25

Suspicions of you.

Her heart hammered and she felt as if she’d been sucker punched. How was she going to get out of this mess she’d created? She had to play along. And pray.

“Suspicious of me, why?”

“They question your loyalty to me and to our beliefs. They find it hard to trust an American for obvious reasons. They do not understand why you are always flying off to this place and that.”

“But you understand, don’t you?” she asked, making her voice lower.

He nodded as his finger trailed down her shoulder and along her arm. “I have tried to explain to them you have obligations because of your job. I have assured them you are loyal to me, and to them.” His dark eyes pierced her own. “But now, the way you are acting today, I do not know. Perhaps...” His voice trailed off, his implication clear.

“I don’t like the way that sounds,” she said, suddenly angry, instead of terrified. She stared at him boldly.

Neither looked away, a battle of wills, which Jamie would win.

Patti didn’t even breathe.

Can’t back down.

He relented with a smile. “I know you are loyal, but now it is time for you to convince them.”

Patti’s heart raced, but she could breathe again. Did those words mean what she thought? If she could meet them, she might be able to find Jamie. “How am I supposed to do that?” With a theatrical sweep of her arms, she said, “I’m tired of all of this. Maybe we should forget abo—”

His black eyes turned darker. “I have obligations I must fulfill. Soon it will all be over and then we will leave.”

It will all be over.

The words chilled her to the bone. What were these people planning?

Patti stared at the man who knew Jamie so well. Better than she did.

His skin was dark as if he worked outside or on a boat for a living. He wore an expensive tan linen suit which contrasted with his complexion. His black hair was long and wavy, giving him a rugged boyish look, though he appeared to be in his late thirties, or early forties.

She must get away from him before he discovered she wasn’t Jamie.

If this man was Jamie’s lover that probably meant he was a terrorist.

Terrorist.

Her throat dried up and she couldn’t breathe. Why hadn’t she listened to Carter? Too stubborn for her own good. And too selfish. She’d only been concerned about seeking absolution and assuaging her own guilt, rather than what was best for Sabrina.

God, I’m so sorry. I keep making stupid decisions.

It was imperative to convince this man she was Jamie until she could get away from him. “But what about me?” She whined as only Jamie could.

He threw up his hands. “I support you and take care of you. I bought you this beautiful apartment. Doesn’t that show I love you?” He paced around the room. “I will quit the movement very soon, but the time is not right.”

“I want to know what’s going on.”

He looked up in shock, obviously surprised she had the audacity to ask such a question.

Patti changed her tone and smiled. “I’m anxious for us to be together. How long before we can start our own life?”

“Not long,” he promised her.

“Why will you not tell me? Don’t you trust me?” Her heart threatened to jump out of her chest but she pressed on. Her sister might have died trying to find out what this man knew. “Tell me when this project you are working on will be done.”

His black eyes darkened even more. “You know more than you should. If Rahmed knew the things I’ve told you, he would be very angry. I should never have let you become involved in any of this. It would have been better for you not to know.”

Forgetting she was supposed to be Jamie, Patti jumped up. “But we will discuss it this time. You want me to give up everything for you. Then, you must show me you trust me. Tell me who this Rahmed is and what he is planning.”

His face flushed and his eyes turned black with anger.

She’d gone too far.

The man walked toward her with a snarl on his face.

She shouldn’t have pushed him.

But as he came closer to Patti, his face turned almost gentle with only a hint of anger remaining. He touched her cheeks. “It has been so long since we have been together. Let’s not fight, ma cher. We have better things to do with our time.”

The bridge was right in front of her once again.

Her stomach clenched. She had to stop this, but she couldn’t risk making him angry again. “I am too upset to think of such things. And now you tell me that Rahmed doesn’t trust me. And you don’t trust me enough to tell me what’s happening. Instead you want to use me.” Her voice took on an edge of hysteria she didn’t have to fake.

“I have never used you. I love you.” The steel in his eyes returned.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” Tears began to flow. Real tears, considering her circumstances. “I told you I wasn’t feeling well.”

She looked away from him and her gaze landed on her purse. It occurred to her it contained her own ID not Jamie’s. What an idiot she was. She walked over and grabbed it. She had to get out of this place now. Terrified, she started for the elevator.

She had to get to the elevator and out of this apartment, out of this town, and out of this state. The spacious room closed in on her.

An arm grabbed her elbow.

She turned toward this stranger—this terrorist.

“What are you doing? Where are you going?” He looked confused by the turn in the conversation. “I don’t understand. Jamie, you seem different. You need to calm down.”

“I am different. I...I...”

He patted her arm. “Is it that time of the month?”

Patti wanted to shout for joy. “Yes, yes, it is.”

“Do not be upset. It is fine. I understand these things.”

She smiled at him through her tears.

“Never be afraid to tell me the truth, Jamie. I love you, and I will never let anyone hurt you. I will protect you.”

He might believe what he said, but Patti had a sinking feeling those words weren’t true. Someone in his organization had gone behind his back.

“Have you forgotten? The Children’s Fund Benefit is today.” He looked at his watch. “And you are not ready.”

“The Children’s Fund Benefit is today?” She stammered out the words. For all she knew, Jamie could be in charge of the event. “I’d forgotten all about it. What time is it?”

“It’s at noon.” He gave her an odd look. “You need to get ready.”

“I know. I know. Couldn’t we skip it?” she asked, hoping to buy time.

He gave her a look of disdain.

“I’m sorry, of course, we can’t miss it. I’m exhausted from the trip. I’m not thinking clearly. I still feel drained. Just give me time to take a shower and get dressed.”

He still looked confused but he nodded, apparently satisfied with her answer. “I can make myself comfortable. I have calls to make, anyway.”

She had to find a way to get him out of the apartment, so she could escape. Going into Jamie mode, Patti smiled coquettishly at him. “A woman needs private time to make herself beautiful for her man.”

It was obvious her words pleased him.

His body language relaxed and he smiled at her. He pointed at his watch. “You do not have much time, but I will give you one hour.”

“Fine,” she managed to choke out. She would leave as soon as he left.

“I have a surprise for you. Rahmed will be at the benefit. You will finally meet him today.” He touched her cheek and gave her a soft kiss before hitting the elevator button.

Patti stared at the closed elevator doors.

The man’s words echoed.

Rahmed would be at this benefit. If she went, she would be able to meet Rahmed and learn his true identity.

Jamie had risked her life to meet this man.

If Patti had the courage, she could help Jamie before it was too late.

The only rational thing to do was to get on that elevator and leave, and then call Carter.

He was the professional.

The FBI could question the guests and discover who Rahmed was and then they could make him tell where Jamie was being held.

But maybe not.

They hadn’t been able to discover who this monster was, even with Jamie being so involved in the situation.

Jamie’s lover had freely used Rahmed’s name several times as they talked.

Patti moved the puzzle pieces around and could only come up with one conclusion.

Whoever this Rahmed was, he had hidden his real identity so well they couldn’t find him.

Patti expelled the breath she’d been holding. Patti could finish the job for Jamie.

She would call Carter and tell him where she was and what was going on. He would help.

She grabbed her cell phone and flipped it open. The message icon flashed, but it was a number she didn’t recognize. No time now to listen. Instead, she scrolled through calls until she found Carter’s number. It was the same as the message number.

Carter had called her.

She heard the elevator moving. Who was it this time? Her purse was still in her hand. She slipped the phone in it, ignoring her racing heart.

The elevator thudded to a stop and her sister’s lover walked out once again.

Her heart sank.

“You’re back.” She made the effort to sound welcoming. “I was afraid you were angry with me.”

“I did not want to leave you alone when you are upset. You do not seem yourself today.”

If he only knew.

She nodded, too terrified to move or speak.

“You haven’t started getting ready yet, ma cher. The party starts soon. Today we cannot afford to be late.”

“I don’t know what to wear.”

His eyes became guarded. “I thought that was what you bought the new outfit for. You look terrific in it.”

She wasn’t good at this spy stuff at all. In spite of her insides shaking worse than a senior waiting to hear if he passed his final exam, Patti gave him a bright sunny smile. “I know. I was having second thoughts about the dress, but you’re right, it is the perfect thing to wear. I better go get ready. Make yourself comfortable, I’ll try to hurry.”

She turned and walked through the kitchen and back to Jamie’s room, still clutching her purse. As she walked down the hall, she passed a door she hadn’t checked the previous night.

It was locked, but when she twisted the lock popped up. She opened the door, hoping the man in the living room wouldn’t hear.

More doors. One was marked stairs.

Her muscles relaxed as she read the words. It was her way out. All she had to do was close the door behind her and leave. She could be far from this building before Jamie’s lover knew she’d even left.

Patti stood between the two doors staring back and forth.

One door led to freedom and her safety.

The other door led back to a terrorist.