“Get out,” I say.
Lei nods his boys off and they move toward the door.
“We’ll be staying nearby, for when you change your mind.” He drops a card on the table nearest the door, then slips out into the cold afternoon, never giving me his back.
When they’re out of sight, my knees buckle. I put my hand out on the wooden bar to catch myself, but gravity leaves me instead. I’m curling into Rhazan’s chest before I even realize he’s picked me up. His forehead bumps mine as we tuck in closer to one another. The heat of his body doesn’t stop the trembles from rocking me, but it’s a familiar comfort that eases the band on my stomach.
“Thank you for coming,” I say.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner. I felt your fear and still…I waited for you to call me. I shouldn’t have.”
I shake my head. “I should’ve called you when they walked in.”
He plants a gentle kiss on my cheek. “You’re too stubborn for that, Firecracker.”
I chuff. “Yeah, maybe.”
He kisses my other cheek, and I turn my face up to meet his lips with mine. The kiss is chaste, not loaded with passion like before, but soft and grateful. Relieved. He pulls me against his chest harder, as if he could squish me inside of him to keep me safe.
“Why did you stop our fight the other night?” I ask when he releases my lips.
“I hurt you.”
I chuckle. “We were fighting.”
“The energy was so powerful, I thought I’d broken your shoulder. Then I realized…” His fingers dig into my sides and he winces his eyes shut.
I cradle his cheek, thumbing under his eye until he meets my gaze again.
“I’m connected to you—”
“Jade?” Lacey’s tentative voice calls from the top of the stairs.
I let out a deep breath and push against Rhaz’s shoulders gently. He frowns and hesitates, but sets me down. I jog over to the stairway.
“I’m okay. They’re gone,” I say.
“Who’s that other voice?” Nai Nai asks, her tone not one of curiosity at all, but excitement.
Damn old mystic.
I turn to look at Rhaz in his human form. He’s not a danger to them, I know that now, but does he want them to know he exists? Do I want them to know? He wouldn’t be my secret anymore.
The thought tastes bitter. I don’twantto hide from the feelings I have for him, however soon I’ll need to give them up. But it’s his choice if he wants to be known by them. He hasn’t left yet, so maybe…
I reach toward him, an offer. Fear of his rejection makes my fingers shake a little. He doesn’t hesitate like I did though, stepping forward immediately and taking my hand.
“It’s just…Rah…Raul…”
Ugh, god, why was that the first normal-sounding “R” name that came to mind?
“Raul?” Lacey asks.
“My boyfriend,” I say, more firmly.
“You have a boyfriend?” Ace’s voice cracks on the word and I laugh.
“Yeah, come down and meet him,” I say.
