Shabina burst out laughing. “Prepare to intervene, not that it will do you any good. I’m not giving him up. If he tried to run away, I’d sue him for breach of contract or whatever it is I could do to hold him to his word.”
Raine joined in her laughter. “I hardly think that’s a possibility. Rainier’s built his entire life around you. He isn’t going to run off because Zahra doesn’t like him.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t like him,” Zahra objected. “I’m reserving judgment until I have all the details.”
Shabina and Raine both laughed. Zahra had the most expressive face. She managed to look innocent and skeptical at the same time.
“I think the instant response of stating we need an intervention might show your feelings toward Rainier are negative,” Raine pointed out.
Zahra waved that away. “I suppose my statement could have a negative connotation, if you really wanted to stretch the imagination. The man has the good taste to choose Shabina. That does say something for him.”
Shabina and Raine exchanged an amused look but didn’t dare reply. They both were afraid they’d erupt into gales of laughter.
“When did all this come about?” Raine asked.
“He parachuted in last night with his three Malinois because, you know, drama suits him.” Shabina knew Zahra would be impressed. “Those dogs are no joke. He tries to act tough, but you should see him with them.”
“Parachuted?” Zahra echoed. “Three dogs?”
“And lots of equipment. You know, the usual. Guns, knives,grenades, C-4, maybe a mortar gun or two.” Shabina just managed to keep a straight face.
“He parachuted? At night? Why?”
“I was having a hard time, and I called him. He came right away,” Shabina explained. “We sorted out how we both felt. He already had a ring for me. Apparently, he’s had it for a while. Am I the only one who didn’t know how he felt about me?” She looked directly at Raine.
Raine smiled at her. “It was evident to me that he was building his entire life around you. I didn’t say anything because I wasn’t so certain of him. After Zale and he weren’t forthcoming about the knowledge they had of Vienna’s father, I wasn’t exactly thrilled with him.”
“Neither was I,” Zahra said. “In fact, I wanted to kick him really hard. Did he have an explanation for his silence?”
“We didn’t talk about that,” Shabina admitted. “I had to fill him in on the murder, Bale’s creepy behavior and the fact that one of my servers stole from me. He wasn’t happy that I’d waited so long to call him.”
“You just remember that men who are bossy don’t get better over time, Shabina,” Zahra cautioned. “They often get worse. Rainier strikes me as an extremely take-charge man. Have you taken that into consideration?”
Shabina nodded. “I’m well aware of Rainier’s personality.”
“There’s an age difference too,” Zahra pointed out. “He might always think he can act like he knows so much more than you do just because of that. And wasn’t he raised in the Middle East? If so, it’s very possible he has that attitude that men can rule women. I’m not being judgmental; I’m just saying these are points to consider. Your backgrounds are very different. There are cultural differences as well as economic differences to consider.”
Shabina appreciated everything Zahra brought up. Each argument was a well-thought-out concern. Zahra didn’t have all the facts about Shabina’s upbringing or Rainier’s. It was impossible for her to know what Shabina needed in a relationship. Still, Zahra struggled to understand and be supportive of her friend’s choice even while she pointed out the possible pitfalls.
“He was born in the United States but raised in the Middle East. I honestly have taken all those things into consideration, Zahra,” Shabina assured. “The thing you don’t know about Rainier is that he puts me first.” She rubbed her thigh. “I worry that I’m not going to be a good partner for him in the bedroom after all the trauma I’ve been through. He doesn’t seem worried in the least. He just tells me it will happen when it’s right. Not to rush things or feel we need to. He makes me feel safe and loved. I don’t feel those things unless he’s with me.”
“Then he sounds like he’s right for you,” Zahra said.
“I’m going to have to get to work. It’s getting super busy in here, and my staff has been amazing to let me sit and visit.”
“They’re most likely terrified of Rainier’s wrath if you’re upset in any way,” Raine said.
Shabina couldn’t argue with that assessment. “Did he contact you already about viewing the security footage? Is that why he confronted Chelsey?”
Raine nodded. “I received a call from him early this morning. Does he sleep?”
Shabina had fallen asleep with Rainier’s arms around her. He’d held her against him, his arms that fortress she remembered from all the many years when he showed up, sliding into her bedroom when she needed him the most. She had no idea if he slept because she always fell asleep first, and he was out of bed early, caring for the dogs and doing a thorough security check.
They’d gone running together, taking all the dogs with them before returning his three, Mick, Sonar and Bomber, back to the house to guard while they went to the café so she could do the early morning baking. Rainier had disappeared for a short time. When he returned, he took his laptop to Raine’s favorite table and stayed out of the kitchen. It hadn’t occurred to her that Rainier would contact Raine so soon and ask to view the security footage for the café and her home. She’d brought him Arabic coffee and date cookies once she had them fresh from the oven but left him to his work while she did hers.
“That’s a good question,” she answered Raine as she stood up.
“Did you hear the gossip about Lawyer?” Zahra asked her quickly. “He gave an interview to a local reporter and told them a story about how when he was a teen, he had been involved with other boys and they’d robbed and beat up their football coach. He confessed to the coach and paid him back the money. He made the coach out to be a hero. I know his is one of our local families you take food to in the winter, Shabina.”
