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)
“That was pleasant. I assure you, most people here are wonderful. I really have to make my rounds, but will see you later.”
The women gave her a quick assurance they would be back to the café and see her Tuesday for the bird-watching tour. Shabina moved on to the next three tables, talking to the customers to ensure they enjoyed their meal. She made her way to Raine and Vienna.
“You really need to ban Bale and his followers,” Raine said bluntly. “His behavior is escalating.”
Shabina pulled a chair from one of the tables a server was cleaning and sat down. “If I banned him, he would only get worse. He’s that type.”
“He is getting worse,” Raine insisted.
“Remember how bad he was with Zahra? He was mean and spiteful to her all the time. He never stopped saying nasty things and trying to intimidate her. But she just rode it out, and now he’s given up. I’m his current target, but he’ll get tired and find someone else.”
Vienna shook her head. “That isn’t altogether true. Bruce made it plain that Zahra was to be left alone. Sam backed him up. That happened every time Bale got drunk at the Grill and got out of line with her. You haven’t let us talk to Sam. He’d put a stop to it.”
Shabina sighed and rubbed her temples. She had the beginnings of a headache just thinking about dealing with Bale. “I guess the bottom line is, I’ve dealt with so much worse, putting up with him seems easy in comparison.”
“You shouldn’t have to put up with any harassment, Shabina,” Vienna insisted. “No one has the right to treat you that way.”
“Certainly not in your place of business,” Raine agreed. “I can’t imagine what Rainier would do if he heard Bale or anyone else talking to you like that.”
Shabina’s heart felt as if it skipped a beat. She pressed her palm over her chest. “Why would you even think that? Rainier checks on my security. So far, everything has been fine.”
“Is that the only thing he checks on?” Raine asked.
Sometimes Raine talked in a code Shabina didn’t understand. Maybe the other women did. She’d missed out on having girlfriends growing up, and she didn’t always catch the innuendos the other women seemed to find humorous.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she admitted freely. “If you want to clue me in, now is the time.”
“I think Rainier checks up on you quite often because you’re very special to him,” Raine explained. “In fact, I’m quite certain of it.”
Shabina might wish that were the truth, but she knew better. “I’m an obligation. His responsibility, and trust me, Rainier always takes care of his responsibilities.”
“Well, trust me, if Rainier heard Bale talking to you the way he does, Bale would be in more trouble than he could handle,” Raine assured.
Shabina didn’t doubt that. Rainier could be a very violent man. She’d seen him explode into action. He was sent out on assignments others would never take. He always got the job done. “I think it’s better if no one talks about Bale to Rainier.”
Stella was married to Sam Rossi. Vienna was engaged to Zale Vizzini. Both men had worked at the same agency with Rainier. They knew him and were friends with him. It hadn’t occurred to her that when she confided in her friends about things that disturbed her, they might tell their men, who in turn might relay those concerns to Rainier.
“I wouldn’t want anything I say to you to be repeated to Sam or Zale. It would definitely get back to Rainier.” She forced herself to look directly at Vienna. “I’d feel as if I couldn’t confide in anyone, and there are times I need to talk things over with friends.”
“I doubt that would ever need to happen unless we felt your life was in danger, Shabina,” Vienna said. “Then we would have no choice.”
That left her with nothing to say. Shabina sighed and looked around her café. The early morning sunlight streaked in through the windows. The murmur of the various conversations peppered with laughter instantly lightened her mood. She understood why Eve and Felicity found peace in the Sierra. She certainly had. For the most part. Unless she allowed her past to creep in. Determined not to allow that to happen, she went about her rounds, going from booths to tables, talking to her customers, helping to clear dishes and bringing food out to new customers.
Her café was very popular, and although they officially closed at two, if customers had waited in line to get in, they weren’t turned away. Vaughn, her manager, and Tyrone and Patsy stayed late with her to serve the customers and break down the tables after. She had two other waitresses, newly hired that season, Nellie and Chelsey. Both were cheerful and hard workers. She felt very lucky to have them. They mostly waited on the outdoor tables.