“Adrian didn’t deserve any of that,” I snap.
He flinches at my words. His eyes are brimming with jealousy that sends my traitor’s body into heat, as if it’s a good thing, some part of me glad he’s thinking like that even now.
“Don’tmake this about that,” I hiss. “Adrian is a happily married man who took pity on me. He’s been nothing but supportive. He’s a force for good in this community, and you, Rafe, you just barged into his office and nearly got him killed.”
“I thought he was behind my dead soldier,” Rafe snarls, stepping closer, rising to his full height, making me feel tiny.
“What?”I snap.
“Adrian has friends in the Hungarian mob,” Rafe says. “So imagine my surprise when I come back, andyou’reworking for him… when I’m sure, orwassure, it was the Hungarians who sent those men after me last year.”
“You’re not sure anymore?”
Rafe groans, running a thick hand through his hair. “Now that my cousin has shown his true colors, nothing is certain.” He steps closer, taking my hands. My instincts roar at me to holdhim tightly but… “I thought he was the man who made me leave you, Ava. All I wanted was to keep you safe and?—”
“This isn’t about me,” I cut in, before the emotion in his voice can disarm me. “This is about what you inflicted on that man up there. Anddon’tlook at me like that, Rafe. Adrian is my boss. He’s a good man. He didn’t deserve this.”
“Didn’t you hear me?” Rafe snarls. “He has connections?—”
“What doesconnectionsmean, exactly?” I demand.
Rafe hesitates. “Contacts,” he says.
“So he knows someone in the mob?”
“Yes.”
“That doesn’t mean he was behindanything!”
“Maybe I don’t like your tone when you talk about it.”
“No, no way.” I prod Rafe hard in the chest. “I’m not playing this game. This isn’t about you and me. This is about you being a decent person. You need to go up there and talk to Adrian right now, and explain that you werewrong.”
Rafe takes a step back, leaning against the wall, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Men like me don’t make plays like that.”
“Well, you’re going to have to make an exception,” I snap.
He tilts his head, and then asmirktouches his lips.
I lose it. Don’t mean to, but this is just ridiculous. I slam my hand down on his chest, knocking him back a few steps. My heart is racing, and sweat is streaking down my body.
I think the events I’ve just witnessed are hitting me with a delay. It’s like it all rushes back. The gun, the surreal scene, the shattered glass.
Rafe’s features soften. He catches my wrist when I try to hit him again, holding it tightly, but somehow tenderly too.
“You’re shaking, Ava,” he murmurs.
“I wonder why that would be,” I snap, trying to sound sarcastic. But it comes out tired and defeated. “You need to talk to Adrian. He didn’t deserve this. If you make this about jealousy or something else, I swear, I’ll besick. This is the real world, Rafe. You can’t just… do things.”
“Men like mecanjust do things,” he says. But it’s not a brag. It’s almost like he sounds ashamed. “Come here…”
He tries to pull me into a hug. I let him for a half second, tempted to sink into the warmth of his embrace. But he’s the one who caused this panicky feeling to tear through my body. I can’t go to him for solace too.
I push against his chest, shaking my head. I need to stand firm on this.
He frowns.
