Page 168 of Shâhzâdeh

I gave Quentin a death stare and he held up his hands in surrender. “He purchased her building just to impress her so—”

Ahmad grinned like he again approved of Xerxes’ madness instead of thinking it was weird. “He all right wit me. Now if I could just get that fine ass chick that works in your office to give me the time of day.”

“That’s probably not the best idea. She’s my agent and mixing business and romance might not work.” I wasn’t about to spill Navi’s business despite the fact that she’d held a gun on him without blinking.

“Technically, she’s an assassin.” I rolled my eyes and let my head fall back, since Quentin couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

I lifted my head just in time to see Ahmad looking between the two of us cockily. “Y’all act like any of that shit was going to deter me.”

“Okay, so in the kitchen we have—”

I snuggled under Xerxes arm that was around me as we sat at the table breaking bread with my brother. And my husband’s brothers. What I thought was going to be a simple dinner ended up being the first dinner party at our house and I was immediately grateful thatmamanhad sent over the dishes that she did. They were intricately decorated 18 carat gold plates, serving ware, plate ware and gold rimmed crystal to fill the built in hutch in the formal dining room. It was service enough for eighteen with our monogram and the Cannon family crest in the center. Xerxes was already putting together dinner when he called me to ask what I would like to eat. When I asked if it would be okay if Ahmad came, he gave me that look like he wanted to fuck some sense into me.

I mean, which wasn’t bad. I’d play dumb every time if I was going to get that.

Sex with Xerxes was something transformative. Maybe I was as slow as the Kennedys said because everything about that man had transcended all bounds of normalcy. I kept expecting him to not be perfect at something, but it hadn’t come up yet. Yes, he could be slightly overprotective and the popping up at my apartment would’ve had me calling the cops if I wasn’t quietly just as obsessed as he was, but I needed that. Needed a man who would apply pressure and put actions behind his words.

When I’d gotten home I’d been worried but Xerxes already had the table set and the chef getting dinner ready. I tried to go in and help and he sent me to our bedroom to relax like I normally would after I was in the office. He could see me getting upset worried that I wasn’t being perfect and instead of allowing me to spiral, he brought me upstairs and made love to me until I was boneless on the bed. After we both showered, he changed the sheets and told me to take a nap and he would come and get me when dinner was ready. Now I was sitting next to him at the dinner table with my head on his shoulder. He’d pulled his hair back into a low ponytail at the back of his head, but the shorter pieces in the front were still perfectly framing his face. The man was annoyingly handsome and seemed camera ready no matter the situation.

“What brought y’all all to Charlotte?”

Conversation seemed to stall at my question as all eyes focused on Xerxes. I turned to him slightly and he looked at ease so I was confused by why they were looking at him.

“Did I say something wrong?” The meal was winding down and it seemed like everyone had enjoyed the steaks, potatoes, lobster Mac and cheese, asparagus and grilled carrots and kale salad. The itis was calling me so I knew it wouldn’t be long before I fell asleep.

“No,mon amour, we have business to attend to zhis week.” Xerxes placated me with a kiss on the side of my face.

“Business orbusiness?” The way the mouths of several of the men around the table quirked up, I already had my answer. Navi was the only one who had kept a straight face, but I think that had far more to do with the tension with my brother eyeing her the way he had been all night.

“Zhe second one.” I appreciated that Xerxes wanted to protect me, but he wouldn’t lie to me.

“Is this something that you can’t talk to me about?” I spoke softly because I didn’t want to overstep.

He turned to me and kept his voice its regular tone. “No. It is a matter of whezer you want to hear about it is all.”

I glanced at the men and woman around the table before I spoke again. “Am I allowed?”

“Ziba nothing zhat happens with me is somezing you can’t hear about. You’re my wife, even if I were to ever get in trouble zhey cannot prove you know anyzing or prosecute you for anyzing I’ve done. Besides, we would be on a plane to Tehran before zhey could ever touch us.” The arrogant smile was one of a man who was used to circumventing the laws or bending them to work in his favor.

“Wow, got a whole escape plan mapped out.” I’d giggled thinking it was a joke, but his response was deadpan.

“Six.”

I looked at him then back at the men and woman at the table thinking someone would join me in my laughter but they were all nodding their heads in agreement. All except Ahmad.

He was the first to speak up and break the silence.

“Y’all need me to head out or step outside while y’all talk?” He went to move back from the dining table.

Quentin leaned back in the dining chair and I was happy that for once he and Sho were relaxing at the same time. “Why would you?”

He looked around at the table again. “Because this is y’all’s shit. “

“Are you not family?” Xerxes’ question held an unknown weight and I wasn’t sure why it felt like a test.

He nodded at me before he said, “Vee’s yeah.” Having been shunned by the people who were supposed to love me the easy possession of everyone that had come into my life since I’d left them was still enough to make me cry.

“And she is mine. More precious to me zhan life itself. Family is a core value wiz all of us and no one here is worried about you speaking out of turn.”

---