at least get him to write you a letter on what your funding limit would be. People might get the ideas to cheat you if they see what you have available.” I bit my lip hoping my suggestion wasn’t deemed as disrespectful.

“I’ve handled many deals before and I understand completely.” He leaned back, his deep brown hair looking like he had the perfect blow out. It was parted slightly off center and fell in deep waves that looked as though they wanted to turn into curls.

“Any family?”

“My mozer and fazer.”

“Siblings?”

His swift shake of his head meant that was a point of pain and I would make sure not to mention it again. “Zhe brothers zhat you have met are my only siblings. How about you?”

I shook my head, my curls doing their best imitation of a mane since it had been so many days since I washed it. I didn’t care how people saw them, taming my hair was the one thing I would always refuse to do. “I don’t speak to my adoptive siblings anymore. You’ve seen my ex…”

He made a sound of disgust in his throat his tongue flickering out to demonstrate his annoyance but instead had me wondering how good it would feel against mine.

“Nasty business we will discuss at anozer time. I am enjoying my time wiz you too much to sully it with a miscreant who deserved far worse than he received. Back to business, zhe house will need to have a guest house on zhe property.”

I was nodding and pulled out my tablet to make a note of the new requirement. “For your parents?”

“No, zhey will want to purchase zheir own property for when zhey visit. Zhe guest house is for my security.”

“You have security?” I knew I sounded ridiculous asking him the question again, but I didn’t know anyone who lived like that.

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