The Marriage Deal by Connelly Clare

Author:Connelly , Clare
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

11

Zahir

“YOU CAN’T SERIOUSLY BE going through with this?” Rafiq stares at me with obvious disapproval. I sigh heavily, well aware of my best friend’s thoughts by now.

“He is Amy’s father.”

“Yes, and you married her to quell those idiots to the east.”

“Those idiots are my people,” I remind him through ground teeth. “And whether they support me or not, I am their king. I cannot dismiss them as easily as you do.”

Raf lifts his hands in surrender. “I know that.” And he does. As a Sheikh of a small, oil-rich nation south of Qabid, I know there’s nothing Raf wouldn’t do for his people.

“Besides, I promised Amy I would bring her father home.”

“The man is a traitor.”

I see Amy’s eyes, wet with unshed tears, hurt at the very idea softening me in a way that is pathetic and stupid. Dangerous, too, for trusting her is a bad idea, given that for a very long time her father wished me dead. She is still a Hassan, I remind myself forcefully, even when distrusting her is anathema to me.

I hate you. Her words pierce me out of nowhere. Not her words so much, but the look of truth in her face as she said them so calmly, as though she were observing the weather. The words rang with intent, and they have lodged in my chest, a constant companion since we left Thakirt.

My voice is grim. “He’s old and ill. I do not believe he poses a threat to me.”

“More fool you,” Rafiq snorts. “I’m not suggesting he’ll personally sink a dagger into your heart, Zah. It’s far more likely he’ll organise for a militant to do that on his behalf.”

“For God’s sake,” I laugh despite the serious tenor of our conversation. “You seem to forget I’m surrounded by security almost constantly.”

“Not when you are in bed with your wife, I presume.”

It’s a throwaway comment but something fires deep in my gut. Amy might hate me, but she’d never hurt me. She’s not capable of it.

“I gave her my word, Rafiq. I must bring him to Qabid.”

“To hell with the consequences?”

“Or in spite of them.”

“Are you forgetting what her father’s people have already taken from you?”

I look at him sharply. We are old friends, but in that moment, I feel as though we stand across battle lines. “How could I? I live with that every day. My father’s death was at their hands. We know that, but not many others do. Particularly not my wife.”

“I know it’s a secret,” he says quietly. “But it is still a truth. You cannot ignore the power and will of these people.”

“It has lessened over time. They are disbanded – exiled or dead.”

“And yet you brought her here. You’re bringing him home.”

“What else could I do?”

“I don’t know.” Rafiq sighs heavily. “I know you’ve tried everything else.”

“Exactly. My marriage was a last resort. Believe me, it’s not what I would have chosen. I think of him often. My father. I wonder what he would make of this.

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