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“I couldn’t afford to lose you then; you kept going on and on about him. I was jealous of him and the only reaction I knew was to take out my enemy. I didn’t think he was a kid; all I saw was the guy taking my girl. I still can’t lose my girl, Jade.”

“Some women may find your possessive side cute or attractive, but I don’t. You took away my choices and I don’t like that. I need to go to bed. Please leave.” He gets up and tries to come close to me, I step away, with my arms folded. I direct my anger to him. He must realize there’s no convincing me because he leaves without a backward glance. I lock my doors and pick my bra off the floor—a reminder of how close I came to begging Naseer to take me all night. I headed to my bathroom for a cold shower and to wash away Naseer’s kisses. Like that’s vaguely possible. My cold and lonely bed awaits after my shower. I lay in bed for a while, thinking about how to avoid Naseer.

fifteen

Naseer.

Leaving Jade’s place, I’m reminded she still loves me despite her getting upset about James. I know she’s hiding something from me. Most people show pictures of their children, Jade is going to great lengths to hide the children from me. Something is off. I can feel it. I must admit that Brian is right, and playing smart is how to resolve this.

I didn’t have much time before she arrived to look around her home. I was focused on her returning home and having dinner with me.

In the car, I instruct Rilwan to find out James’s information. That’s the only way to show my wife that I can be reasonable. I know that her last school year in Rhanaz was rough for her. I need to do something to appease her.

I’ve always disliked it whenever she’s upset with me. Doesn’t help now that we have a force standing between us. I can’t make it worse with actions from the past that was done to protect her.

Getting James's information is an olive branch. Hopefully, she will open up to me about what’s going on in that beautiful mind of hers.

I don’t like the fact that I must travel soon, I have tried to pass the task to Raheem, but he can’t as well because our uncle has him on another task. Leaving Jade isn’t boding well for me.

Leaving her is a trigger for me, and the thought of going again and the possibility of her being gone when I return, has my heart racing. I’m going to have to put a bodyguard on her to watch her every move. I didn’t do that in her college days. Now I must, that’s the only way I can travel without losing my shit or driving Ken crazy.

sixteen

Jade

My alarm wakes me up. Like a zombie, I shower again and dress in a pantsuit. I let my hair down again. My eyes are a bit puffy. I apply more make-up than usual before heading out.

I stepped out to find my driver. “Good morning, ma’am. I’m sorry I didn’t take you to the market again that won’t happen again.”

“Morning, please ignore all of Prince Naseer’s talk. I was very happy to take a cab yesterday and I’m fine taking a cab now and then.” He nods but I doubt he will listen to me.

I ride the elevator quietly. I choose to block my mind from last night’s event. The moment I got off the elevator. I’m greeted with lots of happy faces, I head to my office. “Morning, Lucy, everyone is exceptionally cheerful today. What’s going on?”

“A memo that we can all start to dress casually. Jeans and tasteful t-shirts are now allowed everyone is happy about that.” I smile.

“That’s good,” I reply cheerfully.

“Mariam, the Prince stopped by and said I need to start blocking anyone not part of our team from stopping by to disturb you when you are working. Is that okay with you?”

“I would appreciate it if you could do it politely, I don’t want to upset anyone or have them think I’m high maintenance.”

“You got it, Mariam.”

“Thanks, Lucy. What’s on our plate today?”

“A meeting with the team and Ken the partner also stopped by. I penciled him into your calendar for a meeting after lunch.”

“Okay, thank you.”

In my office, I’m a bit giddy about the casual dress code. Naseer must have seriously eavesdropped on my conversation with Knox yesterday. I could use the hours of no disturbance so I can get in my zone and wrap up this work quickly.

I fire up my laptop to begin work; he walks in. Looks like we both didn’t sleep last night. Even in his rugged untidy look. My heart still gallops at the sight of him. I remain quiet. I’m still pissed about what he did. He pulls a chair and seat.

“Jade, I’m sorry,” he says, which is unexpected. “I don’t know how to be anything but possessive where you are concerned, I will try to control it, just don’t expect me to make a complete three-sixty too quickly.” I nod my understanding.

He puts a paper on my table. “That’s James’s info if you wish to call him but be warned I won’t hesitate to set him straight again if he tries anything different than pure friendship.”

I nod again. I’m glad he at least saved me the trouble of tracking James myself.