He tapped the desk hard. “This facility and my license will be in jeopardy if this gets out. We’ve already come through a harrowing experience in the States, and this clinic will not be part of any scandal in Durabia.”
His words hung in the silence as the men absorbed them, then made sounds of agreement.
“On another note,” Ryan said, “Aziza would like Sunita to stay with us. Is that something you can arrange, or do we have to ask Ms. Maharaj?”
Jai gave him a serene smile and pulled his laptop closer. “Under the circumstances and from a medical point of view, I can give you a certificate to release her into Aziza’s care, since she seems to be the only person she trusts.”
“I really appreciate that,” Ryan said, then let his attention shift to Daron and Dro, who were as comfortable in business suits as the paramilitary gear they now wore. “Are we ready to go?”
“We have some Castle business to discuss and palace business, too” Daron said.
Dro looked up from his tablet. “I know you’re happy and all, but don’t forget this isn’t over. The Sheikh has charged us with destroying this trafficking ring, and we still have to find those girls. In the meantime, we’ve put together another unit, including Hassan, who you’ve already met, plus Calvin and Rahm, to continue following their trail. So enjoy your time with your lady, but in the morning you belong to us.”
Ryan grinned as the printer on the credenza behind Jai whirred to life and spat out a sheet of paper.
Jai affixed his signature, folded the document, and put it into an envelope. “This should be good if anyone asks questions.”
“Appreciate it.” Ryan saluted them and turned to go. “Catch you later and thanks for everything.”
Dro closed the cover on the tablet and nodded once. “Being family to Shaz makes you family to us.”
Ryan bobbed his head in response and left the room. Although they had only been working together for close to a week, it felt good to be in a team where every part fit seamlessly. God knew he was grateful. This morning’s operation could have turned out differently.
Now, it was time to make up ground with his woman and do what he should have done before she disappeared.
Chapter Twenty
The well-dressed brunette, and the man with her, rushed to Ryan’s side before Aziza could warn him. The reporter stuck a recording device in his face. “Sir, can you tell me anything about the women who were reportedly kidnapped?”
Ryan slid behind the wheel, fired up the engine, then said, “No comment.”
Aziza held her breath, hoping the woman would ignore her presence by some miracle.
Her focus shifted to Sunita in the backseat. She’d curled up and gone back to sleep the moment she lay on the seat. Poor thing probably hadn’t enjoyed a good night’s rest in months. One good piece of news Aziza received at the hospital was that Sunita was free of disease.
The brunette leaned forward and spoke through the window. “Miss, do you have a comment?”
Staring straight ahead, Aziza said, “No.”
“Excuse me,” Ryan had the courtesy to say as he backed the vehicle out of the parking spot.
The woman trotted alongside the vehicle with the cameraman hovering next to her. “Why are you and the little girl wearing the same clothing?”
“Because we’re coming from the hospital,” Aziza snapped.
The sunlight reflected off the asphalt, giving her an immediate headache.
“Don’t engage her,” Ryan growled through the corner of his mouth.
The cameraman moved swiftly to Aziza’s side of the vehicle with his equipment ready to shoot.
Aziza lowered her head into her lap, as Ryan peeled out of the grounds.
A moment later, he laid a hand on her back. “You can sit up now.”
She did, sighing with exhaustion. After a couple of minutes, she couldn’t keep her eyes open. The past twenty-four hours were catching up with her. When her head snapped forward and back, Ryan gently squeezed her leg. “You can have some shut-eye until we get to the hotel.”
She yawned and laid her head against the seat. “I wonder how they knew about what happened to us.”
Ryan shrugged. “The police know and every police department has a leak. I’m sure this isn’t the first time the clinic is seeing this type of activity. Don’t worry about it.”
Raising her head, Aziza asked, “What if they’re waiting for us when we get to the hotel?”
“You really need some sleep,” Ryan said. “How will they know where we’re going, especially since we have a head start?”
She laughed, a soft throaty sound. “You win this time, but if I have a welcoming committee at the hotel, you will not hear the end of it.”
He stroked her cheek and met her gaze for a second. “Like I said, I got you.”
She sighed and closed her eyes.
When they arrived at the hotel ten minutes later, she woke the moment he touched her shoulder. “We’re here, Zee.”
She sat up to find he now stood outside the passenger door. “You will have to help me. I feel a little weak.”
After the slop she’d eaten the entire week, and despite the soup she drank at the hospital, she still felt she was running on empty.
Ryan assisted her onto the asphalt and after making sure she could stand on her own, he opened the back door. “You should wake her up.”
Aziza sat and gently shook Sunita by the shoulder. “Come on, sweetie, it’s time to go inside.”
Sunita sat up, rubbing her eyes. Before they were fully open, she swung her head to both sides as if trying to figure out her location. Her skinny frame sagged when she recognized Aziza, who gave her a reassuring smile,
“Everything’s okay,” Aziza whispered.
She climbed out of the car with Sunita clutching her hand too tight. Aziza imagined how imposing the front of the hotel must have looked to the girl, who had been locked up
