Page 26 of Sheltering You

He reached across the console and took her hand. “Don’t cry, Jazz. I’m trying to protect you. Can you understand that? I want to help your friends, but not if it means putting you in danger.”

She used the arm of her sweatshirt to swipe away her tears. “I do not wish to be difficult. I only worry that Basma won’t go with you.”

“She’ll have no choice. You can take a picture of me if you want, though I don’t know that that’s a great idea. I mean, God forbid somebody hacks her email, we wouldn’t want them to figure out who I am.”

“A photo is a bad idea.”

He nodded at the jacket and cap on her lap. “They’re distinctive. Email her. Tell her to watch for me in those and that you’ll be waiting in the car.”

“What was the point of this then?” She plucked at the sweatshirt he’d insisted she buy. “Why must I be in disguise?”

“In case they see you. In case somebody happens to walk by who might recognize you. Or we’re caught on camera or something. Just a precaution.”

That word was new, though she understood caution. And pre usually meant before.

“Email your friend. If she refuses to come with me, tell her she’ll have to find another way to her cousin’s house.” Derrick squeezed her hand. “You don’t want your father finding you, right?”

It wasn’t her father she feared. Jasmine could see Khalid’s face twisted in fury. Her husband wouldn’t hurt her, not until she gave birth to his heir, the only reason he’d taken her as a wife. After that, he’d kill her. Unless he wanted more children and thought she was worth the trouble of keeping around, in which case he’d lock her in a room and use her as a baby-making machine until she could no longer conceive.

And then he’d kill her.

“You’re safe here, Jazz.” Derrick’s voice was gentle. “I just want to keep you that way, okay?”

Jasmine couldn’t seem to make herself speak past the emotions jumbling inside—fear, gratitude, shame. She managed a nod.

Derrick reached into the bag for the sunglasses, popped out the plastic lenses, and handed the frames to her.

She put them on, lowered the visor, and checked her reflection in the mirror. The large, black rims distracted from her face. “It is different.” She turned to him. “What do you think?”

His eyebrows hiked. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple dipping in his throat. “Yeah, that’s…you make those look good.”

She checked her reflection again. “Smart, yes? Like a student?”

“You are smart, and yes, you’d fit right in on campus, no doubt. Email Basma, okay? I’ve got one more thing I forgot to do.”

Derrick took the jacket and hat and climbed out of the car, and she emailed her friend.

Derrick went to the trunk. A moment later, he circled to the front and crouched down. She had no idea what he was doing, but the sedan moved the slightest bit.

After he’d closed the trunk, he climbed back into the car wearing the ugly jacket. He’d hidden his long hair inside the white hat. “You ready?”

“Basma must still be at lunch, but she will email back when she receives my message.”

“Okay. Let’s go.” He shifted gears and started driving.

Soon enough, they’d be in the city. Though Jasmine had balked at the idea of staying in the car, she saw Derrick’s point and appreciated his desire to protect her.

As long as Basma agreed to go with Derrick—and what options did she have?—this should be simple. Basma and Rabie would be delivered to their cousins, and then Jasmine and Derrick would be on their way home to Maine and safety.

But if Jasmine had learned anything in the last few years, she’d learned not to assume anything would be simple.

And that she was never truly safe.

CHAPTER SIX

Derrick’s heart pounded like it wanted out.

He’d known Jasmine would argue when he told her his plan. But what choice had he had? Thank God she’d told him Basma’s uncle was acquainted with her father. Now that Derrick knew, he couldn’t allow her anywhere near the man.