Page 126 of Protected from Malice
Did I finally tell my mom everything? Yes. Last month, after Rafe and I flew out to Sleepy Hollow for a weekend, we took aside trip to Florida to see my mom. I almost chickened out at least ten times, but I eventually did it. And surprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
Mom was upset, of course, but she didn’t freak out. She didn’t spiral into depression. She just listened, cried with me, and hugged me so hard I could barely breathe, before saying, “I’m so sorry you felt like you couldn’t tell me. I understand why. But honestly, I’m much better than I used to be. Please don’t be afraid to tell me things because you think they’ll upset me. You’re my daughter. I’m here for you no matter what.”
Poor Rafe actually looked flustered when he walked in to check on us and found my mom and I in floods of tears. But once I reassured him that I was okay, that they were more tears of relief than anything else, he shifted back into problem-solver mode, offering to get us tissues, chocolate, wine, movies… anything that would make us feel better.
That’s the Rafe most people don’t see. The sweet, sensitive Rafe who would doanythingto make me happy.
What he still doesn’t fully understand is how simple it is.Hemakes me happy. All the other stuff is lovely, but at the end of the day, if I have Rafe, that’sthe important part.
Rafe follows my gaze to Zada and Levi, who are chatting away, looking more like old friends than two people who only met a few hours ago.
“What do you think?” I ask. “I know Levi’s still active duty, but he mentioned getting out when his contract is up. Maybe…”
Rafe turns back to me with a little smile. “Trying to match make, huh?”
“Maybe.” I lace my fingers between his and stretch up to give him a kiss. “I’ve heard once you find love yourself, suddenly you want all your friends to find it, too.”
And really, Zada and Leviwouldbe a good match. They both like art—Levi with his caricatures and illustrations, and Zadawith her skill in graphic design. Andthey look cute together. Levi’s dark hair is a perfect complement to Zada’s light blonde, and he’s easily a foot taller than her, but together, they look like two opposites that somehow make sense.
“Who knows?” Rafe replies. “Maybe something will work out between the two of them. I guess you’ll have to convince Zada to keep visiting, just in case.”
“I will.” I kiss him again. “Maybe for New Year’s. We could have a party here. Invite all the New York and Texas people. Plus, anyone from the Refuge who can make it.”
And speaking of the Refuge, there are some familiar faces in attendance. Spike and his wife, Reese, are here, along with Henley, Tonka, and their two children. Owl and Lara sent their regards, along with a beautiful painting of the New Mexico landscape as a housewarming present. And from everyone at the Refuge, we have an open invitation to visit whenever we want—not necessarily as clients, although we can if we need, but as friends.
Rafe draws me closer to him and kisses the top of my head. “A New Year’s Eve party sounds great. We’ve definitely got the room for it now.”
“We do,” I agree. “Sometimes I still can’t believe how big this place is. It’s really incredible, especially after all the work you guys have done.”
“Do you wish we’d gone for an apartment in the main building instead? Because we could switch, if you want.”
I look at him in surprise. “Why would I want to move out of our house?”
“I don’t know. In case you decided you’d feel safer with more people around.”
“Rafe.” I give him a gently scolding look. “I haveyouto protect me. I don’t need anyone else.”
“Eden.”
“It’s true.” I glance back down below us, spotting Indy, Webb, Ace, and Tyler all playing a raucous round of extreme Jenga. From the looks of it, Indy’s taking great pride in rubbing in how steady his prosthetic hand is. “Am I glad to have Indy and the other guys here? Of course. But not because I want them to keep me safe. I have my hero for that.”
Rafe stares at me for a few seconds as emotion works in his eyes. He swallows hard. “Eden. Do you know how much I love you?”
“If it’s as much as I love you, then it’s a lot.”
He dips his head, covering my lips with his. Tasting. Teasing. Treasuring.
“It’s a lot,” he says when we finally break apart. “Alot.”
Then he looks around the room again. He catches Webb’s eye and lifts his chin. Webb nods, then leaves the Jenga game and heads over to the little speaker set up near the TV. A moment later, the music cuts off.
Webb raises his voice as he calls out, “Hey, guys. Can I get everyone’s attention?”
The chatter dims right away, and within ten seconds, the room falls into silence.
Rafe takes my hand and tugs me towards the stairs. “Come on. I have something to show you.”
“What?” I ask.
