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Shit. Whatever had happened to the guy, that killer was never far away. He was there, always ready. Poised, waiting. The kid could be dangerous. But Rafe also saw the horror and remorse in those eyes as Matthias had wrestled the killer back into his chains. Hell, what had he survived?
Matthias’s voice was quiet as he said, “As to the boyfriend, I found him. Let me tell you, that wasn’t easy without a name, but they shared a lease together. He works at McLean Law Associates. He’s pretty much a low-level messenger. Basic courier stuff. So if he ever did find her, the job allows enough leeway for him to come after her.”
“Address?” Rafe asked through clenched teeth.
Matthias rattled it off. “I texted it to you already. You want us to handle it? This is sort of what we do, and usually no one ends up dead.”
Read: You kill too much. Yeah, but so do you, kid.
“Thanks, but I’ll be dealing with this myself.”
Read: Sometimes people need to get dead. And I’m afraid to unleash your monster.
Matthias nodded. “I’ll go.”
Before the kid opened the door, Rafe called out. “Kid, listen. I—” Fuck, what could he say? “If you need to talk to someone who gets i
t, I’m around.”
Matthias’s gaze met his, and Rafe saw the understanding there. “Yeah, I hear you.”
That exchange was the best either of them had to offer.
When Matthias was gone, Diana stalked up to Rafe. “So, where were we?”
“Babe, can we put this on hold?”
She frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just got some information I was waiting on. It looks like I probably have to work a little tonight.” He wanted to see if he could find out any other intel the kid had missed.
She searched his gaze and narrowed her eyes. “You’re lying. What’s wrong?”
Rafe’s frown deepened. How did she know he was lying? He was a damn good liar. He’d spent years perfecting the ability.
“Did I do something wrong?”
What? Was she insane? “No. You didn’t. You, and this, are exactly what I need. I just have to work.”
She tipped her chin up. “I don’t believe you. Just tell me what’s going on. Does it involve me?”
Rafe clenched his jaw, and she took that as an affirmation.
“Okay, now you have to tell me.”
He hated to do it, to make her think that she was going crazy. But he had to because right now, they couldn’t get into it. She would worry, and she’d been through enough as it was. “Look, if you need to know something, I’ll tell you.”
She placed her hand on her hips and gave him a withering look. “Really? Now it’s ‘need to know.’ I’m the little lady, the damsel in distress? Okay, look. I needed you to rescue me down the side of a ravine. Fair enough. But since you brought me here, I’ve been pulling my weight, trying not to be a burden. Not be a bother. I appreciate it. I don’t want to impact your life more than I already have. But I thought things had changed with us. I thought maybe something was happening.”
Rafe’s frustration bubbled to the surface. “Yeah, I thought so too. But you’ve been damn secretive about your past, even knowing that I’m worried about your safety. I keep waiting to walk in here and find you gone.”
She glowered at him. “I keep waiting to be kicked out. For you to tell me I’ve overstayed my welcome. Hell, for all I know you have a girlfriend.”
Rafe threw up his hands. “Look around. Does it look like I have a girlfriend? I go to work, and I come home. Until recently, that was the extent of it. Maybe a little football on TV, pass out. Do it all again. Only lately, I’ve tacked on giving you three orgasms a night before you pass out to my list of things to do.”
“Oh, thank you for those orgasms, but if it means I can’t ask questions, if it means that I can’t know what you’re trying to do on my behalf, then I don’t want them.”
He scowled and stepped forward, crowding her. “Let’s not kid ourselves. You want it.” He licked his lips when her pupils dilated again. “But don’t think I wasn’t deadly serious when I said I would protect you.”
