“Why don’t you give Rafe a ring now, and then you can get some sleep as soon as we get back?” he suggested and I sat up, perked up by the idea of speaking to my brother. I knew it was silly, but I missed Rafe already.
“It’s really late in the UK,” I remembered.
“Rafe will be awake. He won’t sleep until he’s heard from you,” Cal assured me, and I nodded, knowing he was likely right.
I pulled my phone from the pocket of my jacket and hit Rafe’s contact. It only rang twice before he picked up, and I felt so much relief at hearing his voice.
“Hi sweetheart, I was waiting for your call.”
“Sorry. I should have called earlier. I didn’t think.”
“Not to worry. I never go to bed this early anyway,” he reminded me with a chuckle. “How are you? Is everything alright there?”
“I…I’ve been toJewels. I spoke to a friend there,” I replied, my voice wavering slightly, emotion seeming to overwhelm me at the sound of Rafe’s voice. “I have a lead I want to follow, and there’s someone else I can speak to too.”
“Where are you now,Tesorino?”
“Still parked out front of the club. We’re heading back to the hotel soon.”
“You sound tired. It must have been very difficult to go back there again, after what happened.”
“It was,” I admitted. “And I am tired, but it’s done now.”
“You amaze me with your courage, Cara. How can you not see how strong you are?”
“I just did what I had to. That’s all I’ve ever done,” I sighed. “How was your day? How’s Dio?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.
“Busy. We’ve closed deals on two new locations for luxury resorts this week. One of them is in France, and I was thinking we could go there when the weather starts to cheer up. It’s in the mountains, near Nice. I think you’d love it.”
“That sounds lovely. I’ve never really been anywhere except here and London.”
“We’ll go. I have resorts all over the world. You can visit every one of them, as many times as you wish to, once things calm down.”
“That’s something to look forward to then.” I tried to inject some excitement into my voice, but I was too worn out and it fell flat.
“Is it too much for you?” Rafe asked after a brief pause. “Being back there? It’s okay to come home if that’s what you need. I don’t want you to push yourself beyond what you can handle right now. I hate that you’re back there.”
“Maybe it’s a little much, but I can handle it, Rafe. I have to. I need to know just how much Mum was manipulating me. I need to find out why she did it, and what she was up to. I feel like such an idiot for not seeing through her lies, and I always will if Idon’t get some answers. Besides, I’m hoping I’ll get what I need tomorrow so that I can come home as soon as possible.”
“What did you discover tonight? You said you got a lead?”
“An old friend has been looking for me at the club. Remember I told you about the bouncer here, who helped me? Hilton?”
“The guy you said went to prison for armed robbery?” Rafe recalled.
“Yeah. He must have been released and for some reason he’s been searching for me. He left a card at the club, so I know where to find him. I want to go there tomorrow.”
“Do you think that wise? I know this man helped you before, but he’s a criminal, Cara. What if he’s now working for whoever wants to get hands on you?” Rafe questioned.
“I know. I’ve already considered that,” I agreed. “But Hilton was protective of me before, in his own way. I find it hard to believe he would do anything to endanger me now.”
“Did you discuss it with the others?”
“Cal’s with me now, but…” I turned to look out of the back window and found Dante and Arran where we’d left them, stood close together and deep in an intense conversation. “…well, Dante and Arran are talking. We haven’t had chance to discuss this yet.”
“What do you mean they’re talking? They should be at your side!” Rafe growled.
“Jees Rafe, take a freaking breath,” I gasped, shocked at the fire in his voice. “They’re right outside the car. Dante got upset andArran’s calming him down. Everything’s fine.” I looked to Cal and rolled my eyes, making him snuff out a laugh.
