Page 14 of No Way Forward

“Stop arguing. Do argue. Make up your mind, Daddy. I can’t do both.”

“Have a good day and stay in the mansion. I’ll ask Zaid to hire you a bodyguard with my final approval. Until he’s in place, you aren’t to leave the grounds.”

“How am I going to get my hair done if I can’t leave the mansion?”

He realized his mistake and reddened. It took all of Novette’s willpower not to cast him a look of triumph.

“I’ll let Zaid out of his duties for the week and assign him to you.”

“Z-zaid? You’re making him my bodyguard?”

“For the time being, until he finds a replacement. Zaid’s skills go beyond just a bodyguard. Don’t give him a hard time. I mean it, Novette.”

He kissed her cheek and left her standing in the office alone. She rolled her eyes behind him as he left. If he loved Zaid so much, maybe he should marry him. Angry and excited, she flounced into the chair again, slipped her shoes off, and put her heels up on the desk.

By now, she would normally have opened the sandwich shop. Her boss probably wondered where she was, but since she disappeared days ago, he must know now she wasn’t coming back.

Disappointment stirred in her. She didn’t miss the job that left her feet aching every night, but she enjoyed being independent. Nothing felt better than earning the money she made personally. Already, she felt the pull of her dad’s money as it lulled and spoiled her.

Soon Zaid reappeared and returned her to the mansion, her prison. She found a spot to sit alone to ponder her situation, while Zaid went off to do whatever it was he needed to do.

“Ms. Kagen?” one of the maids called.

“Yes?”

This was someone new since the last time she was home. She didn’t know the woman’s name yet. Older with a sour-face expression, the woman seemed like she didn’t take nonsense on her watch. Novette bet she wouldn’t hesitate to inform her dad on anything Novette did that he might not like.

“Mr. Kagen asked me to make an appointment for you at a stylist. I’ve Googled several choices and have them here for you to choose from.”

“That fast?” Novette dipped her head back so she could see the woman standing in the living room doorway holding a tablet. “I can make the appointment myself after I find someone I want.”

“Mr. Kagen said—”

“What happened to the other maid?”

“My understanding is that she was fired without a reference after she assisted you in running away.”

Novette’s mouth fell open.

“That’s enough,” Zaid snapped, walking up behind her. “Leave us.”

“But—” the maid began.

“Now.”

She disappeared, and Novette turned away from Zaid. The door shut behind her, but she sensed Zaid remained in the room. She drew her feet up on the couch and hugged her knees.

He made no move to come around in front of her, which was a good thing because tears filled her eyes.

“She chose to help you,” he said softly.

“Not really. She was staff, and I ordered her to help. My dad punished her. For all I know she could be on the street right now because she couldn’t find a job.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“I’ve seen my dad destroy people’s lives who crossed him.”

“But that didn’t happen in this case.”

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