Page 180 of White Raven
“Hell no!” Wren said, backing away.
“Here, Wren,” Athan offered, biting down on the strap to his gloves, and peeling one out. “Why don’t you come see if your ass can cash those checks that biggobis writing from the side of the mat!” All his pretty white teeth were showing as he tossed a glove across the floor. Wren made haste out the gym door, throwing up a middle finger on her way out. Athan and Rhaena chuckled as they stretched out.
“I’ll wait at your desk,” Sarah grinned, returning the wink he gave her as she turned away. This was gonna be uncomfortable enough without her being here to witness it.
The mat felt cool against her exposed skin from her sports bra as Rhaena stared at the ceiling and caught her breath.Athan’s head lay next to hers, their feet extended to opposite sides of the mat. Neither one of them had said a word since all of their spectators had excused themselves.
“You’re gonna be in here every day, aren’t you?” he asked, smoothing his tattooed hands down his abdomen and staring at the ceiling.
“Probably. Brandon’s gonna have to find better reasons not to train.” Rhaena’s throat tightened, and she fought back the growing knot in it as she swallowed.
“Remind me to send the poor fucker a fat suit made of bubble wrap.”
She smiled to herself, but couldn’t laugh…her welling tears were building, and she rolled her head away from him. Athan raised up and propped himself on his elbow.
“Don’t,” she warned, refusing to look at him. She could feel his eyes on her. “I’ll choke you out again.”
“I threw that fight.” She could hear his shit-eating grin, and Rhaena scoffed as she swiped at her eye with the back of her glove.
“Can’t you just take the ‘L’ like a good boy?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” he asked, nudging her shoulder. Rhaena reluctantly turned her head, and a rogue tear betrayed her as it shot towards her temple. Athan looked down at her, and she knew he’d never admit it, but he looked like he was about to break too. “We’re always gonna be partners. I told you I’d always have your six, Rhaena. It might be time for me to go back where I came from…but I’ll never forget where Icamefrom.”
“Athan Kane, if you’re making a dirty joke right now, I’ll fucking—”
He broke into laughs and dropped himself back onto the mat as she punched him in the arm. “You know what I was trying to say.”
“For somebody that writes as good as Poe himself, you really have a way with words…idiot.” They quieted, and Rhaena sighed. “This would be a really bad time to tell you I’m pregnant, wouldn’t it?” His head shot up, and his expression exploded. Rhaena chuckled and held her lower belly.
“Rhaena!” he yelped, swallowing. “I thought you said…”
“I wasn’t. But I am this time. For real. I found out the other night. Brandon doesn’t know yet…I wanna take him back to the doctor with me. You should have seen him up there. Funniest shit I’ve ever witnessed. You men are absolutely retarded when it comes to basic female anatomy.”
He relaxed his arms and leaned on one of them as he stared at her. “So, this is…”
“Not yours,” she laughed.
“Rhaena I just fucking hit you at full strength. What the fuck, man?”
She sat up and leaned back on her hands. “Thatwas your full strength? Jesus, Kane…you really do fucking suck.”
“Tell me you’re not saying this so we’ll stay in Boston,” he argued, cocking his head to the side.
She softly shook her head. “No…I’m not. But I wanted to tell you in person. Not from across an ocean.” She criss-crossed her legs and they faced each other as Athan adjusted himself. “Look…I may be having my little bitch fit, dealing with all this…but you know all I’ve ever wanted for you was your happiness. Know I mean it when I say that, Athan. You and Sarah deserve this. Wren does. Brent does.”
“You do,” he added softly. She nodded.
“Yeah…we do. I may not like the change, but this needs to happen. I know that. I’m just—” Her face drew up, and she choked on a sob. “Fuck, I’m gonna miss you.”
“Come here,” he said, holding his inked arm out as she collapsed into him. His skin was damp with sweat, and shebreathed in his scent—even though right now, he desperately needed a shower. Athan held her close, and slowly rocked her while she let it all out. “I’m gonna miss you too. If I find out you share the secret of Boston’s best meatball subs with anyone, I’ll get on the first flight back here.”
Rhaena huffed out a snotty laugh, thinking about that tiny apartment next door to her own. About every time they’d sat at that table. About every bloody finger she drew back when his damn pigeon did his best to shoo her out. Through all the good memories, there were the bad ones too. The way he’d seemed so broken after he’d attacked Sarah in the alley. The way he felt so undeserving of being able to stand in the sun when she’d crossed that parking lot that day…so many years this man had waited for this moment. Who was she to try and hold him back?
“Go, Athan…” she whispered, raising her head. “Go live.” His eyes were glassy, and his bottom lip pressed firm against his top. She bit the strap on her glove, and jerked it, relieving her hands from them as she palmed the side of his face. “I can’t see you off. I’m too hormonal for this shit.”
“Rhaena…”
“No. I’m serious. When you walk outta that door, I don’t wanna hear another damn word from you until you’ve ended up where your heart calls home. Somewhere you’re not outrunning demons, and that new smile that gives me the creeps stays plastered to your face.” His jaw tightened, and he swallowed hard. Rhaena leaned into his face. “That’s an order, detective.”
