No Way Forward

by Tressie Lockwood

  “Oh, I have no such ideas as Richard has.” Her mom printed off the document she had been working on, saved the file, and locked her screen. “If I’m not working here, you won’t have access to the building. And if I sell my house, you’ll have to get a place of your own.”

  “You wouldn’t! What about Beau?”

  “She’s with me more than you, Azalie.”

  “Sheila,” came a deep bellow from Richard’s office.

  “I have to go.” Sheila kissed Azalie’s cheek. “You know I love you, Azalie. Think about what we’ve talked about. I only want what’s best for you.”

  “Sure, Mom.”

  Sheila rushed into Richard’s office and shut the door. Azalie figured there wasn’t much more she could do here. Richard and her mom weren’t going to buy her lunch, and her bank account was near empty at the moment. If she found out that by some miracle Novette was involved with a man, and she told Richard, he might be generous to Azalie in return.

  Not with a job though. Not if I can help it.

  She left the office thinking about her oldest friend. The last man Novette was interested in was Zaid, and Azalie had done everything in her power to seduce him because of it. Like Richard, Zaid didn’t succumb.

  He couldn’t be the target of Novette’s affections, could he? That ship surely had sailed by now. She would have to find out for sure. As to money—hang on a second. What about that investigator guy? Did she dare try again to give him information? That could pay off, and this time, she would demand a lot more.

  Chapter 16

  Novette pushed her foot into the black high heel boot and smoothed her hands over the leather that stretched up over her knee. She stood before the mirror and examined her outfit. The mid-rise denim shorts with the frayed cutoff hem showed off her legs to advantage. Those paired with the oversized black blouse, tucked in the shorts waistband only at the front had a casual yet stylish appearance at the same time.

  “Why in the world am I even trying? I should dress in a potato sack and flip-flops for this stupid brunch.”

  The maid gasped in alarm. “Ms. Novette, you can’t do that.”

  “I was kidding.” Novette laughed.

  “I don’t know if your dad will like the shorts.”

  “Hmm. You’re probably right. He won’t recognize that this is the latest style. He’ll be okay.”

  The maid tried to hide her amusement.

  “It might be a good idea to look a mess, but I can’t. I left some great clothes in this closet, and I love most of them.”

  She let the maid brush her hair, feeling just a bit awkward since she’d been doing it herself for a while. If she complained, it would be one more thing her dad would get onto her about.

  She heaved a sigh and headed for the door. “Guess I better get this over with.”

  Her dad waited, and they walked out the front door together. The butler stood beside her dad’s burnt orange Aston Martin. Novette looked around, seeing no one else.

  “You’re driving?”

  “I am.” Her dad was busy putting on a pair of black leather gloves as they approached the car. “I don’t get to do it very often, so I’m taking advantage. “Let’s try to have a good time today. How about it?”

  “Sure.”

  Another car pulled out of the garage. Two men sat inside, and they stopped behind her dad’s car. She tried to see whether one of the men was Zaid but couldn’t be sure.

  “Is one of them Zaid?” she asked her dad.

  “Not to worry, my dear. We’re protected. Josh and Ted are my best men. They’ve been with me a long time, and they won’t let anything happen to you.”

  She wasn’t given the chance to respond. Her dad shuffled her into the car and they were off. In the rearview mirror, she noticed the men following. While they didn’t drive a car of the same caliber as her dad, they kept up just fine.

  Novette didn’t bother making conversation or noticing where they were headed. She didn’t care where they ate. All that filled her mind were thoughts of Zaid and how much she enjoyed making love with him the night before. She had dreamed of making love with him, and it couldn’t have been more magical.

  Zaid had taken her into his arms and whispered her name. He stroked her skin ever so gently and made sure she was satisfied. Her heart beat faster just remembering.

  At the culmination of their intimacy, he reminded her of how much he loved her, and her heart sang. After an amazing night, she woke up alone, and she hadn’t heard from him. He wasn’t in the house, and he didn’t answer her texts.

  Nerves stirred in her belly. Could he have changed his mind? No, that wasn’t it. Her dad sent him off somewhere to take care of some business. Plus, the fact that he left her room so early meant he made sure no one saw him leave. They could keep their secret for the time being.

  She smiled feeling encouraged. However, another peek at the men following them brought disappointment that Zaid wasn’t joining them. Ah well, somehow she would get through the next hour and remain single in the process.

  Another vehicle came into view behind the bodyguards. She didn’t know why she noticed it. Maybe it was the tinted windows that were so dark one wondered how on earth the driver could see out. The car zipped into the next lane and sped up.

  A chill raced down Novette’s spine as the driver pulled alongside her dad’s car. He stayed level for a beat and then floored it. Before long, the car disappeared, and Novette dismissed the nerves. She was getting worked up for no reason.

  They pulled off the highway and drove through downtown. Traffic was busy but moved steadily. Her dad stopped in front of one of the high-rise buildings, and a valet hurried over to the car.

  “My favorite seafood restaurant,” Novette said.

  “Of course.”

  As her dad handed his keys to the attendant, Novette gazed down the street. She thought she saw the car from earlier, but when she blinked it was gone. Must be her imagination.

  Her phone dinged, and she checked the screen. Zaid had finally answered.

  “Tied up, but I will definitely see you later.”

  It took all her will to keep the stupid grin off her face.

  “I started to think you didn’t enjoy last night and you ran off.”

  “Never!”

  “Novette? What are you waiting for?” Her dad held out his hand. “Don’t be nervous. I promise you will like one or the other of these men. With any luck, you might like both of them and have a hard time choosing.”

  “And what if I don’t want either one?”

  “Don’t start.”

  The bodyguards were close behind them as they entered the posh restaurant. Thick carpet, beautiful artwork on the walls, a quiet and peaceful atmosphere with attentive staff, this restaurant had long been Novette’s choice when her dad took her out to eat.

  Back when they were closer, they enjoyed the time spent together every week. It was a low blow for him to choose this place. At the same time, she believed he just wanted to please her. Maybe she could give him a break while they ate.

  “Ms. Kagen, welcome back.” The smiling hostess startled Novette when she entered the restaurant.

  “You remember me? I haven’t been here in forever.”

  “Of course.” The fifty-something woman wearing a stark black uniform with short black hair looked more like a man, but she had a genuine air about her. She seemed to care about people regardless of the demands of her job. “I even remember your favorite meal—Norwegian salmon with sautéed vegetables and macaroni and cheese.”

  “Wow, you’re good.”

  The hostess chuckled. “Right this way. Your table is ready.”

  Novette and her dad were seated but soon stood again as two men about thirty-something approached the table. Both men were blessed with good looks and decent builds.

  The two men were above six feet, and if Novette knew her dad they probably had deep pockets. To have both looks and money seemed unfair to the average person, but she
wasn’t mad at them.

  Good looking out, Daddy. Not that it matters.

  “You’re Novette.” The taller of the men took her hand and kissed it. Novette barely kept herself from rolling her eyes, but she smiled and acknowledged his words. He pretended to be bowled over with her appearance. “I never imagined you were so beautiful. I’m glad I came. I’m Elon.”

  “Nice to meet you.” She had to tug to get her hand back.

  The other man moved up, but he waited for her dad to introduce them. His quiet demeanor was so different from Elon, who made a point of trying to keep her attention.

  With the food ordered, Novette let her mind wander. She wondered what business Zaid had to take care of. Did it have to do with the kidnapping? Zaid must be keeping her dad informed. If she asked him to update her, he would no doubt tell her not to worry about anything.

  “Elon is the head of his family and the company his father left him,” her dad was saying.

  Novette nodded as if she cared one way or another.

  “He increased profits by three percent in the first quarter after taking the position of president.”

  “That’s interesting,” she murmured.

  Elon went on to tell her about his two sisters. Talk of siblings turned Novette’s mind to the night before when she spent it in Zaid’s arms. After their intimacy, they had rested next to each other while Zaid opened up for the first time about himself.

  “I have a brother and sister,” he’d said. “But we aren’t close. My brother joined the military almost twenty years ago. Initially we got a few calls and letters and then nothing.”

  “Oh no. He’s okay, isn’t he?”

  Zaid had affirmed his brother wasn’t injured while deployed to Novette’s relief.

  “I looked into it because we feared he had been hurt or killed. He wasn’t. In fact, he received a promotion to sergeant and is by all accounts well-respected.”

  “I can’t believe he wouldn’t want to stay in touch with his family.”

  Zaid had shrugged like it didn’t hurt him, but Novette doubted that was true. That is, until he shared more about his family. “My sister also enlisted in the army, but she served only six years. Currently, she lives in California and is co-owner of a small security firm.”

  “Wow, that’s interesting and similar to what you do.”

  “I’m not a bodyguard.”

  “But you’ve been guarding my body just fine.”

  He grinned. “And I always will.”

  She had smacked his arm playfully, and they were back to making love the rest of the night, hardly getting any sleep. Novette wanted to learn more about Zaid. She knew that his parents also lived in California and that in the time she’d known him he had only visited there once. When he requested time off for a week, her dad had let him go, saying he never took a break and he deserved it. That entire time, Novette missed him, and when he returned he was stoic as usual. He didn’t look like a man who had just enjoyed the special time of visiting his parents. She would have to get to know him even better.

  “Novette?”

  She jumped and came back to the present, recalling that she was still having brunch with the two men her dad wanted her to choose between as her husband. Time to let her dad know and these guys that it wasn’t happening.

  She cleared her throat. “Listen, you two seem like great—”

  A commotion at another table stopped her cold. One of her dad’s bodyguards jerked a man from his seat by the collar. The other bodyguard darted around the table between the stranger and his partner. At the same time he reached inside his jacket, he bent toward her dad.

  “Sir, we need to go—now.”

  “What’s happening?” her dad said.

  Novette looked around the restaurant. Heads turned in their direction. Something whizzed by her, a puff of air maybe?

  “T-that was a sh-shot,” Elon stuttered, his eyes wide.

  “Get down,” someone shouted. Novette realized it was the second bodyguard. Everyone at her table hit the floor.

  Screams and shouts erupted all over the restaurant. Glass shattered, feet pounded toward the exit. Fear clawed at Novette’s throat. She couldn’t breathe. Someone grabbed her arm, and she let out a small yelp.

  “Come here, Novette.” The touch came from her dad. He all but dragged her to his side and wrapped his arms around her, shielding her from any potential threat. His bodyguard covered him from behind, and Novette couldn’t see where the other guard was.

  Bile filled her throat. It seemed like the frenzy all around them went on for an eternity. She managed to get her phone out and quickly shot off a text to Zaid.

  “Okay, we’re going to move, sir,” the bodyguard told them.

  Her dad nodded. “Elon, you two come with us. We’ll get you home safely.”

  They were squeezed into the car the bodyguards drove because the Aston Martin didn’t have enough space. Novette being wedged between two big men, struggled to get more comfortable. The car inched forward a foot or two but stopped right away.

  “The police are here. We aren’t being allowed to leave, sir.”

  “Do they not understand who I am?”

  Police cars lined the street. Onlookers strained to catch a glimpse of the action. Novette’s stomach muscles cramped as she worried the person who shot at them was out there somewhere waiting. A news van rolled up, and another soon joined them.

  “Oh God,” she moaned.

  Her dad, siting beside her, reached for her hand and held it tight. She looked at him in wonder. It had been so long since she saw what looked like genuine concern from him. She thought about how he had pulled her close and protected her in the restaurant.

  He cares in his own way.

  Regardless, fear continued to wash over her. She felt sick. If they could just leave now, maybe her nerves could settle. And then she saw him. Zaid squeezed through the crowd.

  He said something to the policeman controlling the crowd. Perhaps the policeman didn’t believe Zaid. He spoke into his phone, and one of the guards hopped out of the car and jogged over to him. The next thing she knew Zaid was leaning into the car. He scanned the occupants until his gaze met hers. Relief flooded his eyes.

  “Sir, let me handle this,” he said, turning to her dad.

  “Do that, Zaid,” her dad snapped.

  In seconds they were leaving the scene with Zaid behind the wheel. She met his gaze in the rearview mirror and then ducked her head so her dad wouldn’t notice how much better she felt with Zaid there.

  Elon whispered in her ear. “This arrangement isn’t going to work out. You’re already taken.”

  Chapter 17

  Azalie charged into the dining room carrying a tablet. Her daughter skipped along behind her. Azalie flopped down into a chair. “You’re on the news!’’

  Novette held out her arms to Beau, and the little girl ran over for a hug and kiss on the cheek. “That sounds like an accusation, Azalie. Tell me you’re making it up.”

  “It’s right here. I couldn’t help seeing it when I was shopping online.” She stabbed at the tablet’s screen and turned it to face Novette.

  Sure enough, the news report showed a picture of her inside the car with four men, including her dad. She looked pale and terrified, and she wondered when the photographer had the chance to take her picture.

  “Ugh, I look a mess. Who took this? Let me read the report.”

  “Why do you need to read it? It’s about that shooting at the restaurant. Do you realize Richard could have been killed?”

  “Not me though?”

  Her friend reached across the table to touch her hand. “Of course I’m worried about you. But I’m saying, they were obviously after your dad.”

  “Is that what it says?”

  “More or less.” Azalie frowned at the report as she read. “They have his name and yours. I don’t remember ever seeing your face in the news.”

  “It hasn’t been, not since I was a little kid.
Someone did a report on my dad back then and brought out the fact that he adopted me as a baby.” Novette tried to remember the details and failed. She wasn’t interested at the time, but she knew her dad had done everything he could to keep her face from being recognized. He’d said it was the best way to keep her safe.

  That ship had sailed. Everybody and his brother could recognize her now. Her heart sank as she considered the implications. This happened right after she spoke with Zaid about running away and him saying it was too risky. She’d told him she hid for five years and no one bothered her until he found her.

  He’s not involved, Novette. Don’t let your mind go down the wrong track.

  She dismissed the thought as soon as it materialized. Zaid had no interest in keeping her with her dad to get an inheritance. He wouldn’t arrange to put her in danger so she would eventually be recognizable and therefore too afraid to run off again.

  Azalie complained about the report, and Novette turned her suspicions to her old friend. She couldn’t put it past Azalie to scheme and plot, but since she was genuinely jealous of Novette’s media attention it stood to reason the woman hadn’t arranged that part.

  What am I thinking? Would she sink that low?

  Novette was under no illusions about Azalie’s petty and selfish nature, but she didn’t think Azalie hated her. Jealous yes. That much was obvious. Azalie’s feelings didn’t bother Novette until that moment.

  “Would you get over it?” Novette snapped. “If you were a real friend, you would be worried about me. No, you’re too busy being scared my dad’s money will disappear if he gets hurt.”

  Azalie’s mouth fell open. Novette ground her teeth. She hadn’t meant to blurt that out.

  Azalie jumped to her feet. “I can’t believe you’re saying that to me. I’ve been your friend for most of our lives.”

  “No, you’ve been—” Novette tried to bite her tongue and failed. “You stopped being a friend a long time ago, and you and I both know it. Did you think I was so naïve I didn’t notice?”