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Lucia put her hand over his. “Those days are over. Things are different now. I had no idea this kind of happiness was even real, but Noah has shown me that a forever love is possible. I want that for you too, and I’m so glad you’ve found Diana.”
> Rafe’s instincts were to deny it. History had made him wary of claiming good things for fear that they’d be taken away. But Lucia was right; things were different now. And he wanted to tell everyone that Diana was his.
“I’m glad I found Diana too. When I think about how easily I could have missed meeting her, it scares the hell out of me.”
“Fate had other plans for you, big brother. Just don’t screw it up.”
“Got it. Any other advice for me?”
“Nope. That’s it. But don’t worry, I’ll let you know if I think of anything else.”
Rafe chuckled. He had no doubt she would. Hopefully she’d have a long life of telling him and Noah what to do.
“That reminds me that I should go check on her. I don’t want her to feel like I’ve abandoned her to those crazies out there.”
Lucia smacked his arm playfully. “They’re our crazies, and we love them. They’re part of the family now.”
Rafe thought of the assorted group of men that had become like family over the past year and a half. He’d never admit it out loud, but she was right. He’d do anything for those guys out there because they’d already proven their loyalty. He stood up and kissed the top of Isabella’s head before handing her over reluctantly.
“You need anything?”
“No. Oh wait, ice cream. Yes. I need ice cream. And a glass of orange juice. I know it’s weird, but it’s something I started doing when I was pregnant.”
Rafe wrinkled his nose. “You want to drink orange juice while eating ice cream… You know what? Never mind.”
He walked toward the kitchen, shaking his head. After getting her items, he’d leave her to eat without an audience. It would turn his stomach to see milk products and orange juice being consumed at the same time. But then again, he’d better get used to the weird combinations now that Diana was pregnant.
The living room was empty, so before going to the kitchen, he stuck his head in his room. Empty.
Oskar was in the kitchen, drinking from a bottle of water. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Nothing. Just getting some stuff for Lucia. Have you seen Diana? I haven’t seen her all afternoon.”
Oskar shook his head, looking confused. “I thought she was with you.”
Jonas walked by.
“Hey, Jonas. Have you seen Diana?”
The other man looked confused. “Noah said she was with you.”
For reasons he couldn’t begin to deconstruct, Rafe started sweating. It was illogical to assume that something bad had happened to Diana anytime they were apart. Going forward, they couldn’t be together all the time, something he would have to get used to. But he had great instincts, and listening to them had saved his ass more than a few times. So although logic told him to stay calm, his instincts told him something was wrong.
“Let her know I’m looking for her if you see her,” Rafe said out loud.
He made sure to keep his expression calm and even. There was no use alarming everyone if she was just taking a nap or getting something to eat. But instead of checking their room again, he headed straight for Noah’s office. As soon as he cleared the doorway and saw Noah’s face, he knew.
“You son of a bitch. What did you do?”
Noah didn’t bother denying it, not that it would have done any good. They’d known each other too long for bullshit. He could tell with just one look that Noah had done something the other man was now regretting.
“She wanted to end it. I couldn’t say no to that. It’s been too hard worrying and wondering when they’ll strike.”
Rafe could feel his rage rising so fast and strong that he wasn’t sure he’d survive it. For years he’d existed as simply a tool. A weapon. Weapons didn’t have families or loved ones or homes. He’d gotten used to not having anything to call his own anymore, Lucia and Nonna long ago banished to the part of his mind that he considered buried. But now that he actually had something of his own, something to protect, the thought of it being taken away was unfathomable.
Simply put, Rafe wasn’t sure he’d survive losing Diana. To lose her after having her love… he might as well lose his own life.
“I’m going to kill you, Noah. If she dies, you die.”
