Page 28 of Rafe’s Future

“Still prefer a life of solitude, I see.”

“Says the man who lives in a historic mansion in the middle of a billion acres.”

It wasn’t anywhere near a billion, but her point stood firm, all the same.

Rafe smirked with a muttered, “Touché.”

Movement from the rearview mirror caught Rafe’s eye as a car came over the hill a half mile behind them. With his attention split between it and the highway before him, he almost missed his passenger’s next question.

“Why a plantation?”

The abrupt change of subject took Rafe somewhat off guard. “I’m sorry?”

“Your place.” Her hazel stare turned his way. “You have to admit, it’s pretty massive for a guy who lives all alone.”

He smiled, remembering the day he’d told Alice he’d purchased the property. She’d looked up at him as if he were crazy and uttered nearly word-for-word the very same thing.

“I love the privacy,” Rafe shared willingly. “I also love the history that comes with the home. I didn’t want a cookie-cutter stack of two-by-fours and cheap drywall.” He’d wanted something with character. “And the fact that it’s still standing after all this time shows it was built to last.”

“Kind of like you.”

He turned to Lena, who appeared surprised by her own comment. The slight clearing of her throat and fresh hue of pink in her cheeks sent a rush of warmth throughout his chest.

Their gazes held as the stirrings of desire made their presence known. Twenty-seven years had passed, yet time had failed to diminish his attraction to the seasoned spy. If anything, Rafe found Lena even more appealing than ever before.

“It truly is a stunning piece of property,” she broke the silence before looking away with a smile. “Definitely has plenty of space for team gatherings and such.”

“Maybe even a couple of grandkids,” Rafe quipped.

“Really?” Lena’s head swung back around in surprise. But then, “Papa Rafe.” An approving dip of her chin. “I have to admit it does have a nice ring to it.”

Rafe opened his mouth to let her know he agreed when he noticed the car behind them was growing closer with noticeable speed. A quick check in front of them confirmed they were still the only two cars on the two-lane highway.

Could just be someone in a hurry to get home.

Even so, his gut grew tight with heightened awareness as the woman beside him continued.

“Unless you prefer ‘Grandpa’,” she teased.

But at that moment, he was too busy assessing a possible threat to think about what his future grandchildren would call him.

“We have a tail.”

“What?” Lena looked through her window at the passenger side mirror. “How long have they been there?”

He studied the black sedan as closely as the rearview would allow. Black. Tinted windows. Four-doors, and no front plate that he could see.

“They popped over the hill a few minutes ago, but they just started picking up speed.”

“Maybe they’re planning to pass.”

“Maybe.”

He didn’t think so.

I think they’re planning an ambush on a stretch of secluded highway.

They both remained unnoticeably vigilant in their continued observation.