The lieutenant beams. “Of course, doc!” She lifts her mug. “Welcome to Shreveport! We’re glad to have you. Again.” Echo’s gaze flicks to where Kane disappeared. “Hopefully, with you here, boss man will lighten up. As much as we canwith all the chrome, anyway.”
“Thanks!” he cheers, but her last comment sticks. Perhaps this is his opening. “Um…what do you mean by that? Kane sort of explained…everything going on with Natural Order. But is that it? You guys…seem distracted.”
Echo sighs. “Well, I bet you’ve noticed, but things are a bit tense around here. Not everyone’s thrilled with the boss man’s latest calls.”
His mind scrambles to understand what she means when the front door opens. He stiffens. But it isn’t Natural Order enforcers or an earth-shattering explosion. An armed Viper and Wren enter.
Both of them zero in on him, and his muscles lock up. The moment doesn’t last. Wren rushes forward, stopping shy of bumping into him. “Hey, Rafael.” She straightens. “Hope you’ve been doing okay.”
While Echo chuckles behind them, his fingers tighten on the mug.
Was Wren about to hug him, or was she being her usual clumsy self? Either way, the warmth in her words leaves a lump in his throat.
“Hey, Wren. You too.” He peers over her shoulder at Viper.
The lieutenant nods curtly before swiping his wristlink and striding across the bar. Viper’s always been reserved, same as Echo is loud and Wren overeager. A reality he would take every day rather than if they pretended to be someone else.
“Are you…visiting?” Wren asks.
Suddenly, everyone’s attention is on Rafael. He shrinks in his seat and mumbles, “Staying.”
“Really?” Viper and Wren ask in unison. His tone is sharp, while hers accompanies a slack jaw.
Someone clears their throat.
Everyone’s attention snaps to Kane by the back door with Coda. He gives Rafael a nod, though he swears his lips twitch in the faintest smile. At the bar, Echo and Wren stiffen, and Viper stares ahead.
Echo jumps from the stool. “Coming, boss man.” She rushes over after a wink at Rafael.
Wren follows after, “Sorry, sir. We got caught up in saying hello.” She gives Rafael a wave before disappearing into the room.
Once they’re out of sight, Kane turns to Rafael. “We’ll be finished in a few hours,” he says. “Why not get comfortable upstairs and start a list of what you want from your old place? Coda already squared things with VitaCorp. No one will be touching your stuff.”
Rafael jerks back. “Seriously? They didn’t throw a fit?” He’s certain Lian told someone the second he left.
Coda shrugs. “Technically, you’re on extended leave.” He turns without elaborating, following the others inside.
A smile starts to rise at the techie’s work, but stalls when Rafael sees Kane’s frown.
“It won’t hold forever.” Kane crosses his arms. “We’ll need someone to grab your things today if possible. We can talk after the meeting.” His attention shifts to Viper, still checking his wristlink. “Let’s go.”
He ducks in to join his lieutenants, leaving Rafael alone with Viper.
“It’s good to see you again, Viper,” he tries to break the silence.
Viper peers up. “Is it?” he snaps. “Nothing’s evergoodaround here. Not for long.” His eyes narrow. “Just keep thatin mind…since you’re moving in.”
A cold weight settles in Rafael’s stomach. He can’t think of a single response before Viper disappears behind the steel doors. His gaze drops to the coffee in his hands. For some reason, he can’t shake the sense that he’s stepped into something far more complicated than he understood.
Even so, this is the life he’s chosen, a life with Kane.
Part of him trembles at what awaits ahead, like returning to his apartment and seeing Lian. Or worse, telling his parents about his decision.
But he’s moving forward anyway.
Kane is at his side, and that makes the difference.
38