Twisted (Never After #4)(36)

My throat tightens and my heart beats wildly in my ears, but I force myself to look up and meet his eyes anyway. “What do you want?”

He smiles, his grip tightening until it stings. “You.”





Chapter 15





Julian





“What’s this?”

Ali’s voice comes from the far corner of the kitchen, but I don’t break my gaze away from Yasmin’s face. In fact, I tighten my hold on her jaw, my thumb possessively caressing her cheek before releasing her and jumping back like I’ve been caught red-handed.

“Ali, I— ” Running a hand through my hair to leave it tousled, I shake my head. “I can explain.”

Ali’s face is rigid as he stares between the two of us, his arms crossing over his chest. “Explain fast.”

“Baba,” Yasmin starts.

I cut her off. “I…I love her.”

Ali’s brows shoot to his hairline, and he steps farther into the room, his hand jerking out to steady himself on the counter. Although today he looks fine, I’m reminded how much weaker he is than normal.

“I’m sorry, old man,” I continue, forcing sympathy into my voice. “This isn’t how we wanted you to find out.”

“Is this true?” His voice is incredulous, like he needs a second opinion. He turns his sallow eyes to Yasmin.

She doesn’t reply for what feels like an eternity, her teeth digging into the corner of her lip instead. I step in closer to her, grabbing her hand and tangling her clammy fingers with mine.

Our eyes meet, and I swear to God I can feel the hatred radiating from her stare. I allow my grin to widen as I look down at her and wink. She frowns, tearing away her gaze until she’s staring at the TV that’s still showing Alexander’s unfortunate crash.

Slowly, she turns her head until she’s staring at her father.

“Yes,” she whispers.

Satisfaction rushes through me like a waterfall.

Ali looks at me, his face scrunching in displeasure. “But you’re so old.”

I let out a chuckle. “Not as old as you, at least. We didn’t mean for it to happen, Ali, but the heart wants what it wants.” Bringing up our combined hands, I press a kiss to the back of hers. “Tell him, gattina.”

She stiffens. “We didn’t mean for it to happen, Baba.”

“When did it even happen?” he asks. “How? Why didn’t you say anything before now?”

She glances down at her lap, her voice breaking as she speaks, but her nails dig into the back of my hand until they slice through my skin. “I was afraid of disappointing you. And…I didn’t want Julian’s position in your life to be harmed.”

Ali sighs, walking closer to her and taking her free hand in both of his. “And this is who you love?”

She swallows, glancing up at him and then looking away after only a few moments like she’s unable to hold his gaze. “It is.”

He blows out a slow breath and nods, leaning in to kiss her forehead before he steps back and looks at the two of us. “Then he’s who you’ll marry.”

I grin, my body buzzing with the thrill of success.

Yasmin visibly slumps, and I move my hand from hers, sliding it up her arm until it grips the back of her neck. She straightens immediately, pasting a wide smile on her face.

Leaning down, I press a kiss to her temple, speaking low so her father doesn’t hear. “You’ve been a very good girl.”

“What’s wrong, Yasmin? Is this not what you want?” Ali asks.

Tears spring from her eyes, dripping down her face, and while I know they’re most likely out of sadness or frustration, she does a good job at pretending they’re from joy.

“I’m just happy, Baba.” She shakes her head, reaching up to wipe the wetness from her cheeks. “I expected for you to be angry with me.”

He nods, understanding pouring from his gaze. “I’m a man on the last leg of his life.”

“Don’t say that,” she whispers.

His brows draw in. “It’s the truth. Even if my footprints have been set in stone, I won’t be here forever. I have no time for anger. I’d rather spend it finding peace. He’s not who I would have chosen for you, sweetheart, but if you’re happy, I’m happy.”

Yasmin sucks in an audible breath, her entire body going rigid at his words.

I should feel vindicated, relieved even, that she didn’t figure out he would have accepted her lover until now when it’s too late and she’s already played into my hand, but instead of feeling relief, my stomach twists violently. After everything I’ve given him, after everything I’ve done, I’m still not enough. He should be honored that I’m choosing his worthless daughter, and yet he’s so blatant with his disregard.

It’s a slap across my face.

Worse, it’s a knife in my back. I swallow around the feeling of not being good enough, the same feeling that was responsible for many sleepless nights as a child, and push it so deep down that it’s smothered.

It doesn’t matter if I’m not his choice. I’m my own choice, and I’m the only person who’s never let me down.

One day soon, I’ll have complete control of Sultans, and I’ll take joy in watching everyone who’s ever thought I wasn’t good enough choke on their words while I hold the universe in the palm of my hand.