Page 56 of Zain

“Thanks for keeping her safe,” Taschen said stiffly to Zain. “I didn’t give you the warmest welcome, but we’re all grateful you’re alive. Rami made sure we all worked to see you return.”

Zain nodded solemnly. “I appreciate that. And if I have any say in the matter, Dana won’t put herself in a similar situation again.”

Taschen’s gaze sparked with awareness, and he dropped his attention to Dana questioningly. Before she could squirm, August piped up.

“Rami said you were attacked at your place,” August said, rolling out a chair for her. “What happened?”

She lowered herself into the seat and then waited for Zain and the others to sit before quickly recapping what had happened.

Toth leaned back, arms crossed. Taschen, Rami, and Brick all looked pissed. Ghost’s expression didn’t change, even when she described nearly being stabbed.

“Well, you’ve been back in the US for barely twenty-four hours,” Taschen said. “Clearly the attack is related to Jaysh, but what the hell? How’d they’d find you so fast?”

“That’s my question,” Zain growled. He looked at Brick. “Did you tell them about the situation with Ali?”

He gave a curt nod. “Everything. Mind you, only Rami knows Ali, and not very well.”

“We met once while I was stationed overthere,” Rami said. “Didn’t really like the guy.”

Brick lifted a shoulder. “I doubted his business legitimacy, but otherwise I trusted him.” The corners of his mouth turned down. “Not anymore.”

“Obviously he was working with Jaysh,” Taschen said. “So who put the hit out on my sister? Ali or Jaysh? Because both of them had reason.”

“Ali probably has more connections in the US,” Toth said. “My bet’s on him. And I’m sure Jaysh was happy to fund the assassin.”

The men talked, throwing around ideas about how to track down the assassin before he struck again.

There was too much masculinity in the room. Dana would rather be chilling with Pearl. She also didn’t want to think about her attacker returning. Undoubtedly that was his plan, but she couldn’t stand the idea of looking over her shoulder.

A cold sweat coated her palms, and she moved her hands away from the glass tabletop before she left prints. The reality was that the assassin had a job to do and wouldn’t stop until it was accomplished.

Ten minutes later, Toth rocked forward in his seat. “Rami, Ghost, and August,” he said, resting his elbows on the desk, “I want you guys to work with Zain on locating the assassin. Taschen and Brick, stick around. We’ve got a potential high-priority client we need to discuss.”

Taschen swiveled his gaze to his boss. “Shouldn’t I be on Dana’s case?”

“Technically it’s Zain’s case, considering he’s the one who pissed off Jaysh.” Ghost lifted a shoulder as he looked at Dana. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Ghost wasn’t wrong. The reason the assassin was after her was because she’d gotten involved in Zain’s business overseas. But clearly Taschen saw only her in the path of a tornado.

“Someone tried to kill her last night,” Taschen snapped. “Maybe it’s best if she’s with family.”

Dana fought the urge to roll her eyes. Zain looked amused.

“Enough.” Rami’s command settled the room. “You heard Toth. Come on. We’ll leave these boys the room. August, Ghost, Zain, and Dana, you’re welcome to discuss this further in my office.”

The three of them stood and went to the door, but Taschen caught her arm before she could leave. “I want you to stay with me until this blows over.”

Dana let her arm hang loosely in his grasp. Discord palpitated in the air between them. Taschen was just as capable of keeping her safe as any man in this room. But she couldn’t leave Zain. Wouldn’t. Not even to appease her brother.

He must’ve anticipated her answer because that knowingness returned to his eyes, far too similar to hers. “Is that okay with you?”

Jerk. He had her backed into a corner, and he knew it. Stifling the urge to flick the scar on his head, she turned her attention to her right, where Zain stood. Although his focus was on August, who was speaking to him, the muscle jumping in his jaw told her he was listening to Taschen.

Moving her gaze back to Taschen, she smiled. “Thanks. I appreciate it. But I’m good where I am.”

His eyebrow hooked. “And where’s that?”

“At a hotel.” She cleared her throat. “With Zain.”

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