Page 47 of Deadly Storms (Sunrise Lake #3)

Rainier brought her hand to his mouth again, pressed kisses to her fingers and then sighed.

“I understand Jack, Shabina. I don’t agree with the way he handles things, and I have no intention of allowing him to manipulate you into going back to his home just to please Yasemin, but I would do almost anything to protect you. ”

Everything in her froze. She sat up very straight.

Manipulate you. The words echoed through her mind.

Another puzzle her mind would want to solve but she wanted nothing to do with.

She was fairly certain her father had hired an assassin to kill her when she was in Scorpion’s camp to spare her mother more pain.

To be fair, he had to believe he couldn’t get her back.

But would he manipulate her now in some vile way, such as deliberately triggering a PTSD episode in order to force her home?

She studied Rainier’s profile. This was a man she trusted implicitly.

She’d learned that trust in the worst of times.

She knew she could count on him. He had her loyalty and her love.

She knew he would protect her, but he wouldn’t be like her father.

He would never hire an assassin to kill one of their children because his wife was upset.

He would move heaven and earth to find their child—and so would she. That was where the “almost” came in.

Rainier was the type of man to expect her to learn how to use weapons, and he would teach their children to do the same.

He would make their world as safe as possible but at the same time prepare them for every contingency.

He wanted a partner, not someone to dance to his tune.

Others didn’t see that in him, but she did.

He was her safety net always, but he wanted her to be strong and free to do the things she loved most.

Rainier would shelter her in the worst of times if she needed him that way.

She knew that was a large part of who he was.

He was a leader. Decisive. He would be loyal and faithful.

He would put his family first. He would expect her to be the same, although she knew if they had disagreements—and they would—he would listen to her arguments with an open mind, but ultimately, he would decide what course they would take if they still couldn’t agree.

She wasn’t going into their marriage blindly. Rainier didn’t hide who he was from her. He had shown her every side of himself, the good and bad. He admitted his flaws, and when he made a mistake, he owned it. He had no trouble apologizing to her if he thought he was in the wrong.

“Blom could arrange a meeting with Lefebre,” she suggested, wishing her voice didn’t shake. She couldn’t prevent that, but she had to make the offer even if it terrified her. “I’d know if it was him.”

“Absolutely not. You’re not to go anywhere near him. He has diplomatic immunity. He’d likely pull out a gun and shoot you just to spite your father.”

“If you really think Lefebre is Scorpion, then we should do everything we can to bring him to justice. He can’t continue killing people.”

“You don’t have to do anything but be safe, Shabina.

” There was steel in his voice. “His government conducted an investigation when his two friends were found, but he acted shocked and horrified and appeared open with those investigating. There is still suspicion, but he’s very popular.

Taking him down legally would be nearly impossible. I don’t want you anywhere near him.”

“How are you going to catch him, Rainier? I could positively identify him if he’s Scorpion.”

“Shabina.” Just her name—that was a bad sign.

She sighed. “Just tell me what you found that convinced you those two men were guilty and what you expect to find to prove he is.”

“Babe, you aren’t going to like it.”

She knew that already. “Just tell me.”

“They took video of the things they did to you.” His voice had gone completely flat, without expression.

Her entire body froze. Her brain refused to work.

Her stomach lurched. She opened her mouth to protest, but only a squawk came out.

She hadn’t expected that. Those men had violated her over and over and then watched themselves doing it on video.

“Rainier.” She whispered his name. “You think Scorpion has video as well?”

He tightened his hand around hers. “Yes. Both men admitted to me that he keeps video of all his assaults. He has a viewing room in his home to watch himself.”

She bit down on her lip. Hard. “Do you think he sent copies to my father?”

“I don’t know, Qadri .”

The gentleness in his voice turned her heart over.

“I know this must feel like it isn’t ever going to end, but I swear to you, Shabina, I will end it. It’s taking longer than I thought, but I won’t ever stop until it’s over.”

She believed him. Her rock. If he could stand to look at her scars, at the scorpion tattooed on her arm, feel love for her despite the terrible things Scorpion and his men had done, then she could deal with whatever came.

His fingers tightened around hers. “Are you still going to marry me? Knowing the things I’ve done, baby, are you still willing to bind your life to mine?”

What had he done but save her? Love her through the worst. “You aren’t getting out of it,” she said. Her voice was very firm.

A slow smile touched his mouth briefly. Rainier didn’t smile often, and when he did, it always felt like a gift. “Let’s get it done, then. I’ve looked forward to this day for a long time, Qadri .”

“That’s why you always called me Destiny.”

He nodded. “I knew that was exactly what you were to me. My destiny. You just had to catch up.”

That made her laugh. “I caught up a long time ago. You need to be better at communicating . You have heard of that word, haven’t you? Because you’re going to need to learn to speak out. Not bossy stuff either.”

“That rules out a lot of dialogue.” He glanced at her, a mock frown on his face. “What is it I’m supposed to be speaking out about?”

“Sentiments. Showing affection.”

“I show you affection all the time,” he objected, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Over the last few years, I made certain you knew you were loved.”

“You did? How was it that I missed those declarations?”

“I have no idea. When you and Vienna went after that killer and Zale and I caught up with you, what did I do?”

“I believe you grabbed me by my jacket and shook me. You weren’t at all happy with me. There was no declaration of love.”

“Yes, there was. I sang the bird love call to let you know it was me. I showed how much you scared me in front of two other people, something I’ve trained myself not to do.

I never wanted to allow any enemies I have to know how important you are to me, and yet I couldn’t help myself.

Sometimes you terrify me with your courage. ”

He started off teasing her, but he didn’t end that way. She heard the sincerity in his voice. The admiration and respect.

“Rainier.” She whispered his name. He was her personal talisman. “I love you with every breath I take.” She put her hand over her heart. “You have no idea how much you’re loved.”

“Good thing when it’s clear my communication skills need improvement.” He sent her another brief grin, this one a little mischievous.

Her heart reacted to his playfulness with a ridiculous flutter. She knew as long as she lived, she would react that way around him.