Page 37 of Zero Hour

Jasmine wanderedup toward the Metro station, waiting for Amir to text her. He’d been gone for over an hour. Any minute now, she’d hear from him.

Then she turned the corner and spotted him. He was speaking to a woman in a traditional salwar kameez and headscarf. About fifty, she had a prominent nose and dark, slitted eyes. Riad was there too, standing a few feet away, scanning the street like a lookout. His back was turned to her.

They’d be furious if she interrupted a meeting, especially if she’d seen something she wasn’t supposed to, so she ducked back around the corner, heart pounding.

When she worked up the courage to take another peek, Amir and the woman were still speaking in hushed tones, their heads close together. The conversation lasted another five minutes before Amir nodded, and they parted with a respectful bow.

The woman disappeared into the Metro station entrance.

Who was she? A contact? Was she involved in whatever attack they were planning?

Amir pulled out his phone.

Jasmine hurried back to the coffee shop and stood outside, pretending to check her bag. A moment later, her phone buzzed.

Come to the station.

She slung her bag over her shoulder and walked around the corner.

Amir was in a good mood as they made their way home. Riad was as silent as ever, his expression unreadable.

“Did you have a good business meeting?” she asked carefully.

Amir’s dark eyes gleamed. “It went very well. What did you do?”

“I went to the library, got a new book. It’s on CBT, which I think will really help with?—”

He held up a hand. “Later. I don’t want to talk about that now.”

She shut her mouth.

At the house, Riad turned his back to her as he disabled the alarm system.

“After you,” Amir said smoothly. He could be charming when he wanted to be.

She stepped inside, shivering at the coolness of the house. The drapes were always closed, making it feel oppressive, airless.

“Have you eaten?” she asked as Amir followed her into the kitchen.

“Yes, we grabbed something while we were out.”

She nodded and reached for the ingredients to make a sandwich.

Busy slicing into a tomato, she didn’t realize he’d come up right behind her. “You’re a beautiful woman,” he murmured, in a husky tone.

She jumped, pulse racing.

He ran a finger down her arm. “It’s a shame to waste such beauty.”

Oh, God. No!

Her stomach twisted. “Amir, I don’t think?—”

His breath was warm on her neck. He spun her to face him. “I think you know how I feel about you.”

“Amir, don’t do this,” she pleaded.

“Do what?” A flicker of irritation darkened his eyes. “I’m not doing anything.”

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