Page 39 of No Way Forward

Novette kissed Beau again and scooted her closer. Then she placed a couple more pieces of bacon on a plate for Beau and added scrambled eggs and a biscuit smeared with jam.

A few moments later, her grandmother walked into the room, and Beau leaped into her arms. Sheila cuddled her granddaughter and tickled her. They talked about what movie they would see together that weekend. Novette wondered what her life would be like with a daughter if she ever had one.

Her phone dinged. Warm tingles invaded her body to see that the message was from Zaid. “I have to take care of some business, but I don’t want to leave without saying goodbye. Meet me in the maze?”

She scraped her chair away from the table. “You’re taking Beau, Ms. Sheila?”

“Yes, I have her. Thanks for looking after my sweetie, Novette. Azalie is young. I’m sure she’ll figure out motherhood soon.”

“Uh huh.” Novette wouldn’t indulge the woman’s fantasies. She escaped the dining room and hurried to get her shoes on in her bedroom. After she was ready, she took the back stairs to the ballroom and left the mansion by the French doors. Daily chores kept the staff busy so no one noticed her leave. She knew the property included the top standards in security and wasn’t worried about danger as long as she stayed within the property lines.

A few steps into the maze, and she came upon Zaid. He held his arms open, and she tumbled into his embrace. His kiss made her dizzy with delight, and she settled her head on his shoulder.

“You didn’t come to my room last night. I thought you would.”

“I’m sorry. I had to take care of something.”

She ran a thumb over his cheek, just wanting to touch him. To be free to do so thrilled her. “You mean you were trying to find out who shot at us, weren’t you?”

He hesitated. “Yes. From your description of the car you saw, the police have a good lead. I don’t want to tell you this, but I also don’t want to keep you in the dark.”

“Tell me.”

“Your dad has gotten death threats because of his current client.”

She shivered. “He’s had them before, but as far as I know no one has ever tried to kill him.”

He didn’t answer.

“They have, haven’t they?”

“He has enemies.”

“I’ve never been dragged into it.”

“And that’s how Richard wanted it. He wanted to protect you and keep you safe at all times. He’s not pleased that your picture was in the news.”

“Are you sure he didn’t plan it that way? To keep me from running again? I won’t run if I think someone will come after me trying to get to him. Isn’t that what he wanted?”

Zaid moved to sit down on a bench with her by his side. “Don’t be afraid. I promise you I’ll look after you.”

“I’m scared, Zaid. I’m not used to this kind of life.”

He squeezed her hand. “You haven’t asked me if I’m involved.”

She blinked at him.

“It must have run through your mind. I told you I would figure out what we can do to be together and that I won’t run away.”

Her eyes widened. “You didn’t—?”

“Never! There’s no way I would hire some idiot to shoot at you just to keep you here. Novette, you must believe that. You’re precious to me.” He took her into his arms. She held on, loving him with everything inside, and she believed him.

“I know you wouldn’t.”

“Before the attack, how did the brunch go?”

She shrugged. “They were both ready to ask me to marry them.”

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