She pressed her hand to her chest as the memory rose—uninvited, unwanted, and all too clear.
She swallowed and braced her palms against the cool metal of the engine, staring down into the shadows of the bilge.
Her breathing slowed. Her fingers tightened. The scent of sea air and oil twisted, transforming into the thick, spiced breeze of another coast.
She closed her eyes, and the familiar memories of regret pulled her back to another place, another time…
Four years earlier:
Dani strolled along the cobbled streets as dusk settled in Tangier. She loved everything about it. It was where the Mediterranean kissed the edge of Africa and the streets blazed with color and life.
The call to prayer was ringing out from the mosques, echoing over the terracotta rooftops as the city transformed into something golden and ancient—something out of a storybook.
She breathed in a deep, calming breath. At seventeen, she still felt raw, but this magical place had swept away most of the nightmares she still had whenever she closed her eyes.
She loved the cobbled alleys scented with mint tea and orange blossoms, the golden light brushing the shoulders of passersby, the way laughter and music floated like petals through the narrow streets.
And she loved Zayan Alaoui.
A thrill ran through her, and she wrapped her arms around her waist to hug herself. She had stumbled into Zayan almost a month ago in the market when she was purchasing some fruits and vegetables for herself and her grandfather.
He had appeared in the Grand Socco like some desert prince in a half-buttoned shirt and linen trousers. Her smile softened when she thought of the half-crooked grin he always had on his lips. His eyes were the color of fresh coffee and just as addictive. He spoke five languages, all of them like poetry.
One look and her heart leapt as if it recognized him.
One touch made her forget how to breathe.
“You are so beautiful, my Dani. More beautiful than the waters, the stars, the very heavens above.”
Even now, as she hurried to surprise him, she could feel excitement building inside her. He made her want to laugh again. He made her soul dance.
She’d pushed away her grandfather’s gentle warning when he caught her slipping off their trawler shortly after lunch. Yet, she couldn’t erase what he said from her mind.
“Dani, there are men in this world who only want one thing from a beautiful girl like you. They’ll whisper sweet nothings and make promises they have no intention of keeping. It’s the thrill of the hunt for them. The challenge is to see who they can conquer. They don’t think of the broken hearts they leave behind.”
“Zayan’s not like that! He loves me. He makes me feel… special, Gramps.”
Stuart sighed. “What does your gut tell you, love?”
“It tells me—it tells me— I… don’t know. I want to believe?—”
God, she needed to believe someone could see her—really see her—beyond the grief still clinging to her like ash.
She thought of the first night she had met up with Zayan. Thememories caused little butterflies to flutter in her stomach. The night had been magical. The moonlight had painted the city in silver. Under the cover of night, she had slipped away from the trawler to meet with him. They had laughed and explored the labyrinth of lantern-lit stalls, the air thick with the smells of exotic spices and roasting meats, and hidden rooftop cafes, their music spilling out onto the streets. Beneath a sky scattered with a million glittering stars, he'd played a haunting melody on his oud, whispering her name as if it held the weight of the universe.
And when he kissed her…
For a moment, she forgot the sound of metal twisting. Forgot the blood. The screams. The way her mother’s hand had slipped from hers, going cold.
In Zayan’s arms, she’d felt the carefree innocence of her youth return, a lightness she'd almost forgotten. Whole. Seen.
Within days, he had proposed a whirlwind escape—the scent of paella in Spain, the sound of bouzouki music in Greece, and a life together in countless breathtaking places. With a fervent hope in his eyes, he’d promised freedom, a life unburdened by chains. Passion. A life of adventure.
She had laughed and said no. But, Zayan's daily requests to elope, to experience the passion he felt for her, had been relentless, leaving her feeling both intrigued and overwhelmed. She'd refused his desire for intimacy, but the battle was slipping from her grasp as a quiet desperation settled in her heart. Every time he kissed her, a fiery longing consumed her, leaving her breathless and wanting more.
Dani wrapped her arms around her waist as she walked. She couldn’t forget the look in her grandfather’s warm brown eyes. There had been compassion, understanding, and… grief. She realized that she wasn’t the only one hurting. She lifted a hand to wipe the tear that coursed down her cheek.
Am I making a mistake? Will I regret this for the rest of my life if I tell him no?
