If my father does, then he isn’t who I thought he was.
His gaze sweeps over my face, and with the deadliest expression he can muster, his voice rings out. “I like him. You should marry that onebefore he realizes he’s way out of your league. Lock him down quickly like I did with your mom.”
TWENTY-ONE
“Iam sorry, sir,” Yuki says during the drive, and I glance over, looking for clarification. “I shouldn’t have made you go to that party last night?—”
“Yuki, it isn’t your fault my ex is a prick. Thank you for taking me to Nikko when I asked.”
“More like demanded.” He grins. “I think the actual words were, ‘Take me to my boxer or I’ll kick your formal ass.’”
I scoff, and he grins. Reaching over, I pat his arm. “I mean it. It isn’t your fault. Thank you for trying to cheer me up yesterday. I enjoyed seeing my friends. Ignore Faiz, that’s what I intend to do.”
“Yes, sir, but say the word and within ten minutes, I will have every news outlet reporting his dirty dealings,” Yuki offers, and I glance over with a wicked grin.
“Been collecting secrets, have you?” I tease.
“Always, sir, when it comes to you. You never know when we’ll need them. Even though he was your fiancé, I couldn’t take any risks. You say the word and I can destroy him for you.”
“You’re a good friend, Yuki.” I sigh, and he startles, blushing slightly. “I’m lucky to have you, and I mean that, but let him destroy himself. I’m focusing on the future, nothing else.”
“Yes, sir.” His voice is choked, and I look away to let him have his privacy. Despite what Faiz did, I had a good night with Nikko, and this morning was fun. Teasing him and his dad, having breakfast with them . . .
I liked it and want to do it again, but reality comes crashing down as we pull up to the construction site. My workers are yelling and rioting, with police leading some into a van.
“What’s happening?” I ask Yuki.
“I’m not sure, sir.” He leaps from the car, and I follow closely, striding over to the closest officer.
“Who is in charge here?” he asks, the officers turning to eye me.
“I am Zia Xander, and this is my project. What’s going on?” I ask.
“You are Mr. Xander?” he calls.
“Yes.” I wait impatiently, and he nods.
“We need you to come with us, sir, just to answer some questions.”
“What questions?” I inquire, and I look at my employees who are being arrested. “What’s happening?”
“We can discuss that at the station, if you will follow me,” he says, but it’s an order.
“Are you telling me or asking me?” I retort, making sure he is very clear. This isn’t my first run-in with the law.
He hesitates at my tone. “Asking, sir.”
“Fine, then I will follow you. Yuki,” I snarl as I turn.
We take our own car, but it’s very obvious we had no choice as we are led to an interrogation room. There are no cuffs, but I still sit stiffly. Yuki was not allowed in, but I know he’s already called our lawyer. This isn’t the first time I’ve been in a police station, and it won’t be the last.
Power brings its own issues.
Leaning back in my chair, I eye the officers opposite me and let them sweat it out, even as they try to do the same to me, but they should know I don’t scare easily. I know they are only doing their job,but I’m annoyed. They have put me behind schedule and brought me here without any explanation.
“Sir—”
“You will explain why my employees are being detained and why you brought me here,” I demand. “Now.” I rap my knuckles on the table for emphasis.
