Page 99 of Zain

Warm, strong hands scooped her up. Zain’sscent, warm and masculine, pine and spice, filled her nostrils.

She buried her face in the security of his neck. Tears ran down her cheeks, but these were different. Their taste didn’t fill her with horror. Their sting was filled with gratitude instead of violent fear. “Oh my god. How?” was all she could muster.

His hand, so large and firm, cradled the back of her head. “It’s okay. I’m here. It’s over.” His voice trembled as if he spoke the words more to convince himself than her. “Goddammit, your hands.” He cursed again and unsheathed his knife. She watched as the blade disappeared behind her back.

A second later, he gently pulled off the duct tape and her fingers tingled as though millions of little nails were stabbing her skin. She rolled her shoulders. Zain held her against his chest and massaged her wrists and forearms until the burning sensation eased.

He pulled back a few inches, and his eyes probed her face. His hands traced her body. “You’re bleeding.”

She couldn’t respond. A sob tore from her throat, and her lips trembled. Concern flashed across his face. Taschen was there, hovering close.

Zain quickly seized her arm. “She’s bleeding a lot,” he said to Taschen.

In seconds, her brother had cut off a large strip of his shirt and wrapped it tightly aroundthe wound. She hissed as he knotted the material, but the pressure took away the sting.

“We should call a helicopter.” Zain’s grave, worry-lined statement made her immediately shake her head.

“No. I’m o-okay.”

“It’ll probably be faster if we get on the move now,” Taschen said. “I’ll get ahold of Rami and call for an ambulance.”

Zain’s arms enveloped her. “I’m going to check you for more injuries. I think you’re in shock.” The strong, gritty rumble of his words soothed the constriction around her heart, but nothing he could say would be better than him holding her.

His fingers moved along her spine then her neck and around her head. The examination was similar to the one he’d conducted on the plane.

Taschen’s voice sounded in the background. Authority coated his words as he spoke to whoever was on the phone.

Zain pulled back and ran his thumb over her cheekbone. “They hit you?”

She nodded. “Yeah. A few times. And I f-fell. I’m fine. Just, my head is pounding.”

He touched her lip, and she winced. “Hit you there too.” His mouth slashed into an angry line. “Motherfucker.”

She caught his wrist. “I’ll live. And you already took care of them.”

He turned over her hand and touched her pinkie.Somehow the make-shift bandage was still intact. As soon as her attention fell on the appendage, it throbbed. “He—” She wet her lips. “My fingernail.”

Zain cursed a blue streak and reached to undo the material she’d wrapped around it.

“Don’t. It’s okay. It’s just a nail.”

“They fucking hurt you,” he spat. Despair contorted his face. “I’m so fucking sorry, Dana.” Moisture collected at the corners of his eyes, and the sight of his pain undid her.

She threw herself at his chest. “You saved me. You’re everything to me, Zain,” she whispered. “Knowing you’d come for me... that’s what made me fight.”

He caught her chin, tilting her head a fraction, and his eyes ensnared hers. “No, you’re alive because you’re you. Because you’re smart and courageous... And god, I love you.”

She pressed her palm against his cheek, and appreciation soared inside her. He’d done everything for her. Had fought for her when she was a prisoner, had risked his career and reputation to keep her safe.

The emotions inside her were like water in an overflowing glass. She couldn’t contain them but also couldn’t verbalize exactly what was in her heart. It was too big for words. Too big to hold down. “I love you too.”

Zain gently swiped his thumb beneath her eye.His lips pressed against her forehead. “Let’s get you home.”

A minute later, her brother’s hand touched her back. “Sis.” The simple nickname transported her through time. To a place where Taschen had scared off boys and beat up bullies. Her first protector. She threw her arms around his neck, and he tucked his face into her hair.

“Thank god you’re okay,” he wheezed.

Locking her gaze on Zain over her brother’s shoulder, she smiled. “I am now.”

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