Page 166 of In Love and Revenge

‘Knew that guy was someone important to you. I figured he was an ex, though, or I wouldn’t have ...’ He flicks his eyes to me, keeping them on my face instead of returning to my cleavage. ‘You know.’

‘It’s okay. Thanks for the compliment.’

He leans his head back against his headrest and sighs. ‘Probably a good thing, anyway. It’d have broken my heart to say goodbye to you once term starts and I have to go back to Edinburgh.’

I shake my head at his mock-wounded expression and he winks at me.

‘Exactly. I couldn’t have jeopardised distracting one of the country’s best medical minds when he’s so close to graduating.’ I try to smile, but it slides from my face as I glance back at Rafael’s car.

‘You sure he’s safe to be around? You look worried. Could he ... be waiting for you inside?’

Joe’s watching me closely as I turn back to him.

‘No, I told you. Rafe would never hurt me. That’s not him.’

Physically that’s true, even if mentally I’m still a walking wreckage.

‘Thanks again for the lift,’ I tell Joe, not waiting for him to lean over and open my door before I push it open and climb out.

I stare at Rafael’s empty car as Joe jumps out after me.

‘The guy’s always waiting for you in public. I’m not taking any chances until I know you’re safely inside,’ he tells me as I look at him in question.

‘Fine.’

I scan the street as we pass the neighbouring building to reach mine. I spot his waistcoat first, half-unbuttoned over his wrinkled shirt, like he’s torn at it in haste.

‘Rafe!’ I run to him and drop to the ground where he’s slumped against my front door.

He looks at me with bloodshot eyes, his chest rising and falling with raspy breaths.

‘You look beautiful,’ he says, his eyes dragging over my face like it’s an effort just to move them, let alone speak.

‘What are you doing on the ground?’

‘Needed to sit.’

He winces and lifts his hand. I beat him to it, placing mine over his chest, above his heart.

‘Oh my God. His heart’s racing! Joe!’

I turn in panic, but Joe’s already crouched beside us and has taken Rafael’s wrist into his hand.

‘You all right there, mate? I’m just going to check your pulse.’

Rafael looks at me, his brows knitting together.

‘Joe’s training to be a doctor,’ I explain.

I rip my eyes from Rafael’s waxy face and look at Joe.

‘Is he having a heart attack? He had surgery on it as a kid. Sometimes it hurts when he gets anxious.’

‘I’m going to call an ambulance,’ Joe says, his expression grim.

‘Oh my God!’ I turn back to Rafael, cupping his cheek. He blinks at me but doesn’t seem able to focus on me properly.

‘You’re okay,’ I soothe, stroking his cheek. ‘You’ll be okay.’