Page 33 of Twisted (Never After)

“What’s wrong?” I repeat, more forceful this time.

“I’m okay,” he rasps. “I just…I’m feeling a little tired today.”

Nodding, I purse my lips and turn my attention back to Shaina. “Get out.”

She lets out a humorless laugh and shakes her head again before standing up straight. “You better check your tone with me, Mr. Faraci. I don’t work for you.”

Annoyance at her disrespect winds its way through me, and I have to blow out a steady breath to calm down the burning energy that’s filling me up, urging me to lash out.She’s doing her job.

“It’s fine, Shaina. Give us a few minutes,” Ali replies, his bloodshot eyes peeling open.

She purses her lips before sighing. “I’ll go make you some tea to settle your stomach.You,” she says, turning to me. “Don’t do anything to raise his blood pressure, you understand? He needsrest.”

I nod curtly.

She quirks a brow before finally spinning around and leaving us alone.

I walk across the room and grab one of the chairs sitting in front of his desk, dragging it until it’s placed by the couch, and then sit down, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees.

“Shaina’s overprotective,” he complains.

“She’s doing her job,” I reply, the same reassurance I just gave myself.

He scoffs. “I can work just fine.”

I shoot forward when he moves, placing a hand on his back and propping up the pillows behind him.

“It’s Sunday,” I say, urging him back down. “And nothing I have to tell you is more important than you getting the rest you need.”

He shakes his head, a cough surging through his throat, although he tries to smother it. “I don’t have time for this. There’s someone coming for dinner tonight to meet Yasmin.”

Leaning forward in my seat, I lower my voice. “I hate to be the one to tell you this, old man, but…you don’t have time left in general.”

Ali laughs. “You’re a prick.”

I chuckle as I lean back in my seat. “The point is, you should save your energy for things that matter.”

The amusement drops from his face, and he twists to meet my gaze. “This is important, Julian. I want to know Yasmin is taken care of, by a man who won’t tarnish our name and everything I’m leaving behind.”

I blow out a breath, running a hand over my hair, a little taken aback that he’s stating it so plainly. That he doesn’t even care how much it might burn that he isn’t leaving anything forme. “Okay… so I’ll go for you.”

Ali laughs, and my fingers flex to keep from balling into fists.

“What’s so funny about that?” I ask. “Who better to make sure someone won’t tarnish what you’ve built?” I lean in. “We both know I keep Sultans running smooth, Ali. You can trust me with your daughter the same way you trust me with your diamonds.”

Ali opens and closes his mouth a few times before finally nodding his agreement. “His name is Alexander Sokolov.”

“Russian?”

He nods.

“Are you sure that’s smart?”

I don’t need to elaborate, because we both know what I mean. Russia is our biggest competitor in the diamond trade and the one country where we haven’t gained a stronghold. I’m sure Ali is attempting to kill two birds with one stone here, aligning his daughter with a husband who can get Sultans in the door finally and be knowledgeable about the business enough to take over all the shares.

And that’s unacceptable to me.

“Make sure she gives him a fair chance,” Ali says. “I want them to hit it off, Julian. He’s a good match for her. And a good match for Sultans.”