Page 71 of Rafe: Sins of the Father

My eyes narrow. That sounds suspiciously like she’s talked to Tori about it. “Did you talk to her?”

“Maybe. She told me you won’t return her calls. You won’t even give her a chance to explain. Brother, don’t learn too late how much silence can cost. You like this girl.”

I sigh. “Stay out of it, okay? The last thing I need is my little sister involved in my love life.” I feel a presence next to me and grab a menu off the table, thinking it’s the waiter. I don’t even know what I want. When they don’t speak, I glance up and my mouth parts. “Tori.”

She pulls out a chair between Fiona and me. “I just want to talk to you.”

I glare at my sister. “Did you set this up?”

“Please don’t be mad at her. I asked her to call you,” Tori says.

I slam the menu shut. “I’m out of here.”

Tori’s hand lands on my arm. “Please don’t go. Give me five minutes.”

Fiona slips out. “I’ll go to the bar and let you two talk.”

“Traitor,” I mutter after her.

“I’m sorry, Rafe. I’m sorry for all of it,” Tori murmurs.

My gaze sweeps over her. Goddamn, she looks good. Top to bottom, sex on a stick, but with a touch of sweetness. I love the blouse she’s wearing, and the way it exposes her bare, sun-kissed shoulders. My dick wants to know if she’s got anything on under it.Down, boy. She’s not ours anymore. Maybe she never was.

“You were right. I shouldn’t have gone last night. I was trying to help my father. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

“You’re still making excuses.”

“You’re jealous. I get that.”

“Damn right, I am. Either you're mine or you’re his. Which is it, Tori?”

“Rafe—”

“Until you make up your mind, I’m done.” I stand and walk out to my bike.

Tori chases after me and grabs my arm before I can throw my leg over the seat. “Rafe, wait. Please. I don’t want him. You have to believe me.”

“Do I?”

“It’s you I want.”

“You mean that, for real?”

“I’ve never meant anything more.”

“Then prove it. Come with me tonight.”

“Where?”

“Does it matter?”

She swallows. “No.”

Everything in me relaxes, and it feels like a weight just left me. I’ll be on my guard, but I’ve got to take the risk that Tori is telling me the truth, that this isn’t more of some game. I look at the restaurant. “We can’t leave my sister hanging. You still hungry?”

She smiles and nods.

I hold my hand out, and she takes it, and the moment she does, everything in me settles with a belief that somehow, we’ll work this out.

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