Page 60 of Monsters Wear Crowns
“I won’t,” Rafe said quietly, but there was nothing soft in the promise.
Lauren didn’t believe him. Not yet. But she didn’t push it. For once. She exhaled sharply and turned back to me. “I’m not going anywhere until I know you’re safe.”
“You’re safe here,” Rafe said. “My men are outside. No one’s getting in without my permission.”
Lauren snorted. “Oh, good. Becausethat’sso comforting.”
I sighed, already feeling the start of a headache. “Both of you, just–stop. Please.”
The room fell silent.
“Lauren,” I said gently. “I appreciate you being here. I do. But I need you to trust me.”
She sighed, but I could see the fight still simmering beneath the surface. “I trustyou,” she said. “I don’t trust him.”
“Fair,” I murmured.
Rafe’s lips twitched like he was trying not to smile.
“Just…give us a minute, okay?” I asked.
Lauren hesitated, then nodded. “Fine. But I’m not going far.” She shot Rafe one last warning glare before disappearing into the hallway.
The door clicked shut behind her.
I let my head fall back against the pillows. “She’s going to kill you in your sleep, you know.”
“I’d like to see her try.”
I cracked an eye open. “Don’t tempt her.”
Rafe didn’t smile. He just stared at me, long and hard, like he was trying to figure out what to do with me.
“She’s not wrong,” he said finally.
“About?”
“This being dangerous. You being in peril.” He crouched beside the bed, his eyes level with mine. “I can keep you safe, Adela. But you have to let me.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m not very good at letting anyone do anything for me.”
His lips curled, but there was no humor in it. “I noticed.”
He reached out, his fingers brushing my cheek. And just like that, the anger and fear faded.
“I meant what I said,” he murmured. “No one toucheswhat’s mine.”
My breath caught.
“Rafe–”
The door burst open, and Lauren’s voice rang out. “We have a fucking problem.”
Of course, we did.
***
The warm weight of Rafe’s hand guided me through the dim hallway, his touch both grounding and possessive. My side still ached from the fight, but the bandages were tight, and the pain was manageable. Whatwasn’tso easy to manage was the war of emotions still crashing inside me. Fear, anger, desire, and his presence made everyone burn hotter.
