“No, thank you.”
“You didn’t see him yesterday when we got back.”
“Whose fault was that? Work was more important.” She glared at him. “Tell me something. Did you two arrange to have me kidnapped as a way to convince me to come back home?”
“Azalie, why don’t you take Beau into the kitchen and give her a snack?”
“Me? That’s why we have servants.”
He glared at her. “You don’t have servants.”
Azalie flounced to her feet and took Beau’s hand. “Come on, Beau. It’s stuffy in here anyway. How about a donut?”
“Yay,” Beau sang.
The two left through the door leading to the kitchen, and Novette turned to Zaid. “Your daughter is beautiful.”
“She’s not my daughter.” Zaid straightened his jacket as if it was even a millimeter out of place. His suit fit his broad shoulders better than her dad’s tailored expensive suits fit his. Maybe it was the cool controlled attitude that went with the look that worked so well, but she took exception to him denying that sweet little girl.
“Look, no one is judging you for having an affair with Azalie, but it’s disgusting to deny your own baby.”
“Let me be clear,” he bit out. “I have never and will never have an affair with Azalie Grace. Therefore, her daughter isn’t mine. I don’t care how much she wishes that she were.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You’ve been gone a long time, but you know me better than to think I would shirk my responsibilities.”
She didn’t respond.
“Second,” he continued, “Neither your father nor I would put you in danger in order to convince you to come home.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I guess you wouldn’t hire those guys to give you a concussion or to shoot the other guy. Is he okay, and shouldn’t you be resting?”
“I’m fine, but I can say the same about you.”
“I’m too antsy to stay in bed. I hardly slept last night. Who do you think hired those guys? Did they say anything to the police?”
He didn’t answer.
“Zaid? Don’t try to keep me out of the loop. This happened to me, and I have a right to know. If you don’t tell me, you can trust and believe I’ll contact the investigating officer to ask him for myself.”
“They’re dead.”
“What? Who’s dead?” Her stomach lurched. “Dad didn’t order you…?”
“No. I’m not a killer, Novette.”
“You do anything he tells you.”
“Regardless, he doesn’t ask me to kill. I will protect him and you, but that’s self-defense. The men who tried to kidnap you are all dead. I’m guessing whoever hired them sent someone else to shut them up. Of course it looks like suicide, but I have my doubts.”
Her hands shook, and she squeezed them tight in her lap. He strode over to take the seat Azalie vacated and covered her hands with one of his. A tremor ran through her body.
“I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you. All I ask is that you stay here where I can do that.”
“You know what will happen if I stay in this house.”
“Novette.”
“I’ll find myself married off to whoever fits in with my father’s plan for my life. I’m not letting him control my future or me. I had five years of freedom, and I want it back.”
“You call starving and living the way you were a life?”
“Who says I was starving?”
“Your frame. All the work we did together. You have no muscle tone.”
“I kept my workouts going.” She coughed. “Mostly.”
He stood and pulled her up with him, squeezing her upper arms, testing the condition of the muscles. They stood far too close together. Every inch of her body came alive with his proximity. His fingers on her skin stirred sensations in her core.
She wanted to run her hands over his chest and to lay her head there. Five years felt like last week. She missed him. He was her friend, the only one who understood her and her struggle.
“We can find another way, Novette.”
“You know better than that. Tell me who has ever changed my dad’s mind when he set it on something? No one, that’s who.”
“Then stay for a little while, until you’re stronger.”
She had to admit he had a point. There were days she wondered if she could make it, times when she was so desperate for a break in her finances. After the ordeal with the kidnappers and the trunk of the car, she ached all over. Not to mention the fear threatening to choke the life out of her.
“A little while,” she consented.
Maybe she could pretend to give in to her father’s plans, lull him into thinking he won. He might give her an allowance. She could save up and then be gone again before he pushed her down the aisle with some idiot.
It’s not like I can sue him as alternative or press charges.
She almost laughed at the prospect. Her dad had gotten people off who were clearly guilty of their crimes. Plus, he had the unlimited bank account and the connections. What did she have? The memory of her apartment embarrassed her thinking Zaid had seen it all.
“Alright,” she said. “I’ll stay. For now.”
He nodded.
“Zaid, it’s important for him to think he’s won. Please.”
His gaze burned into her soul. “I don’t condone you running away at any time. You can stand up to him, Novette.”
“You’re in lalaland. What I want to know is if you’ll betray me.”
“I never have, and I never will.”
She thought of Azalie and Beau but dismissed the thoughts. “Then we’ve got a deal.”
Chapter 6
Novette pressed her ear to the door as hard as she could. The voices were muffled, but she could make out a few words. Her dad and Zaid had shut themselves into her dad’s office after Zaid gave him an update about the last few days. If Novette expected a teary and warm reunion, she was disappointed.
“The information I gathered was accurate to the letter,” Zaid was saying.
“What I want to know is why no one was able to find her before now,” her dad said. “I paid good money for years, and nothing other than some dead ends. When you finally got information this mess happens.”
“Sir, if I could have avoided—”
“I’m not blaming you, Zaid. You’re one of my most trusted men. The fact that you brought her back is proof enough. But something else is going on here.”
“I agree.”
Novette chewed a thumbnail. The memory of those men grabbing her was still fresh. Fear stirred even though she knew she was safe. What if they tried again? No, they wouldn’t. Zaid had said they were dead, but what about their boss?
She couldn’t help thinking this was her dad’s fault. For five years she lived her own life without a lick of protection. Then on the day Zaid was due to come get her, the kidnapping happened.
Her dad and Zaid were speaking again, so she listened.
“I want to speak to Dole, but I have a meeting. Talk to him. See what he has to say for himself.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I want to know why every time he gave us information about Novette’s whereabouts she slipped through our fingers. I want to know if he’s been selling information and if he let dangerous men know where to find my daughter.”
“As I told you I began to suspect him last year. I apologize, sir, that I wasn’t able to find her sooner. I’m not a trained investigator.”
“You were good enough to track her down. Keep your eye on her. She’s headstrong, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t try to run off again. I’ll just have to convince her this is where she belongs.”
“Does that mean you’re not going to push her to get married?”
Novette strained to catch her father’s response.
“Send her in here on your way out, will you?”
Novette swore under her breath. Leave it to her dad
to end a conversation rudely if it served his means. He didn’t choose to let Zaid know if he still planned to try to marry her off, so he just didn’t answer. God, that man, and he called her headstrong? Yeah, right.
The door opened, and she tumbled forward, almost falling on the floor. Zaid’s hands shot out to catch her in an instant. Behind him, her dad eyed her like he knew she was at the door the whole time. She jerked out of Zaid’s arms and strolled over to a chair to flop down into it.
“Good morning, Daddy. I expected you to join me for breakfast.”
“Zaid.” Her dad gestured for Zaid to leave them alone, and Zaid excused himself before shutting the door. Novette ground her teeth together. Her dad wasn’t impressed. “I have an important case, Novette.”
“There’s always an important case.”
“And having you home safe is all that matters.”
“It’s not all that matters to me. You couldn’t even be bothered to come ask me to come home yourself.”
“Zaid gave me a full report.” Her father frowned. “Do you realize how it would have made me look if the press got a hold of how you were living?”
She glanced at his desk and was surprised to see an open folder with several photos of her apartment building and the inside of her apartment itself. Who took the photos? Zaid? Embarrassment crept along her spine.
“No one knew my real name. Your precious reputation is fine.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Isn’t it? You don’t care about me. I thought at the very least you would say Novette, I’m so glad you’re safe. No, I can’t get even that.”
“Don’t be a child. Of course I’m glad you’re safe. I’m your father.”
“Could have fooled me.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose and then walked around his desk. “I don’t have time to argue with you.” He drew her up from the chair into a rough hug. Emotion threatened to take her calm, but she stuffed it down. His fingers tangled in her hair, and then he drew back frowning as he looked at her head.
“Why is your hair like that?”
“It’s called being Black.”
“What?”
She snorted. “I couldn’t afford to keep up a perm, so I cut it off and let it grow out natural.”
He peeled a few bills from his wallet and dropped them on the desk. “Make an appointment to get your hair done properly. If this isn’t enough, then have Zaid cover it. You won’t be getting new credit cards until I’m sure you’re ready to behave yourself.”
“Daddy, I… You know what? Never mind.”
There was no sense arguing with him. Hair wasn’t a big deal. She would pick her battles, and right now, she had decided to pretend to give into him. Since he wasn’t ready to give her new credits cards, then it might be a while before she could assert independence.
Of course she could just get a job again, but something told her he would consider it an affront to his idiot reputation and bully her boss into firing her. No, she had to be smart about any plans she came up with.
She forced a smile. “Okay, Daddy. Thanks for the money. I’ll make the appointment right now.”
“Don’t pretend to be agreeable, Novette. It doesn’t suit you.”
“Stop arguing. Do argue. Make up your mind, Daddy. I can’t do both.”
“Have a good day and stay in the mansion. I’ll ask Zaid to hire you a bodyguard with my final approval. Until he’s in place, you aren’t to leave the grounds.”
“How am I going to get my hair done if I can’t leave the mansion?”
He realized his mistake and reddened. It took all of Novette’s willpower not to cast him a look of triumph.
“I’ll let Zaid out of his duties for the week and assign him to you.”
“Z-zaid? You’re making him my bodyguard?”
“For the time being, until he finds a replacement. Zaid’s skills go beyond just a bodyguard. Don’t give him a hard time. I mean it, Novette.”
He kissed her cheek and left her standing in the office alone. She rolled her eyes behind him as he left. If he loved Zaid so much, maybe he should marry him. Angry and excited, she flounced into the chair again, slipped her shoes off, and put her heels up on the desk.
By now, she would normally have opened the sandwich shop. Her boss probably wondered where she was, but since she disappeared days ago, he must know now she wasn’t coming back.
Disappointment stirred in her. She didn’t miss the job that left her feet aching every night, but she enjoyed being independent. Nothing felt better than earning the money she made personally. Already, she felt the pull of her dad’s money as it lulled and spoiled her.
Soon Zaid reappeared and returned her to the mansion, her prison. She found a spot to sit alone to ponder her situation, while Zaid went off to do whatever it was he needed to do.
“Ms. Kagen?” one of the maids called.
“Yes?”
This was someone new since the last time she was home. She didn’t know the woman’s name yet. Older with a sour-face expression, the woman seemed like she didn’t take nonsense on her watch. Novette bet she wouldn’t hesitate to inform her dad on anything Novette did that he might not like.
“Mr. Kagen asked me to make an appointment for you at a stylist. I’ve Googled several choices and have them here for you to choose from.”
“That fast?” Novette dipped her head back so she could see the woman standing in the living room doorway holding a tablet. “I can make the appointment myself after I find someone I want.”
“Mr. Kagen said—”
“What happened to the other maid?”
“My understanding is that she was fired without a reference after she assisted you in running away.”
Novette’s mouth fell open.
“That’s enough,” Zaid snapped, walking up behind her. “Leave us.”
“But—” the maid began.
“Now.”
She disappeared, and Novette turned away from Zaid. The door shut behind her, but she sensed Zaid remained in the room. She drew her feet up on the couch and hugged her knees.
He made no move to come around in front of her, which was a good thing because tears filled her eyes.
“She chose to help you,” he said softly.
“Not really. She was staff, and I ordered her to help. My dad punished her. For all I know she could be on the street right now because she couldn’t find a job.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“I’ve seen my dad destroy people’s lives who crossed him.”
“But that didn’t happen in this case.”
She rounded on him. “How do you know?”
He was calm and so dang handsome. The eyes that saw into her secrets were full of warmth and kindness. Her heart stirred. She was always attracted to him, but Zaid was out of reach.
He approached her. “I took care of it.”
“You?”
“Yes, just like I’m going to take care of you.”
“Like you take care of my dad.”
“Yes.”
She ducked her head. “I wonder what you would do if you had to choose between me or him. I didn’t give you a choice five years ago. What about this time? If I need you to help me get away again, would you be there for me?”
Chapter 7
Azalie’s phone rang. She checked the screen and rolled her eyes then tossed the phone down.
“Azalie, are you going with me to the salon?” Novette asked.
They both sat by the pool outside Richard Kagen’s mansion. Azalie spent more time there than at her mom’s home. She hated the rancher, which was her official address. And the fact that her mother was Richard’s secretary and not rich like him drove her absolutely bananas.
If Azalie could get away with moving officially into the mansion, she would have years ago. Instead, she had to tease and lie her way in while Novette was gone. Now at least with her friend back, she could come over every chance she got. There was no
thing like lying by the pool or hanging out in the Jacuzzi, and Novette wanted her to spend time in a stupid salon when she wasn’t getting her hair done?
“I have important things to do, Vette.”
“Wow, are you working now? Where at?”
Azalie studied a nail. Perhaps she would make up some random job that sounded impressive. Or she could get a job for real. Not that she wanted to, but who knew when her mom would cut her off. “The mall.”
“Cool. Maybe you can put in a good word for me.”
Azalie blinked at her. “Why would you get a job when your daddy pays for everything?”
“I don’t want him to pay for everything. And it’s probably just wishful thinking. He won’t let me out of his sight if he thinks I’ll have an independent thought in my head.”
“Lucky.” Azalie kept the bite out of her tone with effort. Her phone rang again.
“Are you going to get that?”
Azalie’s annoyance jumped a few notches, but she forced her usual exuberant smile. “It’s just my ex. You know how guys are. I’ve gotten bored with him, and there was this customer at the mall who came into the store.”
Novette laughed good-naturedly. “Girl, you haven’t changed. Still jumping from man to man. We’re not getting younger, you know. And you have a daughter now.”
“So? Mom babysits whenever I ask.” An itch at meanness came over Azalie as she thought about how free Novette was—and how rich. She didn’t even appreciate it. “You know that bathing suit looks awful on you. Did you eat while you were away? You’ve lost your boobs and your butt. God, eat a hamburger. You’re making me look fat.”
Azalie saw the flash of hurt feelings in Novette’s eyes, but it was gone immediately. She smirked. “You never did bite your sharp tongue, did you? I can’t blame you. I don’t bite mine either. And don’t worry. I ate everything that wasn’t nailed down this morning. I’ll gain weight in no time.”
“You know I love you, Vette. I’m just joking. You’re still cute.”
Novette swam over to the side of the pool and climbed out. “If you love me, woman, answer your phone. You shouldn’t even be on that float with it. What if it falls in the water?”
No Way Forward Page 3
