Page 97 of Rescuing You

But he really wasn’t a tyrant. So he smiled and added, “Does that work?”

“Do we have a choice?” Leila asked.

He tried very hard not to let his frustration show. “You don’t have to come with me.” As if he’d leave them. If they refused, he’d have to drug them and carry them, A-Team style.

Yeah, right.

If they refused, Michael would be trekking over the border into Bulgaria, keeping the twins alive not across four miles of water but across hundreds of miles of rough terrain.

Assuming Derrick could land in Bulgaria. And who knew if he could?

Assuming they didn’t get caught at the border, which they almost certainly would.

“I’ve already arranged for my brother to pick us up in Mytilene. You remember I told you about Derrick?” She nodded, so he added, “He’ll take us back to America.”

She straightened as if the thought of it infused her with courage.

“Private jet,” Michael added. “Not a bad way to travel.”

Leila swallowed. “We will have life jackets?”

“Obviously.” He couldn’t quite keep the frustration out of his voice.

Jasmine stood. “I will change and work on the wig.” To Leila, she said, “Come, sister. He has gotten us this far.”

Instead of following Jasmine back into their room, Leila stepped close to Michael, right into his personal space. She tipped her head back and reached up, sliding a hand around his neck.

Whatever anger he held onto dissipated at her touch. He bent and pressed a kiss to her lips, a light one because they did have to go. And Jasmine was standing right there. And he needed to stay focused.

“I’m sorry for my fear.” Leila stepped back but kept a hand on his chest. “Thank you for listening to me.”

“Sure.” His voice sounded husky and deep and, wow, she could change the direction of his thoughts in a fraction of a second. He cleared his throat. “Next time, let’s try to come to an agreement without all the yelling.”

She smiled and followed her sister toward their room but stopped in the doorway and turned back. “Next time, come with a suggestion instead of a command, and we’ll see what happens.”

The door closed behind her.

Life with Leila was anything but dull.

Michael purchased an inflatable raft, a motor, a motor mount, a fuel container, and three life jackets. The items barely fit in the back of the rented hatchback.

Finally finished gathering all they’d need, Michael navigated to the hotel a little more than an hour after he’d left.

Because Michael had spoken to the station chief in Baghdad, Brock would know to look for him in Turkey. The longer Michael kept up radio silence with his team leader, the worse things would go for him once he was back in the States. If he reached out now, maybe Brock would listen to reason.

Deciding it was worth a try, he dialed.

“Brock here.”

The only member of their team without a call sign—because the man rarely left the safety of his office.

“It’s Wrong.”

“Where are you?” The words were terse and angry.

“Trying to get out of Turkey.”

“March yourself to the nearest consulate, and I’ll get you out.”