Page 22 of His Forbidden Alliance

Andretti followed him. Did Rafe and Andretti have a meeting planned?

My heart pounded. Please don’t let me be wrong about Rafael. If I was, though, I wouldn’t hesitate to bring him down.

I exited the casino, keeping enough distance between us that they wouldn’t likely notice me. Rafael headed through the parking lot, and Andretti continued following him. Fortunately, they passed close to my car, so I was able to stop and get my gun. I’d entered the casino with only a small knife I’d managed to conceal, but if my instincts were right, I needed to be better armed.

I had to move quickly so as not to lose them. Thankfully, neither Rafe nor Andretti noticed me. There were plenty of other people out and about, so I didn’t have to be silent.

The more I watched them, the more certain I became that Rafael didn’t know he was being followed. Did that mean they weren’t working together? I needed to observe and not make assumptions, and for God’s sake, I needed to shut down all the soft feelings I’d begun to have about Rafe.

We walked along the waterfront for a while, then turned into a neighborhood that was certainly not where Rafael or the other man lived.

What business did Rafael have here? Was he meeting an associate or an informant? I kept a hand on my gun as I followed them down roads that were eerily quiet. I didn’t spook easily, but I was poised for someone to jump out at me. Something felt very wrong.

I noticed Andretti closing the distance between himself and Rafael, so I did the same. When they reached the mouth of the pungent alley, Andretti ran at Rafael and shoved him into the dark corridor. Normally, I wouldn’t doubt Rafe’s ability to overpower him, but the coke had Andretti buzzing and feeling no pain.

“You cheating son of a bitch,” Andretti yelled as I caught up to them.

They were fighting. Andretti had a knife, but Rafe hadn’t had time to pull out a weapon. I wanted to take a shot at Andretti, but they were too close. I wouldn’t risk hitting Rafe by accident.

“Drop your weapon,” I yelled, hoping to startle Andretti. Instead, Rafe paused, and Andretti grabbed him and pressed the knife to his throat.

I should have shot him immediately. Now I’d made things worse.

“Step away, Andretti.”

He laughed at me. “No fucking way, you fucking cheater. If you try anything, he’ll be dead before the bullet gets to me.”

I wanted to pretend I didn’t care that I had no more reason to keep Rafe alive than I did Andretti, but I didn’t think I could pull that off. I met Rafael’s gaze, trying to silently let him know I was going to get him out of this alive if he didn’t try something crazy.

He gave a slight nod, and I knew he understood.

I needed a distraction. At this point, I didn’t care what I had to reveal. I wasn’t going to let Rafe die because of my mistake. “What does Ivanov want with him?”

Andretti frowned. “Who?”

“Ivanov. The man you’re working for. The fucking pedophile.”

“What the fuck?” He turned to me, snarling, and the knife moved away from Rafael’s neck. Far enough? I wasn’t sure.

I glanced at Rafael again and then down at the knife. Was there any chance he’d understand he needed to be ready to push the man’s hand away?

“That’s right. I know what kind of sick shit you get up to.”

Andretti was fully focused on me now. “You’re out of your mind.”

I raised my gun and shot him through the head. He dropped to the ground instantly. Thank God Rafe was ready. He shoved Andretti’s arm away and stepped back.

“You killed him.” Rafe looked stunned.

“Did you want him to slice your throat open?”

“No, but I… Thanks.”

I knew there was no way Andretti was still alive, but I needed proof. I bent and felt for a pulse. When I was satisfied the bastard was as dead as he should be, I rose and took a step toward Rafe.

“He only has half a head. You thought he was still breathing?”

“No, but I had to be sure.”