“Have you considered going to the authorities?” I ask. “I’m not from this world, but I can’t believe that these people could get away with kidnapping a grown man and holding him hostage.” I have no idea what she thinks I can possibly do to change the mind of a man like that.
“The reason my mother sent me abroad to study was for that very reason. You can put absolutely nothing past the men Sai and my father are involved with. My mother died trying to give me a normal life. But now, I’m back, and I have to do as I’m told unless Sai Shah calls off the wedding,”
“Amy, you can’t mean your father had something to do with your mother’s death?” She looks away from me. Amy’s mother died in our first year at university.
“I have never stopped believing that my father had something to do with her accident. It was all too convenient, the way she died.”
I know Amy’s Mom died in a car accident, but this is the first time she let it slip that she thinks her father had something to do with it. I can’t imagine living with both the loss of your parent, and the suspicion that the only family you have could be responsible for it.
“Will Sai or his men actually hurt, Henry?”
“I don’t want to push them and find out. Kennedy, my father and Sai belong to an organization called, The Society. I don’t know the intricate details, but I do not these men run the country, criminals, drug dealers, cartels, you name it. They have rules, hierarchies, and that is what this marriage is.”
That Kennedy, my father and Sai belong to an organization they call, The Society. I don’t know the intricate details, but I do not these men run the country, criminals, drug dealers, cartels, you name it. is absolutely scary, unbelievable even. “I was thinking of leaving, getting away from him, all this,” I admit. “It’s a bit much. My life has been colorful, yeah, but I feel like I’ve been caught between in a daily Capulet and Montague crossfire.”
“I knew you have, that’s why I came to see you. Explain what’s going on. I can’t do any of this without you. I’m not strong enough. The Society will destroy me, Neddy. Like it destroyed my mother. I don’t want you to get hurt, but you seem to be the only person Sai isn’t trying to control and manipulate.”
“You listen to me, Amelia Tekin, you are stronger than this.” I squeeze an arm around her shoulders. “You are the strongest woman I know. When your mother died, you could have fallen apart, but you didn’t. You finished your degree like she wanted you to. This is nothing compared to that. And as for my power over him, you saw what happened back there, I just caved.”
“Stay. Please. If there is any way you can get through to Sai... I have heard a lot about Sai but the way he is with you…it’s not like the man I’ve heard about. He’s cruel, but not with you. He is jealous of his best friend. He could have taken advantage of you so many times, but he didn’t. You unnerve him. I can tell. I saw it. Even at the club.” Her eyes are wide as they plead with me.
I squeeze her hand in mine. “I’ll stay, and I’ll do all I can. I just don’t understand what you mean about Sai. Men like him feel nothing, especially for someone like me. I’m not even from the same world as him.”
“Kennedy, you are the first woman he hasn’t immediately slept with. Everyone sees it. But promise me you won’t fall for him.” I look into her eyes and see genuine fear in them.
“I won’t.” I say the words, but I know it’s untrue, because as much as she believes I can get to Sai; he’s already gotten to me. But I won’t fall in love with the asshole.
When Amy leaves, my mind wanders to Sai, although I wish it wouldn’t. The effect that man has on me is undeniable.
That night I dream he is in my room, sitting in the shadows, watching me sleep. His hands wrap around his cock as he works himself while he observes me. The chill from the open window makes my nipples harden, and I reach for them, twisting them moaning his name. My other hand find its way into my sleep shorts and between my legs, but it isn’t my own hand I want, it’s Sai’s. I trail my fingers down my wet slit, rubbing my clit until I’m crying out an orgasm that blows my mind and reduces my senses to nothing more than faded mist.
I awake feeling hot, and sweaty, my heart pounding in my chest. The curtain blows in the wind, but I’m alone, and for the first time in years, I wish I wasn’t.
My alarm clock goes off at five a.m. sliding it to silent. I feel like crap. I tossed and turned last night, only dozing back to sleep in the early hours of the morning. I change into my running clothes and step out into the cool morning. I’m glad I don’t run into Ravi, which would result in one awkward conversation after what happened between Sai and me.
I’m no fool. I know what men like Sai do, luring women in, only to break them. He’s practically engaged to Amy yet he doesn’t mind messing around with me. But who am I to judge? I am just as guilty as he is. Amy may not hate me for what I did with Sai, but it doesn’t stop me from hating myself.
On my way back, I stop at the beach and watch the sunrise. I promised Amy I’ll stay but at what cost? I know that Sai is an asshole, with the way he relentlessly pursues me, but actually kidnapping someone? That seems extreme even for him.
After a shower, and dressing into ripped jeans with paint stains, a halter neck blouse and sneakers, I decide it’s time to pay Sai Shah a visit. Amy’s driver takes me into the city, and half an hour later, I’m standing outside Sai Shah’s office building. I told Amy I’ll speak to him, but I have no idea what that will achieve.
I look around me, realizing that I’m in the middle of a business hub, completely underdressed yet luckily, I’m disinterested in the opinions of others. I actually feel like my old self again. The least I can do is talk to the man and draw lines.
His building is at least twenty stories of glass. I’ve never seen anything like it. I walk into the modern reception area, and I’m taken aback by the stunning white and chrome design. It’s like stepping into the future. One of the ladies at the front desk smiles tightly at me as I approach. “Can I help you, Miss?”
“Yes, I was wondering if I could see Mister Sai Shah, I’m Kennedy Edwards.” The woman is impeccably dressed, and once she gives me a once over, I suddenly realize my hip, chic, street artist look may not be the most appropriate outfit for this meeting. I should have borrowed something more business-like from Amy. So much for not caring what people think.
She types something into her computer. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No. But, I have something I need to discuss with him.”
“Of course. If you’ll take a seat. I’ll check to see if he’s available.” I walk back over to a cluster of armchairs and settle into one. There are magazines with Sai’s face on them. I don’t bother taking one.
“Didn’t expect to see you here.” his voice startles me. He looks down at me, a smirk playing on his lips. In his dark blue suit, hands in his pockets, he looks like something off a GQ magazine cover.
“Hi.” I manage, standing.
“Hello, Kennedy.” He grins, his eyes slowly traveling down my body, making me feel naked but sexy at the same.
