Page 43 of No Way Forward

“He feels like he can keep an eye on you if you work in the company.”

“You mean control me. Doesn’t matter. I’m going to be with you. Wait, do we know how long we’ll be away?”

“I’m not sure. Perhaps until the trial is over. The immediate danger might pass at that point.”

“That could be years.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Nope.” Her heart felt light. “Years out from under his thumb—sort of. It feels almost like when I left the first time, except I won’t have to wonder where my next meal is coming from.”

“I hate that you had to deal with that.” He ran his hands over her back. “I will never allow you to be hungry again.”

“Thanks. I love you.”

“And I love you.”

He kissed her quickly as the bell dinged and the elevator doors slid open. They separated before anyone could see them, and Zaid escorted her down the hall to Richard’s office.

Sheila Grace, Richard’s secretary, looked up at they approached. Her gaze slid from him to Novette, and Zaid thought he saw sympathy there. Sheila was always respectful and kind to Novette, but he had never seen pity in her eyes as she observed Novette. Some sixth sense put him on guard.

“Is he in?” Zaid said. “I need to report.”

“He is, but he’s waiting for just you.” Sheila stood. “I’m sorry, Novette. Can you wait out here?”

Novette waved her hand. “Don’t worry. I’m heading downstairs to HR really quick.”

“Good idea,” the woman said right away.

Zaid tensed even more.

“I’ll catch you later, Zaid.”

Novette returned the way they came, and he headed over to Richard’s door. At his knock, Richard called out that he should come in. Zaid expected Richard to be alone in his office. His personal bodyguards were never in the office with him because of the company’s strict security procedures. The bodyguards would spend their time elsewhere when Richard expected to work all day.

As Zaid opened the door, he paused at sight of the guards. “I wanted to report in, sir, and there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

“Shut the door, Zaid.”

Richard held an air of reserve when dealing with Zaid, but there was always a sense of respect as well. Zaid had believed Richard depended on him as his right-hand man. Today, the chill in the air almost made Zaid shiver. Something was up.

“Sir, I was thinking—”

“I’m going to make this brief, Zaid. You’re fired.”

“Wha—? I don’t understand.”

“Oh, you don’t? Let me spell it out for you. I have reason to believe you were behind the attack on my daughter.”

“That’s absurd, and you know it!”

Zaid started for the desk, but the two men stepped in his path. He tried to glare them down, but neither was impressed. These men were as big as him, the one on the left bigger. He didn’t have to guess if they were as skilled in hand-to-hand combat as he was. He had sparred with both previously. Taking on both at the same time wasn’t smart.

“If you’ll let me share what I’ve learned about that incident,” Zaid began, “I can clear up any doubts you have.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Richard held up a folder and waggled it in the air. “I can turn these documents over to the district attorney’s office, and you can be charged with a attempted kidnapping and various other crimes—enough to get you life in prison—or you can walk out of here and never come back.”

Zaid felt like he’d been kicked in the gut. “I don’t understand what’s brought this on. Explain it to me, Richard. I’ve been faithful to you all these years. I’ve been trusted with your one most important secret.”

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