Page 14 of Protected from Malice
God. If Rafe finds me too late, he’ll never forgive himself.
Indy will be devastated.
Or…
What if Rafe gets hurt? Just because he’s former Special Forces doesn’t mean he’s invincible. He could be taken unaware; the intruder could be lurking in the hallway, waiting…
How long has it been since the door broke? At least, I’m assuming that’s what the cracking and splintering sounds were.
I sneak a look at my phone and the time my call with Rafe ended.
Has it really been less than a minute?
Time is funny in here; somehow slow and fast at the same time.
It reminds me of that night. When?—
No.
I can’t think about that now.
Think about Rafe.
Hehasto be okay.
I haven’t seen him in action, but I know what he does. He goes after dangerous criminals on his own and brings them to justice. And before that, he risked his life in the Middle East along with Indy and the rest of their team, using their years of training—marksmanship, martial arts, even throwing a knife with deadly accuracy—to eliminate threats against our country.
Surely this intruder is no match for Rafe.
I hope.
Outside the laundry room, I hear the faint sound of the floor creaking.
Then footsteps. In the hallway. Rapid. Purposeful.
Terror wraps its punishing hands around my chest and squeezes.
My heart stumbles. Stops.
My lungs seize.
Fresh tears spill down my cheeks.
Oh, please. Let it be Rafe. Please.
The doorknob rattles.
Oh, God. Please.
“Eden!”
Rafe!
His deep voice—so familiar, soclose—jolts my heart back into rhythm again.
“Eden!” It’s worried. Fearful. “Are you in there? Are you hurt? Can you let me in?”
“Are they gone?” I call back, shocked at how weak and shaky my voice sounds. “Was… was there someone here?”
