Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“Tell me.”
“I’ve noticed men. It’s weird, you know? We live in the city and there are people all over the place. But it’s like… they were following me? And there was a car parked outside my place.”
“Describe them and the vehicle, please.”
“Am I in trouble? What’s going on?”
“Please, June. Tell me what you can.”
She places the icepack down in her lap and gives me generic information. A black car. Rough-looking individuals. Nothing that rings a bell or makes it clear who sent me that photograph or who might be keeping an eye on her.
But one thing’s certain.
She’s been found, and now she’s in danger.
“I thought I was going crazy, but it’s real, isn’t it? People really are following me?”
“It’s possible. I can’t be sure yet.”
“Why? And what does it have to do with you?”
I open my mouth but shut it again. This girl… this beautiful girl…
She has no fucking idea who and what I am.
Do I want to tell her here? In this nice kitchen? In the middle of this safe life she built for herself and her daughter?
The longer I sit at her table, the more I’m sure I’m defiling this space.
“You don’t have to worry.” The lie comes out easily enough. Better to keep her calm than to give her the truth: your life is in danger and it’s because of me. “I’ll keep an eye on things.”
“I don’t even understand what’s going on.”
I stand and back away. She goes to come after me, but sinks into her chair again with a grunt, the icepack spilling to the floor.
It takes all my power not to rush to her side.
That won’t help. Touching her, making sure she’s okay—that won’t help at all.
“Nothing will change in your life. Go about your business like you always do. Don’t think about this again.”
“But Rafe, wait—“
“It’s better this way. I’m sorry, doll. I told myself I wouldn’t bother you, but…”
“Hattie’s upstairs.” She says it fast. Like if she doesn’t rush the words, she might swallow them down. “She asked about you a few weeks ago.”
My chest aches. It hurts in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time, not since that night standing beside the wreckage of my family’s home. I turn my back on June and steel myself.
“One last question. Have you been with anyone?”
It slips out before I can stop myself. Weak, weak, weak, fucking pathetic.
But she only laughs. “Seriously?”
“I want to know.”
“I tried once. I had a boyfriend a few years back, but it didn’t work out. Why are you even asking?”
“I don’t know,” I admit and stalk to the back door. She calls my name again, tries to get up and follow me, but I disappear into the night. I vault her back fence into the alley behind and walk fast, aimless, jaw so tight it feels like I might bite through my own teeth, until I find myself a dozen blocks south.
I pause to catch my breath.
What the fuck was that? Asking about men?
I knew about the boyfriend already. That was stupid and selfish of me.
I find my phone in my hand. The number rings and I start to think he won’t pick up until Cassian’s voice comes through on the other end, distant and staticky. “I told Silas already,” he growls, “I’m not taking jobs right now.”
“Cass, where are you?”
A short pause. “Don’t worry about that.”
“The connection’s bad.”
“Satellite phone. Are we done?”
“I need your help.”
Another longer pause. I wonder if the line went dead, but the static’s still there. My brother finally answers. “What do you need?”
I tell him about June. It spills out in a flow I can’t staunch. “I need you to keep an eye on her until my plans are ready.”
“You’re in a bad situation, brother.”
“I know.”
“It’s not like you.”
“I’m aware.”
“I would’ve expected this from Silas or maybe Devlin, but you—“
“I know, Cassian.” I keep the anger from my tone. I can handle some chiding. Hell, I deserve worse. “Will you help?”
“I can be there in a few hours.”
Relief floods me. I close my eyes and let out a long breath. “Thank you.”
“It’s not for you, asshole. It’s for my baby niece.”
He hangs up.
I stare at my hands. His words like the roar of a waterfall in my skull.
His baby niece.
My daughter.
7
JUNE
Ican’t sleep that night. I keep picturing big men in all black breaking down my door and taking away my girl. I end up bringing her into my bed and finally pass out with the heat of her against my chest.
The morning brings breakfast. Routine. Preschool. Work with Beth. We meet at a gorgeous venue, an old Gilded Age mansion townhouse near Rittenhouse. It’s a massive building filled with warm tones, gold trim, and real wood. The fireplaces are large enough for two people to stand side by side. We’ve used it a few times in the past but it’s one of the higher-end locations in the city.