Page 52 of Rescuing You

“What is this, touché?” Jasmine asked.

Michael turned to her with a smile. “It’s French for ‘good point.’ Or, more accurately, ‘good hit.’” He stood and headed toward the kitchen.

“Ah. I see. It is strange that to learn English, I must also know French. And other languages as well, yes? It is complicated.”

“I bet.” He stopped a few feet from her and held out his hand. “Michael.”

Jasmine slid hers into it, then wrapped her other hand on top. “And I am Yasamin, but now Jasmine.”

“Pretty name,” he said.

Jasmine took a step closer. “I owe you my life, Michael. Thank you for not leaving me behind, and for giving me your seat on the motorcycle. I am sorry about the alarm. I did not know.”

He nodded, seemed unsure what to say. And then, “Wish you’d told me who you were on the phone.”

She pulled her hands away and stepped back, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I am sorry about that too.”

Leila moved forward, ready to tell Michael to back off.

But her sister didn’t need her help.

“I was afraid you would not believe me.” Jasmine met his eyes and shook her head. “No, that is not true. I was afraid you would not choose to take me. You would only help my sister, and I needed to get away. I did not want you to come prepared to refuse me. Now I understand you would only have been better prepared to save us all. Because of what I did, you could have been killed. I am very sorry.”

Leila waited for Michael to let her have it.

Like Baba would have.

And most of the men she’d known.

But he didn’t. Just dipped his head. “Apology accepted. From now on, please be honest with me.” He turned to include Leila in his next remark. “We need to trust each other if we’re going to get out of here. Okay?”

Jasmine’s answer was immediate. “I promise.”

Michael smiled at her, then quirked an eyebrow at Leila.

“You will tell me everything, soon?” she asked.

“When we’re safe. And you’ll do the same?”

“Yes. Okay.”

“Good.” Michael returned to the couch and pulled a cell phone from a charger. “You mind if I step into your room to make a quick call?”

“A private call? What is the secret?”

He crossed his arms and smirked. The unspoken words were loud in the quiet room. Do you trust me, or don’t you?

She did. Mostly.

“Go ahead,” Jasmine said.

Michael didn’t wait for Leila’s agreement, just slipped past her and closed the door.

Leila turned to her sister. “I want to know what’s going on.”

“If not for him, we’d still be captives.” Jasmine took coffee mugs from the cabinets. “I can’t find sugar or cream.”

“Black is fine.” After her sister poured her a cup, she sipped the bitter liquid, not exactly enjoying it but needing the caffeine. “How do you feel this morning?”