Chapter 41 - Rafael
Rafael watches the vidscreens above the bar, a cyber gladiator tournament flickering across the display.
A handful of midday regulars linger at the counter around him, synthohol in hand. Behind them, a few crew members he recognizes line up shots at the glowing billiards table, laughter rising above the bass thumping from hidden speakers.
The noise washes over him as he nurses his drink, soaking in the atmosphere, until a familiar voice cuts through it all.
“You know what to do. Let’s get started today.”
He twists in his seat to see Kane emerging from the back door, flanked by the usual lieutenants and Pixie—Viper’s replacement.
Instead of the tension from Rafael’s last visit, Wren speaks with Kane easily, her shoulders loose. Coda even shares a rare half-smile with Echo and Pixie. His mood lifts at the sight.
Kane catches his eye and flashes a grin before turning to Wren. When Rafael looks again, Echo and Wren are already walking over, with Coda—surprisingly—in tow. After days spent almost entirely with Kane, he’s already waving them over despite himself.
The trio weaves through the crowd, offering quick acknowledgments to familiar faces who lift their chins in greeting.
Echo reaches Rafael first, dropping a hand to his shoulder. “Hey, kid. Long time no see. How’re you holding up?”
“Yeah, I haven’t seen you much since I got promoted,” Pixie chimes in.
Coda clears his throat. “I hope you are well,” he adds.
Rafael blinks. Coda rarely speaks to him directly, if ever.
“I’m okay.” He smiles. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen everyone down here.” His focus shifts to Pixie. “And congrats, by the way! You earned that promotion. At least in my opinion, if that means anything.”
Pixie beams, straightening her armor—a high-grade vest with matching pauldrons, seams faintly pulsing green where the plates meet. A set he’s only seen on the lieutenants.
“I want in on these famous sandwiches,” Echo chuckles, sliding onto the barstool beside him and snagging a fresh mug from a passing waiter drone. “Can’t blame the boss man, though. After everything, I’d want to keep my partner locked away too.”
She tilts her head. “But maybe that wasn’t his only reason…”
Heat rushes to Rafael’s face. Before he can stammer out a response, Coda speaks up. “We’re relieved you’re safe.” There’s no teasing or sarcasm in his voice.
Echo and Pixie exchange a look, murmuring in agreement.
Rafael blinks, momentarily at a loss. Their support is more than he could’ve asked for.
“Thanks, guys. I wasn’t sure when I’d get to see you again,” he says. Then, after a pause, he forces a grin and throws his arms out. “So…how’ve you all been?”
Echo sets her mug down. “Much better.” She glances at Kane, deep in conversation with Wren across the bar. “Let’s just say everyone’s a lot chipper these days. Nothing’s perfect, but at least the boss man didn’t have a heart attack when Wren nearly took out the holotable with her morning coffee.”
Rafael can picture it perfectly. Wren groveling, trying to fix the machine, while Kane clenches his fist. He can’t resist a laugh, happy for once her clumsiness didn’t end in a reprimand or punishment.
Pixie points at her mouth. “I had to bite my tongue to keep from totally losing it!”
“That was rather…unfortunate.” Coda’s eyebrow twitches.
“Trust me, it could’ve been a lot worse.” Echo takes a swig of her drink. “Like the time she slammed into Dragoon’s Rest. Ended up detailing HOVs for a month.”
Rafael’s eyes widen. He turns to Coda, who gives a nod before glancing at his wristlink.
“Hopefully, this good energy sticks around.” Pixie sinks into the seat next to Echo. “Feels like everyone’s morale skyrocketed after we took back District Three yesterday.”
“I heard about that. Congrats, guys!” Rafael offers.
Kane came home late last night with stories about their incredible teamwork.
Coda peers up. “Thank you.”
Echo leans closer, whispering, “That’s not all.”
Rafael blinks.
Her smirk widens. “A few deserters who ran off with Viper—they’re begging to come back. Turns out Natural Order isn’t what they thought it’d be. Most of them didn’t even fully commit. Wouldn’t give up their enhancements.”
“Really?” he gasps. “What did Kane say?”
She starts to answer, only to snap her jaw shut, her gaze darting over his shoulder.
Before Rafael can turn, someone interrupts behind him.
“I told them they can come back, but they’d better be ready to earn my trust—again.”
He spins around to find Kane beside Coda, arms crossed and stance rigid. Yet a smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.
“Hey, boss man!” Echo chirps while Pixie and Coda offer silent smiles.
Kane’s gaze sweeps over them once before settling on Rafael. “Ready to get out of here?” His posture eases.
Warmth floods through Rafael. Kane promised they would spend time together before evening patrol. Lately, those promises ended with Kane showing up late—or not coming home at all.
“Of course.” Rafael slides off the stool and throws a wave to the others. “Catch you guys later!”
Their goodbyes come with knowing looks that send a flush creeping up Rafael’s neck. He pushes the embarrassment down and follows Kane toward the exit.
Outside, the mid-afternoon sun warms his face. Kane steers him away from the main drag and into a narrow alley lined with cracked brick. At the end, he gestures to a metal ladder bolted to the side of the bar and starts to climb.
Rafael’s stomach flutters as he follows.
When he clears the ledge, his heart skips a beat. He expected bare concrete, maybe a few security drones or an enforcer on patrol.
Instead, the rooftop has been reclaimed. Sensors still ring the perimeter, and the neon dragon pulses along the edge. Yet at the center, a checkered picnic blanket rests on a patch of synthetic grass, surrounded by hovering white candles.
For a second, Rafael simply stands there. It isn’t lavish like their date in Midtown or a polished illusion from V-link. It doesn’t need to be.
“Kane,” he murmurs, turning to find him already removing his visor and setting his weapons aside.
With a soft smile, Kane cups the back of Rafael’s head to draw him close.
Their lips meet, and Rafael’s fingers dig into Kane’s armor. He kisses gently at first, but the drag of Kane’s tongue stirs another kind of heat under his skin. Just as Rafael starts to give in, Kane eases away and presses their foreheads together.
Those green eyes hold Rafael’s in silence until Kane whispers, “I’m sorry…I know this doesn’t make up for how I acted after Viper left. But I need you to know—I’m doing the work. For the crew. For you.”
Rafael’s lips lift slightly. “I forgave you already, Kane.” His hands trail up to cradle the man’s face. “And I’m grateful for your words, for all this.” He hesitates for a breath. “I only hope you’re doing it for yourself too. Not only for us.
“I am,” Kane answers without hesitation. He draws Rafael in, fingers still intertwined, and leads them toward the blanket.
They move as one, carefully sidestepping the candles. Kane sinks down first, tugging Rafael with him until they’re seated on the grass, knees nearly touching.
He lets out a slow breath and continues, “I know I told you what really happened with Athena—how she changed the deal. But Cipher made me realize…I’ve been leading like someone my uncle never was.” His mouth tightens, and Rafael squeezes his fingers.
“It goes against everything I was taught. Letting Echo run with her wild ideas. Letting Wren screw up and figure it out—crash a HOV or two.” Kane looks away briefly, jaw tightening.
“But it’s the right call. I want a crew that’s strong.
Unified. One my uncle would’ve respected—even if it took me too long to get there. ”
An ache digs into Rafael’s chest. “He would, Kane,” he says softly. “And you didn’t lead them wrong. Just maybe not the most…efficient route.”
Kane snorts. “Well, here’s hoping I can be more ‘efficient’ from now on.” He gestures to the rooftop. “So we can actually have moments like this. Up here, alone, despite Natural Order.”
He inhales sharply. As if reading his mind, Kane shakes his head and adds, “It’s fine. My lieutenants have their orders. And more importantly, they’ve made plans of their own. We’re doing all we can to take Athena down.”
Rafael’s thumb traces slow circles over chrome knuckles. “I hope you stop her.”
“We will.” Kane brings Rafael’s hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to the skin. “I can’t promise peace forever. This is still Shreveport, and I won’t go easy on anyone who tries to invade our territory—or threatens the people I care about.”
The conviction in his words sends a shiver through Rafael.
Kane sets a free hand on his shoulder. “But I’m committed to ending this war and giving you a life worth leaving everything and everyone you love behind.”
Rafael doesn’t hesitate. He pulls himself free only to surge forward, wrapping his arms around Kane and pressing close. “Thank you,” he murmurs, the words muffled against Kane’s jacket.
A grunt rumbles from Kane as he draws Rafael in at the waist. With a gasp, Rafael lets himself be guided until he’s straddling the man’s lap. Their faces inch closer, heat pooling in Rafael’s gut—until Kane stills, grip easing as he turns his head aside.
“So tell me—what were you working on this morning?” Kane’s mouth twists into a smirk. “Caught a glimpse of some recipe list on the holopad. Didn’t mean to pry, but I couldn’t help noticing.”
“Uh—oh, that.” He didn’t realize he had left the holopad on.
“Well, I finally started letting myself imagine what I want to do, you know, after all this settles down.” His fingers drift across the familiar armor.
“It might be totally unrealistic, and I don’t even know where to start—but…
I was thinking of opening a food stand…in the marketplace. What do you think?”
Kane’s grin sharpens. “Actually, that sounds perfect for you.” He squeezes Rafael close. “But if you’re serious, Echo and I can help you find anything you need. Say the word. Coda’s crew could help build the stand. And Pixie—apparently, she’s obsessed with holo design. You’d be open in no time.”
Rafael’s stomach flips. “Really? That would be—amazing.” He leans in, pressing his face against Kane’s shoulder. “I mean—I have no idea what I’m doing. Opening a stand, running the place…it’s all way over my head. But it—it feels right. Like something I could actually be passionate about.”
The next words almost slip out. “I can’t wait for my family to see it.”
Maria said she plans to visit, along with her new boyfriend. So what about his parents?
A deep voice tickles Rafael’s ear. “What is it? You got quiet…”
He lifts his head to meet Kane’s creased forehead. “I was just thinking…about my mom and dad. I haven’t told them anything yet.”
Kane nods. “It’s your call. But if, and when, you want to reach out, I’ll be there.”
“Kane, I—” Rafael swallows hard, fighting the knot in his throat. “Thank you.”
“Of course, sweetheart.” Kane presses a soft kiss to his lips. “Whatever comes next, we face it together.”
Something in Rafael finally gives.
Tears prick at his eyes. He clings tighter to Kane, breathing in that familiar scent of cooling liquid and leather.
They stay like that, the buzz of the Dragoon’s Rest sign overhead and the murmur of Shreveport drifting up from below.
At last, Kane breaks the silence against his ear. “If all goes according to plan, this war ends tonight.”
Rafael pulls back with a frown. “Tonight?” He hoped they’d have more time—tonight and before whatever attack they have planned against Athena starts.
Now, unease stirs in his gut. Is Kane leading a battle? Will they all come home? Is Athena already closing in?
Kane frowns. “As much as I want to stay here with you…we need to move fast—before I lose the upper hand.”
The upper hand.
That means they have a chance. He wants to ask for more details, but sometimes, not knowing is for the best.
“Okay.” His gaze falls, only for cool fingers to tilt his chin up.
Their eyes lock again, his tight with worry, Kane’s unyielding. “By tomorrow,” Kane says, “this will be behind us.”
He wants to believe Kane, needs to, and after what they’ve been through together, Rafael does.