72 Let's hatch a plan

Zara kept looking at Ryan with high expectations that any moment he would shout out in his defense. That he wasn't playing with her, that he wasn't using her, that she meant something-anything to him.

The defence never came. He stubbornly kept gazing out of the window, the only visible difference in his body language was the way he clenched and unclenched his fists. But then that could mean nothing.

Jake rubbed his neck and gave an exasperated sigh.

He shook his head and went near Zara who had her hands propped up on her knees and her face covering with her hands. "Look Z, look at me." He took her hands in his and held them. "Z, I was sent after you, not to use you but to protect you from evil. I haven't used you and can't even think of doing such things. 

After all that you have heard today, it may be overwhelming for you to trust me but I swear to God, my intentions were never fake. I really, really, lov- like you"