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“Reinforcements have arrived,” Trent announced as he leaped from the passenger seat before Omar had completely stopped the SUV.
Omar hit the brakes and ran around from the driver’s side to grab Leilah by the shoulders while Trent ordered Ahmadi’s men to extend their arms in front of them. Omar turned his sister’s face from one side to the other, inspecting her for injuries.
“I’m not hurt,” she assured him, giving Ryan a soft look over her brother’s shoulder. “You have Ryan to thank for that.”
Olivia and Marielle emerged from the Suburban’s second row and helped Trent secure flexicuffs around the men’s wrists. Ryan did some quick math.
“We’re not all going to fit in the SUV.”
As he said the words, Chelsea’s Subaru screeched to a stop at the other end of the alley, blocking the egress.
“We’re a step ahead of you, counselor,” Marielle quipped over her shoulder.
As Jake and Chelsea walked toward the group, Omar came over and punched Ryan lightly on the shoulder, then reconsidered and caught him in a quick embrace.
“Nice work, man. I gotta admit, I didn’t expect you to bring these guys in. At most, I wanted you to keep your heads down and stay safe.”
Ryan patted his best friend’s arm. “Your sister’s selling herself short. It was a team effort. I don’t know where she learned to fight, but she’s a wildcat.”
Omar’s gaze slid back to Leilah who blinked innocently. Ryan noticed Olivia shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she studiously examined the ground. Judging by Trent’s tented eyebrows, her fiancé noticed, too.
“Well, the gang’s all here,” Jake said heartily, cracking his knuckles. “Let’s move this party to Shenandoah Falls. Olivia and Marielle, you ride back with Chelsea and Leilah. I’d like to spend some time with our new friends, and I definitely want my lawyer present.”
Ryan nodded. “Give me a second.”
He caught Leilah’s arm and eased her away from Marielle, who had just released her from a tight hug. He bent his head and whispered, “Are you really okay?”
“I really am,” she whispered back, a faint smile on her lips.
“Have I mentioned that you’re amazing, Sparky?”
The smile blossomed. “I’m going to kiss you,” she warned.
He shifted his gaze toward their friends, then leaned closer. “Not if I kiss you first.”
As he covered Leilah’s mouth with his, Marielle clapped and squealed.
“About time,” Olivia snarked.
Omar began to cough and sputter. Trent pounded him on the back. “You all right, big fella?”
“That’s one way to break the news to my brother,” Leilah murmured against Ryan’s lips.
“The most delicious way,” he told her.
“Okay, break it up, you two,” Chelsea said with a laugh. “We have a long drive back. You can make out on your own time.”
As Ryan reluctantly released Leilah’s warm body from his arms, she grinned at him. “I’ll miss you.”
Jake guffawed and pulled Ryan away. “Come on, Romeo. Chelsea’s right. It’ll be midnight by the time we’re back to campus.”
Ryan nodded as if he were listening, which he was not. His attention was on the beautiful woman walking away from him. Once she disappeared inside Chelsea’s Forester, he announced, “I call shotgun. I need to talk to Omar.”
“Ya think?” Omar said.
Ryan sighed heavily. He might as well get it over with. “Listen, I should have talked to you about this a long time ago. I’m crazy about your sister. You’re like a brother to me, man. I tried to convince myself Leilah was off-limits, but I can’t lie to myself any longer. I want to be with her.”
Omar gave him a long, steady look.
