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)
She wasn’t surprised in the least that he knew his way around her home as if he lived there. He probably knew the layout better than she did. When she first moved to Knightly, Rainier refused to turn her security over to the men her father provided. He went over the property she’d purchased, had two safe rooms and cameras installed inside and outside. He had been meticulous about ensuring the windows were bulletproof. He made certain she could see outside but no one could see in at night.
“I detest this, Rainier, interrupting your life the way I always do. You were with a woman, and, as usual, I managed to mess that up for you with my panic attack.”
“You saved her life, Shabina. I was just waiting for her to make her move. It never occurred to me you would call. You’ve never once called. I used a burner, but I made certain it had the ability to patch you in if you called. I knew she was an agent the minute she approached me. I gave her every opportunity to steal my phone or try to kill me. She was dead either way.”
Shabina looked up at the hard lines in his face. “She was there to kill you?” She whispered the words, one hand cupping the side of his jaw. So hard, no give, just like him.
“Don’t look like the world is coming to an end. My identity as Deadly Storms isn’t known. This had to do with my work with Blom. It happens every now and then. Most of the time, no one knows who I am or where I am. I have a few personal enemies. I’ve been in this business a very long time. She’s affiliated with a small cell that began to make noise in Colombia about eight years ago. I was sent in. She’s a cousin in the family seeking revenge.”
Her thumb slid along his jaw, tracing the strong line. “Why didn’t you just protect yourself immediately?”
“I thought at the time I would get information from her. Who was behind the hit, how many, where they were and how they were able to get my name and location. It would make it easier down the line when I could turn my attention to tracking them down. Also, Blom has suspected for the last few months that someone on the inside was selling information on his men.”
She pulled herself up straight, horrified. “Those two men who came here, the ones lying about being Interpol agents, what if they know who you are and were trying to confirm it by questioning me?”
“They’re looking for someone else, an assassin, not a government agent.”
Shabina frowned at him. “Wouldn’t whoever is leaking information know who the assassin is?”
“Why would they? That information is not known. Blom might suspect, but I started gaining my reputation back home before I ever signed on with Blom.”
“Your life, Rainier, is so awful. And then you have me clinging to you. You seem to be my lifeline.” She rubbed her face on his chest again. She had to give him the truth. She owed him that much. “You are my lifeline.”
“Funny thing, that, Shabina. I think of you that way. Lifeline. Destiny. Reason to stay alive. All those things. Stop looking as if it’s the end of the world. I’m here now.”
She leaned into him again. “Sometimes I don’t think I can stand one more second feeling alone, and I need you desperately. I know that’s terrible and puts so much pressure on you. I don’t mean to do that to you. I don’t want to do it to you. I swear, I’ve tried to build a life and be strong, so you feel like you’re free of me.” She couldn’t stop her confession, the words just kept tumbling out, no matter how hard she tried to remain silent.
He brushed another kiss on top of her head, one hand testing the temperature of the water. “Who said I wanted to be free of you? I never once told you I wanted to be free of you, Shabina. I’ve never acted that way. Where the hell do you get these ideas?”
His tone was gruff. Matter-of-fact. Low and steady. So Rainier. She couldn’t always tell what he was thinking or feeling, but there was a slight hint of exasperation in his voice. Was he becoming impatient with her? She wouldn’t blame him.
“Why do you feel alone? You have friends, Shabina. I thought you were happy here. You’ve made a life for yourself.”
“They try to understand. They all try to know me, but how can they? Even Raine. She comes the closest, but only you really know. Everyone tells me how I should think or feel about what happened to me, but they didn’t experience it.” Another sob welled up, and she pushed her fist into her mouth, refusing to start crying again when she’d just gotten herself under control.