“I’m not trying to start World War Three. I just want to live my life, Kaled.”
“And I’ve already given you permission to do that. But I also told you it would be an agreement and that you’d give me something in return.”
A chill runs down my spine. “What?”
“You don’t plan on living in the United Kingdom forever, I suppose.”
I’m not sure, but no way I’m saying that when I’m one step away from freedom. “Go on,” I say, dodging the statement.
“I want you to meet some princes from neighboring emirates with whom we have commercial agreements.”
My heart sinks, disappointment washing over me. “You’re going to force me to marry?”
“Don’t be dramatic. If I intended to force you, I wouldn’t say I want you to meet some candidates; I’d simply choose the one I find suitable.”
“And you won’t do that?”
“I’m not the villain here, Jazmina. I just don’t want you to lose yourself during this . . .journey of self-discovery,” he says, unintentionally echoing what Adeela told me moments ago.
“That’s it? Don’t run from the bodyguards and agree to have dinner with some princes?”
“No. I spoke to Rodrick yesterday and assigned him to keep an eye on you. The bodyguards he selected will be the ones watching you and reporting to my friend any mistake you make. As soon as you arrive in London, he’ll contact you. Keep in mind that, in the United Kingdom, Rodrick will be your unofficial guardian. My representative. Whatever he tells you, you must obey.”
Chapter 6
“What? You can’t be serious! He hates me!”
“He hates almost the entire world, so it’s not personal.”
From his tone, I know he’s joking. I’m not. I’m absolutely sure his grumpiest friend genuinely hates me.
“Why can’t it be Vicenzzo? He seems nicer.”
For the first time since this conversation started, he laughs. “Don’t be fooled by Vicenzzo, Jazmina. He’s as strict as I am. But Rodrick will be the one looking after you because you’ll be closer.”
“What did he say about it? The one time we interacted—or maybe I should call it a kidnapping—he seemed very eager to never see me again.”
“He agreed,”he says simply, and that alone makes me suspicious.
I’m not sensitive about people liking me or not. I have what my mother calls an enthusiastic temperament, so I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. But with Kaled’s friend, it’s something else entirely. I’m positive the redhead doesn’tconsider me one of his top thousand favorite people in the world.
After that night when he dragged me out of the party—literally—we never saw each other again, and I think it was a mutual relief.
He’s one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen, but also, without fear of exaggeration, the grumpiest, with a type of latent aggression, like a wild animal.
Sure, the situation of our firstmeeting, if kidnapping can even be called a meeting, wasn’t exactly in my favor, but his reaction irritated me because I felt like a five-year-old little girl.
As if having every male relative—uncles, cousins, and my brother—breathing down my neck wasn’t enough, now I also have one of my brother's best friends assigned to watch me. That’s more than I can handle. But I’m not stupid enough to challenge Kaled now, when I’m so close to getting what I want most.
“So, what am I supposed to do? Send him a monthly report?” I ask, joking.
“That won’t be necessary. The bodyguards will send one to Rodrick every day.”
“It was a joke.”
“Your safety will never be a laughing matter to me, little one.”
I rub my temple, feeling a headache starting to bloom. “Well, if you’re going to know even the color of the socks I’m wearing, why are we even having this conversation? Apparently nothing depends on my own will.”