Page 66 of Rescuing You

And it would be Leila’s fault.

She couldn’t look. She covered her face with her hands. Please, God. Please.

From farther away, someone shouted, “It’s clean. Let’s go.”

The fingertips disappeared.

Footsteps pounded again, and then the van’s floor shifted.

Had they jumped off?

“Go.” Omar’s voice was low but vehement. “I’ll take care of this.”

The engine rumbled.

Michael wrapped her in his arms and braced himself a second before the tires rolled.

Just like that, it was over.

She pressed her cheek against his chest and reveled in the sound of his racing heartbeat.

She knew exactly how he felt.

They traveled twenty minutes in silence, the van not slowing at all, which told Leila they were on the highway out of the city.

Splat and his friend had talked about the tense moment, making jokes to cover their own nerves, she thought.

Even after they turned the radio back on, she and Michael were silent. Leila didn’t know why he hadn’t said anything as he’d holstered his weapon and held her close.

For her part, she couldn’t help thinking of all the things that could have happened.

But didn’t.

Thank You, Lord. Thank You.

The van slowed and, a moment later, turned. After a few more turns, Splat thanked his friend, and a door opened and closed before the van moved again.

“All clear,” Splat called. “Everybody okay?”

“We’re good,” Michael said. “Is it okay for us to get out?”

“Yup.”

He smiled at her. “If you’ll shift to one side, I’ll try to get that door open.”

But she’d seen how it worked. She leaned behind her and flicked the latch.

The door swung open, and sweet, sweet air spilled in.

She hadn’t realized how hot she was until the cooler air hit her sweat-covered skin. She climbed over Michael’s bag and stepped into the cargo area.

It was filled with boxes and crates, so many that there was barely room to stand. She had to squeeze between stacks in order to make room for Michael to get out.

“You all right?” he asked.

“Better now.”

He called, “Jasmine?”