Page 92 of Sheltering You

Rabie climbed back up and peeked out the back window.

Derrick launched himself over the kid as gunshots sounded from behind.

Jasmine sped toward the highway.

And then, aside from the engine noise, all was quiet.

He sat up, collapsed against the seat back. Pressed his hand to the wound that suddenly throbbed again. Took a few deep breaths.

“Everyone all right?” He rolled up the window, slowly comprehending the cold, cold air.

Jasmine said nothing.

Rabie seemed too stunned to speak.

“Jazz?”

“Yes, yes, I think so. I think…” She checked the mirror. “There is no one there.”

Somehow, they’d gotten out of it. They were all three safe and alive and…

“Good-flipping-night!” Michael’s voice was way too loud over the speaker. “You just took ten years off my life! What did you…? What just…?”

“We lost them,” Derrick said. “Can’t figure out where they came from. We left two guys down. The SUV at the gas station didn’t follow us. If there’d been anyone in it…”

There couldn’t have been. They’d have returned fire or at least given chase right away. They’d have snatched Rabie for sure, wouldn’t they?

“Must’ve been a different vehicle,” Michael said. “Maybe another group coming to meet the guys you took out.”

Maybe. “Anyway, we lost them, thanks to Jasmine’s wicked skills at the wheel. Right now, that’s what matters. Could you direct us to somewhere safe? And tell me how in the world they found us.”

“Been thinking about that,” Michael said, “and there’s only one logical answer. You obviously missed something in your search. Toss the kid’s backpack and everything that was in it. Now.”

Rabie’s eyes rounded and filled with tears that probably would’ve broken Derrick’s heart under any other circumstances. But his side was throbbing, his hands vibrating with tension, and his ears ringing with the echo of gunshots. He could have lost Jasmine tonight. He could have lost them both.

And it would’ve been his fault because he’d missed something. And he’d been too soft-hearted to do what he should’ve done when he’d first gotten the kid.

“Sorry, son.” He grabbed the backpack and tossed it out the window.

Rabie twisted, watching the backpack get smaller and smaller on the lonely road behind them.

“Was there anything else?” He directed the question to Rabie, searching the pockets on the backs of the seats. “Anything you stashed⁠—?”

“Those things were mine!”

He found no toys. “Jasmine?” He worked to keep his voice even. “Are any of his things in your bag?”

“He carried them all. He insisted.”

“Okay, good.” He ruffled the kid’s hair, but Rabie ducked away. “I’ll buy you whatever games and puzzles you want.”

“There were gifts from my brother in there.”

“Yeah?” Derrick’s irritation spiked. “Those men who nearly kidnapped you? Who nearly kidnapped Jasmine? Those thugs were also gifts from your brother. I think I’ve dealt with all the gifts from Dari Ghazi I can handle.”

Rabie turned to the window and crossed his arms.

Right back at ya, kid.