“You know, you never told me what you were doing in that club when we first met,” she says when we’re halfway through the third course.“Why were you in Chicago, in general?Most of your business is outside the US, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I say, nodding.“I wasn’t here for business in that sense.An acquaintance of mine recommended this hedge fund analyst to me, so I was interviewing him for the position of my personal portfolio manager.”
“Oh.”Nora’s eyes widen.“Is that the guy you were meeting with the other day?”
“Yes.I liked what I saw two years ago, so I hired him.And then I decided to go out and see a bit of the city—which is how I ended up in that club.”
“You weren’t worried about security back then?”
“I had a few of my men with me, but no, Al-Quadar wasn’t yet a major threat, and besides, I didn’t have you to worry about.”It wasn’t until I acquired Nora that I became this paranoid about safety.My pet doesn’t know how vulnerable she makes me, doesn’t realize the lengths to which I would go to protect her.If I had been certain that Majid would let her go unharmed, I would’ve given him the explosive and whatever else Al-Quadar demanded.
I would’ve done anything to get her back.
“Were you planning to hook up with some woman that night?”Nora asks, taking a sip from her glass.Her tone is casual, but the look in her eyes is anything but.
I smile, pleased by her apparent jealousy.“Perhaps,” I tease.“That’s why most men go to clubs, you know.It’s not for the dancing, I assure you.”
“So did you?”She leans forward, her small hand tightening around her fork.“Did you pick up someone after I left?”
I’m tempted to tease her some more, but I can’t bring myself to be that cruel.“No, my pet.I returned to my hotel room alone that night, unable to think of anything but this beautiful, petite girl I met.”I also dreamed of her.Of her face that was so much like Maria’s...of her silky skin and delicate curves.
Of the dark, twisted things I wanted to do to her.
“I see.”Nora relaxes, a smile appearing on her face.“And the next day?Did you go out again?”
“No.”I reach for a crab-stuffed fig.“I didn’t see the point.”Not when I was so obsessed I spent hours looking through the pictures my guards took of her.
Not when I already knew I’d never want any woman this much again.
23
Nora
By the timewe walk out of the restaurant, I feel like I’m in seventh heaven.Our dinner tonight was the closest thing we’ve had to a real date, and for the first time in months, I’m feeling hopeful about the future.
We may never be “normal,” but that doesn’t mean we can’t be happy.
As we drive to the club, I allow myself that daydream again, the one where Julian and I are a family.It feels more real now, more substantial.For the first time, I can picture us raising our child together.It wouldn’t be easy, and we’d constantly be surrounded by guards, but we could do it.We could make it work.We’d live on the estate most of the time, but we’d travel too.We’d visit my parents and friends, and we’d go to places in Europe and Asia.I would have a career as an artist, and Julian’s business would be something that’s in the background of our lives, instead of front and center.
It wouldn’t be the kind of life I dreamed of when I was younger, but it would be a good life nonetheless.
It takes us half an hour to get to the club in downtown traffic.When we exit the car, Rosa is already standing there, waiting for us.Seeing me, she grins and runs up to the car.
“Nora, you look gorgeous,” she exclaims before turning to Julian.“And you too, Señor.”She gives us a huge, beaming smile.“Thank you so much for taking me with you tonight.I’ve been dying to go to a real American nightclub.”
“I’m glad you were able to come,” I tell her, smiling.“You look amazing.”And she does.In sexy red heels and a short yellow dress that plays up her curves, Rosa looks hot enough to be a pinup girl.
“Do you really think so?”she says eagerly.“I got this dress in the city on Thursday.I was worried it might be too much.”
“There’s no such thing,” I say firmly.“You look absolutely phenomenal.Now, come, let’s go dance.”And grabbing her arm, I lead her to the club entrance, with an amused-looking Julian following on our heels.
Despite the club’s location in an older, seedier part of downtown Chicago, there is a long line of people waiting by the door.The place must be even more popular now than it was two years ago.As we walk by, the men eye both me and Rosa, while the women gawk at Julian.I don’t blame those women, even though some dark part of me wants to gouge their eyes out.My husband dressed up tonight, putting on a sharply tailored blazer and dark designer jeans, and he looks effortlessly hot, like a movie star coming out of a film premiere.Of course, movie stars don’t usually conceal guns and knives under their stylish jackets, but I’m trying not to think about that.
One word from Julian to the bouncer, and we’re inside, bypassing the waiting crowd.Nobody checks our IDs, not even at the bar where Julian buys Rosa a drink.I wonder if it’s because Julian’s men already warned the club management about us.
Either way, it’s pretty neat.
It’s only ten o’clock, but the club is already hopping, the latest pop and dance hits blaring from the speakers.Even though I’ve had no alcohol, I feel high, drunk with excitement.Laughing, I grab Rosa and Julian and drag them both to the dance floor, where tons of people are already grinding against one another.
