Dangerous Devotion

By Kellyann Zuzulo

When hot-tempered Amani Zarin makes a deal with her uncle to save her beloved homeland, she becomes America’s first desperate genie housewife. To rescue Jinnistan she must become an ambassador, navigate conniving board members, hostile ex-lovers and nosy suburban neighbors, and since their chemistry will literally save her world, she and her new husband must find a way to achieve wedded bliss, at least for...101 Nights

• Language: English
• Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
• Release date: Aug 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781941260067

Kellyann Zuzulo

A former journalist, Kellyann’s interest in Middle Eastern myth and legend stems from her stint as a Managing Editor of Publications for the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. She is a published author of several genie romance novellas. One book, Angels & Genies, was included in a collection for which Charlaine Harris wrote the foreword. Kellyann lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, three children, and a jaunty terrier named Djin-Djin. Visit her website at www.kfzuzulo.com.

Book preview

One Hundred and One Nights

4: Dangerous Devotion

Kellyann Zuzulo

Copyright 2014 Kellyann Zuzulo

Smashwords Edition

When hot-tempered Amani Zarin makes a deal with her uncle to save her beloved homeland, she becomes America’s first desperate genie housewife. To rescue Jinnistan she must become an ambassador, navigate conniving board members, hostile ex-lovers and nosy suburban neighbors, and since their chemistry will literally save her world, she and her new husband must find a way to achieve wedded bliss, at least for…

101 NIGHTS

#4: DANGEROUS DEVOTION

With a growing circle of human acquaintances, Amani has begun to realize that her heart is softening to the whole race. But just as Jason Masters makes her knees go weak, so also does he make her question her wisdom. Then the couple find themselves trapped between Amani’s powerful ex-lover and Jason’s conniving boss, and the only solution requires trust, friendship, and a desperate flight to a place that might mean death for one or both of them.

One Hundred and One Nights

4: Dangerous Devotion

Kellyann Zuzulo

www.BOROUGHSPUBLISHINGGROUP.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Boroughs Publishing Group does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites, blogs or critiques or their content.

101 NIGHTS

4: Dangerous Devotion

Copyright © 2014 Kellyann Zuzulo

All rights reserved. Unless specifically noted, no part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Boroughs Publishing Group. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or by any other means without the permission of Boroughs Publishing Group is illegal and punishable by law. Participation in the piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights.

Digital edition created by Maureen Cutajar

www.gopublished.com

ISBN 978-1-941260-06-7

For Djin-Djin, my trusty terrier who sat by me while I wrote this book and occasionally growled at the dark beyond my deck. I’m sure he felt he was protecting me from an incursion by Marid jinn.

Contents

Synopsis

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Author Bio

Chapter One

Jason Masters knew a genie when he saw one. And this one was even more imposing than Azon Zarin, his wife’s uncle and the prime minister of the land of Jinnistan.

Despite the threat inherent in having this six-foot-five-inch, bald and tattooed genie standing on his neighbor’s deck in suburban New Jersey, Jason narrowed his gaze and moved closer, squaring his shoulders. A wave of inexplicable fury had flooded his chest when he first set his eyes on the figure. After the night of erotic exploration he and Amani had found in each other’s arms, he’d figured they were moving beyond secrets. But, no. It was too soon. Too soon to have hoped. Too soon to have imagined that they could stand together. That they belonged together.

He held his gaze on the genie, unable to even look at Amani where she stood on his left. What would he see in her eyes? That she knew this genie, of course. But what was this behemoth to her? Jason’s stance was aggressive and assured as he thrust out a hand. But fear flooded him. What did this mean? He could lose her.

He spoke through clenched teeth. Dr. Jason Masters. The title was a shield he threw up. Normally, he’d never be so pretentious. But this jinni stared back at him with a brash aggression that sneered, I can take everything from you.

Jason felt a vein in his temple throb with a primeval wrath. Not so quick, my brawn-brained Neanderthal. I know what makes you tick. Literally.

Sumer Rafsi, the genie growled. His grip on Jason’s hand was like being wedged beneath a millstone.

Sam, honey. Jen Peterson’s satin voice wafted between them. I didn’t know that was your full name.

At first the genie didn’t even deign to glance in the direction of Jason’s neighbor, the ebony-haired woman who apparently had no idea of the identity of her new acquisition. Being enflamed by her burly lover’s touch obviously meant something very different to her than experiencing the full capabilities of which Jason knew the creature to be capable.

Sumer’s gaze locked on Jason. Doctor? One black eyebrow lifted in derision. And so, you conduct examinations. You assess the physical condition. As do I. But while you seek to heal, I amputate.

Jason’s brow tightened. He tugged his hand free.

Jen threw back her head, laughter trilling nervously through glossed lips. Her hand flattened on the pushed-up swells of her chest in assumed exasperation. She tripped her blue-eyed gaze over Reggie McNamara and Reggie’s husband Benny Maalouf, whose deck they stood on, and looked to Amani and Jason. He’s a tree specialist. You know, he cuts off limbs. Trims trees. She winked conspiratorially. He’s not from here, are you, Sammy?

No. Sumer’s gaze never left Jason’s face.

Tension crackled in the air like electricity: the telltale traces of gathering jinni energy. Even Jen seemed to be aware of it. Blinking rapidly, she laid a manicured hand on the broad expanse of Sumer’s bicep, and her fingers looked like sun-bleached twigs against his skin.

Sumer, honey. Chopping down trees is very different from dealing with human beings like a doctor does.

Sumer turned his head slowly to assess Jen. Is it? His eyes were as cold and dark as black ice, and the tense grin across Jen’s face fell away. She studied the glass of iced tea she held in her hand.

Sumer continued. For example, my dear…your charms, while bountiful, are equivalent only to a lush crop that I can plow under.

Jen flushed crimson from her cleavage to her hairline.

Reggie seemed paralyzed by outrage. Long red curls bobbing around her dimpled face, she swung her gaze to her husband, who stood just off to Jason’s left. Her green eyes were wide. Benny?

As though in slow motion, Benny lowered the long grill spatula he held in his upraised hand.

The human trio of Reggie, Benny, and Jen were made speechless by the display of malevolence that had appeared on their suburban Trex decking, as though they were being ambushed by a reality show of The Rude and Ruthless, but next to Jason Amani stepped forward.