Princess of Zamibia

He continued to study her with the same penetrating stare. As he tapped his fingers along the top of the sofa, the gold and diamond ring on his pinky finger glinted under the light. “I’ve thought about you often since you left me, Dahlia.”

His softly spoken words caught her off guard. The way he spoke her name, in his accented voice, swept across her heart like a soft caress.

“I didn’t leave you. You accused me of stealing from you.”

“And then left.”

“What was the point in staying? You didn’t trust me and accused me of a crime.” He said she’d distracted him, slept with him to keep him in the dark about the almost one million dollars the management company she’d co-owned embezzled from his family’s properties. She’d been ashamed but had nothing to do with the theft. Not that he believed her.

“Have you not missed me, even a little?” he continued.

Oh, he was good, but she wouldn’t fall for any of his seductive words this time. The words he tried to coax from her hovered on the edge of her lips, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. For way too long she’d allowed emotions to rule her head, but she wouldn’t allow that to happen anymore. She was stronger, and she had her son to think about.

“I’ve hardly thought about you. I’ve been very busy with my life here.”

His fingers stopped tapping.

Being cold to him was her only defense against his charms. So what if she spoke an untruth? So what if she’d thought about him every day and wished she could share her son’s milestones with him?

“Please tell me, Dahlia, what has kept you so busy these past few years?” All the warmth disappeared from his voice. It held more of an edge. He had changed tactic.

Dahlia smoothed stray strands of dark hair from her brow, and his gaze followed the movement before returning to her face. “I moved from New York to Atlanta after you forced us to shut down Wane Property Management. I found a job here and I’ve kept busy with work. And you? How has your life been?”

“You’re satisfied with your position? Your job pays the bills?”

“How has your life been, Kofi?” Anger slowly misted up inside of her because of his refusal to answer. “What has kept you busy the past few years?”

He stared at her, his face tightening.

“No answer?” Dahlia straightened her back, reminding herself she no longer loved the cold-hearted man before her. He’d accused her of deception when he’d been the deceiver all along.

“There’s nothing you wish to tell me?” he probed quietly.

Why was he asking that?

“Is there something you want to tell me?” Did he know? Her heart raced unsteadily. Was that why she had felt so uneasy recently? Did he have someone watching her? She stood abruptly, a shiver rippling through her body. “I want you to leave.”

“Our conversation isn’t finished.” What did he know?

“I’m done talking to you. I told you everything I had to say three years ago. No, scratch that. I need to add something else to the dumbass comment. You’re a liar. A liar and a cheat.”

Emotion threatened to overtake her as the hurt came back full force. She’d loved him so much. Given him everything, all of herself, and what had she received in return? Lies. Humiliation.

His brows snapped together. “I never lied to you.”

“Yes, you did! How dare you come into my home and question me. Get out.”

“Dahlia.” Her name was a low warning.

“How dare you! After three years? Who do you think you are?”

“Sit down.”

“And not even a word of apology. You know I never stole from you. You had to know. But no, you would never apologize. You’re the mighty Prince Kofi Francois Karunzika. Go back to Africa and leave me the hell alone.” Dahlia marched over to the door and yanked it open. “Get out!”

In the hallway, Abdalla remained as immovable as a block of stone.

Kofi came to his feet in a swift, lithe movement. “Do you think you can just throw me out like a piece of rubbish?”

“This is not Zamibia. You don’t have any power in this country. Your word is not law. If you don’t leave now, I’ll call the police and have you escorted from the building.”

“Is that so?” A slow smile spread across his handsome face. “Close the door, Dahlia. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I mean it, if you don’t leave—”

“You. Will. Do. Nothing.”

His dark eyes glittered at her from across the room, and trepidation skittered down her spine. He was way too confident, even for Kofi.

“You know,” he said, using a conversational tone, “I had no idea you moved from New York. Imagine my surprise when the investigator told me he found you here, in Atlanta.”

“Why were you looking for me?” Dahlia asked hoarsely, a tightness in her chest she couldn’t explain.

“Never mind why. I had my reasons,” Kofi replied, voice as hard as steel. “Why did you leave New York?”

“I wanted a fresh start.”

“Is that the only reason?” He was enjoying playing his little game, not giving anything away until he was ready. The Conquering Lion of the tribe of Mbutu. Like a lion, he toyed with his defenseless prey, circling, not striking, until he was ready to devour it.

“Y-yes.” The lie constricted her throat so tightly it hurt to speak. The cost of living was cheaper in Atlanta than New York, and though she no longer worked in property management, at least here she could pay the bills and take care of her son.

“I’ve given you ample opportunity to tell me the truth. If I am a liar, so are you, olufeh mi.” The endearment didn’t hold the same appeal as before. Not when he used it to punctuate a veiled threat.

Dahlia’s fingers tightened on the door she had yet to release. He’d known all along. That’s why he was here. “No,” she said quietly, shaking her head slowly, denying the inevitable.

“Yes, Dahlia. I know your secret. I know you carried my firstborn inside you when you left New York. Close the door and sit down. I’m not leaving. Not without my son.”