Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 22608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
THAT FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT.
Zahir had already taken one step forward when an invisible force seemed to hold him back, and a voice in his mind came roaring out of nowhere.
THINK.
And that was when Zahir realized this was what he had asked for.
Fuck.
Because God's answer was painfully better than anything he could've asked for, and agony ripped through Zahir as he took one last look at his Alysse.
I'm sorry, habibti.
It was so damn easy to imagine what she would think upon finding him gone.
And what she would go through when she realized a man like him was impossible to reach.
But neither of them had a choice.
Because this was the only way to ensure her safety.
Wait for me, my love.
He turned and walked away.
And with every step, he found himself shedding the part of him that had learned to love—-
Until he was once again the old Zahir.
One last time.
For king and country.
Chapter Thirteen
ONE LAST TIME.
It was the promise that Zahir had held close to his heart in the past three weeks.
One last time.
Three simple words, but because they were founded on Zahir's faith that God would see him through—-
One last time.
He was able to charm a woman whose beauty hid unchecked greed and a soulless obsession with vanity.
Seduce her without actually crossing any lines.
And if everyone played their cards right tonight—-
One last time.
He would finally meet El Diablo in his fabled home, and only one of them would come out of it alive.
One last time.
The stage was set. And the Crown Prince of Kivr had even loaned him a ten-fucking-carat diamond ring to pull out all stops. He would even get down on his knee if he had to. He just wanted this to be over.
One last time.
Memories of her attempted to invade his mind, but Zahir shoved them all away. Tonight was do-or-die, and it was imperative that he thought of one woman and one woman alone.
The doors to the ballroom opened, and Zahir turned, expecting the Black Dove to finally make her grand entrance.
But instead, it was the last person he expected, and his entire world crashed to a halt.
My love.
She was a vision in silver silk, and while he couldn't recall seeing anything more beautiful—-
What the hell is she doing here?
And what the hell is she wearing?
A muscle also started ticking in his jaw at the way her sweet plump breasts were just one misstep away from spilling out of their confines.
The fuck am I going to do now?
He used to have little patience for men who struggled with indecision.
And as for men who were unable to think on their feet, Zahir had dismissed them as pathetic.
But it seemed as if God was now teaching him a lesson on humility, with Zahir rendered immobile and just fucking clueless as he watched her walk towards him.
My love.
That was all he could think.
My love.
And all he could do was stare.
My love.
His brothers-in-arms suddenly converged around him, and the identical grimness of their expressions told Zahir that they had already figured out what was happening.
"We'll buy you as much time as we can," Nassif said quietly.
"Whatever you need from us," his twin promised, "consider it done."
Haydar clapped a hand over Zahir's back. "Fiat voluntas Dei."
The three men slipped away, and Zahir struggled to keep his face impassive even as his chest tightened with a fierce rush of emotion.
All his life...
He had been used to working alone.
Depending only on himself.
And keeping everyone, including his brothers-in-arms, at arm's length.
But ever since God had used Alysse to open his eyes, and Zahir had learned to get past his pride and ask for his friends' help—-
Thank You.
Because only now was Zahir able to truly and fully appreciate the priceless gift of their friendship and loyalty.
For to help him tonight was to also knowingly risk their lives—-
And not one of them had hesitated to do so.
Thank You.
Never again would he take their loyalty for granted, and that was why—-
One last time.
Even if certain sacrifices were called for—-
"Zahir?"
There could be no room for mistakes tonight.
I'm sorry, habibti.
When he turned to face her, the side of him that she had known was gone, and Zahir's face remained impassive even as he found himself once again crossing paths with the woman who had stolen his heart.
"H-Hello."
She had visibly lost weight and the dark circles under her eyes weren't there before.
"You're probably wondering why I'm here."
There was nothing more he wanted than to haul her into his arms. But because duty must come above all—-
"Not at all."
The words had her flinching, and Zahir shoved his hands deep in his pockets.
"I s-suppose I deserve that."
"You do," he bit out. "And if that's all you have to say..."
He turned his back on her.
For her sake.
Because it was the only way to end the unwanted agony of having to reject her.
But before he could walk away—-