Page 44 of Shâhzâdeh

“I know everything I need to know. It grows tiresome to continue to see you and this is the first and the last time I invite you into my space. Ensure zhat you avoid me like the plague.”

“This is my city—”

I jerked him back toward me, loving the fear I saw in his eyes. “I couldn’t give two fucks if it was your house. If I say to stay away, you do as I command or suffer for the disobedience. Forgive my language, Vanya.”

She waved me off elegantly, like this was an everyday occurrence. “You’re fine.”

“Zhe warning has been given. Heed it or not, it is no matter to me. You will suffer zhe consequences of whatever you decided. You can go now.”

I pushed him away from me, waiting to see the move he would make. Instead of saying a word he kept his injured hand close to his body and walked out of the room. Normally I would’ve felt bad about how I handled another Black man, but his ass would probably be offended that I called him Black.

I turned to Vanya watching her finish her drink and turn back to me. I knew already that she was going to leave and I couldn’t stop her.

“I appreciate your apologizing, but I need a minute.” She’d stop to speak to me, something she didn’t have to do. It showed that we had a mutual respect for one another. It was a place to start, but I hated I had set us back with this meeting.

“I understand completely. I’m sure zhat you have lost some respect for me and I apologize again. I did not mean to be another man who stepped on your toes zhe way I’m sure ozers have before.”

Her smile was tense, the light blue of her dress complimenting her hair and freckles. “It’s alright—”

“No. It’s not. And again, I’m sorry. I know you’re going to leave, but can Quentin escort you to your car?”

“I live right across the street.” I was well aware of the location of her home but I didn’t want to scare her off with my knowledge.

“If you didn’t drive, zhen allow him to drop you off at home.”

She hesitated but then glanced at Quentin before she gave a small smile. “That’s fine.”

“Zhank you.” I nodded at Quentin who moved into step with Vanya and I could only watch helplessly, angry with myself, as someone else escorted her home.

“Zhat did not go quite the vay you zhought it vould.” Shoaib came to step closer to me and I could hear the sympathy in his tone.

I sighed and couldn’t even be mad because I’d brought it on myself. “Does it ever?”

“I will say zhat Vanya is resourceful even with the little that she’s been given esince she got away from her ex. She’s made friends vith people loyal enough to be honest vith her. Zhat’s rare.” He was attempting to make me feel better, but it wasn’t going to work.

“She’s rare. But you’re right. I got highhanded wanting to play zhe hero. When I got zhe information I did, I should’ve gone to her to discuss it. Instead, my overzealous nature might have caused her to be even more distrustful of me.”

“You have to be out of town for a few days, you zhinking of inviting her along?”

I turned to look at Shoaib who didn’t bother to keep a straight face. He was grinning, his features lighter than the normal deadly scowl he wore.

“You must want to hasten her walking away from me. I take her to DC and zhen all hell breaks loose when she hears what I need to speak with Ori about.”

“It vould be an excellent test. You know zhat somezing vill be coming and zhen vhat vill you do if she doesn’t know how to handle zhe pressure?” Sho again was speaking facts I didn’t want to focus on right now. There would be tests for Vanya, from both sides of my family. One of loyalty and strength, the other of survival. She’d already proved she would fight for others, but the time would come where she would need to fight for herself. That is where I was unsure about her. She had done it against the Kennedys, but only to free herself. In our life, you had to get rid of your enemies, not ignore them.

“You’re right. Zhe observation can start while I’m gone. Is she in place?”

Shoaib nodded as we walked back to the table I’d been sitting in when all of this started. I pulled out my money clip and put enough down to more than cover the meal and a tip. I was happy someone would be watching her while I was away. I would have to text her later on tonight after she cooled off. There was nothing else I could do for the moment but give her space, but hopefully she’d be open to still working with me. Despite my romantic desires, there was no one else I would trust like her to handle business.

“Quentin back?”

“Pulling up now.”

I sighed and looked back at the room I didn’t get to use, wishing tonight had been different. “Good. Let’s get home.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Flight

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