Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
But I couldn’t wait.
Farren answers the door, her expression tight, eyes a stormy mix of anger and worry. “Tempe,” she breathes, and I hear her relief that I’ve come.
“Is he awake?” I ask, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
“In the kitchen,” she says, her response laced with frustration as if she’s itching to do something—anything—to fix this mess. I start to move that way but her hand rests on my arm. Her head tilts toward mine as she whispers, “I’ve never seen him like this.”
“Like what?”
Her eyes bore into mine. “Like not Rafferty. He just got off the phone with our parents, and he seems so… defeated.”
“What did they say?”
“Just all the encouragement they could give. They offered to fly here but he put them off. He doesn’t want to burden them any more than is necessary.”
The message is received loud and clear. The man I know to be fun, engaging, genuine, open, kind and humble is still trying to protect the people he loves, despite having the weight of the world on his shoulders. I’m not sure how to handle that, our relationship being so young, but I know I have to give it my all.
I head into the kitchen, vaguely noting Farren following me.
Rafferty’s standing by the window, a mug of coffee forgotten in his hand as he stares out at the cityscape with a distant look. The sight of him—so vulnerable, so besieged—tightens my chest.
“Raff,” I say softly, approaching him.
He turns, and the strain on his face shifts into a faint smile as he sees me. “Hey, babe,” he murmurs, setting his cup on the counter. He wraps me in his arms, burying his face in my hair and I can feel how relieved he is to have me there. In the strength of his embrace, the gentle sigh deflates his chest.
“I’m here, okay? We’ll get through this,” I assure him, feeling his nod against my shoulder.
Farren, leaning against the doorframe, folds her arms. “I want to go kick Tansy’s ass,” she declares, a growl of barely contained fury.
I want that too, but it’s not an option.
Rafferty pulls back slightly to look down at me, a bitter chuckle escaping him. “There’s nothing to be done until they sort through the fake evidence she planted and clear my name,” he says, his frustration palpable.
Releasing me, he motions to the coffee pot. “Want some?”
I shake my head, pulling a stool back from the island and sitting on it. “What if there’s something we could do?” I ask tentatively.
All those sleepless hours gave me a lot of time to think and while it’s not an optimal idea, I think there could be a better course of action than simply waiting.
“What’s that?” Rafferty asks. I can see he’s probably discounting any suggestion I have because he’s already feeling defeated, but a bit of hope sparks within his beautiful eyes.
I glance at Farren, who pushes off the doorframe and walks around to the other side of the island. My attention goes back to Rafferty as he stands stiffly beside me. I reach out, take his hand. “What if we go to Brienne Norcross? Tell her everything, the truth.”
Rafferty’s face is a mask of indifference.
Farren’s brows knit together. “That could ruin everything for you,” she says to Rafferty, the worry in her voice a clear indicator of the stakes. “That’s Tansy’s cousin. You have to tread lightly.”
“But what’s left to lose at this point?” I argue, feeling a surge of boldness. “Brienne has the resources, and she seems fair. Besides, Rafferty’s going to test negative for the drugs, and ultimately they’ll find out it was a hoax. So why wait? Tansy’s been the one in charge this entire time. She’s been the one calling the shots and now that you’re not willing to play her game anymore, she’s turned this into something very serious. In fact, I’m banking on the fact that she thinks you’re just going to sit there and take it.”
I’m heated, my anger for the injustice of it all rising hotly. I want Rafferty to get pissed again the way he was last night when I talked to him. I want him to go on the offensive.
Rafferty runs a hand through his hair, the skepticism on his face slowly giving way to reluctant consideration. “It’s a gamble…”
“It’s one worth taking,” I press, sounding stronger than I feel. I could be ruining his career if this pisses Brienne off. If her loyalty is to Tansy, she may be unwilling to believe Rafferty.
Farren moves closer to her brother, and his eyes lock onto her. “Raff… this needs to be handled delicately. I think prudence is called for.”
His sister is not wrong and I appreciate her playing devil’s advocate. I’m heartened, though, when I hear a hint of the old Rafferty come out as he teases his sister. “That’s a little weird coming from a woman as impetuously bold as you, sis.”