| The Sheiks Of Kumar - Part II The Warrior By CJ |
| Chapter 15 “You’re quiet, why?” Shawna inquired as she snuggled upon Rafee’s chest in the warm bath water. They had retreated to the large garden tub after their unrestrained encounter and Rafee had said very little in that time span. Shawna thought his silence odd, for it was very unlike Rafee when he was with her. He always had words to say and rarely did he look so pensive and concerned while in her arms. “I took you with such little ceremony,” he replied. “I am sorry.” When he had laid eyes upon her standing in front of her bathroom mirror practically naked he had lost his sense. He had been in control of none of his actions and even when he’d satisfied them both he had been out of control. Otherwise, he never would have blurted out that he loved her. Though she had not understood his words, he had said them just the same and that realization was weighing heavily upon his heart. What did he do now that he had admitted to himself how he felt? How did he proceed? Shawna shook her head. Her wet body moved against his. “Don’t be. Not every time between us has to be like last night where we spend hours making love. This was just as satisfying,” she declared. “Then I did not scare you?” “No. Nothing about you scares me, Rafee. I am in good hands when I make love with you. You only bring me pleasure.” Shawna thought her reassurances would bring a smile to his lips, but stress was still evident upon his face. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Are you thinking about the case now that the wedding is over? I have my computer running in the bedroom. We could do some work tonight.” Rafee gathered her closely. He enjoyed the feel of her naked body next to him in the water. It was heavenly and he pictured a thousand more scenes just like this one in his future. Again, such a realization troubled him. “No, I do not wish to work. And I am not worried about our mystery for once. I was thinking about…us,” he stated. “Us? What about us?” “I was thinking that when our mystery is solved…perhaps you would remain in Kumar for a while. We could…do some traveling. I have not taken a vacation in some time.” “You mean, show me around the UAE?” she inquired. “The Emirates, Africa, Europe…any place you want to go,” he told her. Her instinct was to blurt out that indeed, she would want to stay and take a long vacation with him. But would it make it that much harder to leave him? Would she be able to hide her love for him during a time of leisure that would surely include much time in bed together? She doubted it. So taking a vacation with Rafee would be something she would have to devote much thought to before she decided. “I don’t know…maybe. How about we solve our case first, then we can talk about the future,” she offered. “Fair enough,” Rafee agreed, though he felt some disappointment that she had not immediately jumped at the chance. That made him wonder just what she felt for him. He knew she trusted him, but did she feel anything deeply for him? Did he want her to feel something deeply for him? Oh, this was confusing! Such a predicament was something he had never found himself in before. Was he supposed to ask her directly, or should he wait and see how things worked out for themselves? Maybe all would be revealed to him and he would no longer have to wonder. Or, perhaps he would just go on pretending that nothing true and profound existed. As he thought all his relationship worries through, he absently rubbed her shoulder and closed his eyes. The warm water relaxed him and Shawna’s body next to his was comforting. He could stay like this all night. But fate would not allow it. Just when he was certain he could figure out his turmoil with Shawna if he remained there long enough, a knock sounded on the bathroom door. A very hesitant female voice called out. “Shawna? Are you there?” Aria asked. There was a note of panic in her tone. Shawna pushed away from Rafee and met his stare with a furrowed brow. Though an interruption was the last thing he needed, Rafee urged her to respond with a nod of his head. “Uh, yes. What is it Aria?” Shawna asked, getting out of the tub and wrapping a fluffy white towel around her body. “I need to find Rafee. Please, it is urgent,” she said through the door. “Do you know where he is?” Rafee was out of the tub and wrapping a towel around his waist the moment his sister said his name. Concern had replaced his contemplations and he tied the towel about his waist and pulled the door open. His sister’s beautiful face was not shocked, but some apology was mixed in with her vast concern. “I…I am, sorry. I did not think you two would be…together,” Aria quickly said. Ignoring her words, Rafee asked, “What is wrong, Aria?” “Kareem. I cannot find Kareem anywhere. I thought he might be with you or Shawna. I have looked almost every place else. But I see…I see he is not here.” “We will find him,” Rafee assured his sister. “You know how he likes to hide. I am certain he will turn up within in the hour.” His words may have sounded reassuring, but when he turned and looked back at Shawna, he could see she did not believe his words. He too felt there was something amiss. Kareem was not simply hiding. In his gut, he knew something much worse had happened. He grabbed up his clothes from the bathroom floor and with only his towel for cover began for the bedroom door. “Shawna, get dressed. I will be back in five minutes. We’ll search the palace,” he instructed and passed a shocked Samar in the hallway. Devesh met him in the hall but did not look surprised. “I see Aria found you,” Devesh said, “Yes. Have palace security begin searching every hall. Send a man out to the stables as well,” Rafee ordered. “Yes, Rafee,” Devesh answered and stopped in the hall, calling on his cellular phone. Tonight was not going to be the night he had planned. There would be no more lovemaking and no more contemplating his feelings for Shawna. He had ignored his family troubles for too long. For the first time in years he had allowed himself to be distracted. If anything happened to Kareem, he would only have himself to blame. ** An hour later and Kareem was nowhere to be found. Every relative from the wedding had been phoned and each room of the palace had been searched. Rafee paced his study, ready to explode as a rage began to build inside of him. “Has the man from the stables radioed back yet?” Rafee asked Devesh. “No, not yet.” “Try him again. If he does not have word for you, I will go myself,” he declared. Devesh nodded while Shawna talked on the phone with her brother in California. They were discussing his latest research into the identity of Taamir al Rashid and Rafee prayed it was news they could use. Shawna and Devesh ended their conversations at the same time. Devesh said the man at the stables was not answering and that the perimeter guards had seen no unusual movement around the palace. Shawna on the other hand had news for Rafee, but a worried Aria and husband Aasim interrupted before she could relay her findings. “Dev, please fill Aria and Aasim in on all that we have done so far while Shawna and I talk,” Rafee requested and the three left his study. “Tell, me, Shawna, what did you discover?” Rafee then asked. “Joseph needled Gabe and he revealed this Rashid’s identity. Does the name Quasim Ashrawi ring a bell?” Shawn asked. Rafee rolled the name around. It sounded familiar, yet he could not quite place it. “I’m not sure. Should it?” he asked back. “I don’t know. But that’s who flew into San Francisco and who flew out with Jamaal with the forged passport of Taamir al Rashid. We need to start searching those databases to see if we can find who he is,” Shawna said. “Yes, but first we must go to the stables. Something does not feel right about our security man not calling back,” Rafee said. Shawna nodded and they left the study. Rafee relayed his destination to Devesh and told him to send someone for them if they were not back in twenty minutes. Devesh nodded, though it was obvious he did not like the plan of action. He frowned when Rafee explained they were leaving the palace but they ignored his displeasure and left regardless. The route to the stables was pitch-black, but the Suburban’s headlights lit the way. When they arrived at the stables, all was quiet and dark. “Shouldn’t there be lights?” Shawna inquired as Rafee stopped the car and turned off the ignition. “Yes. Something is wrong,” he said and grabbed a flashlight from the glove box. They exited and began their search of the stables on the perimeter. A few horses nickered, but all else was calm. Shawna remained close behind Rafee. She was surprised he had allowed her to venture along, for the last time a dangerous event had unfolded, he had left her behind to do research, insisting she could get hurt. This time, however, he had actually insisted she come and she thought that proved he was trusting her more and more each day. He was armed and Shawna again realized how grave their situation was in this country. If Kareem had indeed been abducted, then Rafee’s side arm may very well prove necessary. These people, whoever they may be, were increasing the stakes of this game they had begun, and Shawna only hoped she and Rafee could win without coming to any harm. As they slowly rounded the corner of the stables, they saw a vehicle. It was a white, two-door compact and Rafee was positive he had not seen it around the palace before. He drew his weapon and whispered to Shawna to remain at the corner of the building. She frowned, but did as he ordered and he cautiously moved off. When he approached the vehicle he first placed his hand upon the hood to feel for engine warmth. It was cold, which indicated it had not been recently driven. The driver’s side door was open and he ran his flashlight through the interior of the car before he moved closer. The car was empty and Rafee lowered himself into the driver’s seat and discovered a key in the ignition. He tried it but the car did not turn over. It was dead. Suddenly, he heard a muffled cry coming from the corner of the building. He jumped from the car and again drew his weapon. Swinging around behind the car and keeping his gun aimed at the corner of the building, Rafee cautiously, yet swiftly moved toward the corner. What he saw when he was within view did not surprise him. Shawna was in a man’s grasp. “Drop the gun or I will kill her,” the man ordered in Arabic. Rafee recognized the man despite the darkness. It was unmistakably Jamaal. He held Shawna against his body, his arm around her throat and a knife at her breast. Jamaal was not a stupid man, for he had positioned Shawna so that it was impossible for Rafee to take a clean shot with his gun without hurting Shawna too. “Do not do this, Jamaal,” Rafee returned. “Whatever your grievance with our family, we can solve it.” “It is not my grievance, but rather my people’s,” he explained. “And the time for negotiating is long past, Sheik Rafee.” “I was not even aware that your people had a grievance, Jamaal,” Rafee said, hoping to talk Jamaal away from Shawna. The determination, however, showing in Jamaal’s eyes told Rafee that this scene would end badly. “Of course not. The Armanjani royal family is too arrogant in its ways now. Your father more than likely did not even give our dispute a second thought when they settled with Saudi Arabia. And when the Armanjani sheiks first captured our land, they gave us no notice either.” Rafee racked his brain trying to pinpoint the historical events Jamaal was alluding to. Yet with Shawna at the end of Jamaal’s knife, he could think of little else but her safety. “Then let the woman go, Jamaal, and lets settle these long disputes,” Rafee said. “No. You must drop your weapon first. Then perhaps I will give her back to you unharmed. I have not yet decided,” Jamaal spat out. Rafee was so focused on Shawna and Jamaal that he failed to hear anything else in the night. And when he saw Jamaal push the blade of his knife against Shawna’s shirt and tear it, he realized the man was serious. Shawna’s eyes showed fear, but she said nothing. Rafee had no choice. He had to save her. He lowered his gun and set it on the ground. In that instant, Jamaal threw Shawna to the side. He began to surge forward, wielding his knife at Rafee when Shawna quickly stuck her foot out, tripping the man in his quest. Rafee saw his chance to snatch up his gun and take the advantage away from Jamaal and as he bent to retrieve his gun, several pairs of hands landed on his arms, yanking him back. Three men he had never laid eyes upon before stared at him menacingly and before he could ask who they were and what they wanted, one man held him captive while the other two struck out with much force and blows hit him in the face and gut. Their efforts didn’t last long, for Rafee was well trained in fighting techniques and using the man holding him as leverage, he kicked out at one attacker, knocking him soundly to the ground. Then he suddenly dropped, knowing the force of his body on its downward journey would be too much force for the man holding him and a moment later, he was out of the man’s grasp and swinging around for a leg-sweep and successfully knocking him to his back. Jumping agilely to his feet, Rafee squared off with the third attacker when he caught Shawna’s struggle out of the corner of his eye. She was wrestling with Jamaal on the ground and though the knife was still in Jamaal’s hand, Shawna was staving him off. Rafee’s instinct was to run to her and assist and that thought distracted him enough that the man still standing threw a punch that broke through Rafee’s defense. Knuckles connected with his face and the impact stunned him. It also angered him and he regained his stance and lashed out with a vengeance he didn’t know he possessed. He threw three quick punches to the man’s face and then two to his stomach before he kicked the attacker’s legs out from under him and watched him fall hard on the ground, a puff of dust billowing up from the impact. He then turned in Shawna’s direction and saw the fight she was putting up with Jamaal. They were on their feet now and Jamaal wielded the knife again. Shawna kicked the knife from his hand but Jamaal grabbed her. Before Rafee could move to assist her something hard smacked him across the back of his head and he fell to his knees. His vision began to telescope in around him and as he lost consciousness, he saw two images. The first was of Shawna as Jamaal slammed her into the stucco wall of the stables. Her head hit with an audible thud off the wall and she sank to the ground, unmoving. And the last image he saw was the group of men, plus one additional man, scurrying toward the Suburban. The new man looked oddly familiar, yet Rafee could not make sense of the scene. He did, however, hear Kareem’s cry and then the night turned completely black. ** “Rafee. Rafee.” It was his brother’s voice, yet Nikash was supposed to be tucked away in the palace with his new bride. Surely his voice would not be summoning Rafee to awake on this night. Slowly Rafee opened his eyes. His vision was blurred and when he tried to move his neck, his head throbbed. “Rafee, are you all right?” Nik asked and he assisted his brother to a seated position. “Yes. I am fine. But what hit me?” he inquired. “That’s what we wanted to know. You left the palace for here a half-hour ago. Devesh sent security when you did not contact him back and the guards found you like this,” Nik explained. “So they sent you to rescue me?” Rafee asked, trying to sound light. “Aren’t you supposed to be attending to your wife tonight?” “That can wait,” Nik insisted. “Shawna was hurt. So was the first guard you sent down here over an hour ago. And your car…where is it?” It was all too much for Rafee to synthesize at once with the fog in his brain. He caught something about a car, and a guard, but the phrase “Shawna was hurt” immediately made sense. “Oh, hell. Shawna,” he mumbled. “Where is she?” “In the car. She’s conscious now. A nasty bump on the head like yours. Come, let’s go back to the palace.” Devesh drove and Nik attended to Shawna’s wound in the backseat while Rafee sat in the passenger seat, his head still pounding. Shawna’s forehead was bleeding, but she remained stoic, not once complaining of pain. Another car followed filled with palace guards. Inside the palace, everyone was awake and looking concerned. Rafee ignored the many requests to attend to his injury and he quickly made his way into his study. Shawna stubbornly followed and Tara immediately came along, insisting she see to their wounds while they worked. Rafee was angry for having been caught off guard. His senses had failed him because he had again been distracted by Shawna. Yet now was not the time to fret for he had much to accomplish. “This was found on the windshield of the white car they left behind,” Devesh said as he dropped a typed note on Rafee’s desk. “The compact car had a dead battery. I believe that is why they did not leave right away and why they took yours. I have already informed the authorities that one of our cars is missing. But the terrorists had a half-hour head start. They could have already abandoned the car by now and found other transportation.” “True,” Rafee agreed and took the note in his hands to read. Before reading the note, he glanced at Shawna. Tara was handing her ice for her head and she was looking rather weak. He wanted to insist she go to bed, but he knew she would not listen. The note stated that since their people’s historic rights had not been reestablished by the municipality of Kumar, their coalition had no choice but to take action. It also stated that Kareem would not be returned until their own son was returned to them. Rafee assumed they were referring to the teenage boy that had been arrested a few nights ago and he quickly called his chief palace guard to find out if the boy had disclosed any information while at the jail. “Not yet, Sheik Rafee,” the man answered. “But we have not been pressing him.” “Then press him. Threaten him. Do what you must,” Rafee insisted over the phone. “Find out where his group is from and what their grievance is!” When he hung up the phone, Nik was glaring at him. “You would have a fifteen-year-old boy abused to get information?” Nik inquired. “Did I say abused? No, I simply ordered him to be questioned thoroughly and threatned. We have treated that boy like a guest, not a prisoner because of his age. It is time we found out where he is from. They have Kareem now. I will do anything,” Rafee stated. “Then discover who this Ashrawi is and we will know more,” Shawna suddenly said. “But don’t intimidate a child.” Turning on Shawna for he was out of his mind with worry, Rafee stood abruptly and pointed a finger at her. “Do not tell me how to conduct my affairs in my country, Shawna! I must be dedicated now. That is something I have failed to be these past couple days while I allowed myself to be distracted by you.” “You’re blaming this on me?” she asked back, shock registering on her face now instead of pain. “I am blaming it on both of us,” he declared. “I have decided I cannot be focused and do my job with you around. When you have recovered from your injuries, I suggest you return home. It will be the best for both of us.” Shawna almost began sobbing at his words. It was bad enough she had a pounding headache. Her head was spinning and she felt as though she was swimming in a cloud of haze. But Rafee’s words erased all of that and did nothing but focus her attention on a new pain and that was heartbreak. “Perhaps it will be for the best if I return home,” she agreed with forced anger. “But that still won’t find Kareem for us. If you’re worried about staying focused, then lets run a search for Ashrawi.” “I can help you with that,” Sheik Aarif said from the doorway. His manner was calm given the circumstances but his eyes radiated the stress of the situation. “You know who this man is, father?” Rafee inquired. Aarif nodded. “Yes. Although, I did not associate him with our troubles until I heard his name just now. He is the leader of a small village on the border between Kumar and Saudi Arabia. They have long disputed the Armanjani rule of Kumar and because of that, our border has been in flux for several centuries. Some Armanjani sheiks have allowed the village to have their way and never disputed the border. Other sheiks have fiercely fought them. I am afraid Ashrawi’s ancestors have suffered a great deal of loss over time at the hands of some of our ancestors.” “Yes, but now they are exacting their revenge,” Rafee spit out. “Perhaps. But I do not think they wish to harm Kareem. However, what they want, I cannot provide,” Aarif said. “And what is it that they want, father?” Nik inquired. “Remember the meetings we had last spring with Saudi?” Rafee and Nik both nodded. “We hammered out a final agreement with Saudi. Our border has been in flux for so long, and the president of the Emirates felt it necessary to sign a final treaty. He led the coalition and I served to advise him. We settled what we thought was fair and Saudi Arabia agreed. I am afraid, however, that Ashrawi did not. Members of his village protested vehemently insisting on sovereignty—the sovereignty they had many centuries ago. Of course, that could not be granted in this day and age. So we did what we thought would be most fair for all and we left their village in Saudi territory. They are officially part of Saudi Arabia now. But a radical coalition has formed in their village and Ashrawi is their leader—they want sovereignty or nothing. He has little support in either Kumar or Saudi, but they obviously have enough means to elude our own securities and grab Kareem. Perhaps he thinks that by pressuring us, we will persuade Saudi Arabia to grant sovereignty.” Rafee was on his computer, running the name through their country security checks. Ashrawi’s picture uploaded onto his screen and he suddenly remembered the face of the man who had hit him on the head and taken Kareem. Ashrawi had eluded their security tonight because he had posed as the photographer. Though every security measure had been in place, one man had still outsmarted Rafee. Angered beyond belief, Rafee slammed his fist on his desk and stood. “When I am finished with this man, he will harbor no more thoughts of sovereignty and beg to be handed back over to Saudi Arabia,” Rafee declared. Aarif looked seriously at his son and said, “Do not be too rash, Rafee. I feel the same amount of rage as you. But we must first contact our president and the Saudi government before we proceed.” “Then lets contact them at once,” Rafee insisted. “The sooner I can get across that border, the sooner Kareem will be home safely.” Seeing the resoluteness in his eyes and thinking about the danger, Shawna blurted out, “But Rafee, you’re injured. And it may be dangerous.” “I am not afraid of danger, Shawna, nor of a simple injury. Besides, this is no longer your business. You have aided us immensely in discovering Jamaal’s and Ashrawi’s involvement, but you can do nothing now.” “Then allow me to assist you, Rafee,” Devesh offered. “No, you must stay and so must Nikash,” Rafee insisted. “Nikash has a new wife and you will soon be allowed to marry Anika. I have no ties. If anyone should go to recover Kareem, it should be me. Besides, I have several contacts in the Saudi military. I will have plenty of support.” If Shawna’s heart was not already broken, Rafee’s insistence that he had no ties and was free to waltz into danger drove home the last hurtful spike. It was obvious her time with Rafee was at a close. He would leave on this dangerous mission, despite what anyone said, and she would leave once all was settled. It was the end of the line for their partnership and she could do little to hold back the tears. Despite her dizziness, Shawna stood and ran out of the room. She could no longer hear of Rafee’s plans and she could no longer look upon him as he stood so resolute and determined in his course. ** All necessary governments and agencies had been contacted and Rafee’s things were packed and ready to go. He stood in his study, looking around as though he had left something behind. His sub-conscious tugged at his attention, telling him he had forgotten something, yet as he created a mental list of everything he had packed, he could think of nothing that was missing. Shawna. It dawned on him that he had not bid farewell to her and that he was leaving without her. Of course, he could not take her on this adventure. She was injured, she was a U.S. citizen and she was a woman. And though he knew she was capable, the territory into which he was traveling would not take kindly to an American woman on this mission. He would not be allowed to take her, and he would not consider taking her for he had already failed once tonight to protect her from Jamaal and Ashrawi. Rafee realized, as he stood in his study knowing he should leave but procrastinating, that he had wounded Shawna with his words earlier. But he had been angry with himself for failing. Kareem was gone and Shawna was hurt. And no matter what he may have uttered in the throws of passion, he knew the time for her to leave was upon them. She had assisted them all she could and Rafee could not endure the danger he was about to enter with Shawna on his mind. Knowing she would soon return to her own country and job, but realizing he should leave with at least a cordial farewell, Rafee left his office and made his way to her bedroom. Samar was exiting with a tray of untouched food and drink and Rafee inquired of Shawna’s injuries. “The doctor said she had only a slight concussion,” Samar explained. “She is resting now and he will check on her again in the morning. The bruise on her head looks worse than it is.” Rafee nodded and said, “Please give me a moment, Samar.” Samar nodded saying she would take the tray of tea back to the kitchen and padded down the hall. Rafee pushed the bedroom door open. It was dark inside, but he made out Shawna’s sleeping form on the bed. She had changed from her jeans and T-shirt and was wearing her blue pajama bottoms and white tank top. He was going to miss her casual ways, but it was for the best, he reminded himself. Quietly he moved to the bed and gazed down upon her. Samar was right, the bruise and cut on her forehead did look bad. But the doctor had said she was all right. He too had only a mild concussion, and though he was fine, the doctor had not recommended he venture off on this mission until morning. It wasn’t the doctor’s nephew, however, that had been abducted and as soon as Rafee said his good-byes to Shawna, he would be gone. As Rafee looked at her sleeping, he felt an immense amount of loss creep into his heart. He’d known her for such a short time. Yet that time had been so intense. They had spent nearly every moment together and he was certain he knew her heart and soul. He knew she liked her job in California, he realized she adored her brothers and he understood that she trusted him. There was only one thing he was not certain of and that was if she loved him. He had not asked and she had not offered to tell him. And though he would wonder for the rest of his life, he would not inquire. Thinking all of that through and finding it overwhelming on top of the current tragedy, Rafee knelt beside the bed as though Shawna’s bed was an altar. He wrapped his hand around the gold rectangular charm that hung on a thin leather strand around his neck and drew in a deep breath fighting off his emotions. It had been a long time since he had worn the protection of the family crest. The pendant was the creation of a myth. On one side was his name in flowing Arabic letters, on the other was the royal Armanjani crest with the lion’s head. The charm signified not only his royal heritage, but also served as a talisman of sorts. At least, that’s how the legend told it. The lion signified protection and everyone in the Armanjani family owned one of these charms. Though Nikash and his new bride wore theirs constantly, Rafee had abandoned his years before. He had never fully bought into the legend, believing his ability to protect himself and his family was greater than some myth. But after tonight, he realized his arrogance had been his failure. Shawna had pointed out his flaw often and he had scoffed at her. Well, if tonight’s events weren’t enough to prove to him his flaws, nothing else would. And because his flaws were now so visible to him, he had opted for the protection of the lion once more. “Oh, Shawna,” he said on a heavy sigh and covered her hand as it rested on the bed. “If only I could turn back the clock and do everything differently.” He paused, then gently touched her cheek. “But you will be better off back home and you will find someone you love eventually.” It pained him to think of her in the arms of another man, but her life was in California and his life was here. She did not care for him enough to give everything up and he could not abandon his family and duties to move to California. Nikash may have found a way, but it would be impossible for Rafee. Protecting the company and the palace could not be done from another hemisphere. So he would say his good-byes now and leave while he still owned his resolve. “Good-bye, my darling. I will love you always,” Rafee whispered. Then he stood, placed the softest of kisses upon her lips. When her eyes fluttered slightly, he quickly turned and left. His study was no escape and he fought the urge to return to Shawna’s room and hold her. Yet he had a duty to fulfill and a nephew to find. There would be no going back. He reached down and hauled his military style rucksack onto his shoulder and turned for the door. Nik was standing there, looking at his brother with worry. “Are you ready, Rafee?” Nik inquired. “Yes. I was just about to leave. Are my men downstairs?” Nik nodded. “They are. I was coming to find you.” They stood silently for a moment until Nik finally said, “I would never tell you not to go, but I do want you to be careful. After all, you are not only my brother, but also my best friend.” “I will be careful,” Rafee assured him. “And while I am away, please watch over the family and the palace.” “I will stay here until all is settled. Tara and I agreed so tonight.” Rafee smiled. “And take care of that new wife of yours too.” “That will not be a problem or a burden,” Nik said with a return smile. Then he sobered and added, “And I will watch out for Shawna.” “Please do, until she is well. Then you should urge her to return home,” Rafee insisted. “Why, when she does not want to go?” Nik asked. “She needs to be with her family, Nikash. Our business with each other is now through. I assisted her, she assisted me. It is over.” “It will never be over,” Nik declared, “because you two have fallen in love.” “She does not love me,” Rafee disputed. Nik smiled widely at him and pointed out, “I see you did not deny your own feelings. Merely hers.” “That is true. This is not a time to be lying about anything or to hide behind my pride, for there is a chance I may never return,” Rafee admitted. “This is very dangerous.” Nik’s smile disappeared and was replaced by a deep frown. “Do not talk of never returning, Rafee. You are able enough to accomplish anything. You will return. Kareem will return. Do not doubt your abilities at this hour.” Rafee tugged the necklace from underneath his shirt collar and professed, “Perhaps you are right. I do have the protection of the lion, do I not?” Nik took a step forward, placing him directly in front of his brother. “You do, brother. But then again, you never needed its protection for I am convinced that you are the lion incarnate.” With his older brother looking at him with such confidence, Rafee could no longer doubt himself. He may have flaws and he may have been bested by Ashrawi this round, but he would win the war. He was now convinced of that. Removing the necklace from around his neck, Rafee instructed, “Give this to Shawna then. I will not need it.” Nik shook his head and held up a halting hand. “I cannot, Rafee. You know the rules. You must give it to Shawna or it would be meaningless.” “Yes, but then I would be connected with her forever,” Rafee argued. “And that is something that cannot happen.” “Does she not already own your heart?” Nik asked. Rafee said nothing as he stared at his brother. When Rafee failed to answer, Nik said, “I think she does. So either way, you will be connected forever.” Embracing his brother for only a moment, Nik said, “Travel safely, Rafee, and bring Kareem back to us.” “I will,” Rafee insisted. Nik nodded, believing his brother would do as he promised and left the room. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Warrior - Chapter 16 |