Page 20 of Rafe’s Future

“She’s still in the hospital, but is expected to make a full recovery, thank God.”

Genuine empathy shone brightly within her hazel gaze. “Did you catch the shooter?”

“Not yet.” He pushed himself to his feet. Grabbing the near-empty bottle from the small table, he swallowed the rest of his beer in one long gulp. “The cops are convinced it was a random drive-by.”

“But you don’t agree.”

“No.” There was no hesitation in his response. “It was a targeted hit. I can feel it in my gut. I just don’t know who gave the order.”

“My money’s on Kozlova. The shooting doesn’t really fit his M.O., but still. Given the timing . . .” Her voice trailed with the accompanying thought.

“Timing, yes,” Rafe agreed. “But why her? If Alexei truly is the one behind Caleb and Sabrina’s deaths, why not come after me directly?”

“Maybe he did.”

Lena’s comment took him aback.

“You think the shooter was aiming at me all along?”

“There’s one way to find out.” She shrugged. “Depending on the angle of the street cams in relation to the shooter, there’s a chance we can use the CCTV footage from outside your building to determine the trajectory of the shot.”

Rafe raked a hand through his short, thick hair, frustrated he’d gotten tunnel-vision where Alice being the killer’s intended target was concerned.

He nodded, following her line of thinking. “If we have a clear enough vantage point, we can use the angle of the shot to ascertain the shooter’s true target. My people are already working on getting the CCTV recordings, but they’re going in under the assumption that Alice was the intended target. Checking for patterns and seeing if the shooter’s car shows up in the area prior to today.”

Lena was right. A drive-by shooting wasn’t exactly Kozlova’s style, but given the timing of the rest, they’d be fools to rule the estranged terrorist out.

“Good.” She dipped her delicate chin. “The more proof we have, the more ammunition we’ll have to use against these guys when they’re finally caught.”

“We?”

“If I’m right about this and Kozlova is responsible for what happened to your daughter, it’s only a matter of time before he goes after you again.”

“If this was him, he’ll go after you, too.”

Resignation burned brightly behind her stare. “Even more reason to find your shooters sooner rather than later.”

“If we do find the men from today⁠—”

Lena cut him short with a confident, “We will.”

“They won’t be easy to break.”

“Good thing I like a challenge.” Her dark brows waggled up and down.

Rafe filled his lungs with a deep breath before releasing it slowly. “You took a big risk coming here tonight.”

“I had to warn you.” Her expression fell, growing a bit somber. “I already lost two friends, Rafe. I can’t lose you, too.”

His chest grew warm. “You could’ve just called, you know?”

“And miss the chance to see that handsome face of yours again?” Lena chuckled. “Come on, Brit. What do you say?” She offered her outstretched hand with a smile. “Wanna help me stop this prick once and for all?”

He glanced down before sliding his palm against hers. A familiar shock of electricity raced up the length of his arm as he gave her hand a gentle but firm shake. Their gazes held steady, and for a moment neither attempted to pull away.

Her fingers curled around his. “Partners?”

“Partners,” Rafe rumbled low. “And thank you.”