Page 96 of His Forbidden Alliance

Nothing he said could erase what I’d done. “If I had listened to Zach. If I had let him explain… But I sent him away.”

“You didn’t cause Ivanov to kidnap him.”

“No, but we would’ve been together. It’s my fault he got surprised.”

“Do you really think he’s lying there blaming you? I think he’s lying there wishing you were with him.”

I took a breath before responding. “I want to go, but I’m scared.”

“I get that. There was a time when I was afraid to see Alex and tell him how I felt, but thank God I did. Now, go get your man.”

I took a deep breath and let it out. What was my other option? Never talking to him again? Was I going to ignore what I felt? Fuck no. “All right, I’m going.”

Dante looked me over. “Do you want to change first?”

I was wearing LSU Tigers shorts and a black tank top. I slid my feet into a pair of Crocs and shook my head. “I can’t stop for that. I’ve waited too long already.”

I grabbed my keys and wallet and ran out the door. Why had I waited? Zach was there, hurt and alone. I was such an idiot. I kept fucking up again and again.

Lorenzo had told me Zach’s room number. He’d offered to stay there with Zach, but Zach had sent him away, saying he didn’t want to keep him from Nikolai, who had to have been scared, knowing what we were up against.

Rafe hadn’t asked for me, and I thought that meant he didn’t want to see me. But what if he was worried I didn’t want to see him? I’d found him and rescued him, I’d worried over him, but maybe he thought it was more about taking down Ivanov than about him.

I hated how long it took me to find his room. Why were hospitals always such a maze? When I got there, I didn’t bother knocking. I just opened the door and stumbled in. He had clearly been sleeping, but he opened his eyes.

“Are you a dream this time?”

“No. I’m not.” I reached for his hand, and he took mine and squeezed it. When I sat on the side of the bed, he winced. “Oh God, I’m sorry.” I started to stand up, but he shook his head.

“No, stay. It’s okay. Everything hurts.”

I lifted the back of his hand to my mouth and kissed it. “I’m so sorry.”

“Rafe, it’s not your fault. You didn’t want this to happen.”

“No, but I sent you away.”

“And I went. And I paid no attention to my surroundings, and I…”

“Because you were thinking about me?”

Zach frowned. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s your fault. It’s my fault. I should’ve talked to you before I made that call. I should have been more aware. I didn’t mean to hurt you⁠—”

“I love you. I love you so fucking much, and I don’t want to lose you.”

His face brightened. “I love you too, baby. I should’ve told you when you heard me on the phone. I should’ve told you before I fucked you that night.”

He loved me. He still wanted me. “How did this happen? How did we find each other?”

He cupped my face and ran his thumb over my lower lip. “I have no idea, but I’m glad it did.”

“Are we okay?” I asked.

“More than okay. If you forgive me for the things I said, I promise⁠—”

Rafe nodded frantically. “I do. Maria told me it was all bullshit, but I’d already figured that out.”

“Did she say that when she took your statement?”