Page 79 of Rescuing You

She knew what he’d say.

Fine. She’d rejoin her sister and wait a little while longer.

She was stepping outside when the locked door opened behind her.

Michael saw her. By the way his lips pinched closed, he wasn’t happy.

“Sorry, I just⁠—”

“Quiet.” He grabbed her upper arm and practically dragged her into the cool night. “You were supposed to stay in the truck.” Despite the low volume, the words seethed.

“I was worried. Is he all right?”

Michael didn’t answer.

When they got to the truck, he opened the rear door. As soon as she was inside, he slammed it and climbed into the driver’s seat.

“What is wrong with you?” she asked.

Jasmine’s gaze flitted from Leila to Michael and back, then she shook her head. Definitely a stop talking look.

Leila held out the paper towels, and Jasmine gave her a tight smile and wiped her hands.

Michael shifted into drive and made his way out of the parking lot onto the street. “Jasmine, will you put in directions to Antalya, please?”

“Sure.” Her sister wiped blood off the phone screen and then tapped the map.

“I thought we were going to Istanbul,” Leila said.

Michael acted as if he hadn’t heard her. “We’ll need an all-night convenience store on the way, if you can find one.”

“Okay.” Jasmine didn’t question him, just did what he directed.

But Leila was confused. “Antalya is the wrong⁠—”

“I have my reasons.” His tone shut her up. “Just like I had my reasons for leaving you in the truck. There were cameras everywhere. Cameras that have now caught you getting out of this vehicle. If anybody has access to those cameras, they’ll know what we’re driving.”

“But they saw you…” Her words were weak as understanding washed over her. What had she done?

“They didn’t know me.” Michael’s words were measured but angry. “The only time they saw me was in the dark at the compound. I’ve been hidden through the checkpoints. And maybe they were looking for Splat, and maybe they’d eventually realize he was the injured man brought in tonight, but only if his ID was scanned. Now, though…” He didn’t finish his thought. Just drove.

“I’m sorry,” Leila said. “I didn’t think.”

He picked up speed as they angled onto a highway.

Jasmine plugged the phone into the truck’s navigation system, and a map came onto the screen.

“Thanks,” he said.

“Is he going to be all right?” Jasmine’s question was gentle but didn’t ease the tension at all.

“He lost a lot of blood,” Michael said, “but maybe if they push fluids…”

“We will pray for him,” Jasmine said.

“I appreciate that.” A few miles passed before he added, “And I appreciate your help. Getting that tourniquet on him might’ve saved his life.”

“Leila drove.”