They chatted as they made their way out the door and into the sunny evening. It was a beautiful night and Aisha suggested they go for a quick walk through a nearby park before Yasmin got back to her studies. Yasmin was about to agree when something caught her eye.

Not something… someone.

Volkan was standing across the street next to his car. His arms were crossed over his broad chest and his suit-clad body was stiff; the set of his jaw and the drawn eyebrows visible over top of his sunglasses told her he wasn’t happy.

Had she done something wrong?

Wait, why would she even think that? Of course she’d done nothing wrong.

And how had he found her in a city of three million people? It couldn’t be a coincidence. A shiver slid down her spine as she stared at him. It was like at the University. He seemed to pop up out of nowhere with no explanation. His idea of romance was starting to feel creepy.

He didn’t make any move toward her, but she sensed she wouldn’t get far if she tried to leave. His unwavering stare told her he was there for her and no other reason.

Turning to her sister, Yasmin said apologetically, “I really need to get back to my books. I want to do well on this exam. It’s important for my overall grade in this class.”

If Aisha could understand anything, it was the importance of education. She’d aced her way through her undergraduate studies, then law school, passing the bar exam like it was an insignificant spelling bee.

Still, Aisha frowned down at her younger sister. “Is everything alright? You sound different. Like you’re worried or something.”

It was times like this Yasmin regretted how close they were. Aisha could always sense her moods. Luckily, her older sister was focused on Yasmin and didn’t look around or she would easily spot the hulking figure of Volkan as he stared at Yasmin from across the street.

Yasmin smiled wanly and shook her head. “No, I’m just tired. It’s been a long week and I worked the late shift again last night. I’m looking forward to some days off.”

Aisha’s shoulders relaxed and she nodded, smiling. “When you’re finished the semester, we’ll take a mini vacation and go see our parents. They’ll baby you until you’re back to 100%.” She folded Yasmin into her arms and gave her a long, hard hug.

Yasmin soaked in her sister’s affection, turning her head toward the street and looking at Volkan.

The expression of fury that crossed his features shocked her. She could see it, even through the sunglasses obscuring half his face. It was like he hated that Aisha was touching her, but that made no sense. Why would he care about two sisters hugging?