Page 39 of Zero Hour

“Slow your breathing,” she said softly. “Don’t force it. Just in and out.”

Riad hovered, eyes darting between them.

She turned to him. “Go to his bedroom. In the nightstand you’ll find a bottle labeled Xanax. Bring it to me.”

Riad scowled, not happy with her ordering him around.

“Please, he needs it,” she added.

He hesitated, then disappeared, returning seconds later with the pills.

Amir’s entire body shuddered. He let out an animalistic groan and slammed his fist against the coffee table. “Why is this happening to me?”

“It’ll pass,” she said calmly. “Here. Take one of these.”

He swallowed the pill, still gasping for breath. Panic held him in its grip, but the Xanax was fast-acting. A moment later, his breathing evened out and the trembling faded.

“You have to help me,” he begged, gripping her hand. “I can’t live like this.”

“I’m trying, but you need to trust me.”

He nodded. “Okay. Okay.”

Riad scoffed. “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He shot her a venomous look and stormed out.

A moment later, the front door slammed.

CHAPTER 15

Pat watched from the surveillance van parked outside. No one had questioned his decision to be part of the operational team. With Viper in Colombia, they needed all hands on deck.

So Jasmine had been telling the truth about Amir’s panic attacks. So much for the psychopath theory. The monster was human after all.

Al-Jabiri had appeared extremely agitated. Pat recognized real fear when he saw it, and that man had been terrified.

Good. The bastard deserved every second of it.

Still, he hadn’t liked it when Jasmine had taken his hand. What the hell was she doing? Was she developing feelings for him? He’d seen it before. Victims bonding with their captors. It was called Stockholm syndrome.

If that was the case, everything she’d told him was worthless. When the time came, would she betray Al-Jabiri? Or would she betray Pat and his entire operation?

He stretched his neck to get rid of the tension.

“Well, that was something.” Phoenix ran a hand through his hair. “I just thank my lucky stars I didn’t come out of service with PTSD. It’s a hell of a thing.”

It sure was.

“I hope it eats him alive,” Pat spat.

Phoenix shot him a look. “You sure your girl’s gonna deliver?”

No, he wasn’t. Not anymore.

“I fucking hope so,” he muttered. “She’s our best lead. She’s right in his camp. If anyone can find out what he’s up to, it’s her.”

Phoenix didn’t look convinced either. “I hope you’re right, boss.”

“Buzzard has left the property,” Pat relayed into his earpiece.

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