Khalil Al-Farsi's POV

I sat in the back of the SUV with Emerald going to the Orsini Vineyard for her photoshoot. This woman lives a jet-set lifestyle. It felt like we were just in the Hamptons having breakfast one moment, and then the next, we were on a private jet heading to Italy.

After this campaign ad for Orsini Wines, we would head back to New York for another photoshoot, this time for a well-known clothing company.

I exhaled a deep breath. If I had my way, I would prefer that we'd stay far away from New York for now. I am not at ease knowing that her grandfather's chosen fiancé was there hanging around and may be waiting for his time to make a move on my Emerald.

I grimaced at the thought as I remembered the sly American bastard. He was one of the few men I knew who didn't heed my warning seriously. Suppose he was just a citizen of Saqr. I would have already thrown him in the middle of the desert and left him there to die from dehydration and the scorching heat.

If I learn that the bastard is still hoping to win Emerald's favor, I'll make sure to dig a special grave for him in New York's fanciest cemetery.

"What's with the scary frown on your face right now?" I heard the soft voice of the woman beside me. Instantly, my dark mood changed.

I smiled brightly at her while she was still looking at me with a curious expression. "Nothing, habibti." I lifted her hand and kissed it affectionately. "I am just wondering when you will want to meet my 'buddy' personally."

I chuckled softly when I saw the way her face turned crimson, just like her hair. I couldn't miss the deathly glare she threw in my direction. She discreetly nodded her head in the direction of the driver and her assistant, who was sitting in the passenger's seat in front. "Keep your nasty thoughts to yourself if you know what's good for you."

I grinned devilishly in her direction. I leaned down to whisper something in her ear. "I am not the one who is having naughty dreams, habibti," I stifled a chortle when I felt her freeze in her place. "Just give me a chance. I promise that I will perform even better than in your dreams. I can make you scream in ecstasy."

"Shut up," she said as she elbowed me in the chest area, and I groaned softly. The gesture caught me off guard. I threw a disapproving look in her direction.

"Why so violent, my love?"

Her pretty green eyes snapped with fire. "For your information, Al-Farsi, I was stressed that night. That's why I had such nightmares. I can assure you, it will never happen again."

"Of course," I agreed cheerfully, smiling at the thought. "Because I can assure you the next time will not be a dream." I looked her straight in the eyes. "The next time I have sex with you, you and I will be both very much awake."

"In your dreams."

I laughed gleefully. "Yeah. I hope you can also visit my dreams. I would not mind if you molested me in my dream." My amusement intensified when she suddenly hit my arm with her first. For a slim woman like her, she has a strong punch. "Aw! Remember assaulting royalty is a crime, baby."

"I don't care!" she replied furiously while continuing to attack me with her fist. "I want to kill you, anyway."

I noticed Emerald's assistant discreetly looking at us. She avoided my gaze when she saw me looking. I must admit, when we met her assistant in the airport terminal, the poor woman couldn't hide her stunned reaction upon seeing us together. She tried her very best not to gawk at us.

I smiled privately as we neared the Orsini vineyard. Not that I could blame Emerald's assistant since it was common knowledge that Emerald is quite a man-hater. That's why it came as a shock to her assistant when she reluctantly introduced me as her boyfriend.

We finally arrived at the vineyard. I immediately noticed the people busy setting up the area for the shoot while there was a makeshift tent nearby. Emerald and I went out of the car at the same time.

"They need to glam me up now for the shoot," I heard her say to me. "If you want, you can wait in the tent while I am working, or you can ask the driver to drive you around the city until I'm done. This will take hours."

I smiled sanguinely in her direction. I tucked some loose strands of red hair behind her ear, looking at her make-up-free face. She has such smooth, healthy glowing skin. I gave in to the temptation to kiss her on the temple. "Don't worry about me, habibti. Just slay the photo shoot."

She drew back from my embrace with accusing eyes. "Is that necessary?"

I grinned at her, looking at the people who were eyeing us curiously. "Of course, I need to stake my claim in front of everyone. So they'll know that you are with me."

"Wow, such honesty. I'll see you later, Al-Farsi." She rolled her pretty green eyes before walking away. She greeted the people with a friendly smile before disappearing inside the tent. I could feel the smile growing on my face. It seems that Emerald is slowly softening towards me. A little more persuasion on my part and she'll finally surrender.

Until that time comes, I will patiently wait. I will not let my chance with her slip away this time around.

I looked at the vast vineyard and wondered how I should kill my time while waiting for Emerald's shoot to be over.

"Buongiorno, amico." I turned around to see a stranger wearing casual jeans and a fitted gray V-neck long-sleeve smiling curiously in my direction. I looked at the offered hand in my direction. "Marco Orsini."

I stared at the conniving glint in his dark eyes. So, this man was the owner of this vineyard. I shook his hand briefly. "Khalil Al-Farsi."

Marco Orsini gave me a calculating smile that made my eyes slightly narrow in his direction. "You are the crown prince of Saqr, right?"

Soon to be crowned king. But there was no need to inform him of that, so I gave him a regal smile and answered. "Yes, that's me. And you are the owner of this vineyard?"

"My grandparents, actually," he whistled softly, his eyes still had this guileful look. "I'm wondering what the crown prince of the rich country of Saqr is doing in our humble vineyard? Don't tell me you are part of this crew, Your Highness!"

I raised an eyebrow in his direction. "Why? Is that so hard to believe?"

His lips twitched with a knowing smile. "Of course not. I believe I also tried different jobs from time to time." He gestured to the gazebo nearby. "Shall we? That is if you are not busy setting up something for the crew."

"I'm not part of this crew," I admitted, following him to the gazebo where he sat in one of the iron chairs, and I did the same. "I came here with my girlfriend."

A meaningful smirk flashed in my direction. "I thought so. Guarding her, are you?"

"What makes you say that?"

Marco gave me a self-satisfied smile. "Because I have been there before, Your Highness. I do everything to guard the woman I love from nuisance, even going so far as pretending to be her bodyguard to ruin her date."

I looked at him dryly. "You don't seem remorseful about it."

"I'm not," he said with a straight face. "I will do it again and again, given a chance. A man who is in love will not let the woman he loves go out without guarding her and staking his claim for other men to see."

I nodded grimly. "I agree with you."

His dark eyes danced with delight. "Right? Then, why don't you join my club? You fit perfectly in our club, Your Highness."

"What club?" I asked, frowning at him.

"The Jealous Husband's Club."

I raised an eyebrow in his direction while I felt my lips twitching with a smile. Was he serious or what? "Is there even a club like that?"

"Of course," he grinned at me merrily. "It's a highly prestigious club with invites only. You cannot join the club on your own we choose who can join us."

I shook my head in disbelief. "Then I guess I have to turn down your offer."

"Excuse me?"

"I am not interested."

A scowl formed on his forehead while giving me a disbelief look. "Excuse me, Your Highness. I don't want to be rude, but you're hurting me with your words. You are making the grave mistake of turning down my offer. You will not find another club like on this planet."

Before I could argue more with him, our attention was caught by a car coming inside the vineyard. Marco clicked his tongue in distaste as a black Range Rover parked haphazardly in the driveway of the vineyard.

I saw him shake his head in resignation while muttering under his breath, "This guy is hopeless. I wonder why the Italian government gave him a license in the first place."

I watched a man, probably a few years younger than me, slide out of the car with a dark scowl on his face. Marco Orsini's disapproving look was instantly replaced by a welcoming smile on his face. I couldn't help but be amazed at his talent. He's one heck of an actor.

"Santi!" The Italian billionaire greeted the newcomer jovially. "What a surprise to see you here."

"Quit the drama," the man named Santi glared at the man sitting beside me. He unceremoniously dropped an envelope on the table in front of Marco. "Here's the information you need, you bastard."

"Oh, thank you, Santi," Marco said theatrically, opening the envelope with a gleaming smile on his face. "You're the best."

Santi dropped into the vacant chair with a loud sigh. "Stop manipulating me with your compliments. I know you are just saying that to win my favor again for future use."

I hid my smile. I have to admit that Marco Orsini was one hell of a sly man, and this man knew it. They must have been friends for a very long time.

"That's harsh, amico." There was an innocent frown on Marco's face that I didn't believe, and neither did his friend. "You know you're the only man I can trust with this stuff, right?"

Santi rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. That's why you made me fly for an hour and thirty minutes from Sicily to Rome, just to deliver that shit. You need to pay for the fuel of my plane to compensate, and I hate reminding you, bastard. I am the most powerful Mafia leader in Sicily, and yet you reduce me to be a mailman. Wait till my enemies hear about this--"

"I know, I know..." Marco stated without even listening to his friend's rant. His eyes were still fixed on the documents in his hand. "...this is important, Santi. We're going to kidnap the 5th member of my club tomorrow."

My eyes widened at him silently. Is this man serious? I asked myself silently. Is he going to kidnap someone as if it's nothing?

He must have sensed that I was looking at him questioningly when he smiled at me. "You see, Your Highness. My club is open to new members. That's why I am asking you if you want to join our prestigious club."

"No. Thank you," I replied flatly again. "If I ever join your club, what do I get in return?"

The Italian man grinned at me. "Unlimited gossip."

I barked a laugh. This man was something. There were only a few people who I had just met and could instantly amuse me like this. "Seriously?"

"Yes."

"Who is he?" Santi asked Marco while nodding his head in my direction. He was busy giving me a curious look.

"Oh, how rude of me." Marco started, closing the envelope in his hand. "Santi, this is Prince Khalil Al-Farsi, the crown prince of Saqr. Your Highness, this is Santi Marchesi of the Sicilian Mafia."

The man named Santi Marchesi gave me a friendly smile. "Would you like to do some business with me, Your Highness? I am interested in investing in your country."

"What kind of investment?" I asked dryly. What kind of business do you expect to get from the Mafia? Of course, I was pretty sure he was talking about illegal stuff, but I humored him nevertheless.

Marco snorted. "Of course, it's monkey business. Let me warn you, Your Highness. This man is up to no good. He's a drug lord."

"Hey, watch your mouth!" he snarled at his friend. "Is this how you repay the man who is helping you get the information you need, Orsini?"

I grimaced in the Mafia leader's direction. "I think our country already has enough drug lords that we are trying to put behind bars. No need to add to the list."

Santi clicked his tongue, pretending to be disappointed. "Here I am hoping to monopolize your country's drug cartel."

"I'm warning you to stay away from our country," I warned dangerously. "Do your illegal business elsewhere. I don't want that in our country."

The man shrugged indifferently. "Fine. It's not as if it's exciting to take over the drug business in a small country. My goal is to take over North and South America after the European market."

"How about before you do your business expansion in America, you help me abduct Rafe Moretti?"

The Mafia leader glared insolently at his friend. "Are you crazy? I have already arranged for the abandoned house where you can bring him. In addition, I already informed the authorities about the disappearance of Moretti, so you don't have to worry about going to jail for it. You are asking too much. Besides, I have a shipment tomorrow. I'm busy."

Marco sighed deeply. "Then, who can help me with my plan? What is the use of a good plan to get Rafe Moretti to join my club and to get him back together with his wife if no one can help me?"

"What about those three idiot friends of yours?" Santi Marchesi suggested dryly. "You can always blackmail them to help you."

An evil smile crossed Marco's face. "You are right! Those three can help me. I will give them a call later. Thanks for the suggestion, amico."

"You're welcome, fucker," the drug lord Mafia rolled his eyes. "What would you do without me?" And then something caught his attention over my shoulder, for he whistled appreciatively. "Who is she?"

I reluctantly looked over my shoulder to see who he was referring to, but I had a feeling about what it might be. My eyes turned to daggers instantly in Santi Marchesi's direction. "Hey, she is my girlfriend. I suggest you remove your damn eyes from her at once."

"Relax, amico," the Sicilian Mafia slightly raised his hand upward with amusement on his face. "I am not the type of person who steals someone else's woman..." His mouth curled with a smirk. "...unless the woman wants to be stolen."

"I'm warning you," I informed him infuriatingly. "I don't care if you're a Mafia or not if you try to steal her from me. I will end your life."

Instead of getting furious at the blatant threat against his life, the man had this merriment on his face. "Prince Khalil, your intimidating remarks do not affect me. I get death threats daily." He looked at Marco with enjoyment in his eyes. "This guy fits perfectly into your club along with those jealous apes."

"I thought so too," Marco agreed.

I shook my head in disbelief. These two guys were weird and had an unlikely friendship. I looked back to see my Emerald and the progressing photoshoot near the magnificent entrance to the Orsini mansion.

I couldn't help but feel proud of her and how professional she was. I once saw her doing this kind of work back at the palace of Saqr when she was dressed as the bride of a Sheikh. I remember clearly how my heart beat erratically at the sight of her with her wedding finery.

It feels like I died and went straight to heaven seeing her in a traditional wedding gown. That moment, while discreetly looking at the progressing shoot, I couldn't help but imagine her dressed like that for our wedding.

I glowered when I saw a guy approach Emerald and arrange the hemline of her long sexy dress. His damned eyes stared longer at her exposed white legs than necessary. I was about to march into the shoot and beat the hell of that guy.

"You have a scary expression on your face, Your Highness," I heard Marco remark sarcastically. I glanced at him when I saw his eyes gleaming with deviltry. "Not that I can blame you. She's such a beauty. But having such a beautiful and famous girlfriend has a price." He shook his head regretfully. "You need to guard her double time from men. Thank goodness my wife isn't famous, or I would have already wiped half of the male population out just for admiring her."

I forced myself to relax, focusing my attention on my unwanted companions.

Santi clicked his tongue while shaking his head and muttered under his breath. He was looking at his friend sardonically. "Stupid jealous ape."

The Italian billionaire cocked an eyebrow in his direction. There was a mocking smile playing on his lips. "I swear to you the day will come and you will crawl in hell in the name of love."

Santi snickered as he sat back from his chair. "That won't happen to me, amico. I am Santino Marchesi. I don't do love."

There was a taunting smile on Marco's face. "We shall see."

The Sicilian Mafia countered with a pompous smirk on his mouth. "Don't drag me in the deep shit where you are right now." He threw an offensive look in my direction. "Maybe this guy is already halfway to that shithole given the deathly glare he's been sending those poor men in the crew."

I was taken aback by the comment. Was I that transparent? I couldn't help but ask myself silently.

I sighed deeply. If that was the case, why the hell couldn't notice my feelings? When would my affection finally reach her?