Page 91 of Rescuing You

That got a laugh. “Just one? I’ll put it on your tab.”

That morning before he’d left the hotel, he’d knocked on the unlocked door separating his room from the twins’ and, when he got no response, peeked in—just to make sure Leila and Jasmine were there. He figured Jasmine would be, but he wouldn’t put it past his girlfriend to go out for coffee or croissants, even though he’d expressly told her not to leave the safety of the room.

Probably should have asked, not told. He’d work on that. Hopefully, she’d work on not pushing back on his every…suggestion? Fine, order.

He could practically hear his mother’s voice.

You order your girlfriend around? No wonder you haven’t given me grandchildren.

If Mom knew enough about Michael’s life to make the statement, at least she’d say it with a smile.

But Michael hadn’t told his family about Leila. He’d become so accustomed to keeping secrets, he’d started keeping them even when they didn’t matter.

Leila and Jasmine had still been sound asleep.

He’d left a note on the dresser closest to the door, suggesting they order breakfast from room service (translation: stay put) and promising to be back soon.

Not wanting to risk driving the pickup any farther, he’d rented a beat-up hatchback that might actually make it all the way to the northwest corner of the country.

After that, he’d stopped at a bazaar—a bizarre bazaar, considering how chaotic the place was, but he’d found almost everything he needed. It’d taken a few more stops to get the rest.

His burner phone rang, and he read the number, then looked around to confirm there was nobody within earshot. “Thanks for calling back.”

“I’d have picked up last night, but…whose number is this?” Derrick, Michael’s youngest brother, sounded as happy-go-lucky as always.

“Long story.” Michael had called the night before, then again this morning. Well, morning for him, but… “What time is it where you are?”

“It’s about four.”

“What are you doing up so early?”

“A flight. What’s up?”

Michael’s heart sank. “Are you out of town, or⁠—?”

“I’m home. Just walked in the door and headed to bed. Your message said to call any time. You need something?”

“Any chance you can fly into Turkey?”

“Uh… Say that again? I think I heard you wrong.”

“I need a ride. From Antalya.”

“You’re in Turkey?” Now, Derrick’s pitch rose. “What are you doing⁠—?”

“It’s important. We need a ride out of here ASAP. Can you, or can’t you?”

“Does this have anything to do with why you were acting so weird at the party?”

“I wasn’t acting weird. I was fine.”

“You were distant and distracted, and then you took off without a word.”

Michael picked up a faint tapping in the background.

“Not that anybody else noticed,” Derrick added, his voice taking on a dreamy tone. “But you know me, always watching you, trying to emulate your awesomeness. I can’t help it. I idolize you.”

“Whatever, idiot.” Michael felt the grin as he hobbled toward the hotel. “Can you or not?”