Page 80 of Running Winter

"Two things," he declared, winking at Rayna, who was adjusting her top. "One, Dad wants to talk to Rayna, and two, I need a fucking beer."

Rayna stiffened beside me, and I nodded, shifting, so I could stand. Rafe yawned, and Rayna stood up shakily.

"Chase, will you come with me?” Rayna pleaded, and I nodded.

"Of course."

"So I'm drinking alone?" Rafe muttered, scowling as I laced my fingers with Rayna's.

"I'll drink beers with you when this shit is settled," I snapped as Rafe rolled his eyes.

"It will be sorted. Dad barely has time to wipe his—"

"We get it," I interrupted, striding towards the door.

I didn’t know what to expect, but I had to be strong for Rayna.

I hope that Leigh is still alive.

We made our way down to Lucas, who was perched on a kitchen stool, his hands resting on my aunt's waist. His eyes skimmed over me before they rested on Rayna.

"Mr. Deacon," Rayna murmured, brushing her hair from her eyes.

"Rayna. I'll get straight to the point," Lucas declared, standing up straight to gaze at Rayna. Despite the nerves in my stomach, I remained completely poker-faced. "Leigh seems to be a hard man to discuss business with. But he isn't stupid, and I admire that. He owed some money to some people, and I’ve offered him a way out."

Rayna nodded, her hand gripping mine.

"He wants a relationship with you, which means staying in Winterburg," he continued before glancing at Aunt Alice. "But my conditions were crystal clear. He is to work for me, and I will make sure he has everything he needs to survive. But, in return, he has to leave the bitch ass girlfriend and all the shit in New York."

"Okay." Rayna swallowed, her eyes wide. "What did Leigh say?"

"He accepted, of course.” Uncle Lucas snorted as Aunt Alice rolled her eyes. "The wicked witch has gone back to wherever she came from, and your brother is now working for me."

"Doing what?" Rayna pressed.

"This and that, don't concern yourself. Instead, I suggest you tell your parents about him because he wants a relationship with you."

Rayna's shoulders sagged with relief, and I slid my arm around her waist to keep her upright.

"Thank you, Mr. Deacon," she whispered, and Lucas glanced at Rafe and me.

"I did it for my family, Rayna. No one fucks with my family."

Rayna lifted her gaze to mine before nodding gratefully.

"Either way. I appreciate it."

Her chin lifted, and Lucas nodded before moving his gaze to Rafe.

"Right then, young man. California, was it?"

I looked at Rafe with surprise, and he winked at me.

"Hey, if you're going—"

"Then you're going?" I laughed, a feeling of euphoria washing over me. The thought of Rafe coming with me to California was amazing.

"Well, I'm not a hundred percent sure. I kinda like knocking about with the elders, you know?" Rafe teased before walking towards his parents.

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