“I’m staying with friends!” Gia announced stubbornly.
“No, you’re not.” Rafe said flatly. He returned to his seat and picked up his half filled cup of coffee taking a sip. “You are not leaving this house. Go to your room and get your phone, laptop, and tablet. Bring them to me. I’ve already notified school that you will be unable to attend for the next week while I clean up this mess and ensure it’s safe again. During that time you’re going to do some thinking. No TV. No phone calls. No electronics of any kind.” Rafe said flatly, brokering no argument.
“You can’t do that!” Gia screeched.
“I can and I am. You snuck out of this house when you knew the danger we all faced, and you didn’t stop to think for one second about your selfish actions. You blamed Cara for endangeringyourfamily, but what do you think you did last night? We were all out on the streets, searching for you, with targets on our backs. Did you even consider that? Did you think about the lengths me andyourfamily would have to go to in order torescue you if you were taken, which you were! You didn’t care much about any ofyourbeloved family when you slipped out of that back door yesterday, did you?”
“I should be allowed to go out!”
“You’re sixteen! Underage!” Rafe snapped. “When you’re older I will allow you to have all the nights out you want, but safely. Right now you’re still a child.”
“She did this! I told you! She made you hate me!” Gia waved her finger in my direction again and I tried not to grimace this time.
“I said enough of your drama!” Rafe barked. “Go and get your electronics and return here, then we’re going to have a discussion about Jase and what exactly you thought you were doing with him!”
“Rafe…” Gia tried, but Rafe cut her off.
“Go. I want you back here with everything in five minutes!”
Gia stormed from the room with another crash of the door, but I was prepared for it this time and didn’t jump.
“Maybe we could just make that doorway into an arched entrance or something?” Terza suggested playfully, making me smile, all be it a little wobbly.
“Dante, check with our team outside. Make sure they know Gia is not to leave the house at all without my permission until further notice. And I want that door downstairs alarmed,” Rafe ordered, sounding exhausted.
Dante just nodded, but he looked to me for several moments without moving. Eventually I realised he was worried about me and how upset I was. When I gave him a small nod and forcedanother wobbly smile, he nodded back, then got to his feet and left the room.
“Are you alright, Cara?” Cal asked gently.
“I won’t lie and say that didn’t hurt, but yeah. I’m okay,” I assured him.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into her. She’s always been a little spoiled and selfish, but never like this. She was like another person,” Rafe spoke up.
“Maybe she could benefit from some kind of counselling or therapy, Rafe? She seems to have some issues she could do with working through,” Cal suggested.
“Maybe, but I don’t think I’ll suggest that just yet. Maybe when she’s feeling calmer,” Rafe proposed and we all nodded our agreement. Suggesting she speak to a professional right now, would be like throwing gasoline on a fire.
“I think I should leave, Rafe,” I confessed.
“What?” Rafe gasped.
“I know it’s not what you want, but it’s what’s best for Gia and we have to respect what she needs right now. Like you said – she’s only a kid. I could get a hotel room or something…at least for a while.”
“No. It’s not safe. I need you here where I can protect you. Even when I clear this situation up, there will always be others. You won’t be safe alone,” Rafe argued.
“I can take care of myself, and I can check in with you all regularly. I know how to stay under the radar. I’ll be okay,” I assured him.
“I can’t Cara, please. I need you here and safe. I can’t stand to send you away again. Not ever again,” he pleaded as he leaned over the corner of the counter and pulled my hand into his. “I’ll fix this. Please just give me a chance to fix it.”
“Okay,” I gave in easily, turning my hand under his and linking our fingers. He looked so beaten down and exhausted. I had never seen him that way and it scared me. “I won’t leave. I promise.”
“Thank you.” He seemed to deflate before me with relief.
“But I want a promise in return,” I continued.
“Tell me.”
“I want you to promise to go to bed and get some proper rest for a few hours at least. You look exhausted. You have to sleep,” I told him firmly.
