“I can’t leave my mother.” Rania knit her fingers together anxiously and rubbed her scarred thumb. An engine purred outside. A few moments later, a car door slammed. Ally barged through the gate.

“A man just drove past,” she hissed. “He was staring at me.”

“Plenty of men stare at you,” said Huda.

“I don’t like this,” said Ally. “Maybe we should call it all off.”

Rania glanced at Huda. The look in her eyes made her wonder, does she feel the same as me, like a woman about to hurl herself from a bridge? After so many years and so much bad blood, Rania realized Huda was probably the only person who understood how she felt right now. But could she trust her and Ally to keep Hanan safe?

“Get Khalid into my car.” She dug the keys to her old Volvo from her pocket and handed them to Ally. “I’ll get Hanan ready.”

She hurried down the hallway to her studio. The president watched from the easel, with his hunting rifle tucked under his arm. She fought back tears as she dug Hanan’s backpack from its hiding place in her storeroom of art supplies.

A floorboard creaked. Huda slipped through the door. In her peripheral vision, Rania saw her recoil at the sight of the painting. Would the portrait pay enough for Hanan’s new life? Or would Malik laugh and declare the honor of painting the president reward enough? Rania hunched her shoulders and wondered, If Huda touched her arm, would she feel the shame burning beneath her skin?

“The man who commissioned this painting is one of his men.” She gestured at the oil-paint Uday lurking by his father’s side. “He’s demanded a viewing this afternoon.”

Her absence would surely raise Malik’s suspicions. Rania had to stay here, perform as demanded, tell him stories and flatter his pride. God willing, that would earn her daughter enough time to escape.

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 30

The tang of turpentine and the muddy scent of oil paint made it hard for Huda to breathe. She tried not to look at the painting of the president and his sons as Rania carried the backpack out to the hall. Hanan was waiting for them. She spotted the bag, and her lip twitched. Rania kissed her daughter’s forehead, then bent close and whispered in her ear.

“Huda’s son doesn’t know everything that you do. She’s going to tell him at Lake Habbaniyah.” She rested her hands on Hanan’s shoulders and stared into her face. “Remember, if anyone asks, this is simply a day trip. Understand?”

Hanan closed her eyes and gave a small nod of assent.

“Khalid is waiting in our car.” Rania grabbed a pashmina scarf from the hall closet and herded her out the front door. “Please go and introduce yourself while I finish locking up.”