Stolen by a Sinner (Sinners #3)(35)

“Allah Allah, my heart,” Nisa suddenly exclaims, making me jump with fright. “What are you doing up so early?”

A smile splits over my face. “I’m baking.”

“I can see that.” She walks closer and opens the oven. I notice the baklava is almost ready. Nisa looks at me again. “Why are you baking? You should be in bed.”

I shake my head, my smile growing. “Gabriel said I can move around the house freely.” Without thinking, I grab hold of Nisa and hug her. “I’m no longer a prisoner. I’m free.”

She wraps her arms around me, then says, “You were never a prisoner, Lara. But I’m glad to hear you can move around freely. It’s long overdue.”

When we pull apart, she pours us some tea, then asks, “When did Gabriel Bey tell you this?”

“Last night. He said I don’t have to be afraid of him and even said I can go back to school.”

Nisa’s eyebrows lift high on her forehead. “What else did he say?”

I glance down at the gooey mess I’ve made, then scrunch my nose. “How do you make Turkish delight?”

“That can wait,” she scolds me. She takes hold of my arm and drags me to a chair. “Sit and tell me everything that happened last night.”

“Gabriel just told me I can relax and that there are no longer any restrictions.”

Nisa must not understand because she asks, “How did he say this? What were his facial expressions, his gestures.”

Confused, I shake my head. “They were normal?”

“Allah Allah.” She glances up at the ceiling as if she’s saying a prayer. “Did he smile or frown?”

“Oh.” My lips instantly curve up. “He smiled a couple of times.” Then I think to add, “He was really friendly and patient. It was nice.”

Nisa slumps back in her chair, using a hand to fan her flushed face. “Getting information out of you is impossible,” she mutters. “And here I thought I’d get a juicy story before breakfast.” With a sigh, she stands up to look at the mess I’ve made, then she points at it. “This is not how you make Turkish delight.”

Getting up, I take the baklava from the oven and set it down on a cooling rack. “Will you teach me?”

“Not today.” She gestures at the mess again. “Clean this up so we can prepare breakfast.”

Getting to work, my heart feels lighter than ever. My laughter comes easier. Everything tastes better. The sun shines brighter.

I’m happy.





Chapter 22


Gabriel



Hearing Lara laugh, I know I did the right thing by having the conversation with her last night.

I follow the sound until I find Lara outside in the garden where’s she walking with my grandmother.

Babaanne points at a bush of flowers. “Those are my favorite. Peonies. They’re easy to grow.”

“They’re pretty,” Lara says, leaning closer to smell one. “They almost smell like Nisa Hanim.”

“It’s her favorite as well,” my grandmother says before dragging Lara toward the rose garden.

I did the right thing.

Nisa and Lara joined us for breakfast. From today, they’ll be having their meals with us in the dining room.

I kept finding my eyes wandering to Lara, and watching how much she enjoyed the food brought a smile to my face.

Nisa, on the other hand, was watching me as if she was trying to solve a riddle. Give the woman half a chance, and her mind will run away with her. I know what she’s thinking. Why the sudden change of heart?

Heading back into the house so I can go to work, I’m cornered by Nisa, who’s waiting at the front door. She lifts an eyebrow. “So, what made you change your mind?”

I let out a chuckle as I pull my jacket off the hook and shrug it on. “I had to ease up on Lara at some point or you and Babaanne would never let me hear the end of it.”

“Oh.” She deflates right before my eyes. “You better get to work.”

I watch as she walks toward the kitchen, then I shake my head and leave the house.

While Mizar drives me toward Reckoning, which is situated near the Space Needle, I check my messages. There’s one from a number I don’t recognize, and opening it, it’s to find a photo of Lara, Nisa, and Murat. It must’ve been taken when they went shopping a while back.

Frowning, I read the accompanying text.

Give her to me as a peace offering, and I’ll forgive the attack.

I quickly dial Daniel’s number.

“Boss?”

“Go to my house with two men and help Murat keep everyone safe.”

“On my way.”

I end the call and dial Emre’s number.

“Are you on your way?” he asks the instant he answers.

“Evet. Twenty minutes. Mazur made contact. I’ve sent Daniel to the house to watch over everyone. You don’t move around alone any longer. Have Kerem with you at all times.”

“Okay. And you?”

“I have Mizar.”

“What did Mazur say?” Emre asks.

“He knows Lara’s alive. He somehow got a photo of her, Nisa, and Murat when they went shopping.”

“How do you want to handle this?”