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Ryan shook him off. “I need to talk to her before they leave.”
“They’re in Jake’s office. He’s making a copy of that oil asshole’s drive to put in the safe. We’ll go down there together now.”
Flanked by Olivia and Trent, Ryan raced through the building to Jake’s office and burst in without knocking.
“He needs to talk to Leilah,” Olivia explained to a wide-eyed Omar.
“We’re about done here, anyway,” Jake said over his shoulder. He turned from the safe concealed in his wall and tossed the drive at Ryan, who snagged it mid-air. “I’m gonna hit the hay. Whoever leaves last, lock up and send poor Andrews home.” He checked his tactical watch. “Back here at oh-six hundred?”
Omar, Olivia, Trent, and Ryan all muttered their agreement. Leilah raised her hand.
“Yes?” Jake said, tired but faintly amused.
“That’s six o’clock in the morning, right?”
“Correct.”
“You don’t needmeat that unholy hour, do you?”
“No, Leilah.”
“Alhamdulillah,” she whispered with evident relief.
Jake cocked his head toward Omar, but Ryan beat him to the answer.
“It’s the Arabic equivalent of ‘Thank God,’” he explained.
Omar nodded his approval. “Good job, Hayes.”
“Good night, folks,” Jake said, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
He locked eyes with Ryan on his way out the door. “We’ll handle this. Don’t worry.”
“Thanks, boss,” Ryan managed.
They all trailed Jake out of his office. He locked the door and headed for the exit.
Ryan looked at Omar. “You’re both staying at your folks’ place tonight?”
“Yeah. Out of an abundance of caution.”
“Good. You have your piece?”
“What kind of question is that? Of course.” Omar grinned. “Why? You gonna lend me your smiley?”
Despite himself, Ryan laughed at the reference to the punk chain weapon. “It worked, didn’t it?”
“I guess it did.” Omar turned to his sister. “I’m gonna grab a cup of coffee for the road. You want anything?”
“No. I’ll meet you in the parking lot.”
“You want to walk her out while we go find Andrews?” Trent asked Ryan.
“Yeah, thanks.”
Olivia gave Leilah a tight hug and headed off with Trent. Ryan fell into step next to Leilah and they started for the exit.
“Leilah, if Ahmadi’s right and this is my fault—” he began.
