Page 44 of Zain

Just friends.

Did friends kiss like he’d kissed her a few nights ago? Would a friend make her belly tighten or give her that heated look?

It didn’t matter. She couldn’t argue with herself. If he just wanted to be friends, well then that’s all they’d be. “Okay.”

His fingers caught her wrist, and a gentleness filled his golden eyes. “We might be friends, but I’ll never see you as just that.”

Her cheeks flamed, and her mouth popped open, but before a question could fly out, he slidfrom the car.

Great. Now she was even more confused than she’d been a few seconds ago—and she had to meethis momfor freak’s sake. She climbed out and walked toward the front steps.

“Zain!” A woman with dark hair pulled into a low bun came running out of the house wiping her hands on an apron. Fine lines and wrinkles creased her forehead and the skin around her eyes, but probably more from the emotion twisting her delicate features than age.

She flew down the steps with the litheness of a ballet dancer and gathered Zain in her arms. He pulled her into a hug. He towered over the woman; her head barely reached his chest. “Hi, Mom.”

The woman sobbed and pulled away, swatting his arm. “Hi, Mom?You’ve been gone three years.”

A dark cloud passed over Zain’s face, and guilt flashed in his eyes. Dana wished she could erase that pain. As much as she understood the woman’s torment, her son had suffered too. Part of her wanted to scream the truth of what he’d been doing, but it wasn’t her place.

“I know. I’m sorry.” He squeezed her shoulder. “I’m home now, and I’m not going anywhere.”

She wrapped her arms around him again. “I’m proud of you. Dad would be so happy you made it back.”

Her eyes shifted around Zain’s arm, and herwatchful amber irises, so much like Zain’s, took Dana in. She moved away from her son and pulled Dana into a hug. “Rami told me what you did, sweetheart. Thank you for finding my boy.”

Dana hugged her back, warmed by her words. “He saved my life. You’ve got a great son, Mrs. Mitry. Two, I should say.”

She beamed. “Call me Greta.”

The screen door squeaked shut just as Zain’s mom pulled away. Dana glanced toward the porch to find Ivy and Rami standing at the top of the stairs. Micha, Rami’s dog, came bounding down the steps. She skidded to Dana’s feet then sniffed and licked her hands as she ran circles around her.

“Hiya, girl!” Dana scratched Micha behind her ears.

Sometimes it was hard to believe Micha’s story. Gigi was kidnapped several months ago, and Micha had been the captor’s dog. The pit-bull mix had immediately taken a liking to Gigi and protected her, earning her a permanent place with Rami. August hadn’t been able to keep her, and Rami had always wanted a dog. Now Micha spent her days going everywhere with Rami and Ivy and getting more walks and attention than she knew what to do with at the office.

Ivy had her arms wrapped around Rami’s waist, and his arm rested on her shoulders. They laughed as Micha gave Zain a quick sniff then darted off to chase a squirrel.

“Welcome home, man.” Rami stepped out of Ivy’s hold and moved quickly down the steps.

Rami closed his eyes as he hugged Zain, who stood maybe an inch taller than his brother, if that. Both men were enormous. Both equally as threatening.

Rami had a perpetual scowl, although he smiled a lot more when Ivy was around. The vertical tattoo over his eye gave him an edgy look.

But Zain—everything about him screamed silent authority. The way he walked, the way he stood, even the way he breathed seemed to draw attention. Rami greeted Dana and then introduced Zain to Ivy.

Ivy came down the steps tentatively, as if not wanting to interrupt the reunion. She quickly hugged Zain. “I’ve heard so much about you. I’m glad you’re finally home.”

Zain thanked her and drilled his brother with a glare. “Looks like I missed a lot.” He touched the skin over his own eye. “What’s with the face tat?”

“That’s for you,” Ivy said, her voice bold.

Zain narrowed his eyes to read the Arabic writing. His face softened, and he cupped Rami’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I was gone for so long.”

Rami’s face was somber. “I’m just glad you’re alive. That’s all that matters.”

Greta clapped her hands together. “Well. Let’s go inside for lunch.”

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