Chapter Eighteen
I knock three times on Raina’s apartment door after sending a quick text to let her know I’ve arrived.
I can hear some shuffling and movement from the other side, and I feel a surge of anticipation.
Finally, the door swings open, revealing Raina on the other side.
She’s wearing beige scrubs, and her hair’s up in a messy bun with tousled bangs brushing against her brows.
Her lightly freckled cheeks are slightly flushed.
She greets me with a tight smile, stepping aside to let me in.
As I enter, I take a moment to survey my surroundings.
We walk through a narrow hallway, and to the left, I spot the kitchen where a small bar counter sits with chairs neatly tucked underneath.
Directly across is the living room, with the small balcony just beyond it.
The decor strikes me as Mediterranean in style, with an earthy feel.
Plants are arranged on either side of the balcony doors. The setup is simple, but welcoming.
I lean against the bar area, crossing my arms. I glance around; everything seems in order. Maybe she needs help moving some bedroom furniture. “So, what do you need help with?” I ask.
Raina walks toward the living room, resting her hands on the back of the couch.
Something feels off about her, but I can’t pinpoint why.
She bites down on her lips, clearly hesitating, before saying, “Okay…don’t freak out.
” I open my mouth to respond, but then I hear scratching noises that make me pause.
I listen closely, hearing the scratches again, accompanied by little thumps.
My gaze shifts past Raina to a larger hall leading to what I assume is her bedroom and a bathroom.
“What is that, Raina?” She gives me a nervous smile and turns toward the hall.
I keep my mouth shut and watch her as she approaches a door to the left of the hall, and opens it.
She crouches down, grabbing something. She slowly turns back around and walks toward the living room.
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. My jaw tightens as I make eye contact with a cat.
It doesn’t look to be full grown yet. Its orange-brown fur has faded stripes all over.
I stay silent, bringing my gaze back to Raina.
I don’t know what her plan is, or what involvement she thinks I’m having with this furry creature.
I wait, curious for what she has to say.
She now stands directly in front of me, and I look down at her.
The smell of warm vanilla fills the air around us.
She holds the cat pressed up against her chest, and I hear light purrs coming from it.
Raina cranes her neck, looking up at me.
I stare blankly at her, trying not to focus on the little details of her features, how even in the simplest form, she is breathtaking.
I let out a long breath through my nose, restraining my thoughts.
“What are you doing with that? Please tell me it’s yours?
” I ask flatly. She sucks her bottom lip in for a moment, running her fingertips along the cat’s head.
Shaking her head, she responds, “No, a lady brought her in today to the vet. She was crying, upset. She’s having to move from her current home and can’t take her cat. No one there could help. So, I panicked and said I would.”
I tilt my head. “So it’s yours now?”
She looks down at the cat before bringing her eyes back to mine. “I can’t keep her here, I’m only allowed to have fish, or something that lives in a cage, like a hamster. I snuck her in here,” she admits.
I furrow my brows, trying to piece together her plan. “So you want me to take it to an animal shelter? The closest one is probably over an hour away, but I can—”
Raina takes a step back, cutting me off. “No! And it has a name…her name is Mango.”
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Mango. I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to process whatever the hell is going on here. “Just spit it out, Raina. Why am I here, and why did I need to bring my truck?”
She huffs lightly. “I need you to keep her until I can find her a new home,” she breathes.
She has to be joking. “Absolutely not!” I chime.
Her expression tenses as she pulls the cat closer to her. “Please, Ezra! I don’t know what else to do…I could ask—”
I step toward her, closing the gap between us.
“Don’t say his fucking name,” I growl. Her breath hitches at my sudden demand.
She stays quiet, her brows pulling together while her green eyes dart back and forth between my cold stare and my lips.
I break eye contact just for a moment, noticing the cat staring up at me.
Its eyes are glowing green, very much similar to Raina’s.
I shake my head and bring my attention back to her.
She’s not the normal bubbly, feisty Raina I’ve slowly gotten to know.
I can tell she’s stressed, and maybe even a little anxious.
The last thing I want is for her to feel that way, because I know that feeling all too well.
I relax my shoulders and my expression. “Raina…I—”
Banging sounds come from the door, and we both turn toward the noise.
A voice I never care to hear again sounds from the other side.
“Raina! I know you are in there! Why haven’t you answered any of my texts or calls?
It’s been weeks!” He pauses, I guess expecting her to open the door.
She’s actually not talked to him. I assumed she hasn’t seen him, but I figured they were still communicating.
He bangs on the door again. “Is it because of that piece of shit bartender? What do you see in him anyway, huh? He’s all scarred up…
probably fucked up in the head…he’s no good for you!
” I feel Raina’s eyes on me now. I continue staring at the door, imagining his annoying presence on the other side.
How easily I could open that door and crush his face in seconds with my bare hands.
“I can’t believe this,” Raina says, her frustration evident beside me.
“He’s going to cause a scene and get me in trouble.
Just let me deal with him quickly. I’m really sorry.
” I lock eyes with her for a brief moment as she turns to head down the hallway, planning to put the cat back in the room.
I turn back toward the door, catching Scottie muttering shit under his breath from the other side.
In an instant, a decision takes shape: I’m going to confront him myself, and after tonight, he won’t be a problem for either of us again.
I take off my leather jacket and hang it over one of the bar chairs, wanting my scars to be visible for him to see.
As I walk toward the door, I can feel a heat rising inside me.
Just knowing he’s here stirs something deep.
What if I hadn’t come tonight? He would have shown up anyway, and Raina would have let him in, and he’d be here with her instead of me.
It feels like he’s trying to claim something that isn’t his, something I’m not sure I have a right to.
But that doesn’t matter now. I’m determined to make my point and get what I want.
I might end up regretting it later, but I’m set on taking control of this situation.
I throw the door open, resting my arm against the frame overhead. Confusion flickers across Scottie’s face, and he looks instantly irritated. This is already too entertaining. I stifle a laugh. “Great to see you, Steven.”
His brow furrows. “It’s Scottie,” he murmurs.
“Right,” I reply.
He tries to peer past me, searching for Raina, but I block his view with my body. He scowls, clearly annoyed. “What are you doing here?” he demands.
Someone’s bold tonight. That’s fine, I’ll let him have his moment of bravado. “We were just in the middle of something…but do come in,” I say, my tone icy. I step aside to let him enter. He hesitates for a beat but ultimately walks in, and I gently close the door behind us.
Scottie strides down the narrow hall, stopping where the kitchen meets the living room.
He immediately turns his head to the right.
“Raina…” he mutters under his breath. The sound of her name on his lips makes my blood boil, and I feel my patience hanging by a thread, ready to snap.
I take a deep breath, keeping my eyes locked on him.
Raina appears beside him, arms crossed, looking up at him. “Why did you come here and cause a scene, Scottie?” she huffs.
He reaches out for her arm, but she pulls back. I step forward, tempted to smash the back of his head, but I refrain. “I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks…you haven’t replied to a single text or call. What’s going on?”
Raina’s gaze shifts to me as I approach. She opens her mouth to respond to Scottie, but I jump in first. “She’s been busy.”
He snickers under his breath. “Busy with you?” he says sarcastically.
I shrug nonchalantly. “Yeah, something like that,” I reply.
I stroll into the living room, quickly taking in the sight of the couch and loveseat facing each other.
“We were in the middle of something…before you decided to drop in unannounced. Please, have a seat,” I say, waving my hand toward the loveseat.
Scottie narrows his eyes at me, likely weighing his options about whether to leave, but I know his pride won’t let him back down.
He’s determined to show Raina he’s got what it takes.
With that thought in mind, he ambles toward the loveseat.
A satisfying smirk tugs at my lips as I watch him settle in.
I shift my gaze to Raina and can see the confusion—and maybe a touch of concern on her face as she waits for my next move.
Deep down, I know she may end up resenting me for this, but maybe it’s for the best.