Trust
Inescapable, Book 3
Nassir Al-Qadir married for love and built a life outside royal duty. But when destiny demands he return to Khurat during a time of political crisis, he's forced to make an impossible choice: his family or his kingdom.
Trina followed her husband into a world of palaces and power, believing their love could withstand anything. But the palace is full of secrets—and not everyone wants Nassir to succeed. As old alliances crumble and new threats emerge, Trina discovers that trust is a luxury she can no longer afford.
In a kingdom on the brink of collapse, where loyalty is currency and betrayal runs deep, Nassir and Trina must navigate treacherous waters. The question isn't whether their love will survive.
It's whether they will.
Trina dug her nails into her palms, trying to steady her shaking limbs. She felt like she might vibrate out of her own body. Her emotions were strung so tight. As the panic attack threatened to crest, a sob escaped her throat.
“I’m certain Hassan will rethink this and come to his senses.”
“And what if he doesn’t? Why are you so sure you’ll convince him to change his mind?” Her frustration was intense. “Are you going to accept the crown?”
He looked aghast. “Of course not! I can’t be responsible for hundreds of thousands of lives. Managing a family of six is more than enough!”
He meant that as a joke, but Trina found nothing funny about the destruction of their lives. “I’m not prepared to sacrifice my freedoms or those of my children.” Especially not my daughters’. I’d rather die.
Nassir bristled, and she sensed his irritation rising to match hers. “Nobody asked you to sacrifice anything. I’ve been nothing but accommodating to you over the eight years of our marriage.”
His words felt like a slap. Trina recoiled, hot anger swelling in her chest.
He continued. “I’ve gone above and beyond to prove myself worthy of you. I’ve supported your every dream and gone wherever you wanted to go.” There was a dark heat rising in his face, a warning that she chose to ignore.
Trina stomped over to the closet and tore down articles of clothing. She would not allow shackles to be placed around her ankles, even though Nassir seemed certain such a scenario would never take place. She had too much to lose to take that risk.
“I’m taking the kids back to the States. All of them.” She added the last bit to ensure he understood that Aisha would be coming with her.
Nassir hurried to her, his strong arms embracing her from behind. “You’re not leaving me.”
Trina stiffened in his arms, her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to push him away, but his grip tightened.
“Let me go, Nassir,” she demanded through gritted teeth, her voice laced with anger and desperation.
“No,” he said firmly, his voice tinged with a hint of pleading. “Leaving me isn’t an option.”
