Page 114 of Rescuing You

“I don’t know.”

“Guess.”

“Something. Some…retribution.” She gestured toward the window, toward the men they’d left behind. “It is about Iraqis, refugees. People who betrayed Allah.”

“Iraqi Christians?”

“I do not know.”

“How do you think they found your sister?”

“I do not know.”

“What about your father?”

Jasmine’s eyes narrowed. “What about him?”

“Is he involved?”

The door between the rooms—behind Jasmine—inched open, and Leila poked her head in.

Jasmine had no idea her sister was listening.

Michael was tempted to shoo Leila away, but that would only irritate her and silence Jasmine. Instead, he willed Jasmine to hurry and answer the question before her sister’s presence distracted her. Or shut her up.

“Before Mama died,” Jasmine said, “Baba went against Hasan, sometimes. Since then”—again, her hand flicked as if to brush away a fly—“he is weak.”

Leila paused just inside the door, behind Jasmine.

Michael didn’t glance her way. “Did you know your father was going to force Leila to marry Waleed?”

By the way Jasmine’s jaw dropped, that was news to her. The expression shuttered quickly. “Hasan’s idea. Baba…” She shook her head quickly. “Baba’s promises died with Mama.”

“What promises?”

Leila moved.

He didn’t meet her eyes but lifted a finger to silence her.

But since when did Leila ever do anything he asked?

She stepped toward them. “Baba promised to not choose our husbands or force us to marry.” She sat beside her sister on the bed and took her hand. “I’m glad we escaped before he could do it.”

“Yes.” Jasmine’s closed-lipped smile lacked any trace of joy. “I am happy to be here with you.”

“Leila, would you mind waiting in your room, please?” He phrased it like a question, but he needed her out.

“Why?”

“Because I asked you to.”

“That is not⁠—”

“Leila.”

She turned to Jasmine, who said, “It is fine. We are fine.”

Leila huffed and returned to the doorway. She stepped through, and the door closed.