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)
Fortunately, Bale heeded the restraining order, choosing not to fight it. Sean didn’t come back, and neither did his two interns, Oliver Smythe and Maurice Vanderpool. Shabina was grateful that they hadn’t. She really didn’t want her café to be known for drama, and she feared it was fast gaining that reputation.
They were halfway through the lunch hour when Harlow rushed in, her face pale. She went straight to the kitchen, gesturing for Shabina to join her. It occurred to Shabina she had thought too soon that the drama was over. The moment the door swung closed behind her, Harlow caught Shabina by her upper arms.
“My father brought a group of diplomats to Knightly. They claim they want to see the Sierra and eat at your wonderful café. My father bragged about how great the food is.”
Shabina had never seen Harlow so upset. “To my knowledge, your father has never been here.”
“He hasn’t. He always has to play the big man. There are reporters traveling with them. Shabina, one of the diplomats is the ambassador for Canada.” Harlow’s voice trembled. “I have this very bad feeling. I texted my father and asked him who he was bringing here. He told me Darian Lefebre and that he was practically a celebrity. He implied Lefebre was so popular with the people that he was being considered by the Liberal Party to run for prime minister.”
She dropped the bombshell fast, gripping Shabina’s arms hard. “He’s actually bringing that horrible man here. Lefebre has diplomatic immunity. If you or Rainier were to kill him, even in self-defense, there is a federal law that was passed, protecting diplomats and their families. If you were to kill him, you could even face the death penalty. Rainier can’t go near him. You should leave. Leave right now and take Rainier with you.”
Shabina pulled out her phone and texted Rainier, giving him the information Harlow had given her.
No fear, Qadri. He won’t see me. No one will. Tell me your intentions.
I refuse to allow him in my café.
Stay back away from him when you confront him. I’m sending in the team. Put them close to the door, dividing them so Lefebre will be boxed in. If he makes a move, he’s a dead man. There will be a sniper rifle on him.
Promise me you won’t confront Lefebre.
Scorpion has multiple contracts out on him. He belongs to Deadly Storms, not me.
Shabina sent Rainier a heart and slipped her phone into her pocket. “Grab one of the back tables, Harlow. I don’t want your father to blame you for anything that happens. He’s going to be very embarrassed by my refusal to allow them to eat here.”
“You’ll risk that in front of reporters?”
Shabina lifted her chin. “Absolutely. Lefebre does not get to come into my café. I love this place, and he is not going to set foot inside. It was bad enough that Boucher and Cormier managed to get inside. It’s best you stay out of sight or leave through the back.”
“I’m staying with you,” Harlow declared. “Don’t you know by now that I despise my father? He takes advantage of young women all the time. He has a sense of entitlement you wouldn’t believe. My mother won’t leave him even though she knows. She’s had to do damage control on more than one occasion. But then there’s all the perks of being a senator’s wife she’d have to give up.”
Shabina studied her friend’s expression of complete determination, and then she nodded. “I didn’t want to talk to my father after I found out the things he’d done. I didn’t bother to confront him because he wasn’t worth my time anymore. I understand better than most, Harlow. Just remember, Lefebre is dangerous. He might try to kill me, knowing he has diplomatic immunity. That’s his style.”
She led the way to the door. Larado and Zero sat at the small table just inside the door. Tyrone had moved a couple to a window table. Altair stood just inside the doorway, lounging against the wall, while Dimitri and Torin were seated at the table on the opposite side of the door. Shabina nodded to them and moved to stand in the doorway. Most of her customers would think she was there to greet clients as they came in. A few who knew her well were aware something was up, especially when Harlow moved to stand beside her.
“Keep out of the line of fire, Shabina,” Altair cautioned in a low voice.
“None of you can kill him,” she responded without turning around. “I’ll be careful, but you can’t touch him. He insisted on coming here to taunt me. He thinks he’ll force me to serve him food. And he most likely believes he can cut my throat and get away with it. He’s wrong.”