“It’s okay. Nobody will punish you for being curious.” Aziza held out a pale-blue tee. “Put this on, then brush your teeth.”
She did, and they both giggled at the sight she made in the full-length mirror. Ryan’s shirt caught her mid-calf.
“Don’t worry,” Aziza said, “When I’m finished, we’ll go downstairs when and get some clothes that fit. Stay with Ryan while I shower.”
The light in Sunita’s eyes dimmed, and her smile faded.
“Are you afraid of Ryan?”
Sunita’s head jerked toward the living room then back to Aziza, but she didn’t answer.
“Ryan won’t harm you. He’s one of the good guys.” Aziza leaned toward her, unsure if Sunita understood her words. She tried again. “I want you to be comfortable and that’s not possible if you just stand here while I shower. If you prefer, you can stay right there, by the door until I finish, okay? But it also makes me feel better if an adult is watching you while I can’t. Do you understand?”
Although Sunita nodded, doubt shrouded the atmosphere around her. While she brushed her teeth, Aziza did the same. Then, with a hand on her shoulder, Aziza led Sunita to the living room where Ryan sat in front of his laptop.
“Can you watch Sunita while I shower?”
“Sure.” He switched on the television, found a channel showing an animated film, then held out the remote to the child. “Here you go.”
Sunita took the control, settled on the seat closest to the bedroom, and gave Aziza an anemic smile.
A pang of sadness shot through Aziza at the thought of Sunita’s age. Maybe she’d be able to forget some of the horrors she’d been through. At this point, only God knew if her experiences hadn’t scarred her for life. With any luck, they could find a welcoming family and get her re-settled.
Though she hadn’t been able to speak to Ryan privately at the time, the team of men who had worked tirelessly impressed her. She meant nothing to any of them. But Shaz … she’d be grateful to him for life. Ryan had told her of their exchange that put him on a plane to Durabia. In fact, if she ever had any kids, she’d ask Shaz to be godfather to at least one of them.
All these thoughts ran through her head as she washed her hair, which was a rat’s nest of wild curls. Her mind flashed back to their time on Paradise Island, which seemed so far away. The idyllic days and passionate nights filled her memory. Ryan was definitely a keeper, and she couldn’t help wishing they wouldn’t be separated again. Ever.
She rinsed her undies, then stepped out of the shower and into one of Ryan’s jocks. In front of the mirror, she smiled at her reflection. The weird thing was, she didn’t care about her appearance. Life was so much more precious than wasting her time worrying about being seen in her man’s small clothes. All the same, since she had to go out, she’d borrow one of his sweat bottoms. While she tamed her hair, Aziza grinned into the bevel edged mirror.
Freedom was priceless.
She stepped through the bedroom door and instead of sitting where she left her, Sunita sat cross-legged beside the doorway. Rather than chiding her, Aziza held out a hand, which Sunita grasped and came to her feet on the carpet.
Ryan met Aziza’s gaze, and his tiny shrug said everything.
“Let’s have something to eat,” she said, moving to the table where a tray of fruits waited.
She put a couple of pineapple slices on a plate, then watched Sunita copy her actions.
The little girl closed her eyes as she bit into a strawberry.
“How long before the food gets here, Ryan?”
“Another few minutes.”
“We need to run downstairs to get some things. D’you mind?”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go and get what you need?” His attention shifted to his underwear and her bare feet. He bit one corner of his lips. “Just tell me what to buy.”
“Thanks, but it’s better if I go. You won’t know what to get for Sunita. I did plan to borrow one of your sweat bottoms.”
“Be my guest, but there’s something we have to do first.”
“What’s that?”
He lowered the cover of the laptop, gripped her wrist, and stood. “Come with me. You too, Sunita.”
When they stood on the balcony, Ryan took Aziza’s hand and held out the other to Sunita. She looked at it for several seconds before she put hers into his open one.
His attention went beyond them to the land spread out below. Hanan was a picturesque city, and she could well understand Ryan’s fascination. His gaze came back to her and travelled over her face, down her body to her feet and back. While he studied her in minute detail, Aziza couldn’t miss the appreciation in his gaze. He smiled, then closed his eyes and thanked God for His goodness, for keeping her safe, and returning her and Sunita. When he finished, Aziza added to his prayer with a soft appeal. “Father, we ask You to show us where those four girls are hidden. They don’t deserve what’s happening to them. Give Ryan and the Kings the wisdom they need to rescue them. We thank You for this victory.”
She let the tension drain from her body, then whispered, “Amen.”
“That means we agree with his prayer,” she said, tightening her grip on Sunita.
The girl nodded as if she understood. “Amen.”
Ryan grinned at her. “That’s it, baby girl.”
Sunita gave him a tentative smile before he led them inside and picked up his wallet off the table. He pulled out a credit card, handed it to Aziza, and reeled off the PIN. “Use this.”
As her heart warmed all over again, she whispered, “Thank you.”
His nod and affectionate gaze said everything.
God, she loved this man.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ryan had tasted heaven and hoped hell stayed at bay, but he remained on edge.
Dinner felt like Christmas, with Zee within arm’s reach and Sunita eating until he
