Page 47 of Zero Hour

CHAPTER 18

Jasmine cleared away the remnants of supper, loaded the dishwasher, and went to sit in the living room. It was where she felt closer to Patrick.

She flipped through the channels, until she landed on a romance movie. It was halfway through, but she put it on anyway. Was he watching her now?

Her gaze drifted around the room. The camera wouldn’t be in an obvious place, but they would have had to feed it in from the outside. Her eyes tracked up the wall where the cables ran, lingering.

It was strange, but she swore she could feel his gaze on her. That warm, intense stare, studying her, clocking her every move.

She ran a hand through her hair, letting the strands fall loosely over her shoulders. The thought of his eyes on her made her shiver. Not with fear, but with something far more alluring.

Curling her legs beneath her, she tried to focus on the movie. It didn’t work. Not when she could sense his presence around her.

This was crazy. She was being held hostage in a terrorist’s house, and she was fantasizing about the rugged, broodingprivate security operator spying on her through a hidden camera.

She let out a shaky breath. Tomorrow she’d see him again. If everything went according to plan and Amir allowed her to stay home, Patrick’s team would be able to plant the listening device. Then, hopefully, they’d be able to figure out what the target was and stop the unthinkable from happening.

Then, she and Ryan would be free.

Please let everything go as planned.

The study door opened. She tensed as voices spilled into the corridor. A moment later, Amir entered the living room.

“What are you watching?” he asked.

“Nothing special,” she said lightly, hoping it would deter him.

It didn’t.

Instead of taking the armchair like he usually did, he sat beside her on the sofa. She uncrossed her legs, shifting uncomfortably.

Riad hovered in the doorway. “I’m going to bed.”

Jasmine caught the smug smirk he shot her before disappearing.

Her stomach turned. This was not good. Amir was up to something, she could tell. Riad’s warning from before flitted through her mind.

Your days are numbered.

She forced a yawn, stretching her arms lazily. “I’m tired. I’m going to turn in.”

She got to her feet but before she could step away, Amir’s hand clamped around her wrist. “Not yet. Stay with me for a while.”

Her pulse pounded against her ribs. “Amir, I have a headache. I really should lie down.”

The pressure on her wrist left no room for argument. “I said stay.”

Slowly, she sank back onto the couch, her skin crawling where he touched her. Not like when Patrick had laid his hand against her cheek. Then, all she’d wanted to do was nuzzle into him, let his safeness engulf her, if only for a moment, so she could forget this nightmare she was living.

A tense silence stretched between them. Amir turned his dark eyes onto hers.

“I’ve made no secret of my feelings for you,” he murmured. “I’ve been incredibly lenient. It’s time you paid me back.”

Her heart stopped.

Lenient? Was he kidding?

You’re holding me prisoner, you bastard.

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