CHAPTER13
Liam
I wanted to go with Kyleigh to her meeting today, but I understood why she declined my offer. She was looking forward to the chance to flex her independence, and my presence would cramp her style. I knew she was going to be talking about Tabiqian culture, and I’ve been trying to learn about that myself. I knew the basics, what anyone could learn off the internet and by observing the locals, but there was a hidden secret that no one seemed willing to talk to me about. Finn had agreed too, but not until we were in person. That’s bullshit. If Kyleigh could go across the world and talk to a stranger about it, then why not me?
What really could be so terrible that it’s only talked about in person and selected people at that?
I paced Shaun’s living room while waiting for Kyleigh to come down. I arrived early and she was running late.
“Keep it up and you’ll need to replace the rug,” Shaun said as he entered the room.
I chuckled and sat down. “Sorry. A lot on my mind.”
“Problems with Kyleigh?” he asked.
“No. Just thinking about Tabiq.”
“What about it?” Shaun said, taking a seat. I looked at the doorway and he added, “Don’t worry. We have plenty of time. Morgan told me Kyleigh was just about to get in the shower. Knowing women, that means we have at least a half hour to kill. So, what’s on your mind?”
Finn might not tell me, and Shaun might not know, but hell, it was worth asking. “Do you know what Kyleigh’s meeting was about today?”
“I do. A medical student from Ireland wanted to learn more about Tabiqian culture.”
“Yeah, about that. What do you think she told him?” I asked.
Shaun raised a brow. “I’m not sure I understand your question.”
“Do you think she told them everything, or just what Tabiq wants the world to know?” I asked. People like me.
“Are you saying that you know about Tabiq’s past?” Shaun asked with a look of surprise in his eyes.
“I’m saying that I know it is not what the world knows. It’s like the entire country is on lockdown because I’ve searched the internet looking for the answers I want. I’ve tried talking to some of the locals, and they act as though they do not understand English. I’m not stupid or ignorant. I can see the women are extremely reserved. What I don’t know is why? I believed it was a cultural thing in the beginning, but not any longer.”
“Tabiq is…complicated,” Shaun replied.
“No. It’s a…coverup. But for what? That’s what I’m trying to find out. I have a strong feeling that my brother is aware of the truth, and I highly suspect by your body language, that you do as well. I plan on talking to Kyleigh about it tonight, asking her to tell me the big secret that seems to be looming over Tabiq. That is, unless you’d like to fill me in,” I said.
Shaun ran his hand through his hair and leaned back in his chair. “You have no idea what you’re asking.”
“Yes, I do. I’m asking for someone to tell me the truth. Is it that hard?”
“Nothing is easy when it comes to Tabiq. I would like to tell you no, but I also don’t want to force Kyleigh into talking about it.”
“I wouldn’t force Kyleigh into anything. I’d ask, and if she says no, then it’s no and I’ll have to wait until I see Finn. But I care about Kyleigh. There are times I don’t understand the walls that she and my brother put up. I’m trying to understand so I don’t hurt her,” I explained.
“Hurt is one thing the Tabiqian people have seen enough of. I can’t tell you everything, and neither can Finn. Some things are left buried, but I will tell you some.”
“I’m listening,” I said, and tried to mentally prepare myself for whatever he was about to say.
“I don’t know what Finn told you, but Tabiq has gone through some horrendous things. If you think of hell, just know that they’ve been through worse. Corruption overtook a poor country and greed brought more pain to the women than you can imagine.”
“Just the women or all the people in Tabiq?” I asked.
It was a straightforward question in my mind, but Shaun didn’t answer it as directly as I’d hoped.
“Anyone who stood in the way of the corrupt government and police getting what they wanted, which was money.”
I tried again. “Shaun, answer my damn question,” I growled out. I don’t know why it was so important to me, but I didn’t want anything left out. I needed to know. What happened in Tabiq is important to Kyleigh, which means it’s important to me.