| The Sheiks Of Kumar - Part II The Warrior By CJ |
| Chapter 16 Over a week he had suffered in the desert. He was back at the palace in Kumar finally, but his suffering had not subsided. The desert mission had been arduous for many reasons. The importance of finding Kareem had been paramount, but missing Shawna had tortured his soul. He may have said to her unconscious mind that she would find someone else, yet it was the last thing he wanted to happen. And as he stood in the palace garage, staring at the gift Shawna had left for him, he was for once, undecided about how to progress. “It is a fine car,” his mother said, entering the garage and looking over the classic Mustang. “Yes, it is,” Rafee agreed. “Then why are you standing here staring at it instead of driving it?” Rafee didn’t answer his mother right away. He was still stunned by the fact that Shawna had left him the car. He had only returned with Kareem the day before and had noticed immediately that Shawna was no longer at the palace. That did not surprise him, their last exchange had not gone well. What did surprise him, however, was the Mustang. “I suppose I am still trying to figure out why Shawna sent her car here for me,” Rafee finally uttered. “And staring at the vehicle will answer your question?” Kamila asked. Rafee said nothing. After a few moments of silence, Kamila spoke. “Rafee, you have always been the only child of mine who has never needed advice, and who never hesitated at making up his mind. Yet I sense for the first time that you are in a dilemma.” “A dilemma, over what?” Rafee asked innocently. He realized he had been easy to read since Shawna had traveled with him to Kumar. His family had seen through his pride and denials. Yet even at this hour, he was still clinging to a thin guise of dissent. Sighing with rare frustration, Kamila answered, “Over Shawna.” “Yes, mother, I am,” Rafee agreed. “I am in a dilemma over why she sent me her precious car.” “No, Rafee, you are not. You know why she sent this to you. You must.” Rafee again said nothing for he did know why Shawna had left the car. Her actions had surprised him, but he knew her reasoning. She cared for him. She loved him. And though he had turned her away, she had left a piece of herself behind. “Are you going to continue to try and deny that you have no feelings for Miss Patrick? Because if you do, I guarantee that you will regret letting her get away.” “I regret very little in my life,” Rafee insisted. “You will regret this,” Kamila declared. “Perhaps,” Rafee drawled. Then he remembered how Shawna felt in his arms, how she made him laugh and how she matched his bravery at every turn and he realized he would regret letting her get away. But what about her life in California? What about her commitment to her family? Could anything exist between them across the distance of their two worlds? “This woman, my son, loves you,” Kamila added, placing an urgent hand upon his arm. “I have seen it in the way she looks at you. And you have been transparent since the day you arrived here with her. I know you better than you know yourself at times, Rafee, and I know you love this woman.” He could never lie to his mother and she could always figure him out. Turning his eyes away from the car and staring down at his mother who’s own eyes mirrored his in color and expression, he admitted, “I do. But I thought that perhaps she did not love me. And I allowed my pride to interfere and my concern over Kareem to push her away. I was determined not to fall into the same trap Nikash fell prey to, and yet I walked into it quicker and more blindly than he did.” His mother smiled at him. “You did.” Rafee finally smiled too, then frowned as he remembered that Shawna was gone. “But, she is gone now, mother. She returned home to her family and her job and that is where she belongs.” “Are you certain that is where she belongs? Are you positive she does not seek a change and some adventure? Did you ever inquire?” Reluctantly, Rafee shook his head. “Then ask her. Give her the option to come here with you and be part of our family,” Kamila said as her grip tightened on his arm. “And if she says no?” Rafee asked, thinking of how he had felt heartbreak once before. “If she says no, I will be very surprised. But if she says yes, you will have an entire lifetime of happiness.” Rafee returned his eyes to the car and studied the red paint carefully. She had insisted she would never sell this car to anyone, but she had easily handed it over to him. If she had left her car, perhaps she would leave all behind in San Francisco too to be with him. “I noticed she had your royal charm on when she left,” Kamila said. “I left it for her,” Rafee admitted. “You know what the ancient sheiks did when they were determined to claim something as theirs. They left the crest of the lion. You have marked something as yours; you must now go claim it. It is your duty and your destiny, Rafee.” His mother had uttered the magic words to turn the tide of his mind. Yes, it was his duty to go claim Shawna as his. He loved her and he now knew she loved him. There was no other woman on earth better suited for him and he not only wanted her again as his partner, he wanted her as his wife. ** “So tell us more about this palace you stayed at,” Eddy insisted. Shawna told her three brothers of the architecture and grand style of the palace. She talked about the wedding and Sheik Aarif. And of course, they came full circle to a subject she had wanted to avoid—Rafee. “Rafee really went on some expedition to the desert to get back his kidnapped nephew?” Billy inquired. “Yes, he did,” Shawna answered. “That’s pretty amazing. Do you know the details?” Shawna shook her head. Rafee had left before she had awoken the next morning with a huge goose egg on her forehead. The details of his adventure into Saudi were sketchy, but she had remained in Kumar until word had made it back to the palace that he had succeeded. She knew little else and had not inquired further about the adventure. Nik had wanted her to wait until Rafee and Kareem had returned but as soon as Shawna had heard of their safety, she had scheduled a flight out of Kumar. She had missed Rafee terribly the entire time he was gone and worried constantly. His parting words to her, however, had been blunt and to the point. He had told her to return home. Though they had talked of vacationing together earlier in that evening, something had changed between them and it was clear to her that her time with Rafee had ended. So she had remained at the palace only long enough to be ensured of Kareem and Rafee’s safety. “Just a few details, Billy,” Shawna said. “It was a long historic dispute that this Ashrawi was fighting. All I know is that Rafee got his nephew back and Ashrawi’s fifteen-year-old son was returned home as well with his charges being dropped in Kumar. After that, I left.” “Why’d you rush home, sis?” Joseph asked. “I mean, you had your car shipped over there and everything. I thought we wouldn’t see you for months.” “I sent the car to Kumar for Rafee. And I came home because I was no longer needed in Kumar. By the way, thanks for all your help, Joseph,” Shawna said. “Anytime. It was actually pretty fun learning about all this terrorist stuff,” he admitted. “And Rafee phoned me personally yesterday to thank me himself.” Shawna quickly sat in one of the plastic chairs that lined the office of her brother’s garage. They were all gathered at Eddy’s shop having a mini family reunion. Shawna had only recently returned from Kumar a few days prior and though she had seen Joseph, she had not seen her other brothers. They were supposed to have a family dinner at Eddy’s house later. In the meantime, she was enjoying the conversation with her brothers--until this news. “He what?” Shawna asked, shocked by the news. Instinctively her hand covered the gold charm she wore as a necklace. She had found it clasped around her neck when she had awoken after her injury in Kumar. She knew it was a sign of the royal family for Tara and Jenny both wore them. There was a historic myth about a lion’s protection that accompanied the charm and she had assumed it was a gift from the royal family for her work on their case. But when she had asked Nik about it before leaving Kumar, he had said very little aside from reiterating the myth. He had not revealed who had left it and told her it would be revealed to her in time. She had inquired no further, for her mind had been focused on arranging for her Mustang to arrive in Kumar and on scheduling her trip home. “I said he called,” Joseph repeated. “Called? Really?” Shawna was still shocked by the news for she had heard no word from Rafee in nearly two weeks. The fact that he had called her brother only days after his return from the desert more than irked her and had Rafee been present, she would have berated him for it. Yet he wasn’t present, nor did she ever expect to see him again. “Yes, really.” Then Joseph smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Shawna, we didn’t talk about you too much.” She frowned at him and then quickly changed the subject. “I don’t care if you did,” she insisted. “I would much rather talk about what happened here while I was gone. Did you and Billy ever catch my cheating husband?” “Yes, actually, he wasn’t cheating. Turns out, his gal pal was an old artist friend from college and he was having a surprise portrait painted for his wife. Billy and I already closed the case and settled the bill with the wife,” he explained. “Good. After weeks of neglecting my work, I really feel the need to get back to it. Thanks for settling that case for me,” she said. “You really want to just jump back into work?” Joseph asked. “I mean, after hanging out in a palace I would think staking out cheating husbands would be beneath you now.” “Not likely. I don’t belong in a palace, Joseph. I’m a working gal,” she declared. Getting back to work was going to be the only way she could keep her mind off Rafee. His essence still consumed her and she was hoping that a few days of staking out a stalking ex-boyfriend or tracking down a witness for a lawyer would cleanse her soul. But then she remembered the feel of Rafee next to her, the touch of his lips and the sound of his voice and she was convinced it would take more than just a few days of work to make her forget him. It would take ten lifetimes to accomplish that. “That’s a shame,” a male voice suddenly said from the doorway behind her, “because the palace just hasn’t been the same since you left.” Shawna recognized the voice immediately and quickly turned in her seat. Rafee was leaning casually against the doorjamb dressed in khaki pants and a white T-shirt smiling smugly at her as though he had just seen her the day before. “Rafee,” she gasped. “What…what are you doing here?” He held a black velvet box toward her. “You forgot these. I thought I would return them.” She knew what was in the jewelry box without even opening it. It was the diamond necklace and earrings Rafee had given her. She had left them in Kumar on purpose for she had not wanted Rafee to think she was giving him her car in exchange for the diamonds. It wouldn’t be right if he believed that of her. “I left those there on purpose,” she said, finally finding her strength. The sight of him looking completely relaxed and healthy stunned her. Yet it had not stunned her to the point of being unresponsive. “And I suppose you left the palace on purpose as well?” he challenged. “Yes,” Shawna said standing. “I left because you told me my services were no longer required.” Quickly Eddy stood. “Maybe we should leave.” “No,” Rafee insisted, holding up a halting hand. “Please, stay. I want everyone to hear what I came to say.” After hearing that, Shawna was certain Rafee had only come to argue a few words and leave. Certainly he would not declare anything deep for her in front of all her brothers. It wasn’t his style. He kept to himself. He guarded his emotions. Even to this day she had no idea how he felt about her. The only term he had used to describe them had been “dear friends.” And if they were only “dear friends” then certainly her brothers could hear what he came to say. “Very well,” Shawna agreed. “Talk away. We’re listening.” Rafee pushed away from the doorway and kept his direct, light eyes on Shawna. His gaze didn’t falter as he spoke. “The night I left for Saudi, I know I said some things that upset you. I did not mean them,” he began. “I was merely angry with myself.” “With yourself?” she asked with disbelief. “It sounded more like you were upset with me.” “That is only because I had failed…I had failed to protect you, Shawna.” “You didn’t fail, Rafee,” Shawna insisted. “We both ended up with bumps on our heads. And I didn’t need to be protected. I’m not fragile.” “No, but you were in my country and we were caught unawares by Ashrawi and Jamaal—I should have been ready for that. And because I wasn’t, because you got hurt, I blamed you for interfering with my focus. It was nothing more than insecurity speaking, Shawna. I did not mean what I said.” “All right. I can forgive you for that. It makes sense. After all, Kareem had just been abducted.” Shawna turned away and took a few steps toward the long counter of the office. Keeping her back to Rafee, she said, “So I guess that means you can be on your way now. I understand everything.” She was glad for an explanation, but if that was all he had to say, then she wanted him to leave. Looking at him, listening to him, was ripping a larger whole in her heart. If she couldn’t have him as hers, she didn’t want him in her life. She had known that all along but had been unable to admit it to herself until recently. She had lied thinking that a few trysts here and there would be enough. But after being away from him, she realized she wanted it all. She wanted him as her partner, her lover, her husband. And if he didn’t want the same, she needed for him to release her now. “No, Shawna, you do not understand everything,” Rafee declared in a more urgent tone. “You do not understand what I went through in that desert thinking of nothing but how I wish you had been with me while I hunted for Kareem. How I hoped every night that you would be in Kumar when I returned. And how I prayed that I simply made it back alive so I could see you again.” Shawna turned and faced him for his words were more revealing than any he had declared to her before. “But…but you said…” Shawna stumbled. “You said that you had no ties and that was why you were going to Saudi. You made it sound like whatever relationship we may have had, had simply vanished with Kareem’s abduction.” “Yes, I did. But I had to keep my brother and Devesh from insisting they come too and that was my only good excuse.” Rafee moved in front of her in one long stride and placed his hands upon her shoulders. Staring at her intently, he said, “I had no choice but to go. You didn’t want me to. But it was my duty. I had to say something to distance myself from everyone. I had to shield myself so that I could find Kareem. I could trust that task to no one else.” “And Kareem…how is he?” Shawna asked. “He is just fine except he constantly asks about you,” Rafee said lightly. “How’d you find him?” Shawna had to know the details. Hearing Rafee explain everything to her was making her want him and she needed to distance herself from those feelings for a few minutes while she tried to sort through all he had already told her. Letting go of her shoulders and looking at everyone in the room, Rafee explained, “It took a few days to find out where Ashrawi and his men where hiding. But when we did, we caught a very lucky break. Ashrawi had a camp with families there. Children played freely and they allowed Kareem to wander the camp as well. And you know about that penchant he has for wandering. He walked right into our hands.” “Really?” Shawna asked with a smile. “And what happened to Jamaal and Ashrawi?” “The Saudi authorities have them in their custody now. They will handle their punishment,” Rafee said. “I’m glad. I’m so glad Kareem is all right.” Shawna then added, “And you too. I’m glad you’re all right. I worried when you were gone.” “Then why weren’t you there then I returned?” he asked not with anger but with curiosity. “We had a vacation to plan.” Sighing, Shawna said, “Because, Rafee, at the time, my feelings were hurt. And I realized I couldn’t keep up the ruse of a simple friendship any longer.” Rafee’s eyes could not drink in enough of Shawna. What he had told her about his thoughts in the desert was true. He had been consumed by her. He had longed for her. And he had prayed every night that he had not scared her away with his words to her. Seeing her after the past two weeks was feeling like heaven, but the stubborn way she was denying him now was trying his patience. He had waited too long to have her and now that he saw her again, he would not leave California until she agreed to be with him. “A simple friendship? Is that what you think our relationship was?” Rafee inquired, though he now knew she had thought different. While in the desert he had not only thought of her, but he had doubted her love for him. It had pained him, but he was positive that if he returned and found her gone from Kumar, that it meant she felt nothing for him. And when he had first arrived home to his family and found Shawna gone, his heart had broken. Yet, she had left something for him that had quickly convinced him that she had lost her heart to him. Her classic Mustang sat waiting for him at the palace. That car, she had insisted, she could sell to no one. But she had given it to him. And Rafee knew that car meant the world to her. “No, but I know that’s what you thought it was,” she argued. “I didn’t think that by the time I left, my dear,” he defended. He reached out and clasped the Arabic charm around her neck. “I claimed you before I left. You belong to me now and I’m afraid there is no getting out of it.” His arrogant ways could always irritate her temper and instead of listening carefully to all he had said, she latched on to the last phrase and declared, “Don’t talk like you own me, you pompous, conceited,…” “Over-inflated oil sheik?” he finished for her. Rafee tugged her closer and stared intently at that beautiful face he had not seen in weeks. “Indeed, my love, I am all of that. But I am also lost without you for you have claimed my heart. I love you and if you do not tell me the same, I am afraid I will be a broken man,” Rafee said lowly with as much feeling as he could gather. “You love me?” Shawna asked slowly. “That is what I said. And I am declaring it in front of your entire family, Shawna. I know I pretended for so long to dislike you. I used pride as an excuse to deny my feelings. My family was certain of my feelings before I was and I am ashamed that I allowed you to leave Kumar without you knowing the truth. But if you take me back, if you agree to be with me, I will declare my love for you in front of my entire homeland.” When all Shawna did was stare at him in disbelief, Rafee asked quickly, “What? Have I misread your feelings? Have I misinterpreted the meaning of your gift to me?” Stunned, but realizing she had better snap out of her daze and tell the man how she felt before he left in an angry tantrum, Shawna shook her head and said, “Uh, no. You didn’t misread anything, Rafee. I have loved you since the night you said we were partners, since the night you took off to investigate the pipe bomb and I remained awake worried sick over your safety. I have loved you, but did not want to tell you because I thought you felt nothing in return for me.” “And that is my fault you believed that,” he professed, touching her cheek. “I berated you for weeks and compared you to some silly, conceited girl I once knew in college. I am so very sorry for acting like a fool.” Turning away from her for just a moment, Rafee collected the black velvet box he had laid on a chair and handed it to Shawna. “If you forgive me completely, then please accept this,” he said to her. Shawna smiled as she accepted his offer. “Of course, Rafee.” “What is it, Shawna?” Billy piped up. She had almost forgotten her brothers were still present. Turning toward them, she blushed shyly for all that they had heard and opened the box. Holding it to them, she explained, “It was a gift from Rafee. What do you think?” Joseph took a step forward and fingered the jewelry. “I think this is entirely too exquisite for a simple PI. It seems only fitting for royalty.” Just as Shawna frowned, Joseph held out an object in front of her that he had pulled from the box. He smiled wickedly at her and said, “And I guess if you accept this, you will be royalty in a manner of speaking.” It was then that Shawna gasped and nearly dropped the box in her hands. In Joseph’s fingers was a simple marquis cut diamond ring. Her brother handed it to Rafee and he took her left hand in his. “Will you, Shawna, accept this?” Rafee asked. “Will you marry me?” Her hand shook and she knew if she opened her mouth she would only cry. Hearing that Rafee loved her had been amazing enough. Hearing that he wanted to marry her was doubly so. “Darling, you have to say yes,” Rafee insisted, again fingering the golden charm around her neck. “When an Armanjani sheik bestows the royal crest upon you, it means you are his. You would break centuries of tradition if you denied me.” Taking a deep, shuddering breath Shawna asked, “But where would we live? How would it work?” Smiling reassuringly at her, Rafee answered, “There is plenty of room at the palace. I have a company that could definitely use your skills. And I have ready access to private jets that will fly us back to California as often as you like to visit Nikash, Tara and your family. It will work.” “Would you say yes already, Shawna?” Eddy piped up. “If you don’t, I will.” Shawna laughed, looked at the urging expressions on her brothers’ faces and finally nodded. Yes, she would marry Rafee and they would work something out. She could live in Kumar and work with him as a partner in his company’s security section. And he could claim her all he wanted, as long as she was allowed to do the same. Rafee slipped the ring on her finger when she finally nodded her approval, then gathered her close and placed a kiss upon her lips. What relief to finally have Shawna back in his arms! “Kareem will be crushed,” Shawna finally uttered when Rafee pulled his lips from hers and rested his forehead against hers. “My nephew will have to get over it,” he joked back, cradling her face in his hands. “Because we belong together.” They stood like that for a few more minutes until Joseph cleared his throat with a loud “uh-um” and drew their attention back to their audience. “What now, Joseph?” Shawna asked. “Are you going to try and chase this one off too?” “Never. He’s the only non-loser of the bunch, sis. In fact, I invited him down here when he called me yesterday. I told him you’d agree to marry him because you haven’t had any better offers lately.” Shawna pulled away from Rafee and playfully punched her brother in his arm. “You knew? This whole time, you knew?” “Guilty,” Joseph declared. “Us too,” Billy insisted, pointing to himself and Eddy. Moving behind Shawna and placing his hands on her arms, Rafee explained, “I wanted the blessings of your family. Perhaps it is more old fashioned than you would like, but I wanted to include them. I know how important your family is to you.” “Thanks, Rafee,” Shawna said, touching his hand upon her arm. “Though they bug the heck out of me, they are important.” Smugly, Joseph said, “That’s right. And don’t you forget that, Shawna. Now, you two had better split if you plan to get anywhere before sunset.” Shawna turned to look at Rafee with a question in her eyes. “What does he mean?’ “I brought the Mustang back with me,” Rafee answered. “Yes, and your suitcase is already packed,” Billy chimed in. “It’s in the back of my car,” Joseph added. Shawna’s head was spinning as she looked from one man to the other as they talked. “And why’s that?” Shawna asked. “Because, darling,” Rafee answered, “we have a vacation to take. I thought you could give me a tour of your country in my Mustang. I hear the California coast is beautiful.” “Its my Mustang,” Shawna insisted. “You gave it to me,” Rafee said back. “Yes, but once we’re married, it’ll be joint property, so in actuality its mine again,” Shawna reasoned. Teasingly, Rafee dangled the car keys in front of her. “I don’t think so. You ride, and I will drive my car.” Pouting and looking more beautiful than ever wearing that expression, Shawna said deviously, “I suppose that means it’s a hot night in hell.” Now that she was wearing his ring with a promise of a future together, Rafee knew they would not drive far before he had to have his way with her. With that in mind, he immediately handed the keys back over to Shawna and said, “I would rather hell freezes over tonight, darling, so the car is yours. As long as you agree to revisit a few of those American traditions that take place at a drive-in.” Shawna laughed, hugged her three confused brothers and left with the man she loved. It had been a tough road, but she and Rafee were finally traveling smoothly. Then End |