I pushed to my feet. “Rafe.”
He stopped me with an icy glare that demanded my respect and my loyalty. “No.”
He dipped his chin toward Noelle. “Get out of town. Don’t come back. Ever.”
“You can’t be serious.” Noelle took a step toward him.
She was either the bravest woman in the world or the most foolish. “Rafe, I’m not going to let them arrest you.”
Her hand lifted, and Rafe stared at it with a cold cruelty that twisted my stomach.
I couldn’t sit by and let him do this.
I finished the agonizingly slow movement to stand.
Dizziness whooshed through me with such ferocity, Ash ducked beneath my arm and helped hold me upright.
“I’m dead serious.” Rafe pointed a finger at her car parked across the street.
He took a step closer, looming over her. “You think being willing to sacrifice your career makes this okay?”
A scoff twisted his mouth. “Love doesn’t fix this. Fuck love.”
I’d never heard him so cold.
My vision cleared. “Rafe. Stop.”
I shrugged away from Ash.
“None of this would be necessary if she’d been honest from the beginning.” Rafe scowled and jerked his chin. “I never would have let you stay. None of this ever would have happened. This is on you.”
Noelle’s already pale face went translucent. “I understand.”
She turned toward her car, and all the life and vigor I loved about her dulled to nothingness.
“No. You don’t understand shit.” I grabbed her hand with my good arm. “Noelle, wait.”
She pulled away, already walking to her car, giving up, her shoulders rounded, and I hated the defeat in her posture.
She’d been on the verge of suffering untold dangers tonight because her lies were revealed and she’d been frightened away from us.
She didn’t look back.
I could run after her.
Or I could confront Rafe.
There was no reason to try and bring her back without Rafe’s approval. I shoved my way into his space. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Rafe’s eyebrows shot up. “She’s a cop, Bishop. She’ll destroy us.”
“They sent her to investigate us. There’s a difference.” Ash caught my arm when I wobbled.
Damn blood loss.
I should be stronger than this.
I’d been shot in combat and kept going.
