Page 43 of In My Blood
“They never would have hurt me, Rafe, if that’s what you’re worried about. They helped me.”
“Armed bank robbers helped you?” Rafe ground out.
“I didn’t know they did that,” she argued vehemently.
“Let’s get back to the point. What I was gonna suggest, was that Dario and I could train ye, teach you more self-defence. Maybe then you’d feel safer?”
“You’d do that?” Cara asked as she looked up at me.
“Absolutely. What do ya think, Rafe?” I asked as I looked over to where my boss had gone notably quiet.
“I don’t want Cara getting hurt,” he argued.
“She won’t. We’ll go easy,” I agreed.
“Is this what you want, sweetheart?” Rafe asked as he looked to Cara.
“It would help me feel safer,” she shrugged. She looked down to her lap, avoiding eye contact with either of us as she seemed to brace herself for a refusal.
“Fine,” Rafe nodded. “Talk to Dar and set it up, but if Cara gets hurt in anyway, it will be on the two of you ,” Rafe threatened, and I nodded. I’d basically just signed myself and Dario up for a thrashing from the boss, because there was no way we could train Cara properly without her getting a few bruises here and there, and I knew we’d be getting those bruises back ten-fold from her overprotective brother. It would be worth it though if it helped Cara to feel more secure there with us. I would do anything to give her that.
CHAPTER 12
CARA
I had no idea what time it was when I woke. I didn’t have my cell phone – I hadn’t seen it since that night at my apartment in Chicago. I did quickly realise that I had fallen asleep in the corner of the closet I had been cowering in the night before though. Arran was gone and I was laid on a thick mound of blankets and duvets, my head on a pillow and a thick duvet covering me too. I had slept more soundly there, and I knew that was likely because I distinctly remembered talking to Arran and Rafe until my exhaustion won over. I had been curled up in Arran’s arms when I closed my eyes and fell to sleep instantly, and I had felt so comfortable and secure there with him.
Now that thought was completely mortifyingly embarrassing. I had climbed into the lap of that guy and clung to him, pleaded with him not to leave me, and told him way too much in my anxiety ridden state. I didn’t even know him! What would he have thought of me? It was little wonder he had slipped away as soon as he was able. I couldn’t believe I had done that, but I hadn’t been able to stop myself. I’d been a mess of fear and panic when he found me in that closet, and something about the tone of his voice, the oddity of his accent, it just soothed me. The next thing I knew I had a firm hold of him and never wanted him to stop talking.
With a loud groan I sat up and rubbed at my sore eyes. I had no doubt they were red and angry from me crying the night before too. I knew I had to work harder to hold myself together. I was relying too much on the kindness of everyone I had come into contact with that crazy week, and with all of the new chaos in my mind, I was on the edge – coming way too close to just breaking down and not even trying to get it together again. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I had to stay in control. It was the only way I had survived to that point and I had to keep pushing, at least until I was sure what my next move was.
I forced myself to my feet and stretched out my aching back. The only way for me not to dwell on the mess in my mind, and find a way to keep going, was to move, and keep moving. I needed to not give myself time to think and I needed to exhaust myself before it came time for me to sleep again. I could not have nightmares like the night before, and I absolutely could not fall apart the way I had.
I straightened up the blankets and covers into a neat, folded stack in the corner. I would have put them away, but I had every intention of sleeping in the closet that night too. I’d do whatever it took to make me feel safe enough to not break down again.
I started out of the closet, but stopped when I realised, for the first time, that I wasn’t alone in there. In the front, darkened corner of the space laid Rafe on the carpet, fast asleep using only his arm as a pillow. He was still dressed in the clothes he’d had on last night and he looked unbelievably uncomfortable, his long and bulky frame squeezed into the small space.
I was a little overwhelmed that he had stayed with me all night. Any lingering doubts that may have remained in my mind, about Rafe were being eradicated one by one with every kind thing hedid for me. He had slept on the floor of a closet just to be with me, despite the fact I knew he’d been completely exhausted from lack of sleep already. Why else would he do that, other than genuine worry for me?
Everything he did and said seemed to show more and more that he really did love me, and that he was simply happy to have me back. I needed to cut him some slack, I told myself, and give him more of a chance. I knew it had to hurt him every time I did something that showed I didn’t completely trust him.
“Rafe?” I dropped down to my knees, ignoring the jolt of pain the movement sent racing up my side. “Rafe?” I put my hand on his shoulder and gave it a light shake. At that, his eyes shot open and he sat up so fast he almost head-butted me. Thankfully, life had given me quick reflexes and I dodged to the side in time, trying not to show the agony that move caused from my bruised ribs.
“Cara! Jesus!” Rafe reached out to grab me, stopping me from toppling too far to the side. “Sorry. Are you alright?” he asked as he held onto my forearms between us and seemed to study me for injury.
“Yeah. Sorry I woke you.”
“It’s fine. What time is it?”
I shrugged and Rafe pulled his cell from his pocket, pressing a button to bring the screen to life. I was shocked when it said 11.33 A.M. Even with my near break down through the night, I had to have slept for hours.
“You didn’t have to stay in here with me,” I told him when he pocketed his phone again and rubbed tiredly at his face.
“I know I didn’t have to. I wanted to. I didn’t want you waking from another nightmare alone, and Arran left once we got you situated a little more comfortably. How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Clearer. I’m so sorry about last night. I can’t imagine what Arran must be thinking about me right now. I hope I didn’t embarrass you too badly.” I lowered my gaze as memories of Marcello screaming at Rafe, me, and Gia about not embarrassing the family name over and over again, replayed through my mind.
“Nothing you could ever do would embarrass me, Cara,” Rafe said as he gently placed his hand beneath my chin and eased my face up to meet his. “I told you before, I don’t care how you behave in front of my men. They’re loyal to me and to our family, no matter what. I’m not Dad. You, Gia, and the men I now consider my family will always come before the business or anything else in my life. Do you believe me, sweetheart?”
