Page 198 of The Counterfeit Lover

Right as I note the two open the car doors and look around, I aim my gun to the gas canister, shooting.

This time, my aim doesn't fail me as the effect is instantaneous, an explosion erupting from the car and swallowing the two guys up.

The other two are already on me, noting my location and running towards me, guns up, fingers on triggers.

I duck to the ground to avoid the incoming bullets, all the while aiming my own gun towards the closest one to me and managing to hit him in the right shoulder. He drops to the ground with a pained cry, but the other one is a different story. As I try to aim, my sight gets foggy, a ringing in my ear making it very hard to get a clean shot. Instead, my bullet ends up grazing his shoulder. Yet it's enough to get him to drop his gun.

Knowing I can't waste any time with bad shots, I drop my gun in favor of my bare hands. A few steps and I'm on him before he can get his bearings together from the previous shot.

Curling my fingers into a fist, I bring it to his face with enough force that a tooth jumps out of his mouth. Not one to waste a good opportunity, I take advantage of his shocked state to land blow after blow.

He throws some weak punches my way, one which catches me in my right temple and makes me see triple for a moment. But I simply close my eyes and let my other senses lead me as I continue to hit until my knuckles reach bone. Blood spatters all over my front, and as I confirm he's out, I finally step aside.

With a ragged breath, I try to calm myself, but the pain in my head only seems to double with each passing moment.

I don't know how much time passes, but as I spot some other figures in the distance, I'm ready to start this all over again—as many times as it's necessary.

I only know I can't die—won't die. Not now, and not like this.

Wiping the blood off my face again, I stagger to my feet, taking a few steps before realizing it's not the enemy.

"Carlos," I rasp out, putting my hand up.

The sun hits my eyes right at that moment, and the earth seems to shift as I lose my footing, collapsing to the ground.

It's not long before I'm out. For good this time.

"Raf? Can you hear me?"

It's her voice. It's always her voice.

Pain radiates from somewhere in my temples, and as I struggle to open my eyes the light almost blinds me.

"Fuck," I mumble, bringing my hand to shield my eyes.

"He's awake," Noelle declares, and I note she's by my side, her hands wrapped around my wrist.

She has a worried look on her face, her lips trembling as she assesses me.

"Pretty girl, are you ok?"

"Me? You're askingmeif I'm ok, Raf? You're the one with a massive concussion right now. God, you must have scared ten years off my life when I got the phone call you were at the hospital. What were you thinking…"

She drones on, but I can't focus on her words. Not when my lips tip us as my eyes accommodate to the daylight streaming through the window which bathes her in light, making her look like an ethereal fairy.

So pretty. So fucking beautiful.

"You're beautiful," I simply say.

"Raf," she crosses her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing at me. "Did the blow to your head addle your brains?"

I try to shake my head, wincing at the sharp pain.

"Nope," I smile through gritted teeth. "Your beautiful face is exactly what I needed to feel better."

"Flatterer," she mumbles, but a smile plays at her lips.

Before I know it, she's on me, her lips on my cheek as she starts peppering small kisses all over my face.

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