2
“He definitely seems the type to hold it over your head for the rest of your life.” I stifled a grin and glanced up seeing they were still watching the way the two of us interacted.
As though he could sense I was better, he leaned back taking the warmth of his closeness with him. I took a moment to take him in. His wavy hair hung to his collarbone and it wasn’t covered today like it had been a few times I’d seen him. I’d wanted to ask questions about it, but didn’t feel like it was my place to be curious. And I didn’t want to seem uneducated or offend him.
He too was dressed casually, well casual for him, in what looked like a linen button-up shirt and matching black pants. His clothing added to the dark and mysterious vibe he always gave off. And he looked and smelled expensive.
“You should see how he brags on his offspring. As zhough Francesca has not done zhe heavy lifting on zhat front.” He was smirking, clearly baiting his friend into speaking up. Xerxes took the water glass and took a healthy drink as he waited on his friend to respond.
“But isn’t your cousin having twins? It seems he’s stolen your shine.” I couldn’t help but tease Liam because Frankie told me how his cousin joked with him about his wife giving him a double blessing. Something about it being good luck for their clan.
Liam sighed like he was truly aggrieved, his long blond locs falling over his face as his head dipped dramatically. “So it wuid seem. But I am no’ so petty as to nae be ‘appy fo’ ‘im. ‘Is joy is ‘ard earned and well deserved.”
“Maybe I misjudged you, Liam.” Because few people could find joy in another’s happiness even if it was family.
He smiled ruefully and caressed the back of Frankie’s neck. Her hand went to his thigh under the table. I prayed it was his thigh but you never knew with the two of them. We were having dinner in the kitchen because it wasn’t necessary for us to go in the dining room. It was just the four of us plus the babies and I liked the intimacy of their kitchen table. It made it feel like I was part of a family.
“Yoo didnae, but I will let yoo keep yoor kind thoughts aboot me. I am sure my friend ‘ere will tell yoo ‘ow wrong yoo are.” He nodded toward Xerxes with a grin on his face and I was well aware when the heat of him returned, signaling he’d leaned closer.
His mouth came closer to my ear again but this time I leaned into his words. “Are you sure you are alright?”
I turned to him slightly, unable to keep my eyes off of him. He was close, but not so close that he invaded my personal space. “I am. Thank you.”
“Point me in zhe direction of zhe dragon I need to slay and I will bring you back his head.” He’d leaned in even closer and I appreciated his discretion despite his inability to help.
“Well, that wouldn’t work.” I smiled and picked up my fork, digging into the grilled steak that I’d cut but hadn’t tasted. It was beautifully seasoned and I was happy I could focus on my food despite how overwhelming his presence was.
The confusion I felt was only confirmed as I glanced at his face. The few hairs that joined his brows together were dipped down as he furrowed. “And vhy not? I am capable—”
“Trust me. I know you all are very capable in the slaying. I simply like my head being attached to my shoulders. But thank you. I appreciate your wanting to help.”
He blinked a few times before his face cleared up in understanding. “Always.”
“Xerx, yoo plan to travel back to Tehran soon?”
He hesitated to answer Liam, his eyes still focused on me briefly. I continued to chew and gave him a reassuring smile. Only then did he turn to Liam.
“Wizin zh week. But it won’t take long. Zhe business I have here becomes more urgent by zhe day.”
“Is everything alright?” Now I was worried because I didn’t think these men moved with urgency unless they wanted to.
“Changes within the corporation is all.” It was obvious the conversation wasn’t one they could have around an outsider and probably wasn’t something to be discussed over dinner. I was happy when the mood shifted as Frankie spoke up.
“Vannie, are you still up for broker of the year?” I could feel her excitement and I’d forgotten that she was still receiving messages on my behalf because she’d been my part-time assistant. She’d co-run her family’s handcrafted gifts business from afar and paid me for the use of the empty office by helping me out with inquiries.
“Yes.” I felt the focus of everyone shift to me and I could feel my face heating up.
“Why didn’t you say zhis was a celebration? I would’ve purchased a gift for you.” Xerxes seemed personally affronted to not know all of my business and I found his offense hilarious. Endearing but very much hilarious.
“A gift is not necessary. Especially since we don’t know if I won or not.”
“Being acknowledged for your excellence is a big deal. You have to celebrate each stage of your success. It is how you stay motivated to strive toward zhe bigger goals.” He was right and it wasn’t something I didn’t already personally believe, but it felt good to hear other people cheering me on instead of putting me down.
“I tried to tell her but she thinks I’m overreacting. She runs her own business almost single-handedly. The award was based on customer satisfaction and revenue. As small as her firm is, she’s at the top in both areas.” Frankie was grinning with pride and I felt my eyes well up to see the joy she had for me.
I knew my face was bright red. I was proud of what I’d achieved but attention always felt wrong to me. Probably because any time the focus was on me I had felt put on display instead of praised. My success had been a double-edged sword of their being happy with the financial benefits but also being jealous of my accomplishments. The idea that I would ever be under the type of scrutiny I had been under before made me sick to my stomach.
“Thank you all for the congratulations, I know it’s a big deal. I just wanted to keep it quiet as a way not to jinx it.”
“And I told you that what is your destiny is for you. Nothing and no one can take you away from what is yours. You claim it, even if it doesn’t happen this year. You’ve already got the trophy on the shelf in the future. You’re good at what you do because you listen to people and ensure they are well taken care of. It’s not just about the money, you want people to be happy. That’s rare now with everyone just trying to make the biggest profit. Your genuine spirit makes you so invaluable.” Frankie was only repeating what she’d said to me so many times but it was still hard to receive it completely. I was thankful she hadn’t given up on me.
“So you only work with specific people? How do zhey become your clients?” Xerxes was eating with the passion of a man who thoroughly enjoyed his food. Despite his obvious enjoyment, he had impeccable table manners. I hadn’t seen a smear of sauce or a slice of steak that wasn’t fit for the cover of a foodie magazine.
“Referrals normally. I try not to take on someone who isn’t familiar to me.”
“She helped one of the local sports agents with their penthouse. He was so pleased that he sends all the local athletes her way. I keep telling her she should be ready to be a NBA wife but she thinks I’m teasing.” Her eyes were sparkling and I was wondering what in the world would make her bring that up.
“Because I wouldn’t want to be in the public eye that way.”
Xerxes scoffed next to me, causing my brows to furrow. “I believe zhat’s aiming too low. Why be the wife of someone whose career and income potential might only last a decade or less?”
“Didnae yoor uncle play pro ball?” Something in Liam’s voice was teasing Xerxes and I felt like I’d missed part of the conversation.
“He did so I know what I’m speaking of. You should not settle for anyzing less zhan being a princess, zibā .” Liam was grinning at Xerxes’ comment and even Francesca had a smile on her face. The sentiment was nice, but princesses held no power.
“Why not a queen?”
“Far too many restrictions and responsibilities. You would not enjoy having to sacrifice everyzing for the greater good. A bit of selfishness for someone who has such a giving heart is in order. As a princess, you could enjoy the connections wizout any of zhe rules. It is zhe best of boz worlds.”
“You must know a royal.”
A smile danced across his lips before his face went softly blank again. “A few.”
“Xerxes is most definitely a prince among men.” Liam cracked up at Frankie’s comment and I was once again feeling lost. It wasn’t like before where I felt like the butt of a joke, just that I had missing information but no one was making fun of me.
It was confirmed when Xerxes laughed as well and his arm found its way to the back of my chair. The move was protective and gave me another whiff of the scent he wore. Which was delicious.
“What is it that you smell like?”
His smile dropped and he turned to me. “I’m sorry?”
“Your scent—”
“Is zhis one of zhose all foreigners smells type of questions?”
My mouth dropped open and the other side of the table bust out laughing. Even baby Skye giggled and clapped her hands. “What?! No! I would never say that!”
Xerxes held up his free hand motioning for me to calm down while the other stayed across the back of my chair. “I am teasing I promise. It is amber, musk and frankincense blended with a few ozer notes.”
“You blended it yourself?”
“No. I had it blended when I was overseas. Zhey ask you questions and zhey will create a custom blend for you for zhe occasion. Business, day and night. Zhere is even a more amorous scent for ladies with a more robust amber base. It works with zhe chemical components of a person’s body. Reacts to zheir pheromones to create a unique smell.”
“That sounds amazing. Is it like you see on TV with the bazaars in morocco or the stalls in India?” My interest was so piqued I didn’t care about sounding ignorant. I had to know if what I saw was accurate or just western media stereotyping an entire region.
He seemed delighted by my question his smile growing wider on his face. Xerxes had such full lips, the bottom being plumper than the top and I found myself thinking about them.
“Similar. Farmers will often sell locally and still others will wholesale to zhe businesses wiz a storefront. Zhe region is still heavily reliant on oil production, but it is not a renewable resource so getting away from fossil fuels is imperative. Scents, tourism and rug making are still profitable areas of commerce.”
“How is it that Dubai became such a tourist destination while Iran has not?” Frankie posed the question and I was thrilled to hear his answer.
“One word: war. It is far easier to have corruption when you have zhe area constantly in terror. Corporations can gain favor from locals because zhey feel like zheir government can’t protect zhem. It’s a brilliant strategy zhat has stopped working in recent years, zhankfully.”
“War solves nothing.” Fighting seemed so pointless. A way for rich people to still send the poor out to fight their pointless battles.
“You’re wrong zhere, zibā.”
I wanted to move away from him but I didn’t want him to think I was being rude. “So you think violence is the answer.”
“No. I never said I didn’t agree zhat war was terrible. But it is zhe answer. It is zhe answer to zhe prayers of zhe capitalists who wish to exploit zhe land and zhe people. So it solves zhe question of control of resources often. People are greedy. Made more so by zhe way capitalism had swarmed the globe. I cannot knock it because it is a practice I am a part of. But one zhing I refuse to do is to be a part of zhe ways of capitalism zhat prey on zhose less fortunate zhan myself. I refuse to be a part of anyzing zhat can’t allow a man to feed his family working for me. I may not have been born wiz zhe zhought of going hungry, but I understand it is a realization for many. No man or woman who works a full day should have to worry about being able to eat at night.”
He spoke with enough passion that I could tell he was actually passionate about ensuring the people who worked for him were good. Many passively through money at issues and it was normally mismanaged before it could be of any benefit. But he looked like the type of man to be hands on with his giving. Teaching and assisting people in being autonomous instead of making them dependent.
Shit, I can’t admire him like that.
“That was really beautiful. I wish more people thought like you.”
He smiled and lowered his head at my words and I had to wonder if I’d made this man blush. “High praise coming from you.”
“I ‘ope dinner was pleasin’ to yoo all. I canna lie, I enjoyed avin’ yoo both at our table.”
“I appreciate zhe extra preparation zhat went into today. I do not take zhe inconvenience lightly.”
“Xerx, yoo ‘ad an extra freezer’s worth of food sent over, bruh.”
Xerxes didn’t seem bothered by the scowl on Liam’s face and Frankie was just laughing at their banter. “Well, it would not be fair for you all to go to the expense of making sure I eat.”
“This man acting like our asses are broke, Reul .”
“I mean, compared to him…” Frankie tried to be serious but then she bust out laughing and Liam did the same.
“Are you on a special diet?” Again I was prying. Again, I shouldn’t have. Again, my brain didn’t seem to care because my curiosity won out.
His wavy hair tumbled over his shoulders as he shook his head. “I try to ensure most of my food is halal. It is less concerning in ozer parts of zhe world, but meat in the United States is not always reared or processed to zhe standards I have, so I normally choose organic options. Recently, I’ve come across a cattle rancher zhat provides an exceptional quality of meat and chicken. He raises heritage pork too, but it is not something I eat. Despite not being a practicing Muslim, my fazer was raised in the faith so his habits have influenced how I eat. My mozer loves him very much so she adapted how she prepared food to suit his palate. Francesca was kind enough to use zhe tallow for her delicious biscuits instead of zhe lard zhat is more commonly used.”
“I didn’t even realize anything was different.” I looked down at the plate trying to figure out what else had been different. Most of the food was cut and dry: steak, potatoes, green beans and corn on the cob. Biscuits had been served with it because it was one of Skye’s favorite things for her mother to make.
“That’s why we get so annoyed when he thanks any of us. The man tried to pay for a portion of the wedding because he and his people needed halal food. Jada almost cussed you out, if I remember correctly.”
I winced hearing that name because that Jada girl was a wild card. Well, not really. She was a ticking time bomb that would giggle as she counted down the seconds until she exploded. I didn’t think Jada was dangerous; I knew she was. And I preferred to stay away from folks that were that happily insane.
Why are you having dinner in this house then?
His head dipped again, a move I realized he did as appreciation. “I give my zhanks for zhose who are good to me because zhat number is not as vast as some may zhink. And I’m sure Quentin and Sho are more zhan happy with zhe food as well.”
“Quentin and Sho?”
“Shoaib is his full name. Zhey are my bodyguards.”
“You have bodyguards with you all the time? I thought the day when Vanya and I saw you was a one off.”
His dark brows and bedroom eyes were softened by the smirk on his face. “ Alhamdulillah not when I’m asleep.”
“What does that mean?”
“Praise be to God. It’s a more…emphatic vay of saying, zhankfully.”
“That’s very beautiful.”
“Zhank you.” He stared at me barely blinking as though he didn’t want to miss something. His phone buzzed and it snapped him out of his trance. “As much as I hate to go, I have a few zhings zhat I need to do before business calls.”
“Going to see your folks?”
“Yes. My mozer swears she misses me but I zhink she just wants to bully me a bit. Which I don’t mind.”
He moved back from his seat lifting his big frame up almost apologetically. He moved behind my seat at the same time Liam moved behind Frankie’s. Xerxes helped me up out of my seat and then scoot it back under the table. He then went to Skye’s high chair and helped her out, smiling down at her like she was the greatest thing in the world. Quad had slept through dinner, which only meant he was going to wake up and give his mama hell. It seemed like he ate every fifteen minutes according to Frankie.
We chatted as we made our way through the hall and toward the front door. “Thank you for stopping by, Xerx. It’s always a pleasure.” Frankie glanced at me as she spoke and I hoped she didn’t get awkward.
Xerxes glanced at me before kissing Frankie on her cheek and giving her an embrace. “I would’ve rearranged everyzing I had going on to be here today. Inshallah , we can do it again very soon.”
Xerxes turned to me and hesitated for only a moment. In that time, I stuck out my hand, unsure how things worked with him culturally. The bit I knew, shaking hands with a woman you weren’t related to or didn’t know was frowned upon. Instead of making him feel uncomfortable, I reached out so he would know I didn’t mind the contact.
His normally brooding face broke into a wide smile reminding me of just how much God favored him to have a face that looked like this. He and Liam were about the same height and build, with Xerxes being slightly less bulky than Liam. There was an athletic elegance to his build. A regal bearing that belied the deadly nature underneath. And a dimple that made him look even more charming.
“Zhank you.”
He took my hand and shook it gently before placing a kiss on it. But he didn’t put it down, just sort of held it.
“I might not know a lot but I understand there are rules.”
“For you to feel comfortable enough to grant me zhe permission to engage wiz you physically. Zhat is a monumental gift.”
“It’s a handshake.”
“No, zibā. It is far more. But zhat is a conversation for anozer day.” He didn’t say more, simply gave my hand a squeeze before he handed Skye off to her mother, but not before saying something in what I assumed was Farsi. From the way Liam rolled his eyes, he was promising to send her a new daddy or a life size princess castle.
He leaned back and turned to his friend who was still looking at him annoyed. “Did yoo really just promise to bring ‘er a ‘orse?”
“I did. And she can name it as well. Every princess needs a pony, Liam.” He unabashedly promised to send a horse to this man’s house and he was not going to reconsider.
“Every princess does not need an Arabian racehorse. Keep that at your place.” Frankie was putting her foot down, but I could tell by the look on Xerxes’ face, he was going to figure out a way to get Skye her pony.
“Fine, but she still gets to name it.” He held open his arm before he and Liam embraced. I had never seen men who were okay with being in physical contact with one another, but they made it seem completely normal.
They pulled back and Xerxes’ eyes found me again. “Until next time, zibā. Zhank you for zhe joy of your company.”