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“Why are you falling for her?”
Frustrated, he ran his hands through his hair. “I’m able to open up to her. I’m comfortable with her. She sees straight through my bullshit, and she genuinely seems to like me. I didn’t need to shower her with gifts, and she doesn’t think she has a future with me. Tonight, she opened up with me and made me realize how much we need each other. How is any of this relevant?”
“The reason that Poppy Milenne can’t return to America is because she’s wanted for grifting. She’s not running from whatever sad story she gave you. She deliberately put herself in a place to meet someone of power. I think she orchestrated the floor collapse at the palace in order to get one of you to the safe house. But you’re jaded, and she found it hard to reach you. She needed to up her game. I found a signal jammer in the safe house, Samir. Poppy was keeping us from talking to your brothers. After, she orchestrated the bomb to increase your fear. She planned on being there to comfort you in your time of need so that you’d think you’re falling in love with her. Once you’re married, she can clean out your bank account and disappear again.”
Samir stared at his old friend before he burst out laughing. “That’s an excellent story, but if you only have a cellphone jammer to back up your story, then you’re out of luck. Any of the employees could have planted it there.”
Sighing, Melka reached into his jacket and pulled out another one. “I found this under the couch before I left. I wish I had another explanation for it. I’m sorry, Samir but it’s possible she engineered the explosion. Maybe she had help and paid someone off to help her blow up that cabin.”
The world stopped spinning. Samir reached out to brace himself against the wall. She’d admitted to doing her research. She had to have known that he had a reputation for seducing women. As a professional grifter, she would have known every button to push to draw him closer and closer. It all made sense.
It was happening all over again. He was falling in love with another woman who only wanted to use him. But why did it feel so much worse this time?
“Samir, you can fall apart later. I need to get you away before she escalates her actions. I’ll call the authorities.”
His stomach rolled. “No,” he said weakly. “No police. I don’t want this to get out. I can’t…I can’t have people thinking that I was easily played again. Give me a minute to get my things, and we’ll leave.” Shaking his head, he stared at Melka. The man had a guarded expression on his face that he couldn’t identify. He hoped it wasn’t pity. He couldn’t handle that right now.
As he opened the door to the bedroom, he stared at her sleeping form. He intended to get his things and go, but when he thought of what he’d shared with her, he was filled with ice-cold rage.
Flipping on the lights, he glared as she shifted and opened her eyes. “Samir?” she asked as she blinked. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“You could say that,” he snarled. “Did you really think that someone like me would fall in love with someone like you?”
Clutching the sheets up against her bare breasts, she stared at him. “What?”
“I may not be Crowned Sheikh, but I am royalty. You’re my employee. It’s been fun to watch you spread your legs for me, but funs over. Melka found the cell-phone jammers. Tell me. Did you have a male accomplice? Were you fucking him as well? You played the prude princess so well.”
“Samir!” she cried out. “I have no idea what you’re talking about!”
“Sheikh Shadid,” he growled. “You will address me by my title. You’re fired, Poppy. Be glad I’m not having you arrested, but you have forty-eight hours to get your things and get the hell out of my country.”
“Oh God, Samir, I have no idea what’s going on. Talk to me. We’ll figure it out together.” The sheet dropped from her body as she scrambled to the edge of the bed and reached for him. His heart broke when he saw the desperate fear in her eyes, and God help him, she genuinely seemed confused.
She was good.
“Still trying to use your naked body to sway me? It’s cute. Take the car, and get your shit out of my house.” Grabbing his jacket, he slammed the door. Her sobs echoed off the walls, and for a moment, his will wavered and he froze outside the door.
“Come on, Samir. We need to leave,” Melka reminded him.
Shaking his head, Samir walked away. He knew without a doubt that he was leaving his heart behind, and it disgusted him to know how easily he’d fallen for her.
Before he walked out the door, he looked at the Christmas tree. Where before, it was beautiful, now he saw it for what it was; an attempt to play on his emotions. Swinging his arm out, he knocked the tree to the floor. He heard the sound of glass breaking and he wondered if that’s what his heart sounded like. Thanks to Poppy, he would remember this Christmas forever. He’d remember never to trust a woman ever again.
14
Poppy ran to the window and watched as Melka and Samir climbed into a waiting taxi. Shuddering, she tried to hold in the tears as she processed what had happened.
The problem was that she had no idea what had happened except that the man that she loved had cut her until she was on her knees, stripped her of her job, and walked away as if she were trash.
Her hands shook as she tried to catch her breath. Her heart had been ripped to shreds, but she was strong. She’d pick up her life and move on. It wasn’t the first time that she’d had to start over. At this point, she was a pro.
The dream job was gone. She’d been exiled, but at least she had enough money to travel, so she wouldn’t be completely destitute. Moving to one of the neighboring countries until she could figure out what happened wasn’t an option. After the things that Samir had said to her, she wasn’t sure she could ever see him again. Maybe it was time to visit China. She always wanted to see China.
Hot tears slid down her cheeks. If there were ever a time to be able to go home, this would be it. Pulling out her cellphone, she checked her email and desperately hoped that someone had wished her a Merry Christmas.
No such luck.
Slowly, she returned to the bedroom to gather her clothes and get dressed. Poppy felt like she was moving in slow motion. The keys were on the side table. There was no note. What did she expect? An apology? There was nothing apologetic in Samir’s eyes.
