Chapter 20
“You should have told me sooner,” my brother says, his expression dark on the video call.
It’s a blessing Adeela is beside him, because only my best friend can tame our sheikh’s temper.
“Rodrick took care of me,” I say honestly. “He was wonderful, and I’m grateful you trusted him with that task.”
“Is that why he took you to Scotland?”
“Yes. He had business to handle there and didn’t want to leave me alone in London in case I got sick, I think.”
He sighs, irritated. “I’m not blaming you, Jazmina. The men who did this are animals. I’ll have them investigated.”
“Rodrick is already on it, Kaled. Don’t be angry with him for not telling you the details. He was giving me the right to do that myself. I don’t know if you realize how important that is. I’m trying to grow up, brother. That includes fighting my own monsters too.”
“You’re not going to fight anything, Jazmina. I’m giving you freedom because I trust you and Rodrick. I know he’d never let anything bad happen to you. But if you think for one second that I won’t go after the bastards who drugged you, then you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”
“Fine. But don’t tell Father, okay? He’ll worry. And not Mother, either. I don’t want them thinking I failed.”
“There was no failure, Jazmina,” Adeela says, her soothing voice cutting in. “No one is immune to crossing paths with an evil man. My father hid behind the image of a respectable advisor, and we all know how toxic he really was.”
“Thank you for the support, my friend.” I sigh. “There’s one more thing, Kaled. Rodrick must have told you I’ll be going to a party on his yacht in a few weeks. A friend is coming with us.”
“Better that way,” my brother says. “It wouldn’t look good for you to travel alone with him around Europe. As much as I trust my friend, people don’t know that Rodrick sees you like a little sister.”
My heart sinks at his words, mostly because they’re probably true.
“Since we’ve cleared everything up . . . can I talk to Adeela alone?”
“Dismissing your sheikh, are you?”
I roll my eyes, grinning. “I wouldn’t dare, Your Highness.”
We talk for a few more minutes, then he leaves me alone with my best friend.
“Too bad Tajj is asleep,” she says.
“It’s fine. I’ll call again tomorrow. What I need is to tell you something, but first you have to promise not to go crazy or hate me, okay?”
She narrows her eyes but nods.
I explain that the girl who helped me the night I was drugged is an acquaintance of Ingrid.
Her sweet face twists into pure outrage. “Are you telling me you befriended someone who’s friends with that woman? I don’t believe this, Jazmina!”
“Calm down. Let me explain.”
It takes me at least ten minutes to convince her Josephine has nothing in common with Ingrid.
“Are you sure she’s a good person?”
“Yes, Adeela. I wouldn’t let her near me otherwise. If Josephine hadn’t stayed with me until Rodrick arrived at that party, who knows what would’ve happened?”
“Fine. I’m not mad anymore. It’s just that thinking about that worm Ingrid still drives me insane.”
“Don’t worry about her. She got married and moved to Brazil.”
“I don’t want to think about that creature anymore. Tell me about Rodrick. How are things? He seems very protective of you.”
“Obviously. Kaled asked him to be.”
“Your brother wants you to have dinner soon with a prince from the neighboring emirate. Kamal Hafeez[22]’s younger brother.”
“No.”
“You don’t even know the man.”
“I don’t want to get married right now. Kaled still has five unmarried sisters besides me . . . Why me?”
“He’s worried about your future.”
“Don’t start sounding like my mother. You, of all people, know I dream of marrying for love. And even if the possibility is small, I won’t give up that easily.”
“Forgive me. You’re right. But if you want my opinion, just have dinner with the prince. If nothing comes of it, at least you’ll have made a friend.”
“I’ll think about it, but don’t tell Kaled, or he’ll start planning things. I have to go. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Three weeks later
“This new wardrobe you helped me choose feels so daring.”
“It’s modern. You’re gorgeous, but you needed to highlight your sensuality more.”
“Are you saying I dressed like an old woman?”
“No, but your choices weren’t exactly . . . charming. You’re stunning, Jazmina. And even more beautiful wearing my designs,” she says, referring to the silver-and-amethyst bracelet. “It looks perfect with that sexy purple dress.”
“I thought we’d go to a hotel first, but Rodrick said his staff will take our luggage and we’ll go straight to the yacht,” I say, checking myself in the mirror.
I have to admit Josephine has great taste. I feel like a princess . . . oops. I am a princess.
“I prefer it that way. I’m excited! This is the coolest thing I’ve done since coming to Europe.”
“I thought I was enthusiastic about life, but you beat me a thousand times over.”
“I savor every second. When I die, hopefully in a very long time, I want someone to look at my grave and say: ‘Wow, she really lived.’”
I laugh out loud.
Josephine has made my life lighter, a good surprise from fate.
The doorbell rings, and I’m not shocked the doorman didn’t announce Rodrick. Even though he’s never been here, I don’t doubt he knows every detail about where I live.
“Go open it. I’ll touch up my makeup.” She slips into the bathroom.
My heart hammers so hard it almost bruises my ribs. My legs turn to jelly as I walk.
I grip the doorknob and inhale deeply. It’s the first time we’ve seen each other in person since Scotland.
When I open the door, memory loses badly to reality.
He’s breathtaking. Dressed in all black, a shadow of stubble sharpening his devastating chin, and finally, those incredible blue eyes that look straight through me.