Page 72 of Hidden Raphael
“No.” He shook his head and took a step backward. "Besides, they are probably dead. I've wasted too much time already."
There was no stopping him. Kimberly remembered her first few days here, realizing he had his own code of honor. She nodded. "We'll talk when you get back."
"No." His sister stood up but her balance was off. Kimberly rose to ensure Mica didn't fall, taking her hand. Michaela wobbled. "Stop, Rafe."
Raphael kept his pace and walked out of the library. “I’ll be back.” Then he slammed the door.
Michaela shook her head. She sank down to the couch as she squeezed Kimberly's hand. "If you care about my brother, stop him. Despite all his testosterone nonsense, he's still mortal."
"He’s tracked down and captured both of them before." Kimberly swallowed, but her stomach hardened. This time Roger and Harry would be together and know Raphael's strength. She hoped they were both dead from the crash, but then a chill raced down her spine. One of her hands let her fingers form a circle. Spiritually that had to be bad, so she amended her prayer for injured.
His sister said, "His vengeance will get him killed."
There was no way Michaela could go without her medications. "You can't follow him. You're weak."
"No, but you can. Kimberly, don't let him go. I can't lose my brother over my own mistakes."
Kimberly nodded. "Will you be okay if I go?"
"I'll stay right here. Run."
Kimberly rubbed Michaela's arm to soothe her, and then followed her advice. Now was not the time for Raphael to go alone. She ran down the darkened halls. The candelabrum’s flames followed her as she rushed past. At the end of the hallway, she had two choices for blackened corridors. Her chest heaved as she caught her breath. Which way had he gone? She turned and went to the corridor with the door she knew.
Darkness didn't creep her out anymore. All that mattered was him. At the rack, she grabbed a jacket and froze. Raphael's coat was still here. He might have gone a different way. He'd likely have more than one jacket, so it might not matter. Her gut churned, as if she'd missed something. Then she narrowed her eyes. He had wired his entire house with sensors. He'd have cameras or something else on the door too. She smiled, picked up the pink jacket instead, and said into the camera, "Gotta get dressed and go outside to find Raphael. I hope I find him and not Harry and Roger."
No footsteps in the hall. She reached out and found the pink hat and gloves. She announced to the closet, "Raphael needs me with him, even if he doesn't know it."
She unlocked the door and made a huge dramatic movement out of it. As she finished and opened the door, Raphael's hand appeared to push the door closed. His green eyes were in pain as he said, "I need you to stay home."
Bingo. She knew him. Her heart pattered, but she stayed silent. Then she schooled her smile and turned around. Raphael stood with his legs in a wide stance and his arms crossed. Like his sister earlier, she tilted her head and said calmly, "I can't let you leave. It's a bad idea. They know you now. It's better to let the authorities come and handle the situation."
He shifted the weight of his feet. "She needs her medication. What if they don't come in time?"
She lifted her chin. "They will."
He shook his head. "I don't have your optimism."
He needed to understand he didn't have to take care of everything. The authorities were on their way. She reached out to brush his arm, but he tensed his muscles and didn't move. "It's why you like me."
He angled his body away from her. "Stop. Kimberly, you of all people have to understand why I must go."
If Erica was in trouble, she'd do whatever she could to save her. She took a step forward and refused to let him leave. She had so many unanswered questions. "Your sister is weak, but she flew here to bring you home. Did Eileen break your heart? Is that why you locked yourself away? Or was it Tiffany? I'm getting your past all confused."
He crossed his arms, like it was a shield. "Neither. I don't want to talk about it now, or ever."
Her arms became glued to her side. She jumped to stand in front of the door and refused to mimic his behavior. "You have all this high-tech stuff in your house, but no communication to the outside world. There is something going on, and it's bigger than my crash."
He turned away from her and seemed like he'd go a different path in the house. "My sister needs her medication."
She spun on her heels and stayed in front of him. He'd not leave, not now. "And you owe me the truth."
He shook his head. "Now isn't a good time."
Perhaps he was right. She'd have to get him to be reasonable. If he was calm and levelheaded, he might have a chance out there. "When is it a good time? Your sister wants you to stay. She's here. She's alive, so stop stalling and tell me."
He closed his eyes and glanced past her toward the hall. She'd twist again to ensure he'd stay. There was so much she didn't know. "I have communication lines, but I'm on a blackout."
Her mouth fell open. "What the hell does that mean?"
