CHAPTER 19 #2
“Hi,” I uttered with a forced smile. “I’m Cara, Rafe’s sister.”
“Uh-huh. Dario filled me in on everyone who lives around here,” he nodded with a smile that didn’t seem genuine.
“Um…okay. Good.”
I didn’t know why I was being so weird. There was just something about Micah that had me feeling uneasy, and it was a long time since I allowed myself to ignore a feeling like that. It usually signalled danger.
“And here’s the patient,” Micah announced as he turned to Rafe dramatically and waved a hand at him like Dio and I didn’t know he was there already.
“Now Rafe, how about you let me help you get changed, then we can get you into bed. We could try the shower if you’re up to it, or I can wash you down before we get you into pyjamas. ”
Uh-oh. I looked to Dio and saw the concern I felt, written all over his face. Micah needed to retreat and fast. Rafe was not going to respond well to that patronising tone.
“Get out!” Rafe barked before I could even utter a syllable to calm the situation.
“Rafe…” Dio tried, but was talked over.
“Get him the fuck out, Dar, before I do it!” Rafe raged.
“It’s fine. I’ve dealt with my share of reluctant patients. I’m sure Rafe and I can learn to get along,” Micah said, like he had a death wish.
Rafe started to stand and I squeaked in panic as I shot across the room to stop him from getting any further. I sat beside him and placed my hand heavily on his thigh to still him.
“I’m not sure you’re going to be a great fit in this case,” Dio told Micah hesitantly.
“That’s ridiculous. He only just walked into the room. I didn’t even get the chance to…”
Rafe tensed, and I knew he was about to get to his feet and get this guy out, no matter how much it would hurt and strain him. He wasn’t going to put up with the condescension. He was too proud for that.
“You need to go, right now!” I bit out, cutting off whatever Micah was about to say. “We’re sorry to have wasted your time, and I can assure you that you’ll be compensated, but my brother is not comfortable with your approach and you’re stressing him out right now. You need to leave.”
Micah looked disgruntled as he moved his glare from me to Dio. “Is she even old enough to make decisions? She looks like a kid. I hope you don’t think she’ll have anywhere near the knowledge or strength to support a man fresh out of a coma,” he scoffed, glancing back to me with a look of disgust.
“That’s it!” Rafe easily pushed against my hand to rise to his feet, his words ground out through his tense jaw.
“Yeah, I agree. I think I understand now why this guy was available at such short notice,” Dio explained. “Get your shit fast, kid. Better let me show you the door before Rafe shows you the window.”
Micah looked around nervously, swallowing heavily when he saw the huge windows that looked far down to the street below.
I was just relieved when he shoved a water bottle, notepad, and cell phone into a backpack and cuddled it to his front.
When Dio opened the door, Micah couldn’t race through it fast enough.
Rafe remained on his feet, his fists clenched at his sides, his whole body taut with tension until Dio closed the door behind him.
“Rafe?” I got to my feet and grabbed one of his fisted hands between both of mine.
“I hate this!” he gasped.
“I know. You want to be magically healed, but it won’t happen. You have to be patient, and willing to give a little.”
“I’m not having any other strangers in here! The doctor can come once a day to check what needs checking for now, but that’s it. I don’t need help.”
“We’ll work it out. Terza and I can take your vitals. Cal too, if you’ll let him? Maybe the guys can help you get around for a while too. I’m trying to work with you, Rafe, but you can’t push yourself. You have to at very least let your family help you, right?” I pushed.
“Fine, but no more nurses. Who the fuck was that little prick anyway?” Rafe hissed.
“I don’t know. He gave me a bad vibe too, if I’m honest, but he’s gone now. You should sit back down.”
“What was Dar even thinking? The last thing you need is strange males around the house after what you’ve been through!” Rafe went on. I was just relieved when he dropped down to the bed again, sitting on the edge.
“I’m fine. No one would let anything happen to me in this house. I know that,” I assured him.
He was still worked up and angry, but I didn’t know what else to say to soothe him. Instead I fell back on the bed and sighed deeply. As I hoped he would, Rafe lay back too, right beside me, and we both just rested there, staring at the ceiling and the elaborate light fitting.
“I’m sorry I’m being a grumpy bastard, Tesorino,” Rafe uttered after several moments.
“I think you’re entitled to be a little out of sorts,” I told him.
“How have you been? Did you have any luck finding a new therapist?” he asked.
“I’m good. I’ve been doing better. You don’t have to waste energy worrying about me,” I replied firmly.
I completely avoided the therapist question, since I hadn’t even tried to look for a new one to talk with yet. I was still leary of the whole idea after the disastrous sessions I’d had with Dr. Bhabra.
Luckily, the bedroom door opened, saving me from the topic. I glanced up and saw Dio walk in, followed by Cal.
“He’s gone,” Dio told us.
“Where did you find him? He scared Cara too. I don’t want any unknown men in this house again.” Rafe ordered.
“He scared you? What did he say?” Cal asked as he crossed the room and came over to me, dropping to his knees awkwardly, before me as I sat up. He was still in a cast, but it was a lighter one now, with a boot over that he was able to weight bare on, so at least there were no more crutches.
He had showered, his hair still damp and pushed back from his face. He had changed into clean shorts and a black henley that fit him deliciously.
“He just gave me a bad feeling. I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I guess I have a radar for jerks or something.”
“Not a bad super power,” Dio joked, and when I glanced up he was closer now too, helping Rafe into a sitting position.
“You okay?” Cal asked as he studied me closely.
“Fine. He’s gone now.”
“Sorry mate,” Dio told Rafe. “We were desperate for someone to start right away, since you wouldn’t even entertain the idea of spending another night in the hospital, and he was all that the agency had available.
I didn’t even think about Cara being wary of him in the house.
Sorry, Piccola,” he added as he looked to me.
“Rafe doesn’t want any more nurses in here, so I told him we’ll find a way to check his vitals between us. We can do that, can’t we?”
“Yes. I can handle it, as long as the doctor is still going to come in to check Rafe over too?” Cal questioned.
“As long as it’s a female, and she knowns I’m not a fucking toddler!” Rafe growled.
“I’ll handle it,” Dio nodded. “How about you let me and Cal help you get comfortable in bed now?”
“I need to check your vitals anyway,” Cal added.
“Fine,” Rafe acquiesced, finally
“I need to shower and change, but then I could come and sit with you for a while. Maybe we could watch a movie or something?” I suggested to him, and he smiled a little.
“I’d like that, sweetheart.”
I nodded and then stood, leaving the room without another word. I pulled the door closed behind me and then just froze there for a moment.
I hated seeing Rafe so distressed and I couldn’t shake the knowledge that he was in that position because of me, because he had saved me.
My guys had tried hard to instil in me that what happened wasn’t my fault, but how could it not be?
The most likely scenario was that the people who ambushed us at the hospital had been Adamian’s men, there to get hands on me so they could use me for their sham of a marriage.
If I hadn’t been there – if I’d have stayed well away in Chicago – Rafe would be whole and maybe Gia would be alive too.
Dante would be at home, where he belongs, with his family who would all care about him and not be angry for a mistake he made.
How could I not believe that I was like a curse, turning everything I touched to shit, when it was so obviously true and backable by facts?
I glanced across the hall to Gia’s closed bedroom door. As far as I knew, it was exactly as she had left it. Rafe hadn’t spoken about clearing it out, and I was pretty sure it would be a long time before he felt up to doing that, if he ever did.
Gia had been no angel, but that didn’t change how much Rafe had loved her. It didn’t change the fact she was our little sister.
I startled when strong arms wrapped around me from behind, but I calmed instantly when I glanced down and recognised them to belong to Arran. The scent of his aftershave and shampoo surrounded me and I sank back against him in utter relief.
“Yer cryin’ lass.” It wasn’t a question. Just a fact. Tears were running down my cheeks.
“Sorry,” I whispered as I swiped the back of my hand across my eyes.
“Is Rafe alright?”
“No. He…he’s weak and exhausted and he h-hates it, Arran. I can’t stand seeing him so upset,” I explained.
“And that’s why yer out here drowning in yer misplaced guilt, isn’t it?”
“He got shot protecting me!” I hissed bitterly.
“Ye think this is the first time he’s been shot, Cara?
It comes wi’ his job title. That’s why he’s tryin’ to get outta this life.
What happened wasnae yer fault, and I ken Rafe’d take that bullet a million times over if that’s what it took to keep ye safe.
He’ll be alright. It’ll just be a matter of time. ”
“Sorry,” I sniffled. “I know. I just…I think things are getting on top of me today.”
“Are Dario and Cal in there?” Arran gestured to Rafe’s door, so I nodded. “Good. Let’s get you down to yer room then, so ye can shower and change. Just let me take care of ye, will ye?”
“You don’t have to…”