Page 96 of Keep Her from Them

I caught Valentine’s sleeve. “Any update on Raphael?”

“He sent a message a few minutes ago that Barrington had pursued him all the way back to Braithar and he’d challenged him as planned. Barrington took off in his car. We tracked him heading out of the estate, so with any luck, he’s history. Best to still stay out of sight until we’re sure.”

My heart leapt. “Then I can see Raphael?”

“Drop him a line, honey. Watch how fast he races back now he knows you’re alone.”

With a final hug of my friend, I let them go, then ran for the bedroom. I’d hidden too much of myself from Raphael. He never knew the depths of the effect he’d had on me, even back when we were teenagers. I fished the possession I’d been searching for out of my bag and smiled.

Tonight, I wanted nothing between us but the truth. I’d fight for him. Even if the fresh drama made him feel I was even harder to reach, I’d prove I wasn’t. It was the only way.

Chapter 32

Raphael

In Braithar’s cool corridor, I stared out of a narrow window at the dusk and the rainstorm that battered the estate. From further inside the castle came the sounds of a happy family evening, someone strumming a guitar, kids laughing.

Alone in the dark, I thumbed to a message on my phone.

Jackson: It was you she looked for, bro.

God, I’d needed to know that. Just as much as I’d needed the image Dori sent.

I’d dealt with Barrington, proving as much as I could to him that I hadn’t hidden Alex anywhere around and reiterating that she was at her dad’s. Gordain had even come out of Braithar to challenge the man, at which point he’d driven away. Even though we’d tracked him leaving the estate, he knew my car now. I couldn’t drive to the cottage and park outside.

Another message arrived on my phone.

Valentine: The count is at the hangar for the night. Repeat, the count is off the premises. Coast is clear, my friend.

Then a third nearly ended me.

Alex: If it’s safe, please come to me.

I was already moving. Tugging up my hood, I snuck to a side exit of the castle and plunged out into the dark. Rain battered me, and I sprinted for the trees on the far side of the clearing.

I couldn’t drive to Alex, but a little rain never hurt anyone.

The cottages were a good hike across the Scottish landscape, but I knew the estate like the back of my hand. Through the woods, I stormed, steering clear of the road and using animal tracks. Thick clouds hid any moon, and the summer undergrowth had me saturated quickly. It didn’t stop me.

I didn’t slow until I was closing in on the cottage, the warm lights visible down the hill.

Hunkering down, I watched for several minutes then took out my phone and shot Alex a quick message.

Raphael: Unlock the back door. Stay out of sight.

My hair dripped water on the screen, and I shut it down then waited until faint movement at the back door showed me she’d done as I asked.

I could barely catch my breath.

Only when I was certain that nothing else moved in the rain-strewn night did I release my energy and storm through the dark, down the slope and to the door. Without missing a beat, I twisted the handle and ducked inside, closing and locking it at my back.

A hitched breath had me turning to face Alex, waiting for me in the darkness, wearing only a shirt.

Myt-shirt. The one I’d given her when we were at university. Recognition nearly knocked me out.

In that moment, my life changed. I was done. Done waiting, done holding myself back. From the emotion in Alex’s eyes, I wasn’t the only one locked in this insanity.

She was mine now. And I’d do everything necessary to keep it that way.

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