Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
J asmine cleared away the remnants of supper, loaded the dishwasher, and went to sit in the living room. It was where she felt closer to Patrick.
She flipped through the channels, until she landed on a romance movie. It was halfway through, but she put it on anyway. Was he watching her now?
Her gaze drifted around the room. The camera wouldn’t be in an obvious place, but they would have had to feed it in from the outside. Her eyes tracked up the wall where the cables ran, lingering.
It was strange, but she swore she could feel his gaze on her. That warm, intense stare, studying her, clocking her every move.
She ran a hand through her hair, letting the strands fall loosely over her shoulders. The thought of his eyes on her made her shiver. Not with fear, but with something far more alluring.
Curling her legs beneath her, she tried to focus on the movie. It didn’t work. Not when she could sense his presence around her.
This was crazy. She was being held hostage in a terrorist’s house, and she was fantasizing about the rugged, brooding private security operator spying on her through a hidden camera.
She let out a shaky breath. Tomorrow she’d see him again. If everything went according to plan and Amir allowed her to stay home, Patrick’s team would be able to plant the listening device. Then, hopefully, they’d be able to figure out what the target was and stop the unthinkable from happening.
Then, she and Ryan would be free.
Please let everything go as planned.
The study door opened. She tensed as voices spilled into the corridor. A moment later, Amir entered the living room.
“What are you watching?” he asked.
“Nothing special,” she said lightly, hoping it would deter him.
It didn’t.
Instead of taking the armchair like he usually did, he sat beside her on the sofa. She uncrossed her legs, shifting uncomfortably.
Riad hovered in the doorway. “I’m going to bed.”
Jasmine caught the smug smirk he shot her before disappearing.
Her stomach turned. This was not good. Amir was up to something, she could tell. Riad’s warning from before flitted through her mind.
Your days are numbered.
She forced a yawn, stretching her arms lazily. “I’m tired. I’m going to turn in.”
She got to her feet but before she could step away, Amir’s hand clamped around her wrist. “Not yet. Stay with me for a while.”
Her pulse pounded against her ribs. “Amir, I have a headache. I really should lie down.”
The pressure on her wrist left no room for argument. “I said stay.”
Slowly, she sank back onto the couch, her skin crawling where he touched her. Not like when Patrick had laid his hand against her cheek. Then, all she’d wanted to do was nuzzle into him, let his safeness engulf her, if only for a moment, so she could forget this nightmare she was living.
A tense silence stretched between them. Amir turned his dark eyes onto hers.
“I’ve made no secret of my feelings for you,” he murmured. “I’ve been incredibly lenient. It’s time you paid me back.”
Her heart stopped.
Lenient? Was he kidding?
You’re holding me prisoner, you bastard.
She swallowed, forcing her voice to remain calm. “Amir, I’m your therapist. I’m here to treat you. Don’t ruin that.”
A flicker of doubt crossed his face, but it vanished just as quickly. “I’m tired of waiting. Why can’t we be lovers?”
Her stomach twisted. His sense of right and wrong was so screwed up. “Because I’m your prisoner. It doesn’t work like that.”
His expression darkened. “You’d do well to remember who’s in charge, Jasmine. You don’t make the rules, I do.”
She exhaled slowly. It was important she keep him calm. “I know. All I’m saying is?—”
“Stop,” he barked.
She bit off the words. He extended a hand. “Come closer to me.”
“No.” Her voice trembled. “I said I’d help you, but I didn’t agree to this.”
His eyes narrowed. “You don’t have a choice. I want you.”
Her breath came in quick, desperate bursts. “Why? Why are you doing this?”
“Because we don’t have much longer.” His voice dropped. “After this weekend, I’ll be moving on.”
Her stomach bottomed out.
“You will?”
A slow smirk spread across his face. “Yes, our ‘agreement’ will be over. My business in this country will be over.”
Her throat tightened. “What about me?”
He didn’t meet her gaze. “You can go back to your life.”
Liar .
“Now come here.”
He grabbed her arm and yanked her onto his lap. She gasped, struggling, but he was too strong.
“Amir, no! Please don’t do this.”
He shoved her back against the sofa, his weight pressing her down. “This will go a lot easier if you just relax.”
“Stop it! You’re hurting me.”
She thrashed, one hand breaking free. She clawed at his face, nails raking down his cheek.
“Bitch!”
The slap came fast and brutal. Stars exploded in her vision.
His hands fumbled at his belt as her heart thundered against her ribs. She couldn’t believe this was really happening.
Glancing up, she looked around the room. Was Patrick watching? Was he there?
Amir lunged, and she screamed. “Help me!”
His eyes gleamed darkly, excited by the prospect of taking her, of having her fight back. He was an animal. “No one’s coming. Riad will ignore you. If you don’t behave, maybe I’ll let him have you next.”
Tears burned in her eyes as his fingers tore at the waistband of her pants.
A low rumble.
He glanced up. “What was that?”
Then—an unholy crash.
SMASH.
Amir leapt off her, yanking his pants up. “What the hell?”
Jasmine barely registered the words. She gasped for breath, her whole body shaking violently.
Riad appeared. “What the fuck was that?”
Amir pointed at the window. “An SUV. Someone just plowed through the fucking garden wall!”
Patrick!
It had to be him.
Adrenaline surged through her, pushing her upright. Her legs were weak, her cheek throbbing where he’d hit her.
Amir and Riad headed toward the front door. A moment later, they were running into the garden.
Every instinct in her body screamed, run !
She bolted. Down the hallway, through the kitchen, fumbling at the back door. The bolt slid free. She burst into the night—only to stumble, dizzy and disoriented. The world tilted. She was falling.
Strong arms caught her.
She gasped. “Patrick!”
His grip tightened, his voice a growl in her ear.
“I’ve got you.”