“I had a few of my men with me, but no, Al-Quadar wasn’t yet a major threat, and besides, I didn’t have you to worry about.” It wasn’t until I acquired Nora that I became this paranoid about safety. My pet doesn’t know how vulnerable she makes me, doesn’t realize the lengths to which I would go to protect her. If I had been certain that Majid would let her go unharmed, I would’ve given him the explosive and whatever else Al-Quadar demanded.

I would’ve done anything to get her back.

“Were you planning to hook up with some woman that night?” Nora asks, taking a sip from her glass. Her tone is casual, but the look in her eyes is anything but.

I smile, pleased by her apparent jealousy. “Perhaps,” I tease. “That’s why most men go to clubs, you know. It’s not for the dancing, I assure you.”

“So did you?” She leans forward, her small hand tightening around her fork. “Did you pick up someone after I left?”

I’m tempted to tease her some more, but I can’t bring myself to be that cruel. “No, my pet. I returned to my hotel room alone that night, unable to think of anything but this beautiful, petite girl I met.” I also dreamed of her. Of her face that was so much like Maria’s . . . of her silky skin and delicate curves.

Of the dark, twisted things I wanted to do to her.

“I see.” Nora relaxes, a smile appearing on her face. “And the next day? Did you go out again?”

“No.” I reach for a crab-stuffed fig. “I didn’t see the point.” Not when I was so obsessed I spent hours looking through the pictures my guards took of her.

Not when I already knew I’d never want any woman this much again.

23

Nora

By the time we walk out of the restaurant, I feel like I’m in seventh heaven. Our dinner tonight was the closest thing we’ve had to a real date, and for the first time in months, I’m feeling hopeful about the future.

We may never be “normal,” but that doesn’t mean we can’t be happy.

As we drive to the club, I allow myself that daydream again, the one where Julian and I are a family. It feels more real now, more substantial. For the first time, I can picture us raising our child together. It wouldn’t be easy, and we’d constantly be surrounded by guards, but we could do it. We could make it work. We’d live on the estate most of the time, but we’d travel too. We’d visit my parents and friends, and we’d go to places in Europe and Asia. I would have a career as an artist, and Julian’s business would be something that’s in the background of our lives, instead of front and center.

It wouldn’t be the kind of life I dreamed of when I was younger, but it would be a good life nonetheless.