Page 50 of Deadly Storms (Sunrise Lake #3)

“I have no doubt that you can, Shabina. You have more courage in your little finger than I’ve seen in most people.

I’m asking for me, for my peace of mind, that you take a break for at least half an hour.

If necessary, I’ll break down tables, although more of your beautiful dishes could get broken, and it would be excruciatingly painful to be out there among all those customers.

One or two are bound to congratulate me. ”

Despite everything, Rainier made her laugh.

He could be sent out alone in any environment, never flinching from the task of hunting a dangerous criminal, but a few customers wishing him well made him pretend to shiver.

She wasn’t buying it for a second. He didn’t break things either.

He could turn on the charm when he chose.

He just didn’t bother to do so very often.

“I don’t think that will be necessary. Where would I get another dishwasher?

You’re fast and efficient and the dishes are very clean.

You pay attention to detail. I appreciate that quality in you.

I’ll let Vaughn know he’ll have to help with clearing tables for a short while.

He’s going to give me a hard time about being the manager now reduced to busboy, breaking down tables. ”

Rainier quirked an eyebrow. He looked less than amused.

“You need to find your sense of humor,” she reprimanded. “My staff is very close. We’ve been working together for a long time, and we tease each other. Vaughn wouldn’t be serious. If anything, he would have suggested that I take a break as well.”

Rainier nodded. “Message understood. I’ll work on my sense of humor.”

Shabina knew he meant it when he told her he would work on his sense of humor. “I love you.” How could she not love him when he was willing to do so much for her?

His eyes softened from a glittery, piercing silver to a soft, tender gray. He placed his hand over his heart. “Qadri.”

One word. Destiny. He’d always called her that. She should have known how he felt. She left the kitchen and immediately Vaughn stopped her at the counter.

“You need to take a little time, Shabina. The minute you start stopping by tables and greeting the customers, they’ll ask you all kinds of questions,” he cautioned.

“Rainier just said the same thing.”

“Great minds and all that,” Vaughn pointed out with a grin.

“That means you’ll be clearing tables and bringing drinks.” She kept a straight face.

Vaughn feigned shock and outrage. “You’re demoting me.”

Behind them, Rainier had stepped into the kitchen doorframe, his wide shoulders filling the space.

He flashed Shabina a heart-stopping grin.

It didn’t last long, but it was beautiful.

Real. The most amazing expression ever. There was nothing remotely boyish about Rainier, but in the brief couple of seconds, that grin gave him a mischievous look.

“What?” Vaughn demanded.

Rainier shook his head and retreated into the kitchen.

Vaughn fanned himself. “Good grief, girl. That man of yours is a heart-stopper. Scary, but that only adds to his appeal.”

“I can’t imagine why you think he’s scary,” she said, managing a straight face.

“I think the other customers were so shocked at Bale’s behavior and upset on your behalf that they all want to do something to make up for the way he talked to you. And the broken crockery. They’re leaving tremendous tips. Some paid double for their breakfast.”

Her heart fluttered. Knightly. That was the town she’d chosen to live in.

She had made friends despite her natural reticence.

She had known she had Stella, Vienna, Harlow, Zahra and Raine as firm friends, but she had so many others.

She’d gotten close to Vaughn, Tyrone and Patsy.

Now she realized there were others in town who considered her their friend.

“Go sit with Raine and Vienna. I’ll bring you tea and scones.”

“Thanks, Vaughn. I appreciate you more than you could ever know.”

“You tell me all the time and give me far too many bonuses. I think you’re cutting into the profits.” He waved her toward the back, where her friends were seated.

Shabina made her way quickly through the café. She lifted her hand and sent a small smile to the customers who called out a greeting to her. Most of them did.

Vienna and Raine looked her over carefully as she pulled out a chair to sit with them at their table.

“That man of yours handled that little tantrum of Bale’s perfectly,” Vienna stated, admiration coloring her voice.

“With an entire café filled with people as well as two FBI agents, I thought he was magnificent. Quiet. Stern. Stated the facts. Made certain everyone knew there was evidence of Bale threatening you and that you intended to ask for a restraining order.”

“I was worried when Rafferty decided to intervene,” Shabina admitted.

“He was incredibly foolish,” Raine said. “To attempt to stand up for Bale in front of two FBI agents? It did make him look corrupt and guilty of making evidence disappear.”

“I would have given anything to see what was in Rainier’s wallet or on his ID that made Rafferty back off the way he did.

” Vienna lowered her voice. “I know he works for the CIA, but the department he works for isn’t well-known.

They don’t identify themselves as a rule.

In fact, Zale told me that if they’re sent out on a mission and they get caught, most likely they’re on their own.

The government doesn’t admit they’re part of the agency. ”

“Rafferty is the sheriff in this county, and he’s been in the military,” Raine pointed out.

“Both Sam and Zale live here. He would have checked into them both. He may be foolish when it comes to his family, but he’s an intelligent man.

Did you notice the way he immediately stepped back away from Rainier and looked at the windows? ”

Shabina had noted Rafferty’s strange reaction to Rainier’s ID. She nodded.

“He was smart enough to figure out Rainier wasn’t alone in defending you.

Rainier owns a security firm that operates worldwide.

He employs ex-military men and women as well as retired agents.

Each of his employees receives additional training, which he personally supervises.

His firm is considered elite already, and he just started the company a few years back.

His equipment is the best one can buy, and his intel is always accurate.

Rafferty has connections in the military.

He has to have heard of Rainier’s company and the people he employs.

They’re no joke. Any one of them, or even half a dozen of them, could be outside with sniper rifles. ”

Raine nodded toward a table in the front.

It was located directly across from the two men from Paris, the ones who had claimed to be Interpol agents.

“Those four men sitting at that table work for Rainier’s company.

All of them have had distinguished careers, and when I say they’re lethal, I mean it.

Rainier’s got a full security team here. ”

Shabina’s breath hissed out between her teeth.

“That man is going to hear from me about this. I should have known when he agreed to take all the dogs running with us. I thought he was being sweet. He wanted to leave three at home to protect the property. All along, that snake had a security team watching my home and the…” Her voice trailed off.

“And the?” Vienna prompted.

Shabina sighed. “Bale threatened to burn down the café. I believe he’s serious about it, and I told Rainier I was afraid he might really do it.

Rainier can’t be in both places at once, and he’s training the dogs to work together as a team, so we have them inside the house with us and outside on the property.

I should have realized he’d bring in someone to watch the café and make sure Bale couldn’t get to it.

That was why, when we had visitors at the house and nosing around the café, he didn’t seem very concerned. ”

“You can’t fault him for ensuring the café was protected,” Raine pointed out, always the reasonable one.

“I can fault his lack of communication skills,” Shabina said. “We’re supposed to be a partnership. He doesn’t get to arbitrarily make decisions.”

Raine laughed, the sound unexpected and very musical.

“Seriously, Shabina? Rainier will always be the one making decisions when it comes to your safety. He’s been doing it since you were sixteen years old.

No one has ever been able to stop him, and believe me, your father tried.

He went out of his way to try to ruin Rainier’s career in the CIA. ”

“My father is going to lose his mind when he finds out I married Rainier. I haven’t told him yet.”

Vienna raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t told your parents you got married?”

Shabina shook her head. “I have this terrible feeling my father is involved in some of the crap that’s been going on.”

“Such as?” Vienna prompted, casting a worried frown toward Raine.

Shabina noted Raine didn’t look surprised. In fact, she wore an expressionless mask, conveying to Shabina she knew more than she was telling.

“I hate to even say this and feel guilty for thinking it, but if my mother’s upset because I’m not living with them, I believe my father’s capable of going to any lengths to bring me back home.

That would include doing his best to trigger a PTSD episode.

If he did that, he might put me in a hospital and try to get the doctors to state I need constant care.

He isn’t above paying doctors to get his way. ”

Vienna looked horrified. “Your own father? Do you really think he’d do that?”

It was Raine who answered. “Yes. He’s paying two university students a great deal of money to do just that.”

Shabina closed her eyes at the confirmation. She allowed her mind to absorb the blow. For a moment she considered walking back into the kitchen and putting her arms around Rainier, just having him hold her. She felt safe with him. Loved by him.

She took a deep breath. “I was so afraid that would be the case, but at the same time, at least I know I’m not being framed for murder.”

“But he’s taking the chance of driving you insane.” Vienna was angry now. “And who are these students helping him? What are they doing?”

“Emar Salhi and Jamal Talbi both come from Algeria and are students attending the university,” Raine said.

“Jack Foster, Shabina’s father, has been placing money in their accounts for weeks.

I traced the sale of two laughing doves, the toxic desert rose, a Qaisumah diamond, oud perfume, and miswak sticks to Shabina’s father.

He had the items sent directly to Salhi and Talbi at a rented Airbnb here.

It’s a small farmhouse they’re sharing with two other students. ”

“Do the other students know what they’re doing?” Shabina asked.

“I doubt it,” Raine said. “There’s no money going into their accounts.”

Vienna looked furious. “We should talk to Harlow and see if her father can get their visas revoked. I’d like to see them deported. What jerks. I can’t believe they would be a part of such a vile conspiracy.”

“Rainier has already started the process of sending them back to their country,” Raine said. “Your man doesn’t tolerate attacks on you. That’s the bottom line. Jack’s only protection is that he’s your father.”

“I’m worried about what he might do to Bale,” Shabina admitted.

“Rainier is always calm and purposeful, but I know him well enough to realize Bale could be a target for him. No one should put themselves in his crosshairs, and Bale did that. Unfortunately, Rafferty and those FBI agents were right there. If Bale has an accident and someone gets suspicious, they’ll look straight at Rainier. ”

Raine shook her head. “Even if they did, Rainier will have an ironclad alibi. I’m not above saying, I hope Bale gets a visit from Rainier.”

—

Bale woke at the first touch of the knife against his throat. He gasped and brought both hands up in an attempt to move what must have felt like a steel arm holding him immobile.

“What…who…” he spluttered.

“I thought we should have a quiet chat, just the two of us,” Rainier said. “I want you to be very clear on who and what you’re dealing with.”

“Get out of my house. I’ll have you arrested. You’ll be thrown into prison,” Bale blustered. His fingers dug into the arm holding him still, but the arm remained locked around him, preventing all movement.

Rainier ignored the posturing. “I do a certain job for the government. They send me in when they want someone to quietly disappear. You may have heard rumors about my friend Sam or even Zale. Just to be fair so you know exactly who you’re dealing with, I’m far, far worse than either of them. No one wants me coming after them.”

“You can’t arrest me.”

“I don’t arrest people,” Rainier corrected.

“I end them. Sometimes I take my time. When anyone threatens my wife or makes her cry, I find it brings out my skills as an interrogator. It’s always good to hone them.

I’ve taken days to kill men, making sure they felt everything their victims felt before they died.

In the end, they begged me for mercy. It didn’t affect me in the least. I’m sure their victims begged and didn’t get mercy. ”

Bale tried to shake his head, but the blade of the knife was still pressed against his neck and bit deeper with each movement. Blood trickled down to his shoulders in a steady stream.

“I don’t like the threats you made to my wife.

I don’t like the way you spoke to her. I just want you to know that if anything happens to her, the dogs or the café, if there’s so much as a scratch on her, you will get another visit from me, and I’ll be the last face you ever see.

You’re damn lucky Shabina has compassion for you.

I don’t. You’re a coward and a bully. I’ve met hundreds of men like you, and all of them ended up crying and begging for their lives. ”

Bale had gone very still, recognizing the merciless conviction in Rainier’s voice.

“I want to know you understand. There won’t be another warning. You go near her or hire someone else to do your dirty work for you, I’ll be coming for you. You’d better make it your mission in life to ensure nothing happens to her.”

“I get it,” Bale choked out.

“I hope you do, Landry.”

He was gone as silently as he’d entered the bedroom. Like an apparition. A ghost. Bale lay in his bed, his heart pounding wildly, one hand covering the cut on his neck while blood trickled through his fingers.