Page 149 of Sheltering You

Derrick was moving toward them across the snow-covered grass.

Aiming his handgun, he was fierce and determined.

“It’s over, Qasim,” Michael said. “Drop it.”

“Now.” That was Grant’s voice. He was behind her.

There were no more gunshots. All was quiet as they waited.

Khalid didn’t bother glancing at any of the men, just glared at her.

“If you wish to survive for your beloved wife,” Jasmine said, “you will do as they say.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Try it. Come on.

The sky grew brighter in the east. Cold wind blew off the Atlantic, but Derrick didn’t feel the chill.

Smoke rose from the house he and his family had built.

The woman he loved stood a yard from the man who would’ve whisked her away forever. The man who would’ve destroyed their home and killed the people who mattered most to him in the world.

Do it.

Derrick knew it was wrong to hope Qasim would defy Michael’s order. But he did hope it.

If Khalid’s gun so much as twitched, Derrick would shoot him.

His head throbbed, but the pain was nothing, nothing compared to the satisfaction of seeing this man defeated.

You should’ve killed me when you had the chance, Qasim.

Live with that.

His finger itched to squeeze the trigger.

Michael and Grant kept their distance, but Derrick didn’t care. He moved in, keeping the terrorist’s head in his sights.

Come on, you pile of…cow dung. Do it.

But Khalid hadn’t lived so many years—and the guy had more wrinkles than the prunes he ate for breakfast—by being stupid.

He tossed his handgun to the side, maybe afraid Jasmine would grab it and finish him off.

Derrick managed to stifle his frustration and the string of words that wanted to escape.

“On your knees!” Michael shouted. “Hands behind your head.”

The glare Qasim gave Jasmine could’ve left a bruise. He took a step toward her, saying something in Arabic Derrick didn’t understand.

She didn’t back down. Just stood her ground against this man who’d abused her.

Derrick had never loved her so much.

And he’d never so badly wanted to commit murder.

“Now!” Michael said.