Page 117 of Protected from Malice
It feels like a storm lifting, revealing a golden sun with a rainbow stretching from it.
The storm was long. Tumultuous. At times, it felt too overwhelming to bear.
But I survived it.
Not just survived, I came out stronger at the other end.
Part of it was me—my stubborn determination never to give up no matter the circumstances—but another part was Rafe. And Indy. And Zada. And Tyler, Ace, and Webb.
It’s a new lesson. That no matter how strong you are on your own, you’re always stronger when you accept help from the people you care about.
“Did I make you cry?” Rafe brushes at my cheek. Remorse creases his forehead. “Shit. I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean?—”
“You didn’t.” Blinking at the moisture in my eyes, I amend, “Okay, I’m a little teary. But it’s not because of anything bad. I’m happy. Living with you… I want that, too.”
Rafe exhales. “Okay. Good.”
“And I think… maybe we should find a place together. A place to start fresh. To build new memories together.”
A slow smile lifts his lips. “That sounds perfect.”
Happiness fizzes inside me as I smile back at him. “So when we get back, we can start looking for a place to live?”
Rafe gazes at me with love in his eyes. “Absolutely, Brain. I can’t wait.”
“Rafe.”I kiss him back. “Neither can I.”
CHAPTER 20
RAFE
Most days,I still can’t believe this is my life.
I never imagined anything close to it.
Not after the dark shit I’ve done and the blood I’ve spilled.
It was all in the interest of justice and protection, but I’m well aware many people wouldn’t see it like that. The police wouldn’t. The average person who lives a life untouched by violence, who’s never come face to face with true evil, probably wouldn’t agree with my unconventional methods.
They’d see me as a criminal. As a man no better than the ones he pursues.
But I must have done something right in all of it, because miraculously, Eden doesn’t see me that way.
Eden, the person who means more to me than anyone else in the world, thinks of me as a hero.
My hero, she calls me. Not a white knight, with gleaming armor and a steadfast determination to stay on the right side of the law. But a knight whose armor is scratched and dented and stained from the battles he’s endured. A knight who knows that sometimes the law isn’t enough.
AmI a hero?
I don’t know.
But if Eden thinks it, I’m not arguing with her. Not anymore.
It’s like what she said on one of our last days at the Refuge, as we sat out on the porch looking up at the stars. I was feeling anxious about her going back to work, still haunted by the memories of her panicked phone call, of finding her hiding in the bathroom, sobbing in fear. I was still feeling guilty that I hadn’t insisted on going into the lab with her instead of waiting outside in the car. And my insecurities were flaring—me, who’s never felt insecure before—as I wondered if I was truly good enough for her.
“Are you sure?” I asked her.
I still can picture Eden’s face, so beautiful as the glow of the moon caught it. “Sure about what?”
