Sophia“Maddox,” I said. Maybe Luke hadn’t told him anything about the reason for my leaving.“How can I help you?” he asked.He was still cheerful, so I took that as a positive sign. Movement from Mr. Fraser’s office made me sink down into my seat. Of course, he’d probably pick this moment to fire me. Maddox would hear it, and then Luke would know that I was a failure at more than keeping a fake relationship intact. But my boss stayed put.“Is Luke available?” I knew better than to trust Victoria. She would protect her boss if he had told her he didn’t want to speak with me. Luke wasn’t the vengeful type, but I’d left him high and dry. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was upset enough with me to block any communication.“Why do I always feel like a bridesmaid wherever you’re concerned?” I heard the smile in his voice.“How so?”“You only have eyes for Luke,” he said.“I need to follow up on a few points for my story,” I said, hoping that Luke hadn’t shared everything with Maddox. Neith
LukeThe flight to my homeland felt as if it took days. I wasn’t able to do much more than stare out the window at the fluffy white clouds. Father would never sit on this plane again. He wouldn’t do much more than he already had. The thought punched me in the gut. I was barely able to take a full breath until we landed.The moment I stepped off the plane, I called Mother to make sure that Father was still alive.“He’s resting,” she said. “We have all the best doctors helping him get comfortable. I’m so glad you’re here.”“I’m not there yet,” I said, hanging up and getting into the car waiting for me. I snapped my fingers at the driver, and he took off. With just one look from me, he knew not to dilly dally. I placed my phone next to me on the seat in case Mother needed to get in touch with me. We had about a forty-minute drive until we reached the palace, but from the speed that the car was going, I had some idea we would make it there sooner.I hated when things were out of my contro
LukeAs much as I knew what I had to do, I couldn’t find the words. Not even now, when Father was on his deathbed.Instead, I kicked off my shoes and laid on the bed next to him, like I used to when I was first adopted. I used to have nightmares that someone was going to pull the rug out from under me and send me back to the orphanage. Father used to bring me into his bed after I had another nightmare and hold me until I fell asleep. Even though I wasn’t conscious for half of it, the memories came back full force, and this time, I couldn’t contain myself.Father and I sat there until his breathing became steady and he was the one comforted by me instead of the other way around.***I made sure that Father was fast asleep before I went out into the hallway. Mother sat in the chair across the hall, staring at her hands in her lap.“Where is the doctor?” I asked.She glanced up at me as if she hadn’t heard me come out. “I made him go eat something. He’s been with your father all day.”“H
SophiaThe trip to Qatar was much different than taking a private jet from the UK to the Middle East. The flight from Texas to the UK was fine, but the last leg was long as hell, and by the time I landed, I had no idea what day it was.During my last trip here, Luke had accompanied me the entire time that I moved through Qatar. We’d had armed guards and all of our accommodations ready and waiting for us. I didn’t have to find a place to stay since I was his guest at the palace, and we had a private car to travel around in.Luke hadn’t asked me to return any of the clothes that we’d bought together, so at least in that regard, I was somewhat prepared. Getting a ride to the palace was another story.I wasn’t sure if the leering looks had happened the first time around, but everywhere I looked, someone was looking at me. I was a fish out of the water, and everyone knew it.After inquiring at the airport for the location of the palace, I haggled with my cab driver about a price for the tr
SophiaMy life flashed before my eyes, and I skittered back a few feet, showing that I wasn’t a threat. Keeping my hands where they could see them, I tried to peer around them to see if I could spot Abir or even, Luke himself.“I’ve come a long way,” I said.“Move along,” the first guard said.I wasn’t leaving without seeing Luke. They would have to drag me away before I gave up.“Please, I need to see Lu—Prince Luke,” I said.“Sophia?” Luke’s commanding voice sounded behind the guards.The guards moved aside, while remaining between Luke and me.My gaze flicked to Luke. He was in a suit, just like the first time I met him. My heart galloped as I drank him in. It looked as if he hadn’t shaved or slept all week. Seeing the effects of me leaving him wasn’t something I was proud of, but the result warmed my insides. He looked like a rugged model that might grace the cover of a women’s magazine.“Luke,” I said, stepping closer to the gate.“What are you doing here?” he asked, not moving f
LukeWhen it came to Sophia, Mother always had a way of ruining any good moments. I was on the verge of kissing Sophia—really kissing her—when we were interrupted by Mother’s nosiness.I was still reeling from Sophia traveling so far to see me. Hearing her mirror the same feelings I had for her had lifted some of the weight off my shoulders. I wasn’t sure why she showed up in person when she could have easily called me, but I didn’t regret her decision. Her by my side was where she belonged.At least, that was what I thought.Mother, on the other hand, had other ideas.In a way, I wished Sophia would have announced her arrival. At the very least, I could have warned her that Mother specifically told me she wasn’t invited. As my girlfriend and guest, my opinion about Sophia overruled hers.I didn’t suspect that Mother would cause any issues with Sophia while Father was sick, but I could never be sure with her. She might very well use Father’s illness as a way to push Sophia away. Like
LukeShe whirled around when I arrived by her side. “Luke, I can stay in a hotel. It’s not a big deal.”“It is a big deal,” I said. “I want you with me.”“Are you sure?” she asked. “You should be with family right now.”“I am,” I assured her.She quirked her lips but didn’t argue with me further.I offered my hand to her, and she took it. I didn’t realize how much I missed holding her hand. It was the most intimate we’d been in the time we’d known each other. There was no reason for us to make out in front of my parents, but I had a feeling that she wouldn’t mind doing it if I asked her. I would never overstep, but I would if Mother and Father insisted on making sure that Sophia and I were a genuine couple.Surprisingly, no one other than Mother questioned our relationship. It was mostly because she wanted me with anyone other than Sophia since she wasn’t someone that Mother picked out specifically for me. Even if I found a beautiful Middle Eastern woman on my own, I doubted Mother wo
SophiaI couldn’t believe that Luke wanted me to stay in his room. The gesture felt intimate, and I surprised myself by how ready and willing I was to stay with him. I worried that his mother would have a fit, but the way that Luke commanded the conversation with her earlier made me think that his father’s illness had changed him. I was glad that I wasn’t the one to bring about that change in him. In a way, I felt as if he would blame me for knowing first, even though I stumbled upon it accidentally.Watching Luke as he walked next to me, his shoulders were relaxed yet pushed back into a perfect posture. He looked more like royalty than ever. Over the last weekend we had been here, he was relaxed and ready to defend our relationship. This Luke had the weight of the kingdom on his shoulders, and I wondered if he had accepted the role of king yet. Would it be appropriate for me to ask? It wasn’t time to be shy with him when my job was on the line.I thought he would tell me, but maybe h