Page 34 of Shâhzâdeh

“I THINK YOU’LL like this one.”

That shadowy smile flickered across his face briefly like he wanted to keep his excitement down but mine was far too contagious for him to be unaffected.

I liked that. I shouldn’t, but I did. Affecting him. Causing him to feel something out of his norm. It was a scary place to be in, but I knew I would be safe as long as Xerxes was there with me.

Deep down, I hoped he would love this house and then I could wrap up our business quickly. Xerxes made me hope for things that weren’t possible. Made me believe that good things did really happen to good people. Like he was the genie in the lamp promising me that one little rub could grant me my heart’s desires.

“You zhink?”

I chuckled to myself because I knew what was waiting for him as we drove down Highway 16. Xerxes insisted on driving me to the house that I had to show him. He said it was something about security and I didn’t want to argue with him. This location was more suburban borderline rural, being just over the line from Weddington inside of Waxhaw. The property had the distinction of being close to the South Carolina line and a facility that I thought would fit his business needs perfectly. It also ensured he could lure or find good talent in the area and not have to break the bank paying them high salaries because of the location. I’m sure he would find a way to be offended at my thought of him not breaking the bank.

“I hate to be rude but it would be near impossible for anyone with sense not to like this house.”

He turned to me fully with his knees almost touching mind despite the space in the car. “You often say I’m unhinged, I might be the one vho does not. But you seem impressed.”

I leaned closer to him his eyes flickering over my face in surprise at my closeness. “Can I let you in on a little secret?”

“Sure.”

“There are a lot of houses in this state that check off the criteria that you like. This city even.”

“I’m sure zhere are. Charlotte is not a city zhat slacks in real estate despite how many may still view it as a small town because of zhe sprawl and concentration of vealth in Atlanta.”

“Exactly. But the caliber of person that you are outside of what you do… I understand that there are certain requirements that you have more so than the average simply rich buyer.”

“You mean zheConsortium?”

The way his accent seemed to wrap around each of his words and provide an air of hypnotizing seduction needed to be studied. I was enthralled watching the way his tongue and lips formed words I’d been speaking my whole life, as though each were a new discovery only he’d made.

I cleared my throat once I realized I’d been staring for a second too long. “That’s a term I’m not all that familiar with.”

Because he wasn’t about to toss me out this car and riddle my body with bullets for knowing about Fight Club. Not today Satan.

He laughed as though he could see the scenario I’d played out in my head and he thought I was ridiculous. Like I hadn’t watched how he and all his associates cut up and Vanya’s wedding.

“It is okay if you are. I told you that you have been more than vetted by all of us. Your presence amongst us is something that is more than accepted it is expected now. Vhen I told you that you have our protection I meant it.” Xerxes gave my hand a squeeze before releasing them and placing his hands back in my lap.

Have you ever heard of smoldering eyes? He had them. I never understood because I’d never seen them. But this man’s eyes were soft but could become incendiary.

“I still don’t understand that. I didn’t do anything.”

He gave me a half smile when he saw I was still confused. “You did more than you zhink. And besides, we care about you. Because we’ve seen zhe person you are. And we like zhe person you are. How you could have a moral compass but do not look down on us. You know zhings, but you do not share things wiz people who would use it to bring harm to us. Zhat type of person is very scarce in this life. One zhat is genuine.”

I blushed slightly because his words of praise made me feel good. Frankie was one of the few people who gave me praise. My clients would but it was what they’d paid for. Only Frankie had ever spoken of my character like this.

“I know what it’s life for people to keep secrets that aren’t good for others. And in a situation like that, I would tell. But your business isn’t anyone else’s business.”

“Could zhat be a crack in the wall of you hating me?” His voice lowered slightly his smile looking softer almost like he hoped his words were true.

I glanced around the spacious but still intimate leather clad backseat of the SUV we were driving in. “If I hated you I wouldn’t be in this car with you. You are… a lot.”

“I understand what zhat phrase me and I can almost grasp zhe context but I’d still prefer you to elaborate so zhat I do not make the mistake of assuming zhe wrong zhing.”

I bit my lip but he waited too patiently for me to respond so I knew I wasn’t going to get out of elaborating. “Your presence is a lot. Your demeanor is a lot. Your… energy is a lot. Overwhelming.”

He sat back broadening the distance between us; the smile gone from his face. “I’m sorry. I did not know that was the type of effect I had on you. Is it… do I make you uncomfortable?”

“Yes—”

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