Page 13 of Hidden Raphael
She held his gaze. "There was an older gentleman. He had a nice smile. I think he was their servant."
His voice and body steeled like she would hit him. "Who and what do you mean?"
She stiffened, then swallowed. Her mind flashed again to an old man's face. The howl of the wind wooshed in the halls outside. Her face heated, but then she closed her eyes. "On the plane, when Eileen was shot, the older man next to me threw me down and then later pushed me off the plane, which saved my life."
His fists hit the table, and she winced. "Why didn't you mention him?"
"Everything happened so fast." She opened her eyes, but her vision was blurry from tears. She rubbed the back of her head. "The pieces are just starting to come together in my head. Nothing makes sense. But you said you only found two burned bodies?"
“Yes.” Raphael's foot tapped on the floor.
She gazed up and he shook his head. He seemed angry and she didn’t know why. She wiped her tears back. "I'm sorry."
Raphael stared at the door and said nothing. He knew she'd hit my head and didn’t remember everything. He must be worried for her.
"I didn't mean to come here, and would leave if I could." She coughed and heard the wobble in her voice. She tried to breathe. She never cried, but she needed his help. She tugged on his arm. "I saw Roger kill people. Someone else helped save my life on the plane. It’s a nightmare, remembering each moment of yesterday’s horror. I'm not trying to cause problems. Can you please help me?"
"I will take care of the pilot and find the servant." Raphael reached out and brushed her arm. An electric current rushed through her and her entire body warmed. His muscles were large enough to keep her safe in his arms. Then he finished, "No one will get to you. I promise to get you back to shore in April."
Her body softened as if steam came out of her. She stared into his sexy eyes, and her cheeks burned. "Thank you. I've never been protected."
Raphael’s cheeks turned crimson. "I have never been anyone's white knight before. I'm usually in the shadows, but I do promise you that you'll get off my island alive."
"Would you kill the pilot for me?" For all those years on the island trying to be a better person, she couldn’t just wish him caught. He might get out and then come to kill her too.
He nodded, but stared at the door.
The images of a brutal fight flashed in her head between the pilot and Raphael, but she shook them off. She wiped her mouth with her napkin. "Tomorrow, I want to say a few prayers at the grave with you."
He took a bite of his stew then told her, "This is great."
"Are you talking about the food?" She tilted her head. "I asked for a favor."
"I'll bring you tomorrow."
She stared at him and his face turned grim. "Kimberly, let me handle the pilot and the servant tomorrow. We'll go to the grave when we can."
She rubbed her neck. Why would he avoid the easy request?
Suddenly he stood up. "I'll be right back."
He walked out of the dining room fast. Her jaw dropped and she had no words to call him back. Where was he going?
She looked at the trench coat hanging on the wall. Earlier he had slipped something in his pocket. What? She swallowed and held firm to her seat. She'd respect his privacy.
Thunder cracked outside and wind rattled the trees. Then a crash boomed her ears, and the silverware clanged against the dishes. She shivered.
There was no such thing as ghosts. There wasn't.
