As if on cue, the door to the large dining room opened and Dio and my brother both walked in with mountainous plates of pasta in one hand, and a beer bottle each in the other.
They had changed out of their suits into jeans and t-shirts that made them both look younger and more relaxed. Though they were obviously tired from their usual lack of sleep, they were both laughing as they walked in, obviously having just shared a joke. And I was going to ruin it.
“Sorry we’re a little late. Everything okay?” Rafe asked as they rounded the table and took their usual seats, side by side, at the back of the room.
Dio looked over to me the second he sat, and his smile dropped instantly when he took in what I was sure was a blotchy face and very red eyes.
“You’ve been crying. What’s wrong?” he demanded as he looked from me to Arran.
“Cara?” Rafe questioned as his gaze moved to me and his smile fell too.
“We’ve had a bit of a rough day here. That’s why we wanted to talk wi’ ye both,” Arran spoke up.
“Rough day?” Rafe repeated with a growl.
“Why didn’t you ring me?” Dio ground out at the same time.
“I’m alright,” I told them both, even though it was clear from the state of me, and the tremble in just those words, it was a lie.
“Cara’s feeling fairly anxious right now, so we need to keep this conversation calm,” Cal interjected.
I was relieved when he gripped me under my arms and pulled me back in his lap, all the way until my back was resting against his chest. I could feel the steady beat of his heart, so calm in comparison to the racing of my own.
“What’s going on?” Rafe asked, his voice softer than before, his tone relaxed, even though his posture wasn’t.
“I…” Words didn’t come out when I pushed for more. My throat hurt and I didn’t even know where to begin speaking.
“Here, darlin.’” Arran poured some water into a glass and handed it to me. “Take slow sips. Can I tell them about Hilt?” he asked, and I nodded.
“Hilt? The guy who was looking for Cara back in Chicago?” Rafe snapped.
“Aye,” Arran nodded. “He rang Cara this afternoon. He told her he needed to meet, that he had information she needed.”
“He’s in London?” Dio questioned as his eyes moved back to me and seemed to scan all over me, like he was looking for injuries.
“Seems so. Cara wanted to meet wi’ him, so we took Dom and Joey, and met him at the tube station on the high street.”
“Why wasn’t I consulted about this?” Rafe demanded, his relaxed composure slipping fast.
“Hilt…he was risking his life. He said he wouldn’t wait. We had to go right away,” I rasped, not wanting anyone to be mad with Arran.
“That throat sounds raw, babe. Try to sip more water. I’ll make you some tea with honey when we’re done here,” Cal soothed.
I wrapped my free hand around his wrist and clung to him when he picked up my water glass and brought it to my lips. I didn’t bother trying to take over, knowing my hands shook too badly to hold the glass still. Instead I gave in and took a tiny drink of water.
“What did this guy tell you?” Dio pushed.
“He’s working with the Armenians, him and his brother. They got mixed up with them inside.”
“Jesus wept,” Rafe groaned.
“Aye, I thought the same when he said that, but he genuinely seemed to care about Cara. I think we can trust the intel he gave us.”
“Which was?” Dio nudged impatiently.
“Adamian has brought over a dozen men from America, Hilt thinks to do a raid, but he wasnae sure where. A house or a business, was the best he could gi’ us.”
“A raid? On us?” Rafe looked between us , his eyes darkening like he was already making plans, devising tactics, and working every angle to protect what was his.
