Page 49

Standing, Lahana sashayed over to the balcony’s railing and looked down.

“As usual, there’ll be plenty of pomp and circumstance for the little princess.

Whatever she wants, she gets. Although, I’m surprised a man as virile as Darius Knight is willing to marry a virgin, when a woman like me has so much more to give him.

Maybe I’ll offer him some action tonight before he gets tied down to you. ”

More confused than ever, Tahira got to her feet and approached Lahana. “Cousin, what are you talking about?”

“Seriously, Tahira, you really should get out more. I can’t believe you’re still a freaking virgin.”

Lahana pulled a small vial from the front pocket of her capris.

Opening it, she dipped the fingernail of her pinkie into a white powder, then brought it to her nose and sniffed.

Tahira’s eyes widened when she realized her cousin was using cocaine.

Hobnobbing with the rich and famous for years had exposed Tahira to drugs and alcohol, although she’d never partaken in the former and only imbibed on the latter in moderation.

“What are you doing? Stop!” She grabbed Lahana’s arm, causing her to drop the vial, spilling the white powder onto the concrete balcony.

Her eyes filled with fury, Lahana lunged at Tahira, her hands grasping her neck and squeezing. “You bitch!”

Stunned, Tahira stumbled backward, grabbed her cousin’s wrists, and tried to break free.

Fueled by the drugs and rage, though, Lahana had the upper hand.

She pushed Tahira against the hard, wrought-iron railing, and it dug into her back.

“I should have had him rape you first. Then your hero wouldn’t have had time to save you.

You would’ve been disgraced. But, no, the precious princess wins again.

” Her face was red and sweaty as spittle shot from her mouth, hitting Tahira in the face.

“Do you know how long I’ve had to live in your shadow?

Everyone bowing to you, calling you ‘Your Royal Highness’ like you were something special?

Well, you’re not. You’re just a na?ve little prude.

But you’re always first in line for everything and the rest of us are second best, right?

Everywhere we go, men give you all the attention because they want to marry a princess.

That’s why I planned Jamaica. You and Nala would’ve been out of my hair, and after my alleged escape, I would have been in the spotlight, getting all the attention I deserved! ”

Gasping for air, Tahira clawed at Lahana’s hands, arms, and face.

She twisted and struggled against the hold.

She swung her fists, but they landed harmlessly.

Her lungs burned for oxygen. Lifting her leg, she brought her heel down hard, hoping to hit Lahana’s toes that were exposed by her sandals.

The other woman merely grunted in pain, but it had done the trick to distract her and loosen her hold just enough for Tahira to rotate her body.

Bringing her arm up, she was able to elbow her cousin in the face, knocking her back a few steps.

Panting, she glanced toward the open French doors, wondering if she could make it inside before she was attacked again.

She’d no idea Lahana hated her so much she would hatch a scheme to have her and Nala raped and sold as sex slaves.

They’d grown up together. Traveled together.

Shared secrets with each other. Sure, Lahana could be bitchy at times, but so could half the women Tahira knew.

One of the chairs was in her way, but she could toss it aside and run past. However, it was too late.

With a roar, Lahana rushed her, but Tahira sidestepped toward the door and shoved the other woman away.

Too her horror, Lahana’s momentum flipped her over the railing.

She flailed her hands, trying to grab something .

.. anything to stop her descent. Her screams were deafening as she fell thirty feet to the ground below.

Shouts and screeches came from the garden area, but nothing could drown out the sound of Lahana’s body landing on the stone terrace below with a heavy thud.

In shock, Tahira stood there, staring at where she’d seen her cousin last, shaking and unable to go to the railing and look down.

The blood had drained from her face, leaving her lightheaded, and she wavered on her feet.

Behind her, the bedroom door flew open, banging against the wall, and suddenly Darius was there. “Tahira!”

His strong arms scooped her up and carried her inside, as she slammed her eyes shut, trying to erase the image of Lahana falling. Several people entered the room, but the only other voices she recognized were Ian’s and Amar’s. From their hushed tones, it was obvious her cousin was dead.

Darius sat down on something, settling her on his lap, and holding her trembling body.

She clutched his shirt and buried her face into his neck as tears poured down her cheeks.

His heart was pounding in his chest as fast as hers was.

He rubbed her back and kissed her forehead.

“Shh ... it’s over, sweetheart. I’ve got you.

Shh ... I’ve got you and I’m never letting you go. I love you.”