Page 157 of Sheltering You

Conversation stopped.

Nobody breathed.

And then Grant chuckled, kissed her on the forehead, and peered over her head at Dad. “You’re right. She’s fine.”

Which made everybody laugh.

Even Dad, but his smile didn’t last long. He cleared his throat and turned to Michael, who’d come in from outside a moment before. “Your brother wants to talk to us before we eat.”

Michael stepped into the room and took Leila’s hand.

The whole family was there, watching him. Waiting.

“Sorry. Mom said lunch would be another five minutes or so.” Michael looked at her, and she nodded. He scanned the family until he saw Jasmine. “I thought you might want to know what we learned.”

She squeezed Derrick’s hand. “Yes, please.”

“Most of the men we caught aren’t talking, but one of them is young and in the mood to chat. He’s homegrown.” Michael’s lips pressed closed in his trademark smirk, and he shook his head. “Guy’s from Ohio. Born and raised. Part of a terror cell that was called up. His had about twenty men. He didn’t know about the other cells until they all met last night. There were ninety of them from all different places. Qasim activated them all up just for this.”

Derrick slipped his hand around Jasmine’s waist and pulled her close, needing the connection and figuring she did too.

All those men, all that trouble. Just to get her back.

“Any word on the man in the boat?” Grant asked.

Michael focused on Sophie. “Dariush Ghazi was spotted in Portland yesterday afternoon. Our theory is that he either rented or stole a boat. We’re working on confirming that.”

Sophie’s skin paled to match day-old snow.

“Why would he shoot Khalid?” Bryan asked.

“I’m guessing he knew too much.”

“About what?” Derrick looked from Bryan to Sophie to Michael. “I don’t understand. How does all of this go together?”

“We’re not sure yet,” Michael said. “We know Dariush knew you.” He nodded to Jasmine, and then to Leila beside him. “So he must’ve recognized you. Maybe he’d heard Jasmine had a twin or just put it together?”

Leila’s head tipped to the side. “Perhaps that is how Qasim found me in Munich. Perhaps Dariush alerted him.”

“But why?” Jasmine asked. “He is the kind of man who is always working for gain. He must have had a reason.”

Michael shrugged. “When we find him, we’ll ask him. That’s all I know for now.”

“But we’re safe?” Dad clarified. “It’s over?”

“Yeah.” Michael looked from Leila to Jasmine. “There’s nobody else.”

“But what about…” Derrick hated to ask the question, but he wouldn’t be able to rest if he didn’t. He held Jasmine tightly against his side. “What about their father?”

Michael’s lips pressed closed, and his gaze flicked from Leila to Jasmine.

She was the one who answered. “Baba does not have the resources to find us. He went along with his brother and the others, but he was not in charge. You agree, sister?”

Leila nodded. “You knew him better than I did at the end. I trust your judgment.”

“I think we are safe from Baba.” Jasmine squeezed Derrick’s hand. “It is over.”

The room seemed to take a collective breath.