Page 96 of The Dark Obsession

A loud knock at the door startles both of us, and Rafael marches across the room and enters the hallway. Seconds later, he brings in a tray of food.

The smell makes me heave. I run to the bathroom and bend over the toilet, urging myself to not vomit.

Rafael’s behind me in seconds. He rubs my back. “I don’t know what’s happening, Rose, but your brother has asked that I keep you safe,”

“No, I’m coming.” I heave again and drop to my knees. A shooting sensation runs from my ribs and into my back with each retch.

“Rose, look at you.”

I stand and stomp my feet childishly. “Do you think Dale is involved?”

“I’m certain, and that’s why you must stay—”

“No!” I stomp again. “You can’t leave me.”

Rafael turns his back on me. “Rose, baby, please just listen to me for once.”

“How about you listen to me? I’m coming.” I straighten my t-shirt and shove past Rafael towards the front door. I wait expectantly for Rafael to follow and count to ten before I turn around.

He stands at the end of the hallway, a broken angel. His shoulders slump, and his messy dark curls cover his face.

I don’t know how to react; I watch him carefully. “Raf …” I take several slow steps. “Rafael, c’mon.” I put a trembling hand on his forearm.

His fist balls up so his knuckles turn white. “Fine.” He shrugs my hand off his arm. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 29

“Rafael!” I run after him, out of the hotel room and into the lift.

“Rosa, I wish you’d just stay here.”

“This is my fault—!”

He shushes me, his frowning bright eyes softening. “I can’t protect my brother nor your brother as well as I can if you’re with me. If something were to happen, if I’m occupied with protecting you …”

“You don’t have to protect me.”

He glares at me; the small gap between us feels like miles. His chest heaves with each breath. His damaged hands move to his stubbled chin.

I take a timid step forward. My heart thumps as I reach for his wrists to pull his arms down, and my finger runs along his inner forearm. I touch his chin with my other hand. “‘For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.’”

His fingers run down his arm and onto my hand. “Thank you, Rose.”

The lift jolts as it reaches the bottom. Rafael takes my hand, and in silence, we move through the entrance of the hotel. Rafael drops my hand and walks as slowly as his feet allow, alone to the front desk, where a weary and tired young woman stands. Rafael’s words are a very quiet mutter. He glances around, his eyes falling on me, face looks calm and collected but his legs are ridged. My hand hovers above the bright sofa, my foot taps anxiously waiting for Rafael to beckon me to him. For our journey to save both of our brothers.

Her cheeks flush, and I roll my eyes impatiently when her gaze lingers on his lips for too long. She reaches for a box, Rafael turns to me again, his eyes looking more strained with every second that passes. Finally she makes a high squeak and leans forward, dropping some keys into his palm.

He thanks her as he turns his back on her and nods at me to head towards the exit. I don’t look at him as we reach the exit, I don’t want him to see the sheer panic in my eyes, or the sheet of sweat that’s suddenly coating my forehead. The deep-blue everlasting sky boasts a few bright stars. A song from a bird echoes through the cool air, undisturbed by the distant car engines, with people commuting to work. Rafael grabs my hand as we jog past the hotel and around the back. Now that we are out of sight of the hotel staff, Rafael sprints down a row of cars.

I chase after him and almost run into him when he halts.

He holds out his car key. The lights glow another ten cars down, and Rafael’s hand tightens around mine. We move towards the flashing headlights. He opens my door first, allowing me to get in, and slams it behind me. An endless few seconds pass, and he’s by my side. The engine hums. Rafael shakes his head to move his hair from his eyes and glances at the mirrors.

My heart thrums as I squash the thought of what’s next. “Raf,” I say quietly, my fingers running along the doorhandle.

“Mhmm?”

“My brother and Adriel will be okay,” I state rather than ask.

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