I scoffed, clenched my jaw, and looked away while trying to suppress my anger.
After a long silence, he sighed, leaning across and reaching for my hand. I looked over at him.
“Zahra, I don’t want to fight with you, we have already discussed this issue. While I was angry that you drugged me, I was not lying when I told you I appreciated your taking the initiative to save my life. According to how it all turned out, the assassins had ventured off course because the plan was to attack when we were touring the manor. I needed to taint that place for Kareem so he would let it go quicker than he would if he loved it.
“When I noticed the formation at that party, I knew something was wrong, and I wanted to observe, so I left the crowd. If you hadn’t intervened and I had fleshed out their new strategy, I would have gotten you and Street out of there before they brought out their guns. The lesson here is that a lot could have been prevented with trust from my end and yours.
“Aside from that, I planned this because I knew it could only get worse, and I knew my brother was involved—I knewyouwere involved alongside the people you both cared about. That was why I wanted it to happen on my terms. I did not want any more chaos that would endanger your lives. I do not want to live through that any more than I have to, Zahra.”
I softened my features. “I understand. But why would you include yourself to be assassinated?”
“We both know a threat to Kareem’s life would not go unnoticed by anyone. I did not want any loose ends. So I took the liberty of taking myself off the suspect list,” he said. “In a way, I am glad you had intervened because I would most likely be dead if you hadn’t. Loyalty changed with the people my disguised-self had hired… or maybe it was greed after they discovered what they could gain if they worked alone. They would have killed anyone who got in their way, and I wouldn’t have seen it coming because I underestimated them.”
“And Kareem? The men who are after him?”
“I was kind enough to tell him about it. His people will deal with them. But that chapter is closed with me, and the manoris now in Marino hands. No one would infiltrate the building even if the painting had been there.”
I breathed. “You really went to great lengths to stop Street from doing any work.”
“For your protection, Zahra. It would have been a bloodbath if I hadn’t intervened. Dangerous people were after that painting, and now, we have to be more guarded because finding the painting is just a small part of this quest. Finding the gold from the map would be much worse. Eyes are on us, and they are following. People with a lust for money, and dangerous people who hunger for the power those flash drives would give them.”
I nodded. “I know… but why do you have Street working here?”
He relaxed his shoulders. “Like I reminded you earlier. You told me you all liked to hustle for what you want. Since I have the painting and decided to bring your team back on the hunt for the gold, this minor work they are doing should be able to cover up the ego talk about working hard to gain something. In other words, it covers the stress you would have endured to retrieve the painting.”
“My God.”
“I was merely working on the information you provided me. You should thank me because I told them I was in on the plan to get them to the penthouse as a surprise, and if they wanted to get the final piece of that surprise, they would have to work for it.”
“So now they are probably angry because they think I am making them work for the surprise.”
“Hm. Not if you grab a mop and a bucket to assist Milk in the toilet. A show of good friendship.”
I rolled my eyes. “You are impossible.”
He nodded as if I had given him a title he would never forget.
“Why this building, though?”
“I came across it in listings of several houses needing volunteers. This one was far worse and in dire need of refurbishment. And thanks to a Good Samaritan, I learned recently that there might be some children in need of a home and proper medical care.”
My heart stuttered. “What?”
The children Daiyu and I rescued with her team.
“I did not speak to her people,” he informed me. “I am hoping you will relay the information that you found a perfect home for them while they heal from the mental stress of what that organization put them through.”
I calmed instantly, not knowing exactly what to say to show how grateful his thoughtfulness made me feel, so I got up, went around the table, sat on his lap, and hugged him. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
His arms came around me. “I am glad I can help in some way.”
“Thank you.” I pulled away, smiling at him, eyes searching his pretty, relaxed ones. “You’re giving them a home—it’s so generous.”
“It is not enough. I am still asking around, seeking information. Once I find out who the people doing this are, they will pay.”
“I have no doubt, as long as you include me in whatever you’re planning.”
He cupped my face in his hand. “I wouldn’t have anyone else fighting by my side, Zahra, trust me.”
