Page 129 of Sheltering You

Leila settled in beside her on the small chair, wiping her tears.

Jasmine’s phone vibrated an email. It had to be from Basma, the only person with her address. She must be messaging to tell Jasmine that she and Rabie had made it back to her cousin’s house, wherever that was. Jasmine tapped the icon and read the message.

Then, with a growing sense of dread, she sat up and read it again.

Was she dreaming?

Was this a nightmare?

One line stood out.

…confessed everything. He told him everything he learned. He gave him your phone number. If Khalid has a way to track it…

Jasmine stood suddenly, almost tripping over her sister’s feet. She managed to catch herself on the arm of the chair.

“What’s wrong?” Leila stood beside her. “What is it?”

“It was Rabie.”

Leila’s eyes widened.

The other women quieted, watching.

“What’s this?” Peggy looked between the twins. “Who is⁠—?”

“Where’s Derrick?” Jasmine asked.

“Downstairs,” Peggy said. “They’re playing…”

The rest of her words were lost as Jasmine swiveled and rushed to the door that led to the basement. She ran down, gripping the railing for fear she’d trip and fall and not have the chance to warn him.

The guys were standing around, talking. Visiting. Having fun. When she stumbled into the game room, they turned her way.

She searched their faces, all so similar, until she saw the man she needed.

Derrick stepped toward her. “What happened?”

“You were right. It was Rabie. His toy, the electric one. When it was gone, he used my phone, the one I had turned off. It was in the suitcase.” She remembered seeing her suitcase open in the hotel room. He’d found the phone, powered it up. “He sent Dari a message.”

Michael moved close. “What are you saying?”

But she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Derrick.

“How do you know?” he asked.

She held her cell out to him, and he read the email.

Michael read over his shoulder.

Grant pushed past the others. “What’s going on?”

Derrick handed him the cell but focused on Jasmine. In his eyes, she saw love and devotion and determination…and raw terror.

“Who is Dari?” Grant lowered the phone and peered at Jasmine. “Who is this…Qasim?”

All the men were facing her now. Daniel, Sam, Roger, and Jeremy looked as confused as they were worried.

Grant looked fierce.