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)
“Shabina.” Just her name—that was a bad sign.
She sighed. “Just tell me what you found that convinced you those two men were guilty and what you expect to find to prove he is.”
“Babe, you aren’t going to like it.”
She knew that already. “Just tell me.”
“They took video of the things they did to you.” His voice had gone completely flat, without expression.
Her entire body froze. Her brain refused to work. Her stomach lurched. She opened her mouth to protest, but only a squawk came out. She hadn’t expected that. Those men had violated her over and over and then watched themselves doing it on video. “Rainier.” She whispered his name. “You think Scorpion has video as well?”
He tightened his hand around hers. “Yes. Both men admitted to me that he keeps video of all his assaults. He has a viewing room in his home to watch himself.”
She bit down on her lip. Hard. “Do you think he sent copies to my father?”
“I don’t know, Qadri.”
The gentleness in his voice turned her heart over.
“I know this must feel like it isn’t ever going to end, but I swear to you, Shabina, I will end it. It’s taking longer than I thought, but I won’t ever stop until it’s over.”
She believed him. Her rock. If he could stand to look at her scars, at the scorpion tattooed on her arm, feel love for her despite the terrible things Scorpion and his men had done, then she could deal with whatever came.
His fingers tightened around hers. “Are you still going to marry me? Knowing the things I’ve done, baby, are you still willing to bind your life to mine?”
What had he done but save her? Love her through the worst. “You aren’t getting out of it,” she said. Her voice was very firm.
A slow smile touched his mouth briefly. Rainier didn’t smile often, and when he did, it always felt like a gift. “Let’s get it done, then. I’ve looked forward to this day for a long time, Qadri.”
“That’s why you always called me Destiny.”
He nodded. “I knew that was exactly what you were to me. My destiny. You just had to catch up.”
That made her laugh. “I caught up a long time ago. You need to be better at communicating. You have heard of that word, haven’t you? Because you’re going to need to learn to speak out. Not bossy stuff either.”
“That rules out a lot of dialogue.” He glanced at her, a mock frown on his face. “What is it I’m supposed to be speaking out about?”
“Sentiments. Showing affection.”
“I show you affection all the time,” he objected, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Over the last few years, I made certain you knew you were loved.”
“You did? How was it that I missed those declarations?”
“I have no idea. When you and Vienna went after that killer and Zale and I caught up with you, what did I do?”
“I believe you grabbed me by my jacket and shook me. You weren’t at all happy with me. There was no declaration of love.”
“Yes, there was. I sang the bird love call to let you know it was me. I showed how much you scared me in front of two other people, something I’ve trained myself not to do. I never wanted to allow any enemies I have to know how important you are to me, and yet I couldn’t help myself. Sometimes you terrify me with your courage.”
He started off teasing her, but he didn’t end that way. She heard the sincerity in his voice. The admiration and respect.
“Rainier.” She whispered his name. He was her personal talisman. “I love you with every breath I take.” She put her hand over her heart. “You have no idea how much you’re loved.”
“Good thing when it’s clear my communication skills need improvement.” He sent her another brief grin, this one a little mischievous.
Her heart reacted to his playfulness with a ridiculous flutter. She knew as long as she lived, she would react that way around him.
Chapter Fourteen
“The café is hopping this morning,” Vaughn said. “I think everyone decided to get breakfast here today. Our poor new workers are learning what it’s really like to work here on their first day.”
Shabina bit her lower lip as she watched Tyrone seating Bale, Sean and two interns, Oliver Smythe and Maurice Vanderpool. “That looks like trouble right there. Tyrone sat them in Patsy’s section, so that’s helpful.”
“He knows what pains they are. He wouldn’t give them to the newbies,” Vaughn assured. “In any case, Raine and Vienna are here, and neither of them put up with Bale’s crap. Not to mention, you’ve got your man washing dishes out of sight. Anything goes wrong and my guess is, he’ll be all over it.”
“Maybe not in a good way. I don’t want him in jail,” Shabina said. “Bale’s uncle, Rafferty, is here with Rob Howard and Len Jenkins, the two FBI agents. Unfortunately, having his uncle here will make Bale think he can get away with anything.”