Page 64 of Rescuing You

Which was so far from the truth.

If she were discovered in the arms of an American CIA agent…

He didn’t want to think about what they’d do to her.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Leila was afraid to breathe.

Boots stomped, each footstep pounding inside her.

“Open it!”

Please, God. Please…

The squeak of nails against wood, and she cringed, knowing they would be exposed. Or Jasmine would.

But no additional light filtered into their small compartment.

“It’s just furniture.” Omar’s voice sounded from only inches away. “I think those boxes contain clothes.”

More pounding, a thump. Tearing.

“No, my friend,” Omar said. “Please don’t ruin the boxes. You tell me what you want opened, and I’ll open it.”

“That one.”

“Yes, okay.” Another loud squeak, meaning it was a crate. Theirs? Jasmine’s?

“Only a table,” Omar said. “I think all the crates are furniture.”

“You think?” The soldier’s voice was gruff and commanding. “You do not know?”

Splat spoke in English. “Can I help? I can tell them what’s inside.”

Omar translated.

A smack sounded so close that Leila gasped.

Michael pressed her face against his chest and held her there, muffling her mouth in his T-shirt.

She’d resent it if she hadn’t almost given them away.

“This one,” a soldier demanded.

Splat said, “That’s a bookshelf,” and Omar translated.

The soldier indicated another box, and Splat told them what was in it, adding, “If I remember correctly.”

Omar translated.

The sound of tearing cardboard followed.

“Hey, now,” Splat said. “You’re gonna get me in trouble.”

Again, Omar translated.

One of the soldiers laughed.