Page 24 of Zain

Interest sparked Brick’s eyes, but he didn’t appear affronted by Dana’s refusal. “Sounds good. It’s about a twenty-minute drive.” With that, Brick strode back to the SUV and got in.

Zain waited for Dana to get into the passenger seat, then passed her a bottle of water before shifting into drive and following Brick onto the main road. “You okay?” he asked, after several minutes of silence.

Maybe his people skills were improving.

He flicked his attention her way as she dropped her head back against the seat.

“I feel oddly alert. Exhausted, but I don’t think I could sleep.”

He brought his focus back to the taillights ahead of him. “That makes sense. You’re still running on adrenaline. Probably in shock.”

“Do you think Jaysh will continue to pursue us now that we’ve crossed the border?”

The same question was nestled in the back of his mind. He wanted to reassure her, but there was no knowing to what depths Jaysh would go to find them. Not only had he killed off a chunk of their team in one night, but he’d been working undercover. He’d bet his head was their top priority. And Dana’s—collateral damage. “I think it’s wise to assume they will. The sooner we get back to the US, the better off we’ll be.”

Dana sighed, and her hand covered his. “Youmean that? You’re coming home?”

He scrunched the corner of his mouth and had to fight to keep his eyes off the hope dancing on her face. “What else would I do?”

She shrugged. Her hand stayed on his knuckles, and the cool softness of her skin made him want to turn over his palm and fit her hand in his. “I dunno.” Her tone suggested she had a theory in mind.

He raised his eyebrows. “Go on. What’d you think I was going to do?”

She wrapped her long, dark locks behind her ear and tucked her chin. Once again, he tore his gaze back to the road before he rear-ended Brick’s SUV.

“I didn’t know if you’d want to leave.”

“Well, if I had the choice, I’d finish my mission. But that’s not the hand I was dealt. So I’d be stupid to stay here when everyone on the street—and probably some crooked law enforcement too—wants my head on the chopping block.”

She scoffed, and it sounded like a hiss. “Don’t talk like that.”

“It’s true. But it’s not going to happen.”

“I won’t let it,” she stated solemnly.

He turned his head away a fraction so she wouldn’t see the smile her vow had invoked. Hell, it was the first time he’d smiled genuinely in a long time, and it felt good. Human. Imagining this cutie going toe-to-toe with Jaysh was unsettling at theleast. But her desire to protect him—that was endearing as hell. “That reminds me.” He let his gaze drift toward her earnest eyes. “You’ve got quite the fighting skills. Where’d you learn that?”

This time, she was the one who steered her face away. “Um, well. That’s a long story. Prior to working for Backcountry, I was an FBI analyst.” She inhaled. “And before that, a field agent. So I’ve had training. Honestly, after that fight I think I need a refresher course.”

“You did fine.” FBI. Interesting. With the skills he’d witnessed he’d assumed she had some type of law enforcement background. But picturing her as an FBI agent both agitated his nerves and made his dick hard.

She scoffed. “I was on my ass with a gun to my throat before you showed up.”

He grunted. “You did better than most. But if you want, when we get stateside, we can spar a little.” The suggestion made desire swim inside him.

The thought of seeing Dana in less clothing, sweaty and swinging at him, made his dick twitch. It was too dark to read her face, but her lowered eyes told him her thoughts might have gone in the same direction.

Or he’d made her uncomfortable. Fuck.

“Sure. But I hope never to fight for my life again.”

Zain clenched the steering wheel. Dana musthave a guardian angel watching over her. She’d fought for her life more times in the last twelve hours than any woman should have to.

And if he stuck around, she’d never have to again.

***

“It’s just forone night.”

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