Page 73 of Shâhzâdeh

“One who wants to continue to eat. I suggest you should tell your sons and grandsons zhey should learn someting from him if zhey want to keep full bellies zemselves.”

“I will give you zhis one last chance to do vhat you should before I have to take drastic actions, Xerxes.”

My eyes flickered to my father and he gave me a subtle nod. My actions would have ramifications for our entire family and I didn’t want to do anything without putting them on notice.

“Do what you must and I will respond accordingly. You agreed to make this right. You did not. So I had to in a way I saw fit. It has cost me greatly and until I feel that I am paid back in full, the Mahdavi monarchies will need to retrench. You would hate for word to get out that you do not pay your debts. For it to be splattered about the tabloids that you and your offspring take part in events so sordid that self-respecting families won’t want to be involved with you.” My grandfather might think he was better than the other countries around him, but he needed them. His father had an Egyptian bride and he himself had married my father’s mother who was half Palestinian. If his secrets got out publicly, the other countries who still held monarchies wouldn’t want to do business with him nor marry their children into the Mahdavi family.

“Remember, I gave you the chance to do what was right.” My grandfather was attempting to strike fear in my heart when there was no strength behind his words.

“Remember, you were given the same chance and you decided that my request for justice should be ignored. So now your desire for a handout will be.” I was still attempting to be diplomatic but I knew he would take it as a threat.

“Handout! Like I am a pauper like your uncle. Disgusting. Disrespectful. You should hope you live to regret your actions.”

He said nothing else and we didn’t expect him to. The dial tone was expected and bâbâ leaned forward to hang up the phone.

“You’re going to need to tighten up security.” Bâbâ looked concerned despite him knowing I could take care of myself.

Instead of waving off his advice I agreed with a nod to calm his worry. “I will have to tell Sho and Quentin you think they’re lacking.”

He grinned, and for the first time today he looked calm. “Is your lady protected?”

“She is.” I informed him of who I had in place and he could only smile at one of Mir’s people being with her. But I knew he approved of my actions.

“We will get zhings settled here and zhen make our way to Charlotte.” My father’s proclamation surprised me because I didn’t expect him to say that.

“Settled?”

He waved his arm around the room. “Ve will have to ensure the house is more than secure. Yourpedarbozorgis not going to allow hisnoohto outsmart him.”

“But it is vhat is expected. I’m going to wait for him to strike and then it will give me all the ammunition I need.”

“Vill you tell her vhat is going on?” His face told me what his opinion on the matter was but I had to disagree with him.

I was tired of everyone wanting me to strike fear in Vanya’s heart. “I do not see the reason.”

“You say she’s not into zhis life—”

“She’s Liam’s wife’s best friend.” The last thing I could do was tell her that my family was going to try to kill her.

“But Francesca has been around far longer and vitnessed more. You say she’s soft. Don’t you tink you should varn her?”

I huffed as my chest tightened at the ramifications my honesty could bring. “So that she can try to run away from me?”

“You do not give her enough credit.” He looked irritated with me and my lack of transparency. Bâbâ might have been able to say that a few weeks ago, but not now.

“Maybe I don’t give myself enough credit. I want tings between us to be somewhat peaceful before it all comes out. She’s already seen things, hasn’t said a word.”

He studied me and when he saw I wouldn’t relent he moved on. “I’ll be there to help you ease her fears when the time comes. For now, I have to prepare to grovel to your maman.”

“Why?”

“Because I was right and she was wrong.” Bâbâ’s smile was a mix of arrogance and lust and I couldn’t understand what he was talking about.

“About?”

“Needing to kill my father. She’d hoped zhere vould have been redemption in him. I zhink it is because her fazer and zhe ozer men vere so good she didn’t tink I could be born from somezing so vicked.” His explanation still made no sense to me.

“But vouldn’t zhat mean she would need to grovel to you?”

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