Page 136 of Rescuing You

If Jasmine died, Leila would never forgive him.

If Leila died, it would be all his fault.

And he’d never forgive himself.

“You can’t do this alone,” Bryan said. “Let us help.”

Michael plopped back into the seat. He couldn’t risk Bryan and Derrick to save Leila and Jasmine.

But his brother was right. He couldn’t do this alone. This time, he’d do the right thing. He snatched his phone again and dialed.

This was going to hurt.

“Brock here.” A hum carried through the phone, some kind of an engine.

“It’s Wrong.”

“You bet your life you’re Wrong!” Michael endured his boss’s response, so peppered with obscenities that he moved the phone away from his ear.

Earning raised eyebrows from Bryan.

He waited until Brock paused to take a breath, then jumped in.

“I need your help.” Quickly, he gave his team leader a rundown on what’d happened that morning, including his guess that Waleed Shehab was behind the most recent ambush and kidnapping. “I can’t get them back by myself.”

“You finally figured that out?”

“You were right, okay? Is that what you want me to say?” Anger infused his words, but he wasn’t mad at Brock.

He was mad at himself for proving Brock right.

And for messing everything up.

“You were right. About all of it.” Michael’s tone sounded harsh and impudent. He took a breath and started again. “I was an arrogant jerk who thought I didn’t need help, and because I disobeyed you and broke all the rules, I’ve gotten the woman I love kidnapped—again. And myself shot. I’m lucky to be alive. And I need your help. Please.”

He held his breath. No matter what Brock said—no matter what cruel words, or arrogant tone, or snide remarks—Michael would control his tongue. He’d be humble. He’d beg if he had to.

“They’re with Shehab now?” Brock asked.

“I think so. I have a location. And Shehab’s laptop, by the way, which I’ll hand over. Any chance there’s a team nearby? Athens or Turkey, someone who can be here⁠—”

“Hold on.” The connection was muffled, but he heard Brock shout, “How long?” A moment later, he came back to Michael. “We land in four.”

“Where?”

“There. Of course.”

“What? Why are you⁠—?”

“Been watching your brother’s plane.”

Oh.

Of course Brock knew about Derrick’s charter business. He was one step ahead of Michael. Even so… “Here? You’re coming here? In four…hours?”

“Minutes. Figured you might need our help. Would’ve been there sooner, but we had an op.”

Relief washed over him. Thank You, God.