Page 96 of All's Fair In Love & War

Naeem immediately hushed his mouth, but his face was twisted like he had gotten a taste of the world’s sourdest candy. With him out of the way, she returned her attention to me.

“My engagement to your brother was similar. The only difference was that he and my parents tried to trick me into falling in love with him. The problem was that Dallas couldn’t hide his true nature for long, and I ended up figuring it out. So, again, I truly understand what you’re feeling right now, and I’m so sorry that a deal like that was made without your consent.”

I shrugged, trying to play off the tension, though her words caught me off guard. “Don’t apologize. It’s not like you tied me up and threw me into a car.”

Tatum’s lips twitched, but she didn’t fully display her humorless smile. “No, but I sure as hell would’ve untied you if I’d known.”

“I appreciate that,” I replied, my tone light but pointed. “Unfortunately, your husband and his brother have other plans for me.”

“What the hell were you two thinking? You both knew I wouldn’t be okay with this.” Tatum looked from Naeem to Khalil and back again.

“This isn’t the time or place. We’ll talk later,” Naeem said, his voice low, his patience clearly thinning.

“No! Now is a perfect time,” she shot back, her tone icy. “You had me thinking they were really in love when, in reality, this shit is nothing more than a business deal.”

Khalil set his glass down with a little too much force, the sound reverberating through the tense silence. “We may not be in love right now, but we will be one day,” he said, his tone matter-of-fact.

“How do you plan to make that happen when you still make me feel like a goddamn prisoner?” I asked with as much force as he had.

The table went dead silent. Not the awkward kind, either. This was the kind of silence that made librarians jealous.

Tatum slowly set her glass down, her eyes laser-focused on Khalil. “Is that true?” she asked, her voice low enough to scare God.

“Tatum,” Khalil dragged her name. “You’re my sister, and I respect you, so I’m going to ask you to mind your business.”

Tatum raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had the authority to dictate what I can and can’t discuss at my table, Khalil.”

Before he could respond, I leaned forward, my voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Tatum, it’s fine. Really. I know how to handle him. Isn’t that right, dear?”

Khalil’s gaze snapped to mine, his jaw tightening further. “Felicity,” he warned, his tone low and dangerous.

“What?” I asked innocently, batting my lashes at him. “Am I lying?”

Tatum stared at me for a moment before letting out a dry laugh. “I like you.”

“Thanks,” I replied with a smirk. “I like me, too.”

Khalil pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly at the end of his rope. “Come on, Felicity. We’re leaving.” He pushed his seat back from the table and stood.

I barely had time to process his words before his strong grip closed around my wrist, and he was yanking me behind him toward the exit. The suddenness of his actions caught me off guard, and the world spun as I stumbled to keep my balance.

“Let go of me!” I hissed, twisting my wrist to free myself from his grasp.

However, that only made him tighten his hold. My heart raced, anger and fear battling for dominance within me as I dug my heels into the floor. They were so slippery, my efforts didn’t slow him down one bit.

In less than a minute, we were outside. “Get in the car,” Khalil barked, shoving me toward the passenger door of his Rolls-Royce Phantom.

My feet planted firmly on the ground, refusing to budge. “No,” I shot back defiantly, anger surging through me. “I’m not ready to leave.”

Khalil’s jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. “You don’t have a choice. I said get in the fucking car before I make you.”

“I’d like to see you—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Khalil surged forward, seizing my waist with an iron grip. I barely had time to gasp before he tossed me into the car like a rag doll.

The door slammed shut behind me with a resounding thud that echoed my growing despair. I scrambled to open the door, but Khalil was already sliding in beside me, his presence looming and oppressive. I opened my mouth to speak, but themoment I met his gaze, I lost my nerve. The fury in his eyes was wild and unpredictable, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

“Don’t say a word and don’t you fucking touch that door,” he warned, his voice low and threatening.

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