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)
"They're behind this, aren't they?"
"So, um, I kinda told them today was our first month together, and..." I smile weakly. "Happy Monthsary, I guess?"
When his brothers-in-arms join us, female students are still busy taking selfies as they swoon artfully at Zahir's feet, and...oh my goodness.
Weren't those the guys from our football team?
I'm still doing my best to stifle my laughter when Zahir's selfie duties come to an end, but when his friends bow in greeting as my husband joins us—-
"Fuck you."
All I can do is cough, but upon hearing this, Zahir immediately pulls me close, asking, "Are you alright, my love?"
Oh wow.
I can see that he's seriously concerned, but since Zahir isn't a master tactician for nothing, I can also see that his tender loving care is deliberate, with how the other sheikhs have shuddered upon hearing his words.
"Ignore them, habibti. Their turn will come soon."
Zahir pulls me to the dance floor, and the all-female orchestra, whose lovely fascinators could have only be designed by the Mad Hatter, starts playing on cue.
"Are you having a good time?" my husband asks.
"More than I should have," I admit guiltily. "Are you okay? If you want to go home—-"
"Home is where you are, Alysse."
It should have been the cheesiest thing ever, but why does everything sound so profound when Zahir is the one who's saying it?
"I love you," I whisper shakily.
"You're crying again."
"Because you make life so crazy and wonderful, and I just can't believe—-"
Zahir raises a brow. "What is it?"
"There's something I keep meaning to ask..."
Golden eyes gleam down at me, and my heart skips a beat at how easy it seems for him to read my every thought.
Oh, Zahir.
One Day in Amsterdam
ZAHIR'S LIP CURLED as he read the briefing sent by his agency. Assignments like this were more suitable for Nassif, not an old grump like him. Whereas Zahir had no patience for the intricacies of subterfuge, the other man was in his element when surrounded by snakes and vultures.
To seduce the Black Dove might be a game that Nassif would find interesting to play, but the mere thought of having to spend time with such a woman already had Zahir gritting his teeth.
One last time.
He would finish this, and then he would inform the Crown Prince that he was done accepting undercover assignments.
All he wanted at this point was to lead a simple life, just hunting down killers that did not require him to play any role but himself.
Plain and simple.
That was all he wanted.
And just as he was about to walk out of the airport—-
It was then he saw her.
The embodiment of everything he wanted.
A girl who stood out precisely because she did not stand out or cared to do so in any way.
The other girls around her were clad in dresses so expensive they were obviously purchased either by their daddies or sugar daddies.
Fake it till you make it, he once heard their Crown Princess describe such an attitude with a roll of her eyes.
And Zahir completely agreed with such sentiments. For one like him who dealt with the realities of war on the daily, faking was the worst strategy there was. Most people assumed that faking was no different than bluffing, and it was this fatal mistake that often resulted in needless catastrophe.
A bluff was a calculated strategy with well-defined parameters and objectives. But to fake it, however...
It was nothing but a pathetic and aimless lie.
Just like all the other girls around her were.
None of them had any substance.
None of them had any direction.
Except for her.
And that was why...
He found himself actually taking his phone out and playing a stalker for the first time in his life.
SNAP.
He forwarded it to Aggie and ordered a background check.
But he should have known the old man wouldn't be able to keep his mouth shut about it, and messages started flooding his inbox.
Nassif: I know you are old-fashioned about these things, but you should get her to sign a contract before asking her to be your mistress.
Rahim: Not everyone is like you, brother.
Haydar: I've asked Aggie to get a copy of her latest medical. You cannot be too sure these days.
Zahir had just put the whole group chat on mute when Aggie's email finally landed in his inbox.
Subject: Alysse Duvall, 20, Miami Florida.
Zahir came to a decision after reading Aggie's report, but because he would rather walk on hot coals than ask for dating advice from any of his friends—-
How to Approach a Girl
Google was his only trusted confidante, and it was while he was going through his options at the hotel's wine bar that a woman approached him.
Rebecca Boyle.
He recognized her from Aggie's report, and Zahir could not help but think as if unseen forces were at work...while struggling to control his rage as he listened to her spout one lie after another.