Baz rubbed his jaw. Rafe had held back. The man had a mean right hook and could have broken his jaw if he’d wanted to. “I deserved that.”
“You’re damn right you did,” Rafe replied. “You broke both our hearts when you disappeared but Kaia, it shattered her. I don’t think she ever really healed.”
Baz watched him start pacing the room. “What’s going on Rafe? Something’s on your mind. You wouldn’t have sought me out like this just to tell me I broke her heart. I already know I did that.”
“She’s going to need you soon.”
Baz blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I haven’t told her this yet. I haven’t figured out how to. It’s going to crush her. I’m dying, man.”
“Wait. I don’t think I heard you right. Did you just say you’re dying?” he asked, his voice cracking.
“That’s what I said.”
Baz sat down and stared at him. He’d thought he’d have time to make amends for leaving, and now here Rafe was telling him he was dying. “Shit. Rafe, there’s something you need to know.”
“That you left for our protection. Yeah, I know. Kaia told me. I don’t know the reason behind it, but I know you Baz. We were together for over twenty fucking years. You wouldn’t have walked away if it wasn’t serious. If you do this for me, if you promise me you’ll be there for Kaia after I’m gone, even if she tries to push you away, I can forgive you.”
“You make it sound like you don’t have all that long left,” Baz said quietly.
“That’s because I don’t. Doc says I’ve got maybe a month left. Soon enough I won’t be able to get around anymore. That’s why I’ll be telling Kaia tonight, after we go to The Denizen to meet with SIlas.”
“You’re going to be there?”
“Hell yes I’ll be there. There’s no way in hell I’m letting my girl meet with him without me. I don’t trust him. Tuck will be with us inside, and we’ll have a few people outside as well. We’ll be as safe as we can be in a place like that.”
“For what it’s worth, I can tell you he’s not planning on double crossing her.”
“That’s good to know. I have to get back before anyone starts wondering where I’ve gone. But I need your promise Baz.”
“You’ve got it, Rafe. I promise I’ll be there for her. I’ll love her through it, whether she wants me to or not.”
Rafe went to him and embraced him. “I never stopped loving you, Baz.”
“Nor I you, Rafe.” They shared a kiss and then Rafe was gone.
Baz stood there getting his emotions under control for several minutes before he went back out into the bar to finish preparing for the upcoming meeting.
Chapter Three
Kaia
“Let’s roll!” Kaia called out to the small team that was going into Duskcairn with them. She wanted to arrive ahead of the time they were due to be there to scope things out. She wasn’t about to trust Silas not to be underhanded.
“Be careful, Kaia. I don’t trust Silas,” Aimee said.
“Neither do I. That’s why we’re leaving early,” Kaia told her. “Don’t worry, we’ll be as safe as we can be. You just keep your ass here where you can’t get into any trouble.”
“I wish I was going with you.”
“Not a chance in hell. I’m not risking you. We’ll be back late but I know you, you’ll still be up, so see you in a few hours.” They hugged and Kaia slid into the driver’s seat. It was a running joke that she was a bit of a control freak—she loved to drive.
The drive, thankfully, was uneventful, and they arrived half an hour early. They scoped out the bar and everything appeared to be normal. She situated her people in strategic positions around the place and at 9:50 pm she, Rafe, and Tuck sauntered inside. They headed to the bar for drinks first, their eyes scanning the bar for Silas.
“Back corner booth,” Tuck said.
“Got ‘em,” Kaia replied. “Let’s go get this over with.” They made their way over and Rafe slid into the booth first followed by Kaia. Tuck stood at the side acting as a shield.
