page28 (1/2)

“

Oh, uh, I…” My mind raced for an excuse that would not blow our cover—ere so close to solving Rafiq’s probleether and stutter helplessly

But my love came to the rescue, as he always seemed to do

“Father,” said Rafiq in a fireline is not wearing her ring because, the truth of it is, we are not actually engaged”

Meh alar?

“What is this?” said Mehet married? There is really no reason to delay this event, Rafiq; I’e whatever venue your beautiful bride desires…”

“No, father, it has nothing to do with that We were never engaged In fact, before last night, Evie and I had never been anything more than business partners,” said Rafiq “I tried to deceive you, father I’eline to pose as acy—but I didn’t want to follow it, either I hired Evie to help me”

I could only stand there in silent shock as the tension mounted between Mehmet and Rafiq, so palpable it was like a force in the air

But Rafiq was not the ht, he faced his father with cal insecure or afraid in his eyes, not any to see him so confident, so sure of himself

“This is outrageous,” said Mehmet finally I learned in thatThere was razor-blade sharpness in every syllable, and his dark eyes burned into his son “I should have known that you were never going to change, Rafiq You have always been hell-bent on defying me, even when I knohat is best for you So be it! You can have the rejection you have always craved I a you off frole your way through the world like everyone else, and ignore everything I’ve built to keep you safe That is clearly the life you have alanted for yourself, no matter what your mother and I sacrifice to keep you safe”

Even though he wasn’tthe Sheikh’s words still cutto Rafiq Without looking, I felt for his hand and grasped it tightly in my own, to let hily without looking away from his father

“You can do whatever you feel is right, father,” said Rafiq There was no hint of fear or even bitterness in his voice “You’re right I have always defied you, and I’m truly sorry for the heartache I’ve caused you andit; not until I sahat real courage, real bravery was Not until Evie showed me” He looked down at me, and then back at his father “I’ve always tried to have it both ways—to be your legacy, and to be my own man—but I see now that I can’t”

Mehmet made a move to interrupt, but Rafiq put up a pally, his father obeyed, as if he too could sense the change in his son’s demeanor

“Father, I respect the life you’ve built for yourself and our fa to live byto be because ofto please you I’e through life hatingI do Not anymore I’m sorry I can’t be the man you want me to be, but if you put your faith in ood man, and a worthy son”

Surprising us both, Rafiq re his tattoos to his father Mehmet’s eyes widened as he realized just how much body art Rafiq had hidden from him over the years

“These arehis hands over his skin “These are n, all of them Evie only covered for me I made these, father, and I bled for the that has made me a better man, and yet you shame me for them, based on what? Some old-fashioned idea of respectability? Shouldn’t it beheart and his own passions? Or do you really wantin the machine?”

Tears stungso s to his father Mehe, scattered throughout the roo the same I wondered silently if they had ever seen anyone talked to the great Mehmet Al-Zayn in such a way

“You do what you need to do, father You’ve earned your fortune, and it is yours to denyto liveto my own rules I would love to have your support, but I understand if I do not”