Page 31 of Sheltering You

Basma’s expression morphed from fear to determination. Her focus shifted from Rabie to Derrick.

For one second, she held his eye contact, and he knew what she planned.

No time to stop her. He needed to get out of there before Jasmine put herself in danger. He absolutely would not allow that.

He lifted his foot and kicked guard number one in the back, knocking the guy’s wind out and earning an “Oomph.” Just in case, Derrick kicked him again.

Basma shouted, “Please!” And then she barreled into guard number two, taking him by surprise.

Derrick grabbed the boy around the waist, pushed out the glass door, and ran.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Jasmine watched in horror as Derrick bolted across the street, Rabie tucked in his arms like a small child.

Where was Basma?

Jasmine opened the back door as Derrick got close.

He shouted, “Get in the car!”

She scrambled into the backseat, and Derrick tossed Rabie in beside her, then slammed the door and climbed in the driver’s seat, jamming the car into drive.

It lurched forward, and he yanked the wheel to the right, knocking Rabie into the door.

The boy stared at her with wide, terrified eyes.

“It’s okay, Rabie.” She spoke Arabic with as soothing a tone as she could manage under the circumstances. “It’s okay. Let’s get your seatbelt on.” She took the backpack he held tightly in his grip and dropped it on the floor, then reached across him to grab the belt.

“You too.” Derrick sounded frantic—or furious. She wasn’t sure which. “Now.”

In the middle seat, she put her seatbelt on and then wrapped her arm around Rabie. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

“I want Basma.” He was crying, trying to twist to look behind them.

She turned as well. Lots of traffic, but a black SUV seemed to be bearing down on them. They were being followed. No wonder Derrick was angry and intent.

“What happened?” Rabie asked. “I don’t understand.”

Jasmine faced forward, forcing calm for his sake. “Your sister is all right.” Please, God, let it be true. “She asked us to come and get you.”

The boy looked at Jasmine for the first time.

“I knew you a long time ago. I am Yasamin. I lived next door to you. You were just a little boy the last time I saw you.”

His eyes, red-rimmed from tears, narrowed. She thought he might recognize her, but he didn’t say so. Tears streamed down his face. “I want my sister.”

“I know, love. I know.” She pulled him against her. “I do too. I love your sister as if she were my own. We will get you back to her.” Please, God, help me keep that promise.

Derrick sped around a traffic circle, then whipped down a wide road, moving much faster than the rest of the vehicles.

His gaze kept flicking to the rearview.

Were they still being followed?

By police? Or guards?

She wanted to check, but Rabie was sobbing against her, and the last thing he needed was more stress after what had just happened.