Page 55 of Zain

He brought his arm around her waist, covering the small of her back with his palm. “You made leaving everything I worked so hard for easy.” The words drifted from his lips like leaves in the wind. Soft and wistful. “And I don’t understand that.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a badthing.”

The elevator dinged, and a smile returned to his lips, this one more generous than the first. “It’s a good thing, babe.” The doors whooshed open, and they were greeted by the expansive space of Backcountry Protection Services.

Black walls with wainscotting and white marble counters and accents made the ambiance modern yet comfortable. Oversized cream-colored chairs opposite a coffee bar sat adjacent to the floor-to-ceiling window, creating a cozy waiting nook.

Theclick,click,clickof Micha’s nails on the hardwood floor brought a smile to Dana’s lips. “Hiya, girl.” She patted the dog’s head then reached for the treat jar on the counter. Knowing the guys, Micha had probably already had her daily walk and treat, but she always snuck a little extra for Rami’s sweet dog.

“Nice to see you again.” Zain held out his hand, and Micha sniffed it excitedly, her tail wagging.

“She likes you. Did Rami tell you she was rescued from the cartel that took Gigi a few months back?”

“No, he didn’t. Poor thing.” He scratched behind Micha’s ears, and the dog’s tongue hung out of her mouth as she squirmed with ecstasy beneath his touch.

I hear ya, girl. He has that effect on me too.

The receptionist, Pearl, stood and rounded the front desk. Her gray hair was styled in corkscrew curls, and her black-framed glasses sat low on her nose. She ran the office like a stern grandmother. “Dana, we’re so glad you’re home safe.”

Dana gave Pearl a hug and thanked her. “This is Zain,” she said, pulling away. “I’m sure that’s the only introduction needed. Zain, this is Pearl. She’s pretty much the boss here, so you’ll want to stay on her good side.”

Pearl covered her mouth with her hands, and tears shone in her milky blue eyes. “Oh, dear. I told myself not to cry. I’m just so happy you’re here.” She sniffed. “You look so much like Rami.”

Zain smiled awkwardly and reached out to shake her hand. “It’s my pleasure, Pearl. Thanks for keeping my brother on the right track while I was away.” He glanced around with a hint of awe in his eyes.

“Well, I hear the boys are hiring, and I bet you’d be the perfect fit.” Pearl winked. “Rami’s nine o’clock just left. He’s conversing with the others, but he told me to send you in when you got here.” She looked at Dana. “Boardroom A, love.”

“Thanks, Pearl.” Dana pulled Zain’s hand and steered him down the hall. Stopping at the boardroom door, she knocked.

Several of the guys glanced at her through the window, and then the door opened. August stood there beaming. “Hey, glad you made it home.” Hisfriendly green eyes flashed with curiosity as he reached his hand toward Zain.

“August is the one who practically insisted I take on your case,” Dana explained. “If it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t have had the urge to fly to Afghanistan.”

“Yousuggested she go?” Taschen bolted up from the far end of the table.

Dana closed her eyes to steady her breath. Of course Taschen would be here. She hadn’t seen him before opening her mouth. He’d been working last night and hadn’t made it to their parents’ house, so this was the first time she’d seen him since getting back.

He looked just as menacing as always, the jagged scar on his cheek announcing he’d faced a knife a time or two. Not to mention the chunk of hair missing from the side of his head. He kept that area shaved. A bullet had grazed his skull while he was protecting Gigi a few months ago. Thankfully, he’d recovered and wasn’t suffering any serious long-term problems other than being a major pain in her ass.

“Let’s give Zain a warm welcome, shall we?” She glared daggers at her brother but to no avail. Taschen’s wrath was locked and loaded on August.

Dana entered the room and sat in one of the rolling black leather chairs as Zain shook hands with everyone.

“And you already met Brick,” Rami said. “Toth here is my business partner, and Ghost only works select cases for us.”

Toth smiled, and his gray eyes sparked with welcome. “Happy to have you back, dude. We’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Thanks,” Zain said.

Ghost reached across the table to shake Zain’s hand, his arm long and sinewy. Tattoos embossed his skin from his knuckles to his short sleeve and disappeared beneath his white tee. He didn’t smile at her or Zain. She didn’t think she’d ever seen him smile.

His smoke-colored eyes made unease shift inside her. There was something cold and detached about the man. If she didn’t know any better, she’d expect to find him on America’s Most Wanted list. His black hair and rich, thick, close-trimmed beard accentuated his perilous stare.

Taschen came to Dana’s side and folded her into his embrace. She rested her cheek against his sternum like she’d done countless times. He’d always been so much taller than her. Funny thing was he seemed just as big to her now as he had when she was eight and he was eleven. “Sorry, sis. But please. Don’t fucking do that again.”

She patted his arm and pulled away. “For your information, nearly dying several times put a bad taste in my mouth. I have no intention of going back to Afghanistan.”

“Good,” he grumbled. He didn’t back away.

---