Dahlia grabbed the backpack and duffel bag and tossed them out the bedroom window onto the grass at the side of the building. She lifted Noel out and lowered him to the ground. He watched with curious eyes as she gingerly climbed out after him.
“Mommy—”
“Shh.” Dahlia put a finger to her lips and he fell quietly immediately.
Heart racing, she eased the window closed and paused to listen while scanning the area. Only night sounds could be heard. Nothing indicated they’d been discovered. With the backpack on her back and Noel resting on her hip, she picked up the duffel bag and walked quickly to the back parking lot where she’d parked her car.
After she’d tossed the luggage in the trunk, Dahlia strapped Noel into the car seat. All the while, her eyes darted to and fro, searching for any unusual movement in the dimly lit parking lot. In the car, she gripped the steering wheel and sat absolutely still as a wave of fear washed over her. Her stomach was pained and queasy.
Was she crazy to run? Selfish? No, she was doing the right thing. Kofi was the one in the wrong.
Dahlia started the car.
“Mommy.”
She turned to look at Noel. “Yes, precious.”
“I love you.” He grinned.
The first time he’d said those words had been after a tickle-fest when the two of them lay sprawled on the bed. He’d sat up and given her a kiss and told her he loved her. A pure and sweet act, and so needed after a long day, tears had come to her eyes. She’d needed those words then, and he must have sensed she needed them now.
Dahlia grinned back and squeezed his foot. “I love you, too. More than anything else in the whole wide world.” She’d do anything she needed to do to protect him and keep him in her life, on her terms.
She turned around and switched on the headlights.
Abdalla stood directly in front of the car.
Dahlia screamed. Two more men approached on either side, all of them dressed in dark coats. She immediately recognized Yasir.
Ohmigod. Ohmigod.
Her fingers tightened on the wheel. Did they have guns? Would they hurt her?
A glance in the rearview mirror revealed Noel’s wide eyes as he tightened the hold on his stuffed animal, and yet another guard stood behind the small sedan. They had them surrounded. Abdalla alone appeared big and strong enough to keep the car in place by simply gripping the front bumper.
Yasir bent to eye level and tapped the window with one finger. “Miss Sommers, please exit the vehicle.”
Dahlia stared at him for a moment, trying to catch her breath. Then she rolled down the window two inches. “No,” she said, voice shaking.
“Please, ma’am.” He remained polite, but there was no missing the determination in his voice, like when he’d insisted on going with her to Starbucks.
“Or what?” Her voice went up several octaves in panic. “You’ll break in and pull me out of the car? You’ll hurt me in front of my child?”
“No, ma’am.” His voice remained calm but firm. “We have strict instructions not to hurt you. But we also have strict instructions not to let our prince leave.”
Our prince. They were already referring to him as theirs, as if he was no longer her son. He already belonged to them.
Tears of frustration burned her eyes. Dare she try running them over? The thought of hurting another human being made her nauseous. She didn’t even believe in the death penalty. She couldn’t run over these men for doing their job, and they would never betray Kofi. They had pledged their allegiance to him, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t try to change their minds or throw herself at their mercy.
“Tell him you didn’t see me.”
“Please get out of the vehicle, ma’am.”
“Listen to me, please, I—”
Dahlia heard the most pitiful sound. A long whine came from the backseat. She turned to see her son, Noel, clutching his wiggle worm with tears running down his cheeks. Her heart broke. He was scared, and she was adding to his fear.
She glared at Yasir. “Look what you’ve done.”
Yasir didn’t reply.
“This is America. Kofi can’t do this.”
Yasir straightened and spoke boldly. “He is Prince Kofi Francois Karunzika, the Conquering Lion of the tribe of Mbutu. He can do whatever he wants.”
Dahlia inhaled a deep, shaky breath and let her shoulders slump in defeat. “Fine,” she murmured. “I’ll go back in.”
“No, Miss Sommers. You’re coming with us.”
8
Dahlia sat in the back seat of a black SUV with Noel and Abdalla, while Yasir sat up front with the driver. They made the ride to Kofi’s penthouse in silence, the only words spoken had been when they’d initially settled into the vehicle. Abdalla made a call, said a few words in Mbutu, and hung up.
Noel fell asleep on the ride, so she held him in her arms as they walked down the hallway to Kofi’s penthouse, one of two on the top floor. Like a prisoner, she walked in the middle of the men, Yasir to the back, and Abdalla carrying her two bags in the front.
When they entered, Kofi turned away from the view outside the window. “Take the bags upstairs to the room at the end of the hall,” he said. He kept his gaze on Dahlia, who stared back at him with as much venom as she could.
“Aofa,” he called. The nanny came out immediately from a side door. “Please take my son upstairs to his room.”
Dahlia didn’t fight as the older woman lifted the toddler from her arms and then silently climbed the stairs.
A staring contest and silence continued until Abdalla returned.
“Thank you for your excellent assistance tonight. Your work is done,” Kofi told both men. They gave slight bows and exited the apartment.
“Drink?” Kofi walked over to the bar.
“No.”
He poured her one anyway—Brandy on the rocks with a twist of lime, a drink he’d persuaded her to try and she now enjoyed. He handed her the glass and she took it, making sure their fingers didn’t touch. If he noticed, he didn’t react, and went back to the bar.
Dahlia took a sip. The burn in her throat woke her up a little bit. She watched as Kofi poured himself the same drink.
Even if he hadn’t been a prince, he’d be an arresting man. He moved with quiet grace and wore his clothes well. In the comfort of his own home, he wore loose-fitting pants and a dashiki, exposing the ropey thickness of his muscular arms. She’d never seen him in traditional dress before.
His neat facial hair hinted he was a man who took care of himself, and his strong profile suggested inbred confidence that came from years of being told he was special and different.
“How did you know I would try to leave?” Dahlia cradled the glass in both hands.
Smiling slightly, he replied, “I considered what a reasonable, trustworthy woman would do, and assumed you’d do the opposite.”
Ass.
“You didn’t trust me.”
“Not even a little bit.”
Kofi sipped his drink, eyeing her over the rim.
“I didn’t betray you three years ago.”
“And yet here we are, and your actions once again prove you can’t be trusted.”
She scanned the room, which gave her time to think. “What happens now?”
“What happens now depends on you, Dahlia. You’ve made it very clear to me, painfully clear, I cannot let my son out of my sight, or you’ll try to steal him from me.”
“Steal him? Are you serious?”
“Do you prefer the word kidnap?”
“I needed a little time to adjust to the idea—”
“Enough!” He slammed the glass on the metal bar top. “I have been more than patient with you on numerous occasions. Apparently my generosity wasn’t enough. Did you forget I didn’t have you thrown in jail for the crime you committed against my kingdom?”
“I never stole that money. Melanie stole from your family.”
“Even if I could have believed you, you
r actions since then have proven to me you’re capable of theft. You’re willing to steal the heir to the throne, so why would I doubt that you stole money from us?”
“Unbelievable.” Dahlia shook her head. “I can’t get through to you. Nothing gets through to you.”
“I’m smart enough not to fall for your deceptive ways.” He walked slowly over to her. “The game ends now. You want to come back to Zamibia? I will grant you the opportunity to do that. But this time, you do as I say. Everything I say.”
She didn’t like the sound of that. “What do you want me to do? No one would believe in this farce of an engagement.”
“They will if we get our story straight. We’ll simply say we separated, but loved each other all along.”
“Did you forget you were married before?”
“In my country, a man can have as many wives as he can afford.”
“Oh, right. How lovely to live in a society where a man’s appetite for multiple women is ingrained in society as the accepted norm.”
“Based on the rate of divorce in your country, I’d say the men have the same appetite. But I guess the norm of extra-marital affairs and broken homes is better.” He smirked when she didn’t respond. “As I was saying, we were in love, and I found out about my son after you contacted me. Believe me, it would be better to say you contacted me than for my people to know I was the one who tracked you down. You’ll act like a loving fiancée. You’ll pretend we’re reunited lovers. You play the game, or this doesn’t work.”
She fortified her nerves with another sip of Brandy. Tense silence vibrated between them.
“I don’t have much choice, do I? First, you threaten to take Noel and now, you force me to marry you and pretend we’re in love.”
“You needn’t make my proposal sound like a death sentence. I assure you, you’ll be the envy of many women, as you’ll have a life of wealth and privilege.”
“I only have to lie through my teeth.” Dahlia smoothed her fingers over the long plait on her right shoulder. “I’ll do what you say on two conditions.”
Kofi chuckled. “You’re in no position to make demands.”
“They’re small requests. You can grant me two small requests, can’t you?”
He eyed her suspiciously. “That depends on what they are.”
“I want my best friend Angela to be at the wedding.” Dahlia took a deep breath, averting her eyes to the sofa. “My last request is—I’m sure you’ll have other women in your life. After all, I was the other woman.” She swallowed the shaft of pain that came out of nowhere. “I just ask that you...you’re discreet with your liaisons. I would rather not go through the humiliation of having you flaunt your affairs in my face.”
The room became so quiet she heard the clock ticking on the wall.
“There’s no problem with having your friend attend the ceremony. As for the other...I’m always discreet. I’ve never brought any of my mistresses into my palace apartment, and that won’t change.”
Dahlia nodded numbly. Mistresses. How many were there?
She’d half hoped he would deny the need for those types of liaisons and offer to treat their marriage as a real one. How foolish could she be? “Thank you,” she whispered through wooden lips.
“You’ll remain in the penthouse until we leave.” A statement. Not a request.
“Yes, Your Highness.” She lifted her head to glare at him, as if that would do any good. He held all the power, and all the control.
He walked slowly toward her, and her body tensed on his approach.
“Don’t get any silly ideas of running off, Dahlia.” He caught her chin in his hand.
The firm pressure filled her body with heat. She froze, hypnotized by the intensity of his stare. She knew this man. She knew his touch, his kisses, and his husky, knowing laugh as he joined their bodies and she begged for more. But sex and sweat-damp skin was the last thing on his mind.
“Don’t you dare run from me again. If you run, I’ll follow you. If you hide, I’ll find you. Nothing will keep me from my son ever again.”
Kofi kept his eyes trained on Dahlia as she rushed up the stairs.
His suspicions had been correct. He’d suspected she’d try to leave, and a sixth sense made him send reinforcements to her apartment and instruct the men to pay extra close attention to her tonight.
He poured what was left of her drink into his glass and took a swallow.
His life was rigid and boxed in by protocol and traditions he’d adhered to since childhood. Even his marriage to Azireh had been arranged for him. Kofi accepted he should marry her—until he met Dahlia. She’d been a beacon of light in the darkness of duty and obligation his life had become.
A smile came to his lips when he remembered their pillow fights and wrestling in bed like children. She became his escape for a short while, away from the restrictions of his life.
He thought of all the things that had attracted him to her. Not only her beauty but her empathy. She couldn’t stand to see anyone in pain. Three years ago he’d decided he would marry her, making her his second wife. He’d only needed to convince her. Then he uncovered the theft.
Kofi strolled over to the window, barely acknowledging the buildings illuminated by lights. He swirled the drink, frowning down into the glass.
Despite what she’d done, he couldn’t turn her into the police. He made her and her partner dissolve the company instead. To this day she continued to claim her innocence, and he wanted to believe her, but how could he? She’d hidden his son, another deception he found hard to overlook.
He stopped moving and stared down at the amber liquid.
Was he making a mistake? The question gnawed at him more times than he could count.
No, he thought for the umpteenth time with grim determination. He drained the glass.
He had a right to claim his son. Why not claim his son’s mother, too?
9
Monday morning, Dahlia woke to Noel’s arm across her throat and his knee in her ribs. She eased from under him and rolled to the side of the bed.
Much as she liked sleeping with her little man, she wondered how she didn’t wake up with bruises after a night in the same bed. She went into the adjoining bathroom and got ready for the day. After a refreshing shower, she put on a robe and went back into the bedroom, to find Aofa seated on the side of the bed, playing with Noel.
“Good morning.” Aofa’s voice boomed with cheer. “I knocked, but there was no answer. I came to see if you’d like me to get the prince ready for the day.”
“What’s going on today?” Dahlia asked.
“Prince Kofi is taking him to the zoo and then the park.”
Noel bounced on the bed. “I love the zoo!” he exclaimed. She’d taken him there twice in the fall.
“What is your favorite animal?” Aofa asked.
“Snake.”
“Snake?” Aofa said.
“What sound does the snake make?” Dahlia asked Noel.
“Ssssss.” Proud of himself, he grinned.
“What about the lion? He’s the king of the beasts,” Aofa said.
“Lion is big and scary.” Noel held his hands up like claws and made the cutest little roar.
Dahlia and Aofa laughed.
“Would you like me to get him ready, ma’am? That way you and Kemal can work on your affairs this morning.”
“My affairs?”
“Yes. I’m sure he can explain the details, but you’re moving abroad. You’ll need to close accounts and put an end to all your financial obligations in America.”
“Oh, right.” She hadn’t thought that far ahead because she thought she’d be long gone from here.
Dahlia took a good look at Aofa. She didn’t doubt the woman’s ability, but Dahlia was used to just her and Noel. When they moved to Zamibia, Aofa would be responsible for taking care of him, and Dahlia needed reassurance she could be trusted with her son.
“What kind of experience do you have as a nann
y?” she asked in a conversational tone.
Aofa stood and clasped her hands in front of her ample hips. “Ms. Sommers, it is an honor to serve as the nanny for our young prince, and I’m sure you trust Prince Kofi would not have chosen me if I were not qualified. I worked for his uncle, Prince Kehinde, for many years, taking care of two of his grandchildren. They are off to college in London now. Afterward, the Nigerian ambassador hired me to care for his children. As you can see from the blue dye in my hair, Kemal and I are from the Ndenga tribe. He told me Prince Kofi was looking for a nanny right away. I submitted my CV, and with a recommendation from Prince Kehinde, he hired me. I know this is your first child, and I understand. But please do not worry. I am a grandmother, and I love children. Your son is safe with me.” She glanced at Noel, who started jumping on the bed again.
“Even though he has all this energy? Noel, stop jumping on the bed.”
He ignored her and continued jumping and giggling.
“Even with this much energy.” Aofa chuckled.
Satisfied with the answer, Dahlia asked, “How many grandchildren do you have?”
“Four. Two boys and two girls. They live in Cape Ndugu, a small fishing village on the coast. Do you know it?”
Dahlia shook her head.
“Many Ndenga live there. I don’t get to see my grandchildren much now that I work in the palace again, but when I have time off, I go straight to the Cape to see them.” She smiled in a matronly way. “The palace is ready for your son. He has his own room, already filled with toys and books. His room is right next to yours, and you can make any changes to the decorations you wish. He will be happy there.”
“Thank you.” Dahlia breathed a little easier. Knowing she’d have Aofa on her side, assisting as she adjusted to her new life, helped put her mind at ease.
“I will get him ready in the bathroom next door.” Aofa lifted Noel off the bed.
Princess of Zamibia Page 5
