Page 54 of Zain

With Isaad dead, it was unlikely the CIA could infiltrate another undercover agent. Zain was the perfect candidate because of his military background and his coloring, which allowed him to blend more easily with locals.

The intel they’d received in recent months indicated Jabar had a major attack planned—something Zain could’ve prevented.

“Thank you for meeting with us today. We’ll talk soon.” Roger clicked off, but not without striking annoyance in Zain.

Maxine’s stern face dominated the screen. “Well, that had to be done. But I wish we had more information.”

Zain was over talking about Afghanistan. He had a more pressing matter now. “Did you find out anything about the intruder in Dana’s apartment last night?”

“Ah, yes. We had some agents check it out with local law enforcement. They’ve dusted for prints, and there’s an investigation. Sadly, he was long gone before they got there. But I think there’s a connection between the attack and your work overseas, so this is a high-priority case.”

He nodded slowly.

“If there’s anything useful that comes to mind regarding Jabar, call me.” She said goodbye and disconnected.

Zain tossed his phone to the couch cushion next to him and looked at the bedroom door.

Dana leaned against the doorjamb, her arms crossed in that damn robe he wanted to tear off her. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but that didn’t sound good.”

“It sucked.” He reclined on the couch andopened his arms. She glided across the bronze-colored carpet, and when she went to sit next to him, he pulled her onto his lap. “How’s your arm?” He pushed up her sleeve and carefully peeled back the bandage. A scab had formed, and there was no sign of infection. He sealed it back up.

“Sore but okay.” She sat across his thighs and leaned her shoulder into the crook of his arm. “I’m sorry about your phone call. They should have told you how incredible you are. Most people wouldn’t have survived as long as you did, let alone escape and rescue a civilian.”

He chortled. “I don’t think they give a shit about either of those things.”

Her palm cradled his face, and her ardent, glistening eyes shook him. “I do.” She brushed her lips over his, and he deepened the kiss.

Slowly, he pulled away and held her chin with the crook of his finger. “I’d do it all over again.” He dropped another kiss on her lips and pulled away before he got lost in her. “I told Rami I’d swing by the office today. Want to come? After I call my mom, of course. She’s probably worried after I left so abruptly last night.”

She smiled. “Sure.”

CHAPTER 17

Dana walked throughthe familiar building—glass walls, marble floor, sleek lines—with Zain’s arm brushing hers. It felt as if she’d been away for an eternity, even though it’d been only days.

She stepped into the elevator. Before coming downtown, they’d stopped at her apartment so she could change clothes. She’d dressed in jeans, a pale-blue blouse, and flats. Every muscle in her body hurt after the attack yesterday, and comfort was all she was going for right now.

That was a lie.

If Zain weren’t here checking her out as often as he did, she’d have worn jogging pants and a tank top.

Just walking through the door of her home had made her sick to her stomach. The air had still been charged with the attacker’s energy and the room tainted with Dana’s fear.

She didn’t know if she could ever live thereagain.

A place that had once been so safe and comforting was now the setting of a sordid nightmare come to life. She’d feel his presence in the walls forever.

“Which floor?” Zain hovered his fingers over the buttons.

“Um, twenty.”

He jabbed the number with a thick, long finger. And good lord, that action alone made delicious heat crawl up her neck, sparking the memory of how capable his fingers were. His gaze met hers as if he’d read the direction of her mind.

“What?” She wet her lips to offset the blush warming her cheeks.

A slow smile curved his mouth, and he tugged on a chunk of her hair. “You, that’s all.” His smile faded.

“What about me?” She poked him gently in the abs but didn’t move away from his closeness. A dark cloud of worry, or maybe it was regret, always hovered near Zain. So if she’d done something to make him smile, she wanted to keep doing it.

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