Page 59 of Monsters Wear Crowns
My stomach flipped. I pushed myself up, wincing at the pain in my side, but I ignored it. My vision cleared just in time to see Lauren standing near the door, her eyes blazing, her hands clenchedinto fists.
Rafe stood across from her, calm in a way that only made him more threatening. His arms were crossed, his expression cold and bored. But his eyes…those icy blue eyes were locked on her like she was a threat he was debating whether or not to eliminate.
“She was nearlykilledtonight, you fucking psycho,” Lauren spat. “And you want me to believe that’s just some unfortunate coincidence?”
“Lower your voice,” Rafe said, his tone so quiet it made the hair on my arms rise. “She’s sleeping.”
“Not anymore,” I rasped.
Both their heads snapped toward me.
“Adela!” Lauren was at my side in an instant, her hands brushing my hair back as she scanned my face. “Are you okay? Jesus, I’ve been losing my mind–”
“I’m fine,” I said, even though it wasn’t exactly true. But I was alive. I wasn’t about to complain.
She didn’t believe me. Not even a little. Her eyes softened, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“I scared the hell out of myself.” I forced a weak smile. “But you’re here. How?”
Rafe answered before she could. “I had my men retrieve her. I wasn’t taking any chances.”
Lauren stiffened, her jaw tightening as she glared at him. “Right. Because it’stotallynormal tokidnapyour girlfriend’s best friend.”
He didn’t even blink. “You’re welcome.”
“Rafe.” My voice was quiet but still managed to sound reprimanding. “What happened?”
“I sent my men to your office after the attack,” he said. “They found Lauren there alone, closing up. I wasn’t about to leave her unprotected.”
Lauren huffed. “They hauled me out of there like I was some kind of hostage–”
“You were a target,” Rafe cut in, his voice like ice. “And I don’t leave loose ends.”
The room went still.
I could feel the anger vibrating off Lauren, but beneath it was fear, fear she’d never admit to. And I knew her well enough to understand why. She wasn’t used to feeling vulnerable. Neither of us were. And now we were both tangled up in something far bigger and more risky than we’d anticipated.
“Lauren,” I said softly, taking her hand. “I’m okay.”
She squeezed my fingers, her eyes flashing. “For now. But how long until you’re not, Adela?” She turned her glare back on Rafe. “You’re dragging her into something that is going to get her killed.Moreau?You’ll both fucking die.”
“That’s not going to happen,” he said, his voice low and deadly.
“Really?” She let out a humorless laugh. “Because it sure as hell looks like it’s already starting.”
“Lauren,” I warned, but it was no use. She was on a tear.
“You think you can justownher?” she demanded, stepping toward him. “She’s not some piece on your chessboard–”
“I knowexactlywho she is,” Rafe said, his voice soft and dangerous. “And I don’t take what’sminefor granted.”
The words sent a shiver down my spine.
Lauren’s eyes widened, and then her gaze flicked back to me. “You’rereallyokay with this? Withhim?”
I met her stare head-on. “I know what I’m doing.”
“Doyou?” Her voice cracked. “Because this isn’t just somepower play,Adela. This is yourlife. And I swear to god, if he gets you killed–”
