Page 8 of No Way Forward

“Zaid, are you okay?” She gasped. “There’s blood in your hair.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going down. Not until I know you’re safe.”

“If we get rid of him, we wo

n’t have as much trouble with her.”

She shook from head to toe. Zaid pressed closer to her. She felt the tension in his back muscles and clung to him. Knowing the man who was loyal to her dad, he wouldn’t stop fighting to protect her, even if it meant he gave up his life. The fear that almost paralyzed her was that it would come to that and then she would be alone.

“We’re getting out of this, Novette. I promise.” He whispered the words, sensing her rising panic. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you home safe no matter what.”

“Zaid.” Tears filled her eyes, and then the tension broke. Sirens filled the air. Police cars came from every direction and filled the lot. Shouts of “freeze” from every side buckled her knees in relief. She sagged against Zaid’s back and almost toppled the two of them on the ground.

He hung his head when the bad guys were cuffed and jammed into the police cars. She sank to her knees with him to the ground, holding his head against her chest.

“Zaid?”

He didn’t respond.

“Zaid, don’t go to sleep. You have to stay awake until they can check you out at the hospital.”

His glassy eyes slitted. She held his face on both sides, studying him. He looked back as if he didn’t know her. Fear crawled up her back.

“Zaid, please don’t die.” The sobs clutched at her chest.

“Shh,” he murmured. “I won’t die. I won’t leave you alone. Don’t worry.”

“I am worried, you idiot. Stay awake.” She sniffled, and he tried to chuckle and winced.

“I have a small headache. It’s not a big deal.”

“You’re insane.”

Another siren signaled the ambulance had arrived. She joined Zaid in the back of the emergency vehicle, and the worst morning of her life was over.

Novette stood in the doorway watching Zaid sleep. She had paced and nagged the hospital staff until they let her see him. Now that she laid eyes on him, her worry eased just a little.

She inched closer to the bed and listened. His breathing was steady. She took in the long dark lashes resting against his cheeks. His jawline drew her fingers, and she traced it gently, trying not to wake him.

He was okay, or he would be. The doctor said he had a concussion. A few days rest, and he would be back on his feet. She thought of all the ways things could have gone wrong. They could have been killed.

He could have died—because of me and my dad’s drama.

“Stop,” Zaid moaned.

She leaned in closer to him. “What did you say?”

“Stop worrying. I can feel you doing it. I’m fine.”

“But you might not have been. That guy hit you over the head so hard.” Her voice grew thick. She was about to cry, but she worked to suck in the emotion.

“I’m fine. I have a hard head.”

“You’re not invincible.”

“Aren’t I?”

She glared at him. He didn’t notice as he struggled to sit up.

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