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It appeared he was at a loss what to do with it Her confession had clearly stunned him

His response, when it finally came, was to pretend he hadn’t heard it and to pursue his previous point “Back o to the ER”

He was trying to spare her the postattack ordeal, froh to the trial

Still “I can’t let you bear the burden of thisshoulders barely moved in dismissal “In comparison to the messes I deal with daily, this is a breeze”

She’d bet Rashid had created his IT development empire from scratch in record time He must have dealt with endless obstacles and adversaries to remain at the top of such a cutthroat field And it would be athe peaceful life and low profile she’d struggled to create since she’d left Zohayd

“Okay” The tension gripping the night eased, until she added, “But only if you let me drive you to the ER”

“You think I won’t keep my word?”

“I think you’d keep your word even if it meant your life”

Another long, enified surprise “Why this stipulation, then? You think I can’t driveno chances”

His grimness deepened until she was certain he’d say no

Suddenly, he handed her the bloody scarf She fumbled with it as if with a hot coal as he fished inside his coat for a pen and a notebook He scribbled a few lines, tore the paper out, bent and tucked it onto a thug A calling card on gifts for the police?

The thug stirred as Rashid whispered in his ear before slaain

Calers, turned on his heels and crossed the street to his car

He was leaving?

She watched hi the wheel, he walked around to the passenger’s side Then, leaning over the car’s top, he looked across the distance at her “Coave a thunderclap of relief as she stuerness on the asphalt

In seconds she was inside the posh car, heard faint sirens in the distance as the door closed behind her with a e to throw herself at hinored that “Are aiting for thenition, discovered that the car was running, the motor so smooth it didn’t produce sound or vibration The car was such a dream to handle that even in her state, she drove to the nearest ER without incident

As she parked, he turned to her “Now drive home I’ll have the car and a driver at your disposal fro herself after hi in with you”