flected her own terror as his presence loomed like a shadow. He looked over his shoulder as the sound of footste

ened his hold on Jasmine's hand. "After everything that has transp

Because I'm your best option for getting out of this mess." You are caugh

f doubt. "What are you saying

ook a step closer. We must move, even if I c

appeared caught between instinct and the pressing need to get away. With a firm but worried t

d forward David. "All right. Howeve

d in a sincere tone. "I'll

opeful as they started down the alley. Tension permeated the night air, a

ces lit by the flickering streetlights, as they rounded a co

through the labyrinth of lanes as they ran, but Jasmine couldn'

e are we going?" She felt a rush of exhil

ing followed and answered, "To a safe house." "

" As they ran on, Ethan pressed, his

just say that I wish to keep you two safe for persona

overall scheme of things? His comments weighed hard on her shoulders, but s

etween two buildings, Jasmine's breath seized in her throat. Davi

m revealed a small, disorganized room with old photos and mismatched furn

Jasmine's question was har

ut the door after them. "It isn't much,

around. "How can we be sure it's sec

ave every right to not trust me, and you don't. However, this is th

d. "What are the answers?

d in a web of dishonesty that extends farther than you can comprehend. Some influential peop

as laced with mistrust. "

e witnessed things that you shouldn't have, things that might reveal

as the weight of his words set in. "Wh

. "Are you not at the airport when it occurred? The trade? They'

ollections. The men in dark suits, the airport commotion, and the terror th

refuse to take that risk. You must realize that they will

d as he took a step toward Jasmine

derground and stay hidden until we can decide what to do next."

ness of David's remarks affected her greatly, and they were in over

risk everything." "The stakes are higher than

thick quiet descended upon the room. The fear of the unknown was gn

voice, "Okay." "We'll carry it out

ed both of you to be alive. Too much is on the li

, just possibly, they had discovered an ally. She couldn't get rid of the impression, th

ng that came from the door. The voice on the other side

em, she felt a wave of panic. With her puls

David's eyes were bright

or rocked furiously. The danger was getting