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He joined me and we stared into the night.

“You might as well tell me what’s on your mind,” I said. “I can tell you’re dying to say something.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be at the wedding.”

“Honestly I’m glad you didn’t brave the chaos. Ash and I considered running away at least twenty times.”

“That would have made some amazing headlines.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Thankfully, neither of us were brave enough to actually go through with it.”

“Do you regret not letting the world know you two were already married?”

My smile dropped. “Who told you?”

“I have my sources.” Xander kept his gaze straight. “Ashur did exactly what I would have done if I lost Carina and had an opportunity to get her back. What I want to know is why you would marry him? And don’t say money, because that’s bullshit. If you truly needed money, all you’d have to do was ask Samina or me. We’d have happily handed over a chunk of our inheritances.”

“You know why.”

I could never hide anything from Xander. This was why we made better friends and lovers. He called me on my bullshit.

“Does he know?”

“No.”

“Going to tell him?”

I stayed quiet. How could I tell Ashur I wanted to tear up the contract when he may not want me at all once he learned what I’d done or who I was?

“I’m going to take your silence as a ‘I’m thinking about it’.”

“You’re such an ass.”

“Takes one to know one. Now I have another question for you.”

I glanced at him. He was giving me his serious vibe all of a sudden.

“Want to tell me how Ameera is doing after your adventure in Pakistan?”

I glanced around to make sure no one heard him. If Xander knew about the operation, he was involved in things more than his shipping empire.

“Who the fuck do you work for, Xan?”

“It doesn’t matter. All you need to know is that we’re on the same side.”

I knew it. I should have picked up on it years ago. Xander moved too fluidly for an international playboy. Even when he seemed relaxed, he would scan his surroundings. I’d chalked it up to an eccentricity of being known throughout the world and wanting to keep an eye out for paparazzi.

“MI6?” I asked knowing he would never admit it.

He smirked and then countered, “Solon?”

“So that explains why we get along so well. We both have secrets neither of our significant others can know about.”

“Carina knows. I told her as soon as I knew she was the one.”

“Really?”

“Yes. She deserved to know and make the decision if she could live with the life I led. Ashur deserves the same. His future could depend on it.”