Page 43 of Rescuing You

There.

Leila and her sister were trying to elbow their way past the gathered lookie-loos to get away from the fight.

On the steps of the building nearest them, a man watched their retreat.

He didn’t look familiar, but that didn’t matter. Michael hadn’t seen most of the guards’ faces. He rested his hand on his weapon. He didn’t want to shoot anybody, but if that guy went after Leila…

The man on the stairs descended.

Michael pushed his way through the crowd until he was right behind him.

Followed until there was no question the guy was following Leila and Jasmine.

Michael shifted forward, walking right beside the guy.

Without looking, he elbowed him in the stomach. When the man bent forward, Michael jabbed his elbow into his face.

The guy went down.

Michael leaned over him and spoke in Arabic. “Hey, you okay, man? What happened?” Before the guy could catch his breath, Michael shielded his movements with his body and whacked the enemy on the side of the head with his gun.

And then he stood and jogged away, gun tucked beneath his shirt.

A glance behind showed none of the onlookers had noticed the wounded guard yet. Nobody else was following—that he could see, anyway.

He came up behind Leila and Jasmine. Passed Leila on her right, brushing his hand against hers, feeling the comforting warmth.

“Don’t react. Follow me.”

No need for a reunion scene. No need to draw attention.

Leila’s quiet gasp was her only response.

Michael walked ahead, moving quickly but not so fast that they couldn’t keep up.

Past the next hotel, he ducked into an alley.

Leila and Jasmine followed.

“Come on.” Gun at the ready, he moved through the narrow space, wishing for his NVGs. It was too dark, but there was light at the other end.

They reached the quieter street. Nobody followed.

As far as he knew.

He took Leila’s hand and ran.

“Wait,” Leila said. “Jasmine.”

Turning, he saw that Jasmine had fallen behind. He slowed, biting back the hurry up that wanted to escape.

He contemplated picking up the weaker sister and carrying her.

Not exactly the best way not to draw attention to themselves.

But he had no doubt the man he’d left unconscious had woken up—and called his buddies.

He had to assume there were enemies everywhere.