The warmth of the water surprised her as she waded into the ocean. The clear water allowed her to see the entire ocean floor where small fish darted this way and that. The tension of the frantic day rippled away as the waves lapped against her thighs. Zeke having a tropical island might be the best way to escape ever.
Rafe wrapped his arms around her, a silly grin on his lips. “Ready?”
“Huh?” Her brows furrowed, then winged up as Rafe fell backward with her in his arms. “No!”
She came up sputtering. Rafe’s laughter filled the area. Not the sound she’d heard over the past week that had lost its authenticity, but the sound that had embedded into her very being as a young teen. It was the sound of home, the sound she had craved the years he’d been away in the military. She had wondered if he’d lost it in the trenches of protecting freedom. He could dunk her a hundred times if it pulled that particular laugh from the depths of wherever he’d buried it.
Sixteen
The faint sputter of a boat motor approaching pulled Rafe’s attention from the computer screen. Derrick had left earlier to pick up someone on the mainland, but he hadn’t been gone long enough to get there and back. Rafe pushed back from the table, rolling his neck that was tight from too many hours staring at the screen, and checked his sidearm.
After two days of untangling leads, he still had little to show for it. This guy was good, and it scared Rafe more than he’d ever been before. No one was perfect, though, so Rafe would keep following rabbit trails for years until he found the crack that let him bust the mystery wide open.
“That must be Derrick.” Piper tossed the book she was reading onto the couch and moved to the windows. “I’m betting its Chloe Zeke said to go pick up. She probably nagged them so much they relented.”
“Could be. The message didn’t say.” Rafe tried not to stare at Piper but failed.
She’d been gorgeous back in Colorado with her long sweaters and leggings. Piper in breezy sundresses and shorts and tank tops looked like some kind of Greek goddess from ancient myths come down to grace humanity with her presence. He’d had to ask Jesus for the strength to be honorable several times in the last few days. It hadn’t kept him from researching getting hitched in the area. That it was relatively easy hadn’t helped his mind from wondering what-if.
Rafe joined her at the window. “Not Derrick. The motor isn’t right.”
Piper looked at him as if he’d grown three heads. “The motor isn’t right?”
He laid his arm across her shoulder, needing to pull her closer. “Dear Piper, as a man, an impressive specimen of man I might add, I have the unique ability to distinguish whether motors are the sophisticated purr of a luxury speedboat like Zeke’s or the high-whine of a more simple motor of the delivery man.”
She rolled her eyes, but leaned into him. “Please.”
Rafe pointed to the end of the island just as Emori Bola, the island’s caretaker, trolled around the corner in his small fishing boat that should have gone to Davey Jones’s locker years ago. Its sputtering engine always signaled his arrival. Though Zeke paid the man well for taking care of the place, he still insisted on living like he always had. Rafe liked Emori—liked his easy laugh and silly jokes.
“Come on.” Rafe guided her toward the door. “I want you to meet someone.”
He loved how right she felt tucked close to his side, her arm wrapped around his waist. He loved how he could just turn his head and kiss her. He gave into temptation and pressed his lips into her hair, lingering a moment to breathe in the salty smell of the ocean remaining from their earlier swim and her perfume that still drove him nuts. He loved her … period. He needed to tell her, but first he had to stop being a chicken and tell her about what he’d done on that last mission. She deserved to know the truth about him before anything went further.
They reached the dock just as Emori slowed the motor down. The man’s smile stretched wide across his face as he waved.
Emori grabbed a dock line and tossed it to Rafe. “My friend, why did the fish blush?”
Rafe caught the line and tied a cleat hitch knot to secure the boat to the dock as Emori cut the engine. “I don’t know. Why?”
“Because it saw the ocean’s bottom.” Emori rocked back, a full belly laugh filling the air.
“I’ll have to remember that one for my niece.” Rafe’s chuckle dried up as a boy stood from behind Emori.
Though the kid’s hair curled tight against his head instead of hanging long and dirty around his face, he looked identical to the boy that haunted Rafe’s dreams. He stumbled backward, his hands shaking at his sides. He had the frightening urge that he’d throw up right there on the dock.
Emori glanced from Rafe to the boy, his brows furrowing low over his eyes. “Rafe, I’d like to introduce you to my son, Timi. We finally convinced his mama he was old enough to help me.”
“Hey.” Rafe’s mouth was dry like he’d swallowed a pound of sand. “Nice to meet you.”
His voice sounded rough and hollow in his ears. Pull it together. He jerked when Piper threaded her fingers through his. She gazed up at him with her bottom lip worried between her teeth.
He motioned toward the crates in the boat. “You need help unloading those?”
“Nah. That’s what Timi is here for.” Emory waved Rafe off.
Rafe stepped backward, hardly containing the desire to run far and fast from the boy. Piper followed, her hand tight in his. He needed to get away to the other side of the island. No, the other side of the world.
“Rafe, what’s wrong?” Piper’s voice trembled.
He hated that he’d caused her even more worry. She’d been relaxing, the tension leaving her more with each day that passed. Now he’d gone and piled it all back on her weary shoulders.
“Let’s go for a walk.” He avoided answering her, and Piper, being the kindhearted person she was, didn’t push.
He took off for the hill, barely keeping his pace contained to a walk. She kept up with him, occasionally patting his hand like she felt she needed to let him know it was all right. It wasn’t, of course, but he dreaded telling her why.
They reached the top of the hill, and he let go of her hand. He didn’t want to be touching her when he told her. He knew he’d be tempted to squeeze her hand if she decided to pull away. He didn’t want her to feel pressured to stay—pressured to love him when whatever image she had of him dissipated like mist in the morning sun.
“Wow, is that a cannon?” Piper crossed to the stacked line of rocks that used to be a fort from the time of pirates and British rule.
“Yeah.” Rafe snatched at the opportunity to delay the inevitable a few seconds longer. “Zeke has been researching the history of this island, trying to find out what used to be here. The most he’s been able to find so far is that it used to be claimed by some pirate named Frankie “The Shadow” Asheton. It’s become an obsession.”
He paced around the structure and leaned against the crumbling wall while she bent and examined the rusted cannon. The ocean stretched out into the horizon as far as he could see, and the birds’ songs floated up from the coconut trees below. He closed his eyes and ran his hands across the rough surface of the rocks, letting the peace of the landscape ease the tension from his muscles.
The sound of Emori’s boat motor jerked Rafe’s eyes open as the vessel skipped across the water’s blue surface. Timi leaned against the bow, his arms spread wide and his smiling face tipped to the sky. Rafe’s heartbeat increased as he stared at the boy, willing himself to see the differences so he’d stop freaking out.
“Are you ready to tell me what’s going on?” Piper leaned against the wall next to him.
Though he didn’t look at her, her stare pulled the words up his throat before he’d prepared himself to speak. “Timi reminds me of someone. A boy … a boy I killed in South America.”
“Oh, Rafe.” She placed her hand on his, but he pulled it away, shoving it shakily through his hair.
�
��It was on a mission, rescuing a family that had been kidnapped. We were about to breach the building where the family was held when a boy, probably around ten years old or so, ran up dressed in fatigues and carrying a semi-automatic rifle.” He chanced a peek at Piper’s reaction.
A pained expression crossed her face. “What happened?”
“In order to breach the building, we had to neutralize the guards.” Rafe shrugged like it hadn’t left a hole in his soul. “I was lead, so …”
He couldn’t voice the rest.
“That must’ve been hard.” She stepped closer, her hand sliding up his arm. “It explains a lot.”
“About what?” He swallowed, not sure if he wanted to know.
“Where your laughter went.” She placed her palm on his cheek, and he leaned against it.
Rafe’s eyes stung, and he shook his head. “I laugh.”
“Yeah.” She smiled sadly. “But not like you used to. Not where your joy and love of life infects those around you. Now, it’s like you laugh and joke so others won’t see what’s missing.”
Well, shoot. Rafe closed his eyes, horrified as a tear raced down his cheek. How had she noticed? He sniffed, but the action didn’t stop the next drop from joining its traitorous friend in his beard.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m discovering the depths of you, Rafe Marcus Malone. You can’t hide from me. And you know what?” She paused, and he shook his head, not able to speak around the boulders lodged in his dry throat. “I love you more now than I ever have, and that was a lot, I can assure you.”
He opened his mouth, but words wouldn’t emerge. He wanted to tell her he loved her, tell her he felt whole when she was around, but his throat was too tight to get the words out. So, he wrapped his arms around her, pulled her as close as he could, and buried his face against her neck. He’d finally found home here by her side. His mission now was to stay here the rest of his life.
Piper clung to Rafe’s hand as they made their way back to the house. She’d well and truly done it. She’d thrown her heart right out into the open, exposing the depth of herself to him.
She peeked over at him. He hadn’t said he loved her back. He didn’t have to, not really. She saw his love in the soft expression in his eyes. She felt it in the desperate way he clutched her close.
Strange thing, this sense that she held him up. When had she become the lifejacket that floated him to the surface—buoyed him back to himself? She shook her head at the absurd thought, but the image stuck. It both elated and frightened her. He was the hero, not her. She’d never been anything but the awkward sidekick.
With Rafe, though, she wondered if she could save him. She could never truly heal the scars his service to the country had left. Only Jesus could do that. Yet, she got the impression as he told her what he’d had to do that he held his breath for her reaction. Maybe her loving him no matter what memories haunted him would help him recover the part of his heart that had shattered?
She could do that. Pray that God would heal Rafe’s hurts while loving him through his restoration. Purpose fluttered like a hummingbird on steroids in her chest.
The house came into view, so she pulled him to a stop. He glanced around, then peered at her, his eyebrow cocking up in question. She stepped closer, pressing her hand over his heart. The heat of his skin leeched through his thin cotton shirt and warmed her palm. She closed the distance between them, wrapping her other arm around his back, and pressed one soft kiss to his lips.
His whisper was soft against her mouth. “You’re amazing.”
Her smile bloomed wide as she kissed him again. He groaned, wrapping his arms around her, but he touched her lips like they were delicate glass. His gentleness filled her heart with warmth at the same time his steely embrace tingled her toes with excitement.
“Piper?” Davis’s voice jolted her from Rafe.
“Crap,” Rafe muttered, his hands flexing on her hips before letting loose.
She turned, her ears turning hot as her brother’s glare bounced between her and Rafe. “Davis? What are you doing here?”
No, no, no! Her brother couldn’t be here. She instantly felt guilty. It’d been over a year since she saw him last, but he would ruin everything between her and Rafe. She darted her eyes to Rafe to gauge his reaction. Sweat dotted his forehead that hadn’t been there a moment ago.
“I have leave time saved up and came to help.” Davis crossed his arms. “Looks like I got here just in time.”
She fiddled with her collar as her face went from warm to hot. She couldn’t decide if she was embarrassed or mad. Think, Piper, think.
“It’s so good to see you.” She pasted on a smile and rushed to him for a hug.
It wasn’t a lie, not really. She had missed him terribly the last few months. Yet, Davis’s stiff posture and the scowl he flashed to Rafe before opening his arms to embrace her screamed trouble. If he made a big deal about this, she might have to push aside her docile little sister role and beat some sense into him.
“Glad you’re here, man.” Rafe stepped up with his hand outstretched.
Davis tucked her under his arm, then extended his other to grip Rafe’s. “Yeah, well, I couldn’t just sit and wait for news anymore. When my last mission finished, I put in the request to leave.”
“Wish Zeke would’ve told us you were coming.” Piper squeezed his side, hoping to ease his tension. “I thought that Chloe had bugged them to let her come and that was who Derrick had to pick up.”
“Hmm.” Davis squeezed her shoulder. “I bet you would’ve liked a warning.”
She’d kill him.
She smiled, pinching him and hoping he’d take the hint. “Come on. Let’s get you settled.”
She pulled him toward the house, peeking back at Rafe, who winked at her. Her agitation eased a little. She bit her lip. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. They’d all been friends forever. Maybe her brother wouldn’t flip a brick.
She squeezed his side and kissed his check as the joy of seeing him again finally took hold. “I can’t believe you’re here.” She hugged him again when he gave her a weak smile. “I’ve missed you so much.”
His chuckle loosened the tenseness in her stomach even more. “I’ve missed you too, Pipstick.”
“How long is your leave?”
“Well, since it’s my transitional leave, I guess forever.” Davis jiggled her shoulder.
“What?” Piper’s voice came out a squeak. Was he saying what she thought he said?
“When’d you decide to retire?” Rafe stepped up on her other side, his hands shoved into his pockets.
“Well, you guys seemed to be having a lot of fun in the private sector. Figured it was my turn to give it a go.” Davis smiled, but Piper saw a tightness in his eyes that had never been there before.
She pushed the worry away. He was here and wouldn’t be going back to the Army. With both Rafe and Davis out of the military, she could relax after ten years of constant worry. Now, if they could just find her stalker, life, for once, might be perfect. She squeezed her brother tighter. She’d make sure his sudden appearance brought joy to this crazy, tropical getaway.
Seventeen
“I’m going to go get my swimsuit on so we can go spear fishing.” Piper’s palm tapped on Rafe’s back as she walked past. “I’ll be quick.”
“Take your time.” Rafe forced a smile, building back up all those false walls she’d just torn down up on the hill.
Rafe sat on the stool of the kitchen island, taking a slow pull on his iced tea. His muscles coiled, twitching as he waited for Davis to show his true reaction to finding Rafe snogging Piper. His lip tweaked up. Man, who would’ve guessed the quiet, sweet Piper could be such an amazing kisser?
“What the heck, man?” Davis turned on Rafe the instant Piper disappeared down the hall and pulled Rafe from his daydreaming. “You’re supposed to be looking out for her, not chewing on her face!”
“Listen, Davis, a lot has happened the las
t few weeks.” Rafe set the glass down.
Davis’s eyes closed to slits, and his jaw tightened. “Just how much has happened?”
Shoot. Wrong thing to say. “Nothing. Nothing like that. Just kissing, I swear.” Rafe stood casually from the stool, not wanting to be stuck sitting if Davis went ballistic. “She’s … Man, she’s amazing.”
“I bet so. Kind of convenient being stuck on an island with someone who’s been completely fascinated with you since middle school.” Davis uncrossed his arms and took a step closer. “Easy entertainment, right? Good ol’ Rafe, always up for a good time.”
“What? No.”
“That’s low, Malone, even for you.”
Rafe’s chest heated, and his fist clenched. “What’s wrong with you, man? I put the party life behind me years ago, and you know it.”
“Have you found her stalker?”
“No, not yet.”
“So you’re wasting time, sucking face and going fishing while the guy who’s been terrorizing her roams free?” Davis got right in Rafe’s face, his anger radiating off of him in waves.
Rafe shook his head. What had happened to his best friend? Davis had never been like this before.
“You need to step back, Davis.” Rafe relaxed his muscles and spoke softly, trying to dispel the tension filling the room. “I’m doing everything I can, have programs running nonstop untangling this guy’s trail. I’m on it, man.” He’d just leave out the part of coming up empty for later. “But Piper and I have something special. You should be happy that two people you care about found each other.”
Davis poked Rafe in the chest. “You’ll just hurt her. Have fun for a while, then throw her off for the next girl toy.”
Rafe’s heartbeat grew loud in his ears. “I’d never hurt her. I love her, man. I’m spending the rest of my life loving her.”
The punch came hard and fast, exploding pain along his jaw and stars in front of his eyes.
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