“It was a kiss. I didn’t rape the girl—and that congressman’s daughter knows more of the world than even I. But Nasiji and I agreed we would make each other unhappy. And Melanie—I will do everything I can to make her a good husband.”
“And when Father learns of this?” Zaid asked.
“We will be living in New York.” Ahmed glanced from one shocked face to the other.
“What if Father has you kidnapped and brought home by force? Have you thought of that, Ahmed?” Zaid demanded.
Ahmed smiled. “He will not do so if he ever wishes to see the grandchild Melanie gives him—and me.”
Zaid sucked in a breath, and Khalid’s eyes widened. Khalid started to smile. “I must say you waste no time, brother. But please tell me you did not bed her when you were promised to another.”
“I met Melanie Martin in America—it was her catering company who was hired to work our business meeting.” Zaid gave a soft curse, and Ahmed laughed. “Curse all you want, brother, but I think it was fate. I used protection—but the child could not wait for us. Marrying Nasiji would be another mistake if I was to do so. The right thing is marry to my love, Melanie. She is the woman who has my heart and my affection and she is the mother of my child.”
Khalid again put a hand on Ahmed’s shoulder. “You are growing up, little brother. The child may save you as well. But for now, you are wise to put some distance between you and Father. Go. Zaid and I will do what we can to soften the news when it must come. But what of Nasiji? Is she really safe?”
With a shrug, Ahmed said, “She is with a man who seems to love her, and I would guess he is at risk more than she is. Now if you will excuse me, I have a bride who must be whisked from the country.”
Zaid reached into his pocket and pulled out his car keys. “Take my SUV. Head to our uncle’s airport, but from there take a small plane to Cairo and then I would suggest a very fast and public jet to New York.”
Grabbing the keys, Ahmed nodded. “Thank you. We will not forget this.”
Khalid clapped his shoulder. “Go now. Zaid and I will pull Father into a discussion of politics. That will distract him, but he will be wanting you and your bride to appear at breakfast and for toasts to the future and I suggest you make certain you are in New York by then.”
Ahmed nodded. “That is a plan I am most happy to fall in with. Oh, and once Father learns I have married my American, please make sure you tell him that if he does anything to ever harm my child or the mother of my child, I will make very certain that I publicly come out in support of changing our government to a democratic one—and I will then put every effort behind his overthrow.”
Zaid shook his head. “No. No threats, brother. You still have no idea how to handle our father. You let him bluster, you let him shout—and you send the very first ultrasound of his next grandchild along with the names you have picked out. A baby will turn him soft, and he will mutter then that this American tricked you into marriage, but he will be resigned. But don’t come home until the baby is here and ready to be presented to him.”
15
Melanie stood at the back of the aisle, waiting for the music to cue her approach. Her mother sat up front, wearing a tight red dress with golden embroidery, and Melanie had gone for a soft, pink gown. She did not want to wear white, as Nasiji’s wedding planning had once decided. And this was going to be a very American wedding. George was giving her away, Sid, Terry and Angie were handling the catering—and Angie was crying right now and up front as maid of honor. Ahmed stood with his two brothers.
Ahmed’s father had refused to attend the wedding, but the sonograms of the baby—now a small bump and kicking today—had at least softened enough that he had set two hundred thousand dollars into a college fund for the child.
A harpist began to play, and the butterflies in Melanie’s stomach dispersed. The time to think about her wedding was over. It was go-time. She took the first step down the carpet set over the grass. Her mom’s garden looked beautiful, lush with flowers and decorated with lanterns, with white chairs set out for the guests and ribbons fluttering. Her servers lined up to watch the ceremony, and tears stung Melanie’s eyes.
Khalid’s wife, Casey, stood up at the front along with Angie.
And Ahmed—well, this time she had no doubt that he wanted to marry her.
The escape back to New York had been something of an anticlimax. She’d expected large men in dark suits to jump out and grab them. Instead, it had been a long drive, a long flight, an even longer flight after that and then a quick trip through customs. Once in New York, Ahmed had explained he now must watch his money for he was using his own.