Page 16 of Culmination
I want to be that young, in-love couple, starting a family, a future, without feeling fear every time I walk out of the door. And as much as I want to remain ignorant, this won’t be over until I face it head on.
Unable to contain my questions any longer, I lift up from his chest and turn to face him, thankful more than ever for the massive, oversize tub. At first, he doesn’t meet my eyes.
“Rafe,” I whisper softly, grabbing his hand. “We have to talk about this.”
He nods and then brings his gaze to mine. I’m shocked to see they’re slightly widened and there’s something there I’ve never seen before: fear. Just as I’m about to spill the details of my day, tell him all about Adrian, he beats me to the punch.
“I couldn’t sleep last night. I kept racking my brain, wondering what your dad was trying to tell us. Trying like hell to remember what painting was in the dining room. Instead of putting the pressure on you to remember, I decided to go back to the house so we’d know for certain.”
My brows shoot up in surprise. “You went back to the house? That’s where you were this morning?”
His eyes dart away from me for a split second as he clears his throat. “Yeah. I figured I could get in, snap a photo, and get out. I hadn’t planned on being gone for more than two hours tops. Just enough time to drive out there, get what we needed, and then drive back.”
“Were you able to get inside? Do you know which painting my dad was referring to?” I ask eagerly, excited to move forward.
“Yes. Well, no.”
I frown at him.
“I was able to get in and take a picture of the painting, but I don’t know what it is.” He smiles at me. “That’s your area of expertise. The picture’s on my phone.”
I’m about to jump up and race out of the bathroom, but Rafe continues.
“Before I could get into the house, though, he called me. We only talked for a few moments, but he made it clear he knows we’re here and you’re pregnant. He insisted I meet with him, which is why it took me so much longer to get back.”
My stomach lurches, and I shake my head in confusion. How could be have met with Adrian? “Wait. You met with him? When? How? He told me you didn’t know he was here!”
“He told you?” Rafe explodes. “What the fuck do you mean he told you? I swear to God I’ll kill Theo with my bare hands if he contacts you again.”
My gaze lowers to the water, and I know Adrian wanted me to keep his presence a secret, but I can’t lie to Rafe. I won’t. The irony of my reunion with Adrian while Rafe was apparently meeting with Theo would be laughable if this situation weren’t so damn dire and baffling.
“Rafe… Theo didn’t contact me.”
His head turns towards me so quickly that my own neck aches in sympathy. “Then who…” He pauses, the gaze of his blue eyes turning glacial. “Are you fucking kidding me? I knew that son of a bitch wasn’t dead and wouldn’t leave well enough alone. What did he want? What did he say? Tell me, Brie. Now.”
I’m surprised at the animosity of his tone, but I shouldn’t be. The last time Rafe saw Adrian, he thought he wanted to kill me. He doesn’t know what I know. I should tell him, even if it’s going to inevitably fall on deaf ears. Rafe will never allow me to be alone with Adrian.Ever.
“He…he wants me to meet with him tomorrow.”
Rafe’s eyes narrow, his lips turning down on the edges, clearly unhappy with this.
“Alone.”
“Absolutely not,” he growls. He surges up and flies out of the tub, not even bothering to dry off before he’s out of the bathroom.
Dread courses through me as I hurriedly follow, grabbing a towel and drying off as I cross the room to him. Just as he grabs his phone, I reach him and snatch it out of his hands, tossing it onto the other side of the bed.
“You can’t tell anyone he’s here!” I exclaim.
His gaze darkens, his usually bright blue eyes turning as stormy as the winter sea. “You’re protecting him? After everything he’s done, everything he did to you, you’re protecting him?!” He scoffs in disbelief. “Was this your plan, Brie? One last fuck with me today before you run off with him tomorrow?”
His words sting like the proverbial slap in the face they are.
“Yes, Rafe, that’s exactly what I was planning. You’re so astute to have figured me out. I’m in love with you, we’re starting a family, but deep down, I’m that too-stupid-to-live heroine who runs off with her deranged ex the first time he says he wants her back. I’m so glad you have such a high opinion of me.”
I march across the room and yank clothes out of my suitcase, opting for a pair of jeans and a thick sweater. I won’t get far, but I’m unable to remain in the room, naked and vulnerable, when Rafe apparently thinks the worst of me.
“Brie,” he whispers, and when I look up, he’s actually not watching me at all.
