Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
“I’d like my usual order, tea included,” Raine said.
“I’ll have a cup of tea as well,” Shabina added. “Thanks, Tyrone.” She slid into the chair beside Raine’s seat so she could easily see the screen on the laptop. It would be impossible for anyone else to see what Raine shared with her.
“This information came in late last night,” Raine whispered. “I have alerts on anything to do with Lefebre or the men he works with. The government of Jordan announced that four Canadian men were found killed by the elusive assassin Deadly Storms.”
“They’re really dead?”
Raine nodded. “Proof was left behind that these men went on killing sprees with Scorpion. This is the second time that men working closely with Lefebre have been accused and condemned. If the governments of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as well as several other countries Scorpion murdered in, all put out contracts on Scorpion and have sought proof of his identity, this will point the finger straight at Lefebre. He’ll have alibis, but they will be looking closely at him now.”
“How do you know they’re dead? Just because an announcement is made doesn’t mean it’s true.” Shabina’s palm shaped her suddenly aching thigh muscle.
“The bodies were unmistakable proof. Each had died hard with the same wounds that covered your body. The brand of the assassin Deadly Storms was on each of their left arms. His work is distinctive, very unique. I believe that any government contracting with him to hunt down Scorpion and his men insisted he provide proof of their crimes. The US government won’t admit it, but they have used him more than once, and I believe they also have put out a contract on Scorpion and his men.”
Shabina knew her hands were shaking so she folded them together in her lap. “No wonder he has money. If he does a job like this one, he gets paid from several different sources.” She just wanted to get home and ensure there wasn’t a scratch on him.
“No doubt he has money,” Raine confirmed. “You do realize only Lefebre and one other of the men Scorpion referred to as his cabinet are still alive.”
“Do you have any idea where those men are at the moment?”
“We think Lefebre has been playing it safe, staying in the embassy in Jordan. If he is, Owen Pelletier is most likely with him.”
“Where were these men killed?” Shabina pressed her fingertips deep into the muscle of her thigh. It ached. Throbbed painfully.
Raine hesitated before answering. “Two of them were guests of one of the prince’s sons, and they were in the palace.”
Shabina felt the color draining from her face. “He broke into the palace and killed two men, right under the noses of the guards? And won’t the prince be just a little angry?”
“That’s what I find the most interesting about Deadly Storms. He has better intel than even I can get. Where are his sources? Who are they? And you know he must have allies to get into a heavily guarded palace with the prince in residence. Is the prince his ally? Someone very high up is. Maybe more than one person. Deadly Storms couldn’t possibly operate the way he does without having a ton of resources.”
“He grew up in that country,” Shabina murmured.
Rainier had gone into a palace with fully armed guards—guards renowned to be some of the best in the world. She knew he did dangerous work. She’d always known. He’d come to her at her worst hour in the middle of a violent sandstorm. Scorpion had left behind a small army of men, and Rainier had dispatched every single one of them.
“Was there evidence of the assassin being injured? Was there an incident reported?” It took every ounce of discipline she had not to text him. Not to rush home. This was going to be her life with Rainier. He would leave, and she wouldn’t know if he was coming home in one piece—or at all.
“He was in and out without a trace,” Raine assured. “That’s why he’s considered so extraordinary, and his services are sought after by several governments. He epitomizes the term ghost.” Raine slowly closed the laptop. “You need to take a deep breath. Everything is good.”
“Were you able to look into my father’s financials?” She uttered the question in a low whisper, guilt sliding over her like a familiar cloak.
“Yes. He transferred a great deal of money into the accounts of Emar Salhi and Jamal Talbi.”
“They admitted that they were working for him. I’m talking about when I was sixteen. Were you able to find out if he had contracted with Deadly Storms to kill me?” She said it aloud. Rainier had stopped short of confirming it, but she knew she was right.
“I’m so sorry,” Raine murmured. “I detest being the one to give you bad news.”