“You mean the one where you wish you were born into a different family? Because that’s how it’s starting to feel.” The Lawson name, one he’d been so proud of, now felt like a noose tightening around his neck. And Charles worried that Dylan and I would be the ones who’d tarnish the family name. Ha. No scandal I’ve been in could touch this shit.
“That is why New Hope means so much to us. And it’s not just the resort. There are schools, hospitals, and a police force that doesn’t report to the highest bidder. All this is what has made it possible for us to move forward with our lives. Happy ones by the way. And I believe the Lawsons will too. If you choose to, that is.”
From what he saw the night before, Alex and Ziva were definitely happy. He could see his family starting to be the same. But they weren’t over the hurdles yet. “It’s my hope we do too. So, why don’t you start by telling me what our families really did to this country.”
The next several hours were spent learning what the ugly side of wealth could do. That night he wouldn’t be able to close his eyes without seeing the faces of the Tabiqian people who worked there. He’d thought James Henderson had been the only one involved in the human trafficking. Never had he imagined James and his great-granddad had actually started it in Tabiq. Two brilliant businessmen who had everything but a heart and soul.
He knew he needed to check in with Dylan, but he didn’t want to chat that night. Instead he sent him a quick text so he wouldn’t be concerned.
ALL IS FINE. MET WITH ALEX. NICE GUY. WILL TELL YOU ABOUT IT WHEN I RETURN TO THE STATES.
Dylan replied: IS THIS A GOOD THING?
It can be.Meeting with Alex had provided one thing. Hope. Even though the Hendersons couldn’t change the past, they also didn’t run from it. Alex promised to take him around and give him a private tour of the inner workings of Tabiq within the next few days. That was the information he wanted to take back to his family. How this generation could make a difference as well. A positive one.
IT’S A VERY GOOD THING. I’LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.
Dylan asked: WHY SO LONG?
NOW I’M TAKING A VACATION.
He’d promised Brooke he wouldn’t stand her up, and he meant it. Besides, he wanted to get to know her better. And taste those sweet lips of hers again.
What was it about Tabiq? Was everything an extreme? Even his desire to be near her, never mind with her, was more than he’d felt with any other woman. Gareth was going to need to tread carefully with this one. All the stress and tension in Tabiq had to be clouding his judgment. What he felt for her was nothing more than a strong sexual attraction. Lust didn’t rule him. And he wasn’t about to give in to it.
The last thing I want to do is fuck with anyone here in Tabiq. As if we outsiders haven’t done enough already.
It was funny, she looked like she was born there, dark hair, dark eyes, beautiful olive skin, but her accent wasn’t right. He needed to ask her where she was from. Then again, did he really want to get to know her more personally than he already did?
Personally? Yes. Intimately? Fuck yeah!Neither was going to happen. So why the hell was he chasing her if he had no intention of following through? Cause she’s irresistible. It was a good thing he wasn’t going to be in Tabiq much longer. Being around her could become a habit. One he didn’t want. One that was going to be hard to break.