Page 137 of Sheltering You

“I will.” He flicked a gaze outside then walked toward her. He grabbed the walkie-talkie off the sofa, which she’d forgotten. “Can I trust you to do the same? No running away? Because that won’t work, you know. And then we’ll have to get you back, which will put us all in jeopardy.”

“I understand.” And she did. All that time in prayer, the Lord had given her peace about where she was. These were His people, and He was using them for a purpose. “I trust all of us in God’s hands. I won’t go to Khalid. I promise.”

“Okay. Good.” He held the walkie-talkie out to her.

As she took it, it crackled, and then Daniel’s voice came through. “They’re on the move. Going quiet.”

Derrick stepped close, kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you soon.”

Sophie’s hand slid around her arm. “Come on.”

Most of the women had already gone up. Aside from her and Sophie, only Summer remained. She and Grant seemed to be having some kind of argument.

“This is ridiculous.” Summer’s voice was low but vehement. “You know I’m capable⁠—”

“That’s why I’m assigning you to guard Jasmine.” Grant had that all-business tone he’d used with everyone. “That’s your job.”

“Grant.”

“Summer.” He groaned, and for the first time, Jasmine saw a trace of fear in the warrior’s eyes. “Your job is to guard her”—he nodded toward Jasmine, but he didn’t take his eyes off his wife—“and her.” His hand pressed to Summer’s expanding middle. “Please.” That last word came out imploring.

Sophie tugged Jasmine’s arm, and she shook out of her stupor. She should not be staring. She should not be watching the private moment.

She followed Sophie and the flashlight she carried up the stairs. The hallway was dark, but faint light carried out from a few of the rooms—there were three on each side—and from the steps that had been lowered from the ceiling at the far end.

Sophie led the way into the first bedroom. This one faced the back of the house, away from the sea. In the glow of the narrow flashlight beam, she saw two twin beds.

Jasmine wasn’t surprised when Summer followed her in. “Climb onto the beds, but if I tell you to get down, get on the floor.” She closed the door, locked it, then went to the window. “Turn off the flashlight.”

Sophie did, and the room was shrouded in darkness, no light except what filtered in from outside. It wasn’t much, just enough to show Summer’s baby bump as she stood in front of it—and to glint off the handgun she held.

“You might as well get comfortable,” she said. “We’re going to be here for a while.”

Sophie shifted on the other bed, but Jasmine didn’t want to get comfortable while people she loved put themselves in danger. She slid into her jacket—it was cold thanks to the open window. “I’m so sorry for all of this.”

She wasn’t sure what she expected, but she definitely didn’t expect the tough bodyguard to chuckle.

That had Sophie asking, “What’s funny?”

“Nothing. It’s just that, a couple of years ago… It’s a really long story, but there was this guy who was the relative of a client we were guarding. I knew him, and I knew he was up to no good, and like an idiot, I followed him. By myself, without alerting Grant, who was my partner at the time. The thug knew I was following him, though. I made myself a target. Anyway, it all got way out of control, and I could’ve gotten myself killed. And, in the end, not only myself but Grant. And Bryan.”

“Bryan?” Sophie said. “How did that happen?”

“Like I said, long story. He was incredibly brave. And Grant was…amazing. The point is, I didn’t get us into that on purpose any more than you did this on purpose, Jasmine. I worked as a bodyguard for a long time, and my sister and I were kidnapped once, and… Well, suffice it to say, I’ve been involved in some weird situations, and here’s what I’ve learned: When bad guys do bad things, they’re responsible for the things they do. Maybe you made a mistake, but that doesn’t make you responsible for anything your so-called husband does. Or your friend’s brother or…any of those people. You can only take responsibility for yourself.”

“I am responsible for going to DC and for dragging Derrick along with me.”

“Ha,” Sophie said. “I’m guessing you didn’t exactly have to drag him.”

“He is very kind.”

“Kind?” Sophie asked. “He’s in love.”

“According to Grant, he’s a smitten kitten.” Summer laughed. “I think if you’d asked him to fly you to the moon, he’d have fitted rockets to his jet.”

These two were not nearly as afraid as Jasmine. Or perhaps they used humor to make themselves feel less so. “Did everybody know about Derrick’s feelings?”

“Everybody but you.” Sophie’s tone was gentle. “I’m glad he finally confessed.”