by Susanna Carr
She hurried inside before Nadir could say a word or change his mind. A wild energy pulsed in her veins. She was going to be in America in a few hours. After all these years of wishing, dreaming and planning, it felt as if her mind was caught in a chaotic whirlwind.
Zoe looked over her shoulder and saw Nadir. His head was bent down as he punched something into his phone. She was ready to leave Jazaar, to abandon her old life. But was she prepared to abandon everything she had with him?
She didn’t know. All these years she had thought she could walk away without a backward glance, but that was before she’d fallen in love with her husband.
He was a fool. Nadir gritted his teeth as he punched out a number on his phone. He’d seen the truth on her face. She wasn’t able to hide it. Why hadn’t he seen it sooner? Now he knew the real reason Zoe wanted so desperately to go to America.
He rubbed his forehead with tense fingers as he placed the phone to his ear. He’d known something was up when Zoe, oh, so casually, kept suggesting a quick trip to the United States. It was more than a passing curiosity about the country where she had once lived. She was determined—no, driven to get to America.
But he had not quite figured out what she wanted in America. It turned out that she had given him all the evidence throughout their honeymoon. He had been too infatuated, too enamored with her, to put the clues together.
“Grayson?” he said when his head of security picked up the line. “I need you to track down someone in the United States and keep surveillance on him. His name? Musad Ali. He lives in Chicago.”
Nadir disconnected the call and stared unseeingly into the blue water of the pool. He was tempted to cancel the trip to New York, but she would yearn for it even more. He’d take her and show her that there was nothing and no one waiting for her in America.
Once and for all, he would prove that all Zoe needed was him.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
TIMES SQUARE was exactly what she’d expected. It was late at night, but the streets were bright and shining from all the lights. Zoe glanced at the large-screen television billboards that were several stories high. Lights of every color flashed before her eyes. Crowds of people choked the sidewalk. Vivid yellow New York cabs fought for an inch on Broadway. The scent of street vendors’ salty pretzels wafted in the air.
The city was energizing. Loud. Big, bold and very American. And yet for some reason she didn’t feel at home. She missed the peace and tranquility of the Jazaari desert.
It’s only because you’re not used to it, Zoe told herself as she and Nadir left the opulent theater where they had attended the opening night for a Broadway play. She had grown up in a quiet Houston suburb and spent the past several years in a much smaller village. She was simply out of practice. She would adapt quickly.
A limousine was waiting for them at the exit. Zoe paused and looked at Nadir. He was stunning in his black tuxedo and wore it with enviable ease. The suit emphasized his athletic physique and hinted at his glamorous life.
“Let’s walk back to the hotel,” she suggested. “It’s not that far away.”
Nadir gave her an indulgent look. “You can’t get enough of this city.”
She smiled in response as he dismissed the limo driver. She liked New York City, but she wouldn’t have enjoyed it without him. Nadir was the perfect guide. He was entertaining, attentive and fascinating. When she was with him her day was full and exciting. It was going to be difficult giving all this up for a life of narrow focus and solitude.
Nadir rested his hand on her back as he guided her along the sidewalk. The front of the theater was packed with women dripping in diamonds and men in white scarves and black ties. None of the men could compare to the elegance and masculine beauty of her husband.
She walked through the crowd, inhaling the mingled perfumes and brushing up against fur coats and sequined jackets. Celebrities, politicians and titans of industry hustled to get a chance to speak to Nadir. It suddenly dawned on Zoe that this would be the perfect time to disappear. She slowed her step as she considered the opportunity.
It was nighttime and there was a big crowd. Most of the people were focused on Nadir. She started to breathe faster, her hands growing cold as she contemplated her next move. She was in the middle of a jostling crowd and that was a security team’s nightmare. She knew from sightseeing earlier that a subway station was nearby. What was stopping her?
But as the thought crossed her mind she rejected the idea. She wasn’t prepared. The blood kept pumping hard through her veins as she looked around, noticing all the escape options. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t walk away from Nadir like this.
She knew he would be sick with worry. He would tear this city apart looking for her, believing she was lost or in danger in this overwhelming place. His protective streak was often an obstacle, but it felt good to have someone strong and powerful looking out for her best interests.
Zoe reached out at her side and immediately found Nadir’s hand. He slid his large, warm palm against hers before lacing their fingers together. With a simple touch Zoe felt safe and cared for. She didn’t have to look for him to know he was there, ready to take her hand.
Would she ever be ready to leave him?
Zoe bit her lip as the thought flickered in her mind. She had no answer, and that worried her. Sensing Nadir’s gaze on her, she glanced up and found him watching her. His harsh features were softened, his dark eyes gleaming, and there was a hint of a smile on his hard mouth.
“Thank you for taking me to the play,” she said.
“It was my pleasure.” His voice was a sexy rumble.
A slow heat suffused her body. She was acutely aware of how her red evening gown hugged her curves and the way her soft wrap brushed her skin. The past week had been all about pleasure.
“What did you think of it?” she asked.
“I enjoyed watching you the most.” He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “I find your enthusiasm very sexy. And you find everything in this city exciting.”
“You can’t blame me,” she said with a laugh. Everything she did with Nadir was brighter and sweeter. Better. There was only one explanation for it. “I’m still on my honeymoon.”
They had spent most of their time exploring Manhattan, walking hand-in-hand through Central Park and strolling through shops and museums. Leisurely lunches had a tendency to last for hours as they talked and laughed. Their evenings had been filled with the theater, sporting events and the most exclusive lounges.
And the nights they shared were magical. Nadir made love to her with an intensity that blew away all her inhibitions. She couldn’t deny him anything.
She wondered if their married life would continue this way, or if the connection she felt with him was just a little honeymoon enchantment. Would Nadir continue to make their time together a priority? Right now he didn’t want any interruptions or distractions, but how long would that last? This week Nadir had gone so far as to turn off his phone when they were together. That simple gesture was more important to her than their trip to a famous jewelry store after-hours.
“Are you sure you’re able to take all this time off from work?” she asked as they waited at a crosswalk for the light to change. “I don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night and find you working.”
Nadir gave a slanted smile. “Why would I spend the night with my laptop when I have you in my bed?”
“Why indeed?” she replied as a blush warmed her face. She shyly ducked her head as they crossed the street. It was only when they were in bed that she could express her love and trust in Nadir.
Each day she fell a little more in love with him, but she wasn’t confident about expressing it. They had an arranged marriage, after all. Emotions and love weren’t part of the deal.
That was the real reason why she hadn’t disappeared from his life the moment they arrived at the JFK airport. Zoe’s mind clung to that thought as they passed by a ruby-red glass staircase. It wasn’t b
ecause there had been no right time to escape, or because she was afraid of the unknown. It was because her love for Nadir was growing so strong that she was willing to risk her freedom to stay with him.
She shivered as the truth hit her. He pulled his hand away from hers, only to wrap his arm around her shoulders. She sighed when he drew her close to him, inhaling the crisp autumn night and the faint sandalwood of his cologne.
“Cold?” Nadir murmured as they walked in tandem, hip to hip. “We’re almost at the hotel.”
Zoe leaned her head against his broad shoulder. What if she stayed with him? Would that be so bad? Her chest tightened as the forbidden thought floated through her mind. She had never allowed herself to think of the possibility, yet it had drifted around her like a shadow for the past week.
As they entered the stunning lobby of the luxury hotel Zoe allowed herself to consider the question. Nadir wasn’t like the men she knew. She could get an education and she could travel with him. She wouldn’t live with the relatives who were the main source of her misery in Jazaar.
But she couldn’t give up her dreams of practicing medicine now. Not after such a long struggle. Not when she had finally set foot on American soil.
If she went back to Jazaar with Nadir she’d have to give up the future she’d planned. She wouldn’t get the chance to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor.
Was she willing to throw away what she had for something that might come true? What she had with Nadir would develop into something strong and everlasting. She would never meet another man like him, and could never love anyone as she loved him.
And what were her chances of becoming a doctor? Zoe frowned as she entered the private elevator with her husband. She hated to ponder the possibility of failure. There were many people who pursued a medical career and didn’t make it. What made her any different? She didn’t even know if she could get into a university.
Nadir, on the other hand, had offered her a great opportunity to work with the health ministry. She knew that if she worked hard she could make a difference. It wasn’t her dream, but it was something. It was close enough.
He was also offering her something she had always thought out of reach: a family. There was no family waiting for her in Houston, and she had always known that she would be alone there, trying to survive and follow her dream. After living with her relatives, after her relationship with Musad, she had thought she wanted to be alone.
As the elevator doors closed she stared blindly at the floor numbers flashing on the screen. Was she really considering changing her goals this late in the game? Could she stay with a man known as The Beast?
“You’ve grown very quiet,” Nadir said as he raised her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips against her fingertips. “What are you thinking about?”
His question snapped her out of her reverie. “Actually, I was wondering about your nickname.”
Nadir went very still. “What about it?”
“What really happened on your wedding night with Yusra?” Zoe wasn’t sure if she was ready for the answer. She might have built an image of Nadir up in her mind. Maybe he was The Beast and she refused to see it.
Nadir pushed a button to pause the elevator. “Why do you want to know?”
She shrugged. “It doesn’t make sense to me. You use the reputation to intimidate your opponents, but I know you’re not a violent man.”
Nadir looked steadily into her eyes. He showed no expression, but she sensed he was on guard. “Yusra miscarried after the ceremony.”
“Oh.” Her chest tightened. He’d had a relationship with Yusra. Of course he had. Yusra was gorgeous and the perfect Jazaari woman. Jealousy twisted inside her. Not only had they had a love-match, but Yusra had been carrying his child. “I thought you’d had an arranged marriage.”
“It was an arranged marriage,” he explained slowly. “The baby wasn’t mine.”
Zoe’s mouth dropped open. “No way. Yusra? I can’t wrap my mind around that. Who was the father?”
“I don’t know. She wasn’t going to confide in me.”
“All that blood and the pain. A miscarriage would explain it. I’m surprised no one considered that possibility. They were far too willing to believe Yusra’s side of the story.”
“I should have handled the situation better,” Nadir admitted as he looked away. “I could have annulled the wedding in a less spectacular fashion. I was angry, and during that time I allowed my emotions to rule my head.”
“But you had to sever the relationship?” She knew Nadir could never stay with a woman who betrayed him. “You couldn’t trust her after that?”
He nodded slowly. “I never told anyone outside my family.”
And now he was sharing the secret with her. Zoe understood the significance in that and wasn’t going to take it lightly. She squeezed his hand. “You should have defended yourself when the gossip started.”
“No, that would have placed Yusra in a dangerous position. I was furious with her, but she would have been punished for sex outside of marriage. It was difficult enough to keep her hospital information a secret.”
“I should have known that was what happened.” She had instinctively known that Nadir hadn’t hurt his first wife, but she could have put the medical clues together.
“How would you?”
“Give me some credit. I’ve been your wife for over a month. I’ve seen you at your best and at your worst. I know you could never hurt a woman.”
Nadir rested his forehead on hers and sighed. “Thank you, Zoe.”
“But you didn’t need to adopt The Beast reputation,” she said softly. “I’m sure there are some people who would have believed in you.”
“You believe in me.” He brushed his lips against hers. “That’s all I need.”
And she had believed in him for a while. Zoe wasn’t sure when she’d started to see past his reputation. She wouldn’t have lain in bed with Nadir if she’d suspected he was abusive. She wouldn’t have considered staying married to him if she’d thought he had the potential to be violent.
And she was going to stay with him, she decided as the nervousness bubbled up inside her. She could be married to a man known as The Beast because she knew the truth.
She needed to be with him. They were a team. A couple. She easily imagined building a future together and eventually creating a family. She wanted this dream even if it meant giving up the idea of becoming a doctor.
“No more talk about Yusra,” Nadir said. “Instead, I want to take you dancing. We can go to the nightclub you mentioned.”
“It will only take me a few minutes to change.” Zoe leaned into him, absorbing his heat and strength. “And what shall we do tomorrow?”
“Whatever you want,” he promised as he slid his hand along the length of her arm. “Tomorrow is our last day here.”
The idea suddenly made her jumpy. Her pulse began to accelerate and she pulled away from him. “And then we return to Jazaar?” She’d meant to sound casual, but her voice came out high and reedy.
“Yes.”
She felt a bead of sweat on her forehead and her stomach cramped with anxiety. She felt trapped, caged in the elevator. What was wrong with her? She had made up her mind, but her instincts hadn’t gotten the message.
Was it a good idea to return to the place she had tried so hard to escape? She brushed her forehead with a shaky hand. Was she thinking this through enough?
Nadir turned and cradled her face in his hand. When he caressed her mouth with a kiss she closed her eyes and melted into him. The panic blurred and the anxious questions faded away as she returned the kiss.
Yes, she was making the right decision. She was going to survive in Jazaar. This time she had Nadir at her side. This time she would thrive.
She barely heard the chime and reluctantly broke the kiss the moment the private elevator opened into the penthouse suite. She saw the sensual promise in his eyes and felt the curl of excitement low in her belly.
As they crossed the threshold to the entry room, she saw the butler approach.
“Good evening, Your Highnesses,” the tall young man said. “I trust you enjoyed the play?”
“Yes, we did,” Zoe answered with a bright smile as Nadir helped remove her wrap. “Thank you.”
“You have a visitor,” the butler informed Nadir as he accepted their coats.
Zoe saw a movement in the corner of her eye. She turned to see Nadir’s brother Rashid step out of the balcony that overlooked Times Square and into the room. While he wore a T-shirt, jeans and sneakers, his mood was anything but casual. He appeared just as unfriendly as when she’d met him briefly at her wedding ceremony.
As she greeted him with a polite smile, she saw a disapproving look in his eyes before he ignored her completely. Zoe wasn’t sure why, but she sensed that her honeymoon was officially over.
“Rashid, your manners need to improve,” Nadir said as he watched Zoe enter the bedroom to change for the nightclub. He waited until she’d closed the door before he turned his attention on his brother. “Not only have you crashed my honeymoon, but you were bordering on rude to Zoe.”
Rashid shrugged off the reprimand. Nadir frowned at his brother’s attitude. His brother should make an attempt to welcome his bride into the family. What did he have against Zoe?
“There’d better be a good reason why you’re here,” he said as he invited Rashid to sit down. Under normal circumstances he would be happy to see his brother, but he didn’t want the world to intrude on his relationship with his wife. He wanted to focus on his marriage and build a solid foundation.
“Your honeymoon has lasted for over a month.” Rashid leaned back and spread his arms on the back of the sofa.
“I have also conducted business.” Nadir silently admitted to himself that he hadn’t kept to his usual brutal schedule. He did his duty, but Zoe was his priority.
“I’m just relaying a message from our father.” Rashid hooked one foot over his knee. “You are a sheikh and you are needed to deal with matters of the state.”