Rafe

by Dana Archer

  “Of what?” Jasmine asked.

  “That he can get close to us,” Mira said. “It’s a psychological move. He could’ve shot you while you were out on the deck, just as he did Evan, but Jon didn’t. He wants more than your death.”

  Of course. Killing Jasmine would hurt Rafe, but Jon wouldn’t benefit personally from it. And if Jon had wanted to hurt Rafe or the Alexander pride, more than he already had, Jon could’ve done so over the century since he’d killed Rafe’s father.

  Rafe met Kade’s gaze. “Jon wants the kids.”

  “No.” Kade shook his head. “Jon wants the same privileges Royals have. He told you that.”

  Immortality.

  “And there are some who believe scientists are close to extending a Royal’s gifts to the single shifters,” Devin added.

  Yes, Rafe had heard of the stories from more people than Jon. That was why the medical facilities that experimented on shifters continued to pop up across the country despite the efforts of the shifters and the human government to eliminate them. There were some people who wanted to live forever and would go after that desire at the cost of the Royals. Rafe couldn’t see the allure of immortality, not unless you had a true mate to share the endless years with.

  “Scientists?” Jasmine tipped her head to look into Rafe’s face.

  He wanted to shield her from the ugliness of his life and the threats to them, but she needed to understand just how much some people resented the Royals. Once Rafe mated her, she’d be just as despised, maybe more. There’d be other shifter women asking—why her, why not me?

  He glanced at Kade. “Ask Xander to search the woods for Jon. I need to explain some things to Jasmine.”

  “Already done. We’ll move into the house and help Zach keep an eye on the kids.”

  “Wait.” The mention of Zach reminded Rafe of his unsuccessful trip into Virginia. “Zach needs to call Ella. We need her help. I got nowhere with my visit this morning.”

  “He won’t like it, but I’ll make it an order.”

  “Good.” It might be the push Zach needed too. He had to spend time with his female if he expected to figure out if it was the need to protect her that made him claim her as his beloved human or if the reason was the same one that drove Rafe to be with Jasmine—that Ella was Zach’s true mate.

  “Rafe.” Jasmine rested her hands on his chest. “I need to talk to you.”

  “Okay, but this isn’t the best place for it. Just hang on a minute until we’re alone.”

  Rafe tucked Jasmine into his side and headed toward the garage. They’d need privacy for the details he’d deliver. He didn’t want his brothers to see Rafe begging her to trust him. He would too. Hell, he’d get down on his knees. As long as he got Jasmine’s willingness to put her life in his hands, he’d do anything.

  The only problem was—he didn’t expect to get it. He had a feeling she wouldn’t be too happy with him, especially when she learned the details about what loving him meant.

  Chapter 32

  Rafe carried Jasmine into the garage and climbed the stairs to the loft. The nook overlooking Jasmine’s work area had been transformed overnight. He’d asked Kade to bring some blankets up here, but his brother had really outdone himself.

  Thick quilts were spread on the floor and tapestries were strung up around the makeshift bed. From the exposed beams in the ceiling, camp lanterns were hung. A basket in the corner held what smelled like potpourri—a tad strong for his taste but Jasmine would like it—and massage oils. He gave the little spot one last glance and shook his head.

  It was corny, borderline cheesy, but the fact that Kade had decorated the spot for Rafe and Jasmine meant more than any words of acceptance Kade could have given.

  “This is beautiful.” She turned her gray eyes, puffy and red from crying, on to him. “Did you do this for me?”

  “I’d like to say yes, but I can’t. Kade fixed this spot for us.”

  “I didn’t think he liked me.”

  He knelt with Jasmine still cradled against his chest. “Why would you say that?”

  “He always has a scowl on his face when he looks at me.”

  He laid her down and stretched out next to her. “Kade was born first, and he always complains that our mother mixed us up right after birth. That I should be the one in charge of our pride, not him.” He skimmed a hand over her belly. “Sometimes I think he may be right. Mother always called us by the wrong name when we were children. It’s why I let my hair grow long while he kept his short.”

  She pushed to her knees, obviously not in the mood to snuggle with him. He couldn’t blame her. The timing was bad, but he wanted to touch her. To remind himself she was safe. She skimmed her fingers over his knuckles as if she sensed his need for her.

  “I had a hard time telling Seth and Levi apart those first couple of weeks too. I kept Seth in blue and Levi in yellow until I learned to distinguish their cries. Seth was more intense.”

  Rafe had noticed the difference between the boys almost immediately. Seth would need guidance as he grew but it wasn’t his fault he had a hard time reining in his emotions. It only meant his animal spirits were more stubborn than Levi’s. Rafe hated to think of the issues Jasmine would’ve had to tackle once they hit puberty.

  He sat back on his legs, matching her pose. “It’s been a long time since I was around shifter babies, but I remember how hard it is to care for them. You’ve done a wonderful job with Seth and Levi. They’re healthy and have a good sense of morality.”

  She inched closer to him so their knees touched. “It was hard, especially after they first shifted. They didn’t seem to have any control of it. Once I was pushing a stroller down the street and Levi changed. Thankfully he was in the back of the double seats and I was able to get him into the car without anybody seeing. I rarely took them out after that until they got a little older. Stress seemed to be a trigger.”

  “That it is.” He lifted her arm and traced the claw marks there. They weren’t deep, more of a scratch but it had scarred. “One of the boys did this?”

  She nodded.

  “You’re lucky he didn’t hurt you more seriously.”

  She yanked her arm free. “It was an accident. He didn’t do it on purpose.”

  “I never said he did. Don’t be defensive. I didn’t mean it negatively.”

  “I know.” She dropped her gaze. “I’m nervous. I need to talk to you, and I don’t know where to start.”

  “This is more than just about us, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.” She stared at him from under her lashes. “Have you looked at your phone lately?”

  “No, I left it charging in the car. It was dead. Why?”

  “Cindy, Tony’s neighbor, sent pictures of documents she was holding for him to your phone. Megan has a twin—”

  “Molly.” He sat up straighter. “I know. Megan told me about her. It’s why I went to the shifter agency.”

  “The papers are from a lawyer who was arranging her adoption.” Jasmine gripped his hand tighter. “There’s more. Cindy was involved with Tony and another guy. Together.” She looked imploringly at him as if she wasn’t sure he’d understand what she was getting at.

  “They were lovers?”

  “Yes, and I told her to come over here. I’m afraid for her. The other guy…the way Cindy described him…he could’ve been the shifter from the hotel. His name’s not Jon, though. It’s—”

  “It’s Jonah, isn’t it?”

  Jon had often used alternate versions of his name to create new identities. It was a common practice among shifters. Rafe had done so himself.

  “Yes.” Jasmine pressed a hand to her mouth. “Cindy’s in danger, isn’t she?”

  “Probably.” He stood, pulling Jasmine with him. So much for the few minutes of privacy to talk about them. “We need to warn her. Tell her to get to a public place. Somewhere busy.”

  Jon had already proven with his aggressiveness toward Jasmine in the hotel lobby that he did
n’t have a problem pushing what he could get away with in front of humans, but more eyes watching Jon would create a small level of protection for Cindy. Hopefully.

  “She was headed over to a storage unit to get some more of Tony’s things, then she’s coming over.”

  “She’s not going to find anything. Evan already took the box that belonged to Tony. We’ll call her. Come on.” Rafe hurried with Jasmine across the yard to his car, retrieved his phone, then ushered her into the house.

  Kade turned at their approach. Rafe gave him a quick rundown of what he’d learned, then shoved his phone into Kade’s hands to text the pictures to Ella at the Shifter Affairs agency.

  That done, Rafe dialed Cindy’s number on the landline. She didn’t answer. He ended the call and tried her house. Nothing.

  The lack of response set Rafe on edge. He met Jasmine’s gaze. “I’m going to the storage unit. If Cindy shows up, call me.” He took his phone from Kade’s outstretched hand.

  But it’d be a miracle if she did arrive safe and sound. If Jon hadn’t killed Cindy before, it was because he still needed her, probably so he could get his hands on the same documents she’d sent to Rafe.

  The papers had the lawyer’s address who was handling Molly’s adoption. Knowing that, it’d be a simple matter of tracking down the human and either stealing the information of Molly’s whereabouts or coercing it out of him, maybe in a similar manner as Jon had done with Tony. Either way, Rafe had to make sure the papers didn’t fall into the wrong hands.

  He couldn’t lose Molly. He’d promised.

  Chapter 33

  Jazz watched Rafe walk away and pressed against the ache in her chest. Everything was spiraling out of control. They needed to talk, but life wasn’t giving them a chance.

  The minute he returned with Cindy, Jazz would escape with him to their bedroom.

  Had she actually complained about life being too boring? She’d take the mundane stuff over what she’d been dealing with since Tony died.

  Her stomach growled, reminding her that she’d been up for a while yet hadn’t eaten. She made a detour on the way to the kitchen to check on the kids. Mira sat with them, watching cartoons. Jazz spent some time talking to them, carefully avoiding the topic of Mr. Wilkins and his dogs, then retreated to the kitchen.

  Josh leaned against the far wall with a phone to his ear. After a moment, he lowered it and cursed.

  “Is everything okay?”

  He slipped the phone into his rear pocket. “I guess. I’m probably just overreacting. I’m sure everything is fine.”

  “About what?”

  “I called my parents’ house. There’s no answer.”

  The guilt rushed up, making her chest hurt and pulse pound. “I never thought about asking Rafe to send someone out to them. I just…”

  “Stop it, Jazz. I didn’t either.” A tic started in his jaw, and he clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white before releasing them. “I never thought about my parents. What does that say about me?”

  “Your life has been turned upside down. I’ve had five years to get used to this world, but I still wasn’t prepared for murdering shifters threatening my family. On top of finding out shifters existed in the first place, you got custody of Megan and lost your brother. I’d say that’s excuse enough.”

  “Excuse? Is that what I should say when the cops call and tell me my parents were found murdered too? Or should I blame it on a cougar?”

  She cringed.

  “Yeah. I know about Mr. Wilkins. Mira woke me up and told me.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t even freaking hear you scream.”

  “You were tired. You—”

  “Should have known. My window was open.”

  Jazz pressed her lips together. Arguing with him would get her nowhere. He’d been tired. It was perfectly understandable. He was only human.

  “Look. I wouldn’t worry about your parents yet. They live smack dab in the middle of town. There’re lots of people around. Rafe said that would deter Jon.” She twisted her fingers together. “Besides, they might be at church or something. Maybe the library. Now that they’ve retired they’re more active than we are.”

  “I’ve been telling myself the same thing. It’s not unusual for them to be out, and since they don’t have a cell, they’re hard to get a hold of.” He glanced out the kitchen window. “I just have a bad feeling. There is no logical reason why this guy would hurt Mr. Wilkins. Your kids weren’t there.”

  “I don’t know either.”

  “Look, Jazz, I think moving home with Rafe’s family is the safer choice for you and the kids.”

  She’d thought the same until Jon attacked Mr. Wilkins. “Okay, say I do. Rafe and his family will go with us. Who’s going to protect you? Your parents?” Because they wouldn’t leave. This was their home. She didn’t need Josh to tell her that.

  “Don’t worry about us. Once you and the kids are gone, they’ll be no reason to go after us.” Stubbornness laced his statement. There’d be no arguing with him.

  She gave him a wan smile. “Are you kicking me out?”

  He brushed the back of his hand over her cheek. “Never. Think of it as a honeymoon for you and Rafe. You can always reevaluate later and move back.”

  She covered his hand and grinned. “I never said I’m marrying him.”

  “No, you’re going to mate him. From how Mira explained it, mating sounds the same as marriage, just without the option for divorce.”

  She rolled her eyes to hide how much the thought of mating Rafe affected her. The idea of loving him and growing old with him thrilled her. Sure, she wished the option of kids was open, but if Rafe was okay with not having any, so was she. They had Seth and Levi. Besides, they could always adopt. Maybe little girls. Jazz would love to see Rafe with daughters.

  “We’ll see. I haven’t known Rafe long enough to think about marriage or mating. We still need to get to know each other without the craziness going on around us.”

  “I doubt it’ll change his mind. The way he looks at you borders on obsession.” He shrugged. “It makes me a little jealous.”

  “I thought you were okay with me and Rafe.”

  Josh cupped her face in his hands and leaned close. She was left staring into the blue eyes she’d looked into for what felt like forever. A lifetime of memories passed between them—once lovers, always friends.

  “I am. It just reminds me of everything I missed out on by not going after you when you moved home. I could’ve pursued you until you gave in. You have a soft spot for me, you know.”

  She gave him a small smile. She couldn’t deny his statement. He could’ve worn her resistance down if he’d wanted.

  He matched her smile, obviously understanding what she hadn’t said. “And being with you would’ve fulfilled my dreams. A wife. Kids. Family. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. You would’ve given that to me. Now, I’ll never have it.”

  “Not with me, but there are other women in town who’d love to date you.”

  He released her. “Nah, they just want sex. That scene gets old after a while, and I’m tired of playing in it. I’m giving up on women. I’ll just sit back and watch you and your shifter live the life I can’t have.”

  “What? You’re going to be a bachelor forever? Won’t that get lonely?”

  “I can always get a cat.” He chuckled, then made his way to the hallway door.

  His phone rang. He yanked it out.

  “Hello?”

  He listened for a moment, then tensed. “Mom, stop crying. Lock the doors and get inside the bathroom. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  Josh slid the phone into his pocket and ran from the room.

  Jazz went after him and grabbed his arm. He yanked away and picked up his car keys. She spread her arms wide in front of the door.

  “Wait a minute. What happened?”

  “He’s there! At my parents’ house.”

  “Your mom saw him?”

 
“Yes, she saw him. Not too many lions roaming the streets of West Virginia.”

  He stepped closer. She widened her stance.

  “Get out of my way, Jazz.”

  “And what do you think you’re going to do? They live over ten minutes away! By the time you get there, they’ll be dead.”

  “I can’t sit here and do nothing.” He lifted her, his hands on her hips, and set her to the side.

  She opened her mouth to yell for Devin or Kade. They had to be close. The sight of Mira approaching from behind stopped Jazz’s bellow.

  In one quick move, Mira yanked the car keys out of Josh’s hands, then wrapped her arms around his waist.

  Josh spun and grabbed her upper arms but didn’t squeeze them. He used them to hold her in place while he leaned close, nose to nose.

  “Mira, let go.” The order in his voice was clear.

  Mira shook her head. “I can’t let you go. Jazz is right. Your parents will be dead by the time you get there. And if Jon’s close by, he’ll kill you too. Going out there by yourself is suicide.”

  He eased back, putting space between them, but Mira’s hold on him didn’t lessen. Agony etched lines on his face. “I have to do something.”

  “Devin or Kade will go. Be realistic, Josh.” Mira looked imploringly at him. “What are you going to do? You’re only human.”

  Josh pushed her away, then strode to the window. “Call them.”

  Mira hurried to where her cell phone sat charging on the end table.

  “Mom, is everything okay?” Seth asked from the top of the stairs. “We heard yelling.”

  No. Everything was not okay. She glanced from Josh, who held his head in his hands, to the front door, then back to where Seth stood at the top of the stairs. Once again, she was forced to play two roles—protector and nurturer.

  “Yeah, kiddo. Just grown-up stuff. Put on another movie, and I’ll bring some popcorn up in a few minutes.”

  “Okay, Mom.”