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)
“You need to find your sense of humor,” she reprimanded. “My staff is very close. We’ve been working together for a long time, and we tease each other. Vaughn wouldn’t be serious. If anything, he would have suggested that I take a break as well.”
Rainier nodded. “Message understood. I’ll work on my sense of humor.”
Shabina knew he meant it when he told her he would work on his sense of humor. “I love you.” How could she not love him when he was willing to do so much for her?
His eyes softened from a glittery, piercing silver to a soft, tender gray. He placed his hand over his heart. “Qadri.”
One word. Destiny. He’d always called her that. She should have known how he felt. She left the kitchen and immediately Vaughn stopped her at the counter.
“You need to take a little time, Shabina. The minute you start stopping by tables and greeting the customers, they’ll ask you all kinds of questions,” he cautioned.
“Rainier just said the same thing.”
“Great minds and all that,” Vaughn pointed out with a grin.
“That means you’ll be clearing tables and bringing drinks.” She kept a straight face.
Vaughn feigned shock and outrage. “You’re demoting me.”
Behind them, Rainier had stepped into the kitchen doorframe, his wide shoulders filling the space. He flashed Shabina a heart-stopping grin. It didn’t last long, but it was beautiful. Real. The most amazing expression ever. There was nothing remotely boyish about Rainier, but in the brief couple of seconds, that grin gave him a mischievous look.
“What?” Vaughn demanded.
Rainier shook his head and retreated into the kitchen.
Vaughn fanned himself. “Good grief, girl. That man of yours is a heart-stopper. Scary, but that only adds to his appeal.”
“I can’t imagine why you think he’s scary,” she said, managing a straight face.
“I think the other customers were so shocked at Bale’s behavior and upset on your behalf that they all want to do something to make up for the way he talked to you. And the broken crockery. They’re leaving tremendous tips. Some paid double for their breakfast.”
Her heart fluttered. Knightly. That was the town she’d chosen to live in. She had made friends despite her natural reticence. She had known she had Stella, Vienna, Harlow, Zahra and Raine as firm friends, but she had so many others. She’d gotten close to Vaughn, Tyrone and Patsy. Now she realized there were others in town who considered her their friend.
“Go sit with Raine and Vienna. I’ll bring you tea and scones.”
“Thanks, Vaughn. I appreciate you more than you could ever know.”
“You tell me all the time and give me far too many bonuses. I think you’re cutting into the profits.” He waved her toward the back, where her friends were seated.
Shabina made her way quickly through the café. She lifted her hand and sent a small smile to the customers who called out a greeting to her. Most of them did.
Vienna and Raine looked her over carefully as she pulled out a chair to sit with them at their table.
“That man of yours handled that little tantrum of Bale’s perfectly,” Vienna stated, admiration coloring her voice. “With an entire café filled with people as well as two FBI agents, I thought he was magnificent. Quiet. Stern. Stated the facts. Made certain everyone knew there was evidence of Bale threatening you and that you intended to ask for a restraining order.”
“I was worried when Rafferty decided to intervene,” Shabina admitted.
“He was incredibly foolish,” Raine said. “To attempt to stand up for Bale in front of two FBI agents? It did make him look corrupt and guilty of making evidence disappear.”
“I would have given anything to see what was in Rainier’s wallet or on his ID that made Rafferty back off the way he did.” Vienna lowered her voice. “I know he works for the CIA, but the department he works for isn’t well-known. They don’t identify themselves as a rule. In fact, Zale told me that if they’re sent out on a mission and they get caught, most likely they’re on their own. The government doesn’t admit they’re part of the agency.”
“Rafferty is the sheriff in this county, and he’s been in the military,” Raine pointed out. “Both Sam and Zale live here. He would have checked into them both. He may be foolish when it comes to his family, but he’s an intelligent man. Did you notice the way he immediately stepped back away from Rainier and looked at the windows?”
Shabina had noted Rafferty’s strange reaction to Rainier’s ID. She nodded.
“He was smart enough to figure out Rainier wasn’t alone in defending you. Rainier owns a security firm that operates worldwide. He employs ex-military men and women as well as retired agents. Each of his employees receives additional training, which he personally supervises. His firm is considered elite already, and he just started the company a few years back. His equipment is the best one can buy, and his intel is always accurate. Rafferty has connections in the military. He has to have heard of Rainier’s company and the people he employs. They’re no joke. Any one of them, or even half a dozen of them, could be outside with sniper rifles.”