Escalation - Tessa Teevan Page 0,11
I hear him call me that damned name again, I vehemently shake my head.
“You don’t get to call me that anymore,” I snap, surprising myself by the venom in my voice.
His sharp intake of breath forces me to look back up at him, and I nearly gasp myself. His face turns ashen, my heart races as he moves farther into the room, closer to me, yet still too far away for my liking. He sits on the edge of the hospital bed and gazes down at me.
He whispers my name almost reverently, as if he can’t believe I’m here. As if I didn’t just tell him to leave. His voice nearly cracks on the simple word, and the emotion in it sends my heart into a tailspin.
He brushes his long fingers across my cheek, catching a traitorous tear. I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting him to see me cry. His touch is warm and comforting, a distinct contrast to my mother’s from my dream. I can almost hear her telling me to trust him, to give him a chance.
As he cups my cheek, I turn into it, safety washing over me. Then I force my eyes open and gaze upon his suit, and it hits me again. I have no idea who he is. Even though I know how he made me feel—how he still makes me feel—the one person in the world who held my trust is now a complete stranger. In all reality, he always has been. I was too stupid and naïve to notice.
“Don’t touch me,” I tell him through gritted teeth, jerking my chin away from his touch.
Anger flashes in his eyes as his jaw clenches, but he quickly masks the expression, then drops his hand from my face.
A throat clears behind him, and my cheeks flush when I see Agent Howard watching us with interest. He pushes off the wall and gives Rafe a knowing look before turning to me.
“You two have a lot to discuss,” he says, “so I’ll leave you to it. I’m going to check in with the local PD to see if there’s any word on Morningstar.”
The name sends a rush of fear through me. It’s instinctual, even if I’m not sure Adrian was actually trying to hurt me.
How funny. Twenty-four hours ago, Adrian was the villain and Rafe was my white knight. Now, I’m sure of nothing.
“Are you okay with him, Ms. Latham?” Agent Howard’s voice surprises me.
When I glance up, he’s watching me intently.
“Would you prefer to do this another time? One word and I can have him out of here.”
My eyes widen in panic, and though I want Rafe gone while my mind works through this new development, I don’t want to be alone.
“I-I’ll be fine,” I answer, hoping beyond hope that it’s the truth. “Please, go make your calls.”
“Let me know if you need anything, Ms. Latham.” He glances towards Rafe then back at me. “Anything at all.”
“Thank you. I will.”
Rafe—God, is that even his name?—nods to Howard, who gives me a tight smile before exiting. I peer down at the card in my hand then set it to the side in case I do need to ask him any questions later.
The door clicks shut, the sound echoing through the room, signifying that we’re finally alone. What should have been a joyous reunion is now one rife with distrust and deception. He shifts on the bed and looks down at me, concern etched on his features.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
Really? After everything, that’s how he wants to start this?
“Like I nearly drowned,” I reply dryly.
He smiles softly, almost regretfully. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there, Brie. When I couldn’t find you at the house… And then, when I pulled up to the scene, God, I damn near lost my mind.”
“Yeah, well, it’s too late for that.”
He grimaces, and I want to take it back. I want him to hold me, promise he’ll never leave me again. I don’t care who he is or what he’s doing as long as he protects me for the rest of our lives. Yet I still need answers to all the questions I don’t even know I have. I don’t know where to start.
His close proximity is messing with my emotions, wreaking havoc on my system.
“Can you…” I gesture towards the chair Agent Howard recently occupied.
I don’t miss his crestfallen look as he turns and spots the chair. Still, he sighs heavily as he gets the picture and complies. As