‘It was plain to see that he had no clue who you were after he unveiled you. The look on his face said as much. He didn’t hide his anger, but you made a difficult choice that you don’t deserve to be maltreated for. Tis not a way a woman, not in the least theŠarim, should be handled.’
‘Handled?’ she scoffed at the old-fashioned notion. ‘How would you propose I be dealt with?’ she asked.
‘Like a Queen, like an equal.’
She raised a brow. ‘Is that how you treather?’
His face softened, and she observed a flash of deep emotion in his eyes. ‘It is,’ his voice deepened.
She studied him. Relaxing somewhat, for it was clear he treasured the one love they shared in secret.
‘How is she?’ she murmured.
His mouth quirked, and she discerned what she was drawn to in him. ‘She’s well. She’ll send word soon.’
Still, she was furious. ‘Fokkyou Zolan, andfokkher too.’
He raised a brow at her ire. ‘I understand your wrath,Šarim, but we can’t change what’s happened now. What brought me great joy was Mak’s surprise at seeing you at the wedding,’ he muttered with a smirk.
‘Do you hate him that much?’
‘His father ruined our family’s lives years ago. Why shouldn’t we exact revenge?’
‘So Shiloh is just an instrument in your campaign against the Sauvage family?’ she hissed.
‘I adore your sister,’ the man said. ‘I’d never weaponize our love.’
‘But you’d weaponize me. Hell, that makes me want to run to Mak and tell all, to witness him pummel yourfokkin’ punchable face.’
Zolan’s eyes narrowed. ‘You agreed to keep our relationship secret until the time is right.’
‘I’ll do as I please now. I am theŠarim. Regardless, why are you here? To gloat?’
‘Nada, I came to pass on a message. Despite my loathing for my cousin, we face a greater enemy.’
A wave of unease washed over her at his statement.
What was he hinting at?
‘I have important intel that concerns both your husband and the Sauvage Corporation.’
Her curiosity mingled with a healthy dose of skepticism, but she couldn’t deny the intrigue that simmered beneath the surface of his words. ‘What facts?’ she prodded, trying to keep calm despite the tumult inside her.
Zolan took a moment to collect his thoughts, and his eyes fixed on a distant point past the ornate furnishings of the room. ‘Your husband is embroiled in matters far beyond his understanding,’ he began. ‘There are forces at play that seek to unravel not only his life but the fabric of our world.’
A chill raced down her spine at his words. ‘Why can’t you tell Mak yourself about this?’
‘Appears I can’t speak to your husband, Kaal, nor the Sauvage Strongmen or Signet strong guard.’
‘Why?’
Zolan’s gaze held hers with an intensity that made her skin prickle. ‘Because they are not ready to face the truth,’ he answered enigmatically, his timbre laced with foreboding. ‘Also, because they don’t trust me, given our families have been at each other’s throats for years, entwined in a web of secrets and power struggles. Nonetheless, here I am.’
Frustrated at his vague words, her patience was wearing thin. ‘Enough with the riddles, Zolan. If you need to tell me something, spit it out,’ she demanded, her voice sharper than intended.
Zolan’s eyes softened at her outburst as if he appreciated her directness. ‘Very well,’ he consented, a glint of respect in his gaze. ‘A powerful faction within the Syndicate establishment is targeting your husband. Some of them have tried to recruit me to undermine Mak.’
Her breath caught in her throat at his revelation, a thousand questions swirling in her mind. ‘What faction? Why would they target him?’ she pressed, her utterance just above a whisper as she struggled to process the gravity of his words.
