Chapter 32 #3
I refrain from shivering at the power in his voice at that. Poor Adela was held captive, raped, and beaten before she was able to escape those people. Rafe’s hatred knows no bounds when it comes to those who had a hand in her suffering.
They hold each other’s gaze, and something unspoken passes between them. Appraisal, maybe?
Rafe continues as though discussing market trends. “Your expansion into Prague was exceptional. Clean execution. Moscow must be pleased. Especially with the good powder coming through.”
Alexei’s eyes gleam. “You’re well informed. And yes, it’s been a very worthwhile endeavor.”
“I imagine.”
“So, is this your event?” Alexei asks. “Did you send this pretty little thing over to butter me up?”
Rafe chuckles, the sound reminding me of an evil villain. “It is my event. There are partnership possibilities between Moscow and New York worth discussing. Hell, you’re a huge reason why I’m even here.”
I almost laugh at that. He isn’t wrong.
Now Alexei’s interest deepens into hunger. After a very calculated pause, he nods. “Four million. Next week. Invitation-only?”
“Yes,” Rafe replies. “The transfer will be wired. We can arrange a performance, and have some of the best MDMA from the States provided for guests.”
Alexei turns slightly and gestures. “Jude.”
The name is a blade sliding slowly and painfully into my heart when I turn and see him heading our way. He moves with composed grace...the most beautiful person in the world. I realize, as he comes to a stop across from us, that he looks disconnected.
He does not recognize me.
Rafe extends his hand. “Looking forward to working with you.”
Jude takes it. His smile is fake, but professional. “Always happy to perform,” he says, almost robotically.
His voice is so close I feel it in my body.
My Jude. My Jude...
Alexei glances at Rafe, handing him a card with numbers on it. “And Adela? The legendary cybersecurity powerhouse?”
“She sends her regards,” Rafe answers lightly, tucking the card into his jacket.
“And this one is…?” Alexei asks, looking at me. “I never got her name.”
“This is Isabella.” Rafe’s arm slides around my waist, firm and possessive.
“My wife and I have an understanding. I’m permitted certain indulgences when business demands it.
” His hand squeezes my ass without hesitation.
Heat floods my cheeks, but I lift my chin at him with a knowing smile, playing my role.
Jude’s gaze shifts to me. And for one terrible, fragile second, everything stills. It’s not recognition, but it’s not nothing, either. His eyes lock on mine, and I’ve stopped breathing.
Fear spikes through me, but Rafe doesn’t allow the chance for recognition.
He cups my jaw and kisses me suddenly. His mouth claims mine with confidence, parting my lips just enough to make it real and undeniable.
The kiss is warm and controlled, his dominance evident even in the way he angles my head and slides his tongue over mine.
Holy shit. Oh my fuck.
When he pulls back, he smiles down at me.
Jude looks away.
Thank god.
Alexei chuckles. “I’m jealous. She’s a beautiful distraction.”
Rafe’s arm tightens around me. “I have excellent taste.”
They exchange one final handshake, the air between them filled with this dark energy I need to get away from. Now.
“Until next week,” Rafe says. We turn and walk.
I don’t look back immediately; instead, I keep my posture steady and my breathing even.
Only when we near the exit do I risk it.
Jude stands beside Alexei, listening, mask gleaming under gold light.
Just minutes ago, I was close enough to feel the warmth of him.
Feet away.
The man I love.
The man who looked at me and nearly recognized me. My heart is beating so violently, I’m afraid it will bruise my ribs.
In the quiet corridor beyond the ballroom, Rafe glances down at me. “Are you steady?”
I nod, still tasting him on my tongue.
“Sorry about that,” he mutters, putting his hands in his pockets as we reach the door. “He almost recognized you. He was close, I think. I did what needed to be done.”
“That’s fine,” I say, realizing that I’ve started trembling a little bit.
He stops when we reach his black McLaren. His head tilts as he studies me. “We did it.”
I suck in a sharp breath. He’s right. Oh, god. “We did.”
His smile is radiant when he slides in and rips the mask off. “We need to go mingle for a little while longer. Then, in an hour or so, we'll get back.”
The cabin door swings open before we even knock. Heather barrels into me first. Her arms wrap tightly around my shoulders, squeezing hard enough to draw a pathetic squeak out of me.
“You did so well,” she breathes against my ear. “We could see you the whole time. Cameras were crystal clear. You were incredible.”
My heart stutters at that. They saw it. All of it.
Yikes.
Rafe chuckles as he brushes past me and into the house.
Micah steps forward next. “How was he? Did he say anything to you? We couldn’t really hear what they were saying over the background noise.”
“He didn’t really talk much. He seems very lost, Micah. He almost recognized me,” I admit, my voice softer than I intend. “That’s why Rafe kissed me.”
Adela leans against the kitchen island with a wicked grin, dark waves spilling over one shoulder. Her gaze flicks between Rafe and me. “Oh, we know why he kissed you,” she says sweetly. “We were freaking out the moment we realized you and Jude made eye contact that close.”
Heather snorts. “Yeah, she practically screamed at the screen for Rafe to do something.”
Adela pushes off the counter and crosses the room with a seductive slowness. Rafe doesn’t bother to react before she hooks her fingers into the front of his jacket and pulls him down into a kiss that is entirely too confident for my fragile nerves.
It’s quite obscene, really.
Nico groans.
Kieran rolls his eyes at Nico.
Adela pulls back, smirking. “He’s a fantastic kisser, isn’t he?” Her brows lift innocently. “Imagine what else he’s good at.”
Heat detonates across my cheeks. Oh, I can imagine. Trust me.
Nico chokes on a laugh as he collapses on the couch with a Mountain Dew in hand.
Kieran mutters, “Jesus Christ,” under his breath from the dining room table.
Rafe exhales slowly and smooths a hand through his hair, shooting Adela a look. “You’re so fucking perfect, little doe.”
She scrunches her nose as he kisses her cheek.
Yeah, I can imagine what their sex must be like. Just kissing Rafe was mindboggling.
Heather swats my arm playfully. “Phase one, complete!” She punches the air.
I laugh at her as Micah pulls me into a side hug. “We’ll get him, Em. He's still alive, and that's what's important.” He says it like he's convincing himself to be okay.
I lean my head on his shoulder. “I think so.”
“Did he look strung out?” he asks, catching me off guard.
I hesitate, because the truth of it hurts like hell. “He did.”
He just offers a sad smile.
Everyone shuffles off to the kitchen to discuss what looks to be Adela and Heather’s attempt at making homemade potato soup, but I’m left standing there.
Thinking. My fingers drift to my sternum.
Right over the place that felt like it cracked open when Jude changed the words of his song.
My chest tightens again, but this time it’s something different.
It doesn’t exactly feel like panic or fear. ..I don’t know what it is.
Micah notices my hand. “You okay?”
I nod too quickly. “Yeah. I just—” I swallow.
“He looked…tired.” I can’t bring myself to tell him about Alexei selling Jude for sex.
The thought makes me want to cry, throw up, and scream all at once.
I’m struggling not to lock myself in the bathroom and sob in the shower right now.
Sure, we succeeded today. But Jude is still trapped. He’s still…suffering.
Rafe’s hand presses firmly at my back, thumb brushing once to ground me. “Do you need to talk about anything?” His eyes are kind.
I open my mouth to respond, but close it. I shake my head.
“Okay,” he whispers, gently leaving my side.
“We’re closer than we were yesterday,” Heather says firmly, pulling out bowls. “That matters. You did it, Emma. You stepped out of your comfort zone and may have saved his life tonight.”
I swallow hard. She’s right. But I'm still terrified to see how much life he has left.