Page 14 of Sheltering You

“Yes.”

“Based on…?”

It took Jasmine a moment to figure out that Derrick was asking for proof of her claim. And she almost supplied it. She’d heard enough stories from Basma, after all. But…

“Do you not believe me?”

“I didn’t say that. I’m just… How old is this friend of yours?”

“About my age. Basma’s mother got cancer when she was pregnant and died a few weeks after Rabie was born. Basma convinced her father to let her remain unmarried so she could devote her life to raising Rabie. She loves him. And he loves her. Basma is the only mother Rabie has ever known—and the only parent he has left.”

“That’s very noble, but I’m confused. You said she lives with a guardian, so I assumed she’s a child. If she’s an adult, why does she need to escape? Can’t she just walk away?”

Derrick hadn’t seemed slow-witted, but his question showed he wasn’t as smart as she’d thought, considering he’d flown the plane that had aided in Jasmine and Leila’s escape from her family.

A moment passed, and then Derrick said, “But, I mean… You couldn’t walk away. You were trapped. Imprisoned. Are you saying this woman is in the same situation?”

“There is security that will prevent her from leaving.”

“I see.” Derrick scrubbed his hand across his jaw. “How old is her little brother?”

“Nine or ten years?”

“She doesn’t have custody?”

“He is with her. Is this what you mean? To have custody is to own, yes?”

“She’s the boy’s legal guardian, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Oh.” His eyes scrunched in confusion. “So…her uncle is?”

“Now, they live with her uncle, and he makes decisions for them.”

“But the half brother will become the boy’s guardian soon?”

“Yes, and he’s evil. You will not help an innocent child escape an evil man?”

“I didn’t say that.” Derrick straightened, scowling. “It’s just… I assume you’re getting your information about this half brother from your friend. But would a judge agree?”

“What judge? There is no judge.”

“I mean, if your friend were to sue for custody⁠—”

Jasmine’s burst of laughter—there was no humor in the sound—cut his words short. “You do not understand anything.”

“Explain it, then.”

“Her half brother is a man. My friend is a woman.”

Derrick didn’t react. He seemed to be waiting for her to continue, as if she hadn’t already said it all.

“He doesn’t have to ask for custody,” Jasmine said. “He is a man. He can do anything he wants. He has all the rights, all the power. She has no say. The child has no say. There is no judge who will question him.”

“Oh, but her father⁠—”

“Is gone.” Jasmine spoke more slowly. Maybe she was speaking too fast, though normally Derrick had no trouble with her accent. “Dari is her brother, so he has authority over her and Rabie.”