Page 100 of Zain

And she would be.

CHAPTER 29

Zain’s pulse plummetedas he watched Dana’s teeth chatter and her muscles spasm. Shock was evident, and he didn’t like it one fucking bit. After removing his gun from the waistband of his pants, he pulled off his shirt and fit it over her head. The light T-shirt wouldn’t do much, but at least it’d give her an extra layer.

She sat on a rock with her back to the dead bodies. They needed to get her to the hospital fast, but he also had to make sure she was well enough to make the trek or they’d need to get a helicopter in despite her protests.

Micha rested her head on Dana’s lap. The dog hadn’t left her side from the moment they’d killed the assassins.

Taschen hung up the phone and stalked back to them. “Rami and Brick are in the parking lot waiting for us. Can you stand?”

Her throat bobbed on a swallow. “Yes.”

“The hell she’s walking,” Zain snapped. Hepassed Taschen his rifle then bent and slipped one arm beneath her knees and his other around her back.

“You can’t carry me the whole way,” she exclaimed, as he lifted her against his chest.

“Sure I can. You weigh nothing.”

“Head north and you can go around the ravine,” Taschen said. “It’ll be easier and a bit quicker.” He whistled to Micha, and she sprang to her feet.

Zain weaved through the branches. Dana curled her body against him, and he held her tighter. She was finally in his arms. The hours she’d been taken had subtracted years from his life. The adrenaline still pushed through his vessels too quickly, still told him he was in fight mode.

And for her he’d never stop fighting.

He’d fight to carry her through this forest to safety. He’d fight to bring justice to the ones who’d hurt her. He’d fight to prove to her how much she meant to him.

Just as long as she was okay. That was all that mattered.

After a few minutes, Taschen and Micha took the lead. Realizing Dana’s head hadn’t moved from his shoulder, panic rooted inside him. “Dana?” he barked, his tone far sharper than he’d intended.

“What’s wrong?” She glanced around.

He relaxed. “You weren’t moving. Scared me.”

“Oh. Sorry. I think I fell asleep.” She squintedwith confusion. Warning struck his heart, and he picked up the pace. Had she lost consciousness? Soon shock would wear off, and not only would she feel more pain, but also any injuries would surface hard and fast.

Her eyes met his. “You’re going to be sore tomorrow. I can walk.”

“I don’t want you to.” What he wanted was to get her to a hospital.

She traced her fingers over his jaw. “Zain, you can relax.”

He swallowed the knot in his throat. He’d never understand how she could see him so easily. He’d spent years—maybe even a lifetime—building a thick armor to conceal the parts he didn’t want seen. He’d gone to war, fought, killed, mourned, and survived.

Yet none of that compared to the crippling fear that’d torn him down when Dana went missing. And she saw it.

He stepped over a fallen tree and tipped his head away from branches, all the while wishing he could form the right words to explain to her that he couldn’t just calm down. He couldn’t articulate himself.

He cleared the gravel from his throat. “I don’t know how to relax, Dana.” He dragged his teeth over his top lip. “I don’t know how to relax, because I’ve never been in this situation.”

Her thumb traced his chin. The only thing thatkept him remotely sane was her gentle strokes. “It’s over now. We’re together. I’m so grateful. I—”

He shook his head. “It’s not over. I have a list of people to fucking kill. I have evidence I need to take to the FBI. I have to find some way to tell my racing brain that they can’t hurt you again.” The last part constricted his heart. He stopped and stared down at her. “Theywon’thurt you again. I promise you. I won’t allow it.”

Tears filled her eyes, and the bright sapphires that’d become his beacon sparkled with adoration and... trust. “I don’t care about any of that. I just want you. Every day. Can you just promise me that?”

He brushed his lips over her furrowed brow, then he kissed her lips. “I promise you that and all the rest, babe.”

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