Page 58 of Shâhzâdeh

He whistled as we moved through the halls of my parents’ elaborate estate. We were in the east wing of the house that was reserved for business. “Thank God the horses were safely moved last week.”

I was nodding because the horses were now in quarantine in the US. “Zhat was zhe first step. Before we were allowing zhe endowments earned from zhe businesses to stay wizin zhe family’s coffers. Zhose are getting stripped.”

He held out his hand stopping my progress. “That’s a huge amount of money.”

I scoffed, but I was glad this shit was ending. “It is, but we’re also pulling out what has accumulated along wiz interest.”

He was silent for a second before he spoke up almost panicked. “Xerx, that’s a few hundred million. You don’t think they’re going to throw a fit over losing access to that kind of money?”

“Of course they will.”

His eyes narrowed and he nodded his head so that we could keep moving. “And you’re not worried.”

I had to shrug because it wasn’t anything that could be avoided. “It’s expected. As is zheir lashing out. Plans have been put in place for years and I understand why now is the time. We have so much to look forward to and enough plans are in place. I’m just happy she gave me zhe go ahead.”

“What was the wait?”

“Bâbâ. Zhe respect she had for him. Zhe hope zhat zhey would finally behave zhe way zhey should. But I zhink zhat hope died with zheir last attempt at control when I was last in Tehran. Vhen ve vatch as zhey continue to do everyzing to excess. Our support is only enabling zheir bad behavior and now it ends.”

“How widespread?” He wanted a list of the damage we would do so he could mitigate it or profit from it on his end.

I sighed going through the mental list of what would be happening. “Credit cut off. The only one with access to anything that bears our power behind it will be Afshin. That is how it has been officially for years. He has always controlled the purse strings of the money that is meant for improvement. We have always known how they attempt to bully him into doing what they want but he is too well protected. Now we need to make sure he’s impenetrable.”

We finally made it into the kitchen, which was in the middle of the home and saw Omega standing with Quentin and Shoaib. They were finishing up whatever meal my parents had requested for them to enjoy during this meeting. One look at us and they were immediately on guard.

“What’s good?” Omega pulled out his gun and Quentin and Shoaib laughed but theirs were already out on the table.

“Shit’s about to get hectic.” Midas moved around the island and started to look inside the pots that were on the stove.

“Here or there?” That question came from Quentin who was now on his feet. All three men were dressed in suits but were ready to put in work.

“Both.” Midas spoke up causing all three men to smile.

“Do we need to add eyes on Nev and Mansa or do you think the compound is protection enough?” Omega had his phone out ready to do whatever Mi needed him to.

“This is all on Xerx, but you know they are more than good. Right now, we gotta worry about keeping hissayyidasafe.”

“She’s got protection wizin her office but I am ready to get to her. From what I can see, zhey don’t know anyzing about her, but zhat will change zhe second she agrees to be my wife. When zhat happens zhey will definitely try to stop zhat.”

“You must be slipping if you’re still doing convincing and it hasn’t been put into action yet.” Omega was teasing me the same way that Midas would but I really wanted to ask him where his girl was at.

“Zhesayyidaloves him. Zhat is not zhe problem. Ve vill have anarusi, soon.” Sho spoke up with a smile on his face and I was going to send him a raise just for speaking this into existence.

Midas was laughing as he pulled a bowl out of the cabinet. “At least Sho has faith in you.”

I chuckled as I removed my jacket as I followed Midas in seeing what the hell was on the pot. Seeing that it was bademjan, eggplant stew, I was ready to eat. “Probably because I pay his salary.”

“No, he’s not wrong. Black women have a tell and she is constantly showing hers. She ain’t cussed you out and she hasn’t gone to Liam to tell him to get you away from her so you’re good. But stop pussyfooting around. She already found us that nice ass house and I’m ready to move into it and settle for a minute.” Quentin holstered his gun since everything was good and leaned against the island as he tried to tell me about my life.

My brows quirked because he above anyone else knew how much I’d done to win Vanya. “You zhink I have not been moving toward zhe goal all zhis time?”

“Yeah, but double time it. The last thing you want is to give somebody else time to invade your territory. Y’all don’t know how to act when y’all don’t get your way.” He made me sound like a child who’d gotten a toy taken away but I couldn’t deny his sentiment’s accuracy.

“Any man zhat attempts to step between me and fate will meet whatever god he serves far quicker than he hoped.”

“See. And I know Ms. Babette taught you manners.”

“I did, Quentin, but I also played an integral part of teaching him the art of war. But he’s right, son. Go get my daughter so that we can start planning this wedding.” My mother appeared with a grin and was greeted by our men with bows of respect.

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