Page 53 of Rafferty

“You already have, just by wanting to be at my side. That means the world, Tempe.”

“Of course,” she says gently.

“Just… be careful, okay?”

She’s silent a moment. “What do you mean?”

It’s been an ugly thought brewing since I headed off for the blood test. If Tansy’s behind this, I don’t know what she’s capable of. She could go after Tempe.

“Tansy’s obviously a little unbalanced. I mean… to fake something like this takes a level of cunning that honestly scares me. I don’t know if you’ll be a target. Are you working today?”

“Yeah, actually. I’m set to start in a few hours.”

“Is there any way you can call in sick? Stay at home?”

More silence before she says, “I can’t, Rafferty.”

“If it’s about money—”

“It’s not,” she assures me. “I promised to work and I can’t leave them short-handed. Nothing will happen though. I’m in a public place. Tansy wouldn’t dare come after me like that. She doesn’t want to get in trouble.”

I’m not so sure. As ridiculous and petty as this whole thing seems to be, the truth is… Tansy has to know deep down I’ll be able to disprove these allegations. She’s taking a risk that she’ll get caught, although I don’t know how carefully she’s covered her tracks. The mere fact she’s willing to take such a huge gamble is scary.

“Just…”

“I’m not afraid of Tansy,” she says confidently, and whether that’s an act or not, I appreciate her trying to alleviate my concern. “But I’ll be careful.”

We hang up, but the knot in my stomach doesn’t ease. Tansy’s game is dangerous, and now, more than ever, I need to find a way to prove my innocence and protect the people I care about.

CHAPTER 21

Tempe

The morning lightspills into the hall as I knock on Rafferty’s door. It’s still early, barely past eight, but after hearing the false accusations made against the man I care so deeply about, sleep eluded me. I tossed and turned all night, my mind spinning a thousand different solutions and yet none of them seemed attainable. When I woke up this morning, I knew I had to see him, to offer whatever solace or strength I could. I didn’t tell him I was coming, the last communication from him being a short text message around one a.m. that said he’d landed safely and would call me later.

But I couldn’t wait.

Farren answers the door, her expression tight, eyes a stormy mix of anger and worry. “Tempe,” she breathes, and I hear her relief that I’ve come.

“Is he awake?” I ask, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

“In the kitchen,” she says, her response laced with frustration as if she’s itching to do something—anything—to fix this mess. I start to move that way but her hand rests on my arm. Her head tilts toward mine as she whispers, “I’ve never seen him like this.”

“Like what?”

Her eyes bore into mine. “Like not Rafferty. He just got off the phone with our parents, and he seems so… defeated.”

“What did they say?”

“Just all the encouragement they could give. They offered to fly here but he put them off. He doesn’t want to burden them any more than is necessary.”

The message is received loud and clear. The man I know to be fun, engaging, genuine, open, kind and humble is still trying to protect the people he loves, despite having the weight of the world on his shoulders. I’m not sure how to handle that, our relationship being so young, but I know I have to give it my all.

I head into the kitchen, vaguely noting Farren following me.

Rafferty’s standing by the window, a mug of coffee forgotten in his hand as he stares out at the cityscape with a distant look. The sight of him—so vulnerable, so besieged—tightens my chest.

“Raff,” I say softly, approaching him.

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