“I just want them safe,” he grunts. “We can worry about happy later.”
“You sound tired,” I murmur.
He yawns, raising an eyebrow. “You can tell? I haven’t slept. I was just… looking for something. But somehow, like magic. Maybe it’s this city.” He leans into me, looking a little frantic. He’s fried. “This magic city, angel. We had that night, and now there’s… something here.”
“Okay, you’re delirious, not just tired.”
“Maybe I am. Maybe it’s helping me see things clearly.”
I put my coffee cup down and walk to his chair, grab the lever, and pull. His legs kick out and his back reclines. He laughs huskily. “Didn’t know this was one of those chairs.”
“Sleep, Rafe.”
“I thought you were going to climb on?—”
I shoot him a look. “Just sleep, Rafael.”
“The wholestubborn and annoyedthing works better when your cheeks haven’t gone beetroot red.”
“Shh,” I whisper, but I can’t stop the smile from forming on my lips.
I return to my chair and curl into a ball, listening to the sound of Rafe’s breathing. I’m going to stay awake. That’s a promise. I’m tired of waking up and discovering he’s disappeared.
Time passes as the three of us rest. Theo and Rafe are sleeping for real, their breaths mingling. I drift on the edge of consciousness, making the world blur, shimmering and changing shape, making anything possible. I jolt out of near sleep when I feel myself drifting, forcing myself to my feet.
It's seven AM. I’ve been drifting for hours.
Rafe is on his back, mouth open, snoring. Theo snores too, more high-pitched, as if mimicking his dad.
I sneak off to the bedroom and grab my cellphone, calling Adrian.
“Yeah, Ava?” he says, answering. He sounds busy.
“Adrian, I’m sorry, but I think I’ve got a sore throat?—”
“You’re welcome to take as long as you need,” he says. “I don’t need the sick routine. I get it.”
I sit on the edge of the bed. “Okay… You get it?”
“Rafael is complicated, but, hell, I don’t know.”
“BUT WHAT?” I ask. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”
And I did. Yell like I’m trying to collapse this building.
“But I think he’ll do the right thing. I’ve heard good things. For a man in his position… he can be an annoying, arrogant asshole. But, yeah, I think you’ll be okay. And when you’re ready for work, come back, okay? Listen, I need to run.”
He hangs up before I can say anything. His words reverberate in my head. It’s not like it’s the world’s most enthusiastic endorsement, but it’s better than what I had before. Adrian has forgiven Rafe, then? Or maybe he still dislikes him, but thinks he’ll do right by me, byus.
I stand up, going back into the living room. Rafe is standing at the door, holding Theo swaddled in a blanket to his chest. He stops mid-step, as if he was about to leave, totake Theo, without me knowing.
“Where are you going?” I say voice wobbly.
“I’m sorry. I have to end this.”
“But… Theo.”
“I know.” He stares down at our swaddled child. “It’s sick. But this has to end.”
