Page 31 of Saving Salem
“Not for much longer. She murdered my son, your brother. I will have justice for her betrayal. It still seems impossible my Tarik would betroth himself to that dirty American infidel whore. I allowed her into our home, made her a welcome guest, and what did she do?”
Sayifa paced in front of his desk, her long blackabayaflowing behind her. A darkshaylacovered her graying hair. While his baby sister had adapted to wearing westernized clothing, even at home, his mother refused to conform to fashion’s dictates, eschewing them as being the clothing of prostitutes and loose women, and instead remaining true to her roots.
“Wouldn’t her suffering be best served by taking her child? An unending torment of never seeing her, knowing she is with Tarik’s family.” Rashid’s lips curved in a vicious smile. “Surely this is a fate most deserved.”
“No! I want to see her lifeless corpse. Know that her family mourns the faithless female the way I mourn my son, the child of my heart.”
Rashid winced at his mother’s words, though they didn’t surprise him. He’d always known Tarik not only found favor in her eyes because he was the oldest son, he was also her favorite. The golden child. The one who could do no wrong in his mother’s eyes. Abdullah and Rashid would always be lesser, second best.
“I have made arrangements to travel to the United States in a few days, Mother. Their State Department has granted my request to meet with our stateside attorneys in preparation of our case against Salem.”
“This is excellent news, my son. What about me? I want to be there, to see her face when she realizes we have everything in place to bring my granddaughter home where she belongs.”
“I’m sorry, Mother. They turned down your request. They feel, at this time, that only one member of the family needs to be present. I have been assured when the actual court date has been confirmed you will be permitted in the country.” At his mother’s frustrated scream, he was glad for the lie. If his mother ever found out she could have traveled to the United States at any time, that their restrictions had been lifted, she’d make sure he paid in a most painful way.
“This is not right. I have done nothing to keep me from traveling to this place called Louisiana. You must fix this, Rashid. Give however much money is needed to make it happen.” The look she shot his way chilled his blood. “Or I will, and we both know you won’t like the methods I’d use.”
True. His mother was impetuous and never fully thought out her actions or their consequences.
“I’ll try, Mother.”
Sayifa stood and the smile she gave him sent chills through his body. Everyone believed his mother to be kind, that she’d been a dutiful wife and loving caregiver. The thought made him want to puke. There’d never been a woman less maternal he’d ever met. Except to Tarik. Toward his brother, the oldest and heir, she’d doted on him. Treated him like he’d one day rule the world.
“Do more than try, my son. Fix the problem of Salem, or I will take matters into my own hands, and you will not like the outcome—or the consequences.”
He sat in his chair, staring at the door long after she’d left. Making another mistake at this juncture could spell disaster for his plans. While he loved his mother in his own way, she was becoming a liability. One he couldn’t afford, not if he was to become the kind of head of the Amir household they needed, now that his father and Tarik were both dead.
He had ambitions no one within their family knew, ones that would bring the Amir family back into the power they’d once held. But first, he needed to take care of one of the biggest hurdles standing in his way.
Salem Hudson.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“It’s perfect.”
“Right?” Stephanie gestured toward the gourmet kitchen. “I couldn’t believe I had this whole place to myself, but when I moved in they only had a three bedroom. Way too big for me since I lived alone. If you like it, Samuel said to tell you it’s yours.” She grinned at Salem, seated on one of the bar stools in front of the large kitchen island.
“I can’t believe I’m going to be living here. Well, if Jack approves. He’s part of this equation too.” She bit her lip, wondering again if he was okay. Stephanie had practically manhandled her and Chloe into the car, strapping them into the back seat of her sedan before she could say boo. Jack had stayed behind, and she had a good idea why. The man was a walking, talking Boy Scout. She was sure he’d remained to make sure everybody else got out before the fire spread.
“The apartment comes fully furnished. Of course, if you don’t like the things here, there’s a warehouse a couple miles away full of everything you could think of or need, right down to the dishes.”
There wasn’t much Salem would change. The apartment had three bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a huge living space and kitchen with an open concept, making it easy to see the whole main living area at a glance. She’d be able to keep an eye on Chloe while cooking. Her daughter had rocketed right past the crawling stage and into toddling around, and having the hardwood floors would be a huge benefit.
Plus, the third bedroom could be turned into a workspace for her graphic art, if Jack was okay with that. Having a quiet place to study? Nirvana.
Stephanie hopped off the barstool at the sharp knock on the door. Throwing it open, she ushered Jack and Nate inside.
Jack came to stand beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?” At her nod, he asked, “Where’s Chloe?”
She pointed to an area in front of the dark, teal-colored sofa, where a mound of pillows created a soft cave where her baby slept after all the excitement. It hadn’t taken more than two minutes before she’d fallen fast asleep, her thumb in her mouth.
“I wanted to wait for you, but Stephanie made me leave. Said I’d just be in the way and that it was ‘safer’ for me to come back to C.S.S. Once we got here, Samuel had her bring me up here, to show me around.” She watched his face closely, hoping he wasn’t mad that she’d left without finding him first.
“As long as you’re okay, we’re good. Though next time text or call. When I couldn’t find you, I—”
“He almost had a heart attack. I get it. Until the Amirs back off, you need to make sure somebody knows where you are. Can’t trust them not to try and take Chole out of the country illegally.” At Nate’s words her stomach clenched. It was her worst nightmare, the thought of Chloe in the hands of Sayifa Amir. The woman was a vicious, vindictive thorn in her side, had hated her from the moment Tarik brought her home. Chloe in that woman’s hands was an unimaginable horror.
“Thanks again, Stephanie, for everything.”
