‘I assume because she loves him.’
Zach nodded as if he fully agreed and then started shaking his head. ‘No, I meant why did she agree to marry you when she’s still in love with someone else?’
‘Does it matter?’ he asked briskly. ‘The fact is she was living with this guy in London and now she’s free to go back to him.’
Zach nodded again. ‘Which she wants.’
‘Right. Now, there’s a lot to sort out. I’m hoping you want to stay on in Bakaan if you don’t take the leadership role because I’m going to need a right hand and I want that to be you.’
‘So, to be clear,’ Zach began, completely ignoring his attempt to change the subject, ‘she actually said that she preferred this other guy to your face.’
Nadir swiped a hand across his jaw. ‘Can we just forget Imogen?’ A muscle knotted in his jaw. ‘She’s not relevant to this discussion.’
‘Sure.’ Zach eased back in his chair. ‘If you’re happy with her bonking another guy then who am I to argue?’
Nadir slammed his portable mouse down on the desktop. ‘I told you to forget her.’
‘I will if you will.’
‘Already done.’
‘Nope.’ Zach glanced at his feet. ‘Must have left the bells in my rooms.’
‘Dammit, Zach, I gave her a choice and she chose him. You want to rub my nose in it, you can go to hell.’
‘Hang on a minute, buddy.’ Zach surged forward in his seat. ‘I’m not rubbing your nose in anything. I’m saying you might be wrong.’
‘I’m not.’
‘Then let me ask you this. Are you currently sleeping with her?’
Nadir stared at him, hard. ‘You continue down this line of thinking and I can tell you it won’t end well.’
‘Just hear me out.’ Zach threw up his hands defensively. ‘I’m not trying to get a blow-by-blow description of your love life, I’m trying to say that I know women.’
Nadir scoffed.
‘Scoff all you like, but I do, and I don’t know many that would sleep with one guy while they were in love with another.’
Nadir eyed him coolly. ‘They’re out there.’
‘Okay, sure, so what you’re saying is that Imogen is one of those—’
‘No, she’s not. She would never play with people’s emotions like that.’
‘Right. So stop being a horse’s arse.’
‘Look, Zach, I know you’re trying to make me feel better but you don’t have to concern yourself. I’m good.’
‘Bro, I’m not trying to make you feel better; I’m trying to talk you down off a ledge.’
‘I’m not on a ledge.’ Nadir’s jaw hardened. ‘The fact is I had no choice but to let her go. I forced her to come here. I forced the idea of marriage onto her and I wouldn’t take no for an answer.’
‘Like the old man.’
‘Yeah.’ Nadir blew out a rough breath. ‘Just like the old man. Hell.’ He stared at Zach bleakly. ‘When did I turn into him?’
‘You didn’t.’ Zach frowned. ‘Admittedly, you’re stubborn and a little on the arrogant side but you don’t take advantage of people and you’d never step on someone else for your own gain.’
‘That’s where you’re wrong.’ Nadir stared at him bleakly. ‘I stepped all over Imogen.’
Zach shook his head. ‘I doubt that’s true but if you did then go apologise and make nice. Tell her how you feel. See what happens.’
The thought of that made Nadir’s gut pitch. He never told anyone how he felt. It was easier and no one got hurt that way. Least of all him. ‘Hell. I love her.’
‘You think?’
Nadir shook his head. ‘I know you think you’re pretty clever but frankly I wouldn’t wish this sick feeling in my gut on anyone.’
‘I would love to care for a woman as much as you do yours. Instead, I have to figure out how to stop myself from being shackled to a living, breathing fire-eater who would as soon run me through with a kanjhar than look at me.’
Nadir had forgotten all about Farah Hajjar. ‘I doubt her father will push it. He hates our family.’
‘It’s fine. I can deal with Farah and her insane old man. You just do us both a favour and go get your woman.’
‘Prince Zachim!’ Both men looked up as Staph knocked and shot through the door like a rocket, his breath heaving. ‘You need to come quick. The woman you put in the harem has disappeared.’
‘Disappeared?’ Zach frowned. ‘That’s impossible. I’ve put an experienced guard on the door.’