Page 32 of Zain

Dana shifted her weight to one side and lifted her gaze to Zain. His eyes darkened a fraction, and a bell of warning rang inside her.

“Great. Brick and Dana, you’ll ride with me. Zain, feel free to rest your eyes in peace while Darrian drives your vehicle.”

Dana jerked her gaze to Zain then Brick, and her heart beat in double time. Zain had made it clear that she was to stick by him at all costs—what the hell was Ali doing?

Brick tilted his head and looked puzzled. Zain stepped forward, dominating their circle. He stared down at Ali, and his body vibrated.

Zain clamped his hand around Dana’s wrist and hauled her to his side. “She stays with me.”

Dana rested her hand on Zain’s ripped abdomen. His muscles were prominent beneath his shirt, and his skin radiated heat.

Ali laughed lightly. “No threat, my friend. You’re free to ride with whoever you want.”

Zain’s glare shifted to Brick then back to Ali. “Like I said, she stays with me.”

Brick cleared his throat awkwardly. Dana searched her friend’s face. Even Brick seemed put off by Ali’s suggestion. They locked eyes, and everything in Brick’s demeanor told her to stand down.

She swallowed as the tension in their circle amplified.

Brick elbowed Zain. “It’s all good, man. You and Dana chill together, and Ali and I will chat.” His response far too lighthearted for the moment, considering the blaze of fury coming off Zain.

His hand moved to her waist, locking her in place against him.

Not that she’d planned on moving. Something was going on, and she was no longer eager to get in the SUVs. She wet her lips, watching the silent exchange between the two men facing off.

Then Ali took a page from Brick’s book and laughed. “Everyone must be exhausted. It’ll be nice to get home, I’m sure. Why don’t we get on the road?”

Brick followed Ali into the back of an SUV. Then Darrian, their driver, opened the passenger door and motioned for Zain and her to get inside.

She hesitated. Something wasn’t right. Ali was acting as cool as a cucumber, but there wasn’t a logical reason for Zain to ride by himself, as he’d suggested.

“Did you sweep the vehicle?” Zain asked the guard.

Darrian frowned. “Yes, sir.” He spoke English with a bit of an accent.

“Then you won’t mind if I have a second go?”

The man shifted then straightened his tie. “Suit yourself.”

Sweat dampened her palms, and the hair at the back of her neck tingled. Zain broke away fromher and began to move around the vehicle.

He checked every nook and cranny of the exterior, even getting on his stomach to search the underbelly of the vehicle, before searching the interior, the trunk, and beneath the hood.

Ali’s driver got out and jerked his head at Darrian. “What’s going on?”

“He’s doing a sweep.”

The other driver shook his head with annoyance and got back in his car. Zain slammed down the hood and walked up to where Dana waited. He caught her elbow and gestured to the still-open passenger door. “All good.”

That at least made her a little more comfortable. Her mind hadn’t gone to explosive devices, but it was sure there now. Agitation still jumped along her pulse.

She searched Zain’s face. Tension hardened his brow and his eyes sparked with wariness. He squeezed her hand and gave a slight nod. “It’s fine,” he confirmed once more.

She’d just have to take his word for it. He held her hand while she climbed into the SUV, and then she scooted across the leather bench seat. Zain got in beside her. The freshly treated interior held a lemon scent. Two bottles of water sat in cupholders on either side of the vehicle. Darrian closed the door and got into the driver’s seat. He asked a few questions about their comfort then started the engine.

When the vehicle didn’t burst into flames, Dana relaxed. Zain’s hand went to her knee and kneaded her skin briefly before pulling away.

A minute later they were on the road. Zain pressed a button and a divider went up between the front and the rear of the vehicle. Zain finally sat back and sighed.

---