“How does it look?” comes Kane’s deep voice beside him.
“Incredible!” Rafael immediately dives in, sampling from each plate. As the foreign but rich flavor settles in his stomach, he turns to beam up at him. “It tastes way better than it looks! I take back everything I ever said. Capital Prime has nothing on this.”
A hearty chuckle rumbles from Kane, a sound he’s never heard from the man. “Careful—you’ll give the owner a heart attack,” he teases, before returning to his breakfast.
For a moment, they eat in silence, the only sounds the hum of customers and the whiz of waiter drones buzzing by. Rafael focuses on the meal, trying to memorize every flavor, until Kane breaks the quiet.
“Look,” he begins, drawing Rafael’s gaze. His expressionis soft, like when Echo first woke after her injury. “I never properly apologized for how we brought you here. It wasn’t fair, even if it was necessary. And…I’m sorry for keeping you longer than I should have. That’s on me.”
An apology is the last thing he imagined, especially from Kane. Wren apologized, Echo thanked him multiple times, but Kane always called his kidnapping “necessary.” Now, hearing this straight from the man who ordered this, Rafael’s gut tightens.
Part of him wants to accept it. But despite the apology, the truth remains. He’s not entirely free to leave.
He takes a deep breath. “I…appreciate it.” Maybe someday he’ll forgive Kane and his gang. But certainly not now.
Kane nods, taking a bite of his food. Rafael returns to his own, assuming the conversation is over until he speaks again. “Is this the only place you’ve visited in Shreveport so far?”
“Yeah,” Rafael replies after swallowing. His morning was spent organizing the medical bay, taking a long call with Lian, and chatting with his parents. They still believe he’s at VitaCorp downtown, part of the corporate project Coda made up. So far, the story’s held up.
“If you have time,” Kane starts, pushing his plate into the auto-clean slot on the counter. “You should visit the Glass Alley. It’s something of a traditional art installation. Tomorrow’s the last day it’s open.”
“Traditional?” Rafael blinks at him.
Kane nods. “It’s probably different from what you’re used to. That’s why it’s worth seeing.”
The gesture doesn’t go unnoticed, and despite himself, Rafael can’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. “I’d like that,” he murmurs. “Are you stopping by then?” Heat rises tohis cheeks as Rafel rushes to add, “Uh…just wondering if you ever get time for things like that. Between all your…duties.”
Something almost like surprise flickers across Kane’s face before his usual composure returns. “I don’t usually…” He straightens. “My schedule is unpredictable. I have—” His hand raises to tap his visor as he cuts himself off. “Baron.”
Rafael turns away, giving Kane privacy. He fixes his attention on the food, counting breaths until the heat leaves his face.
He shouldn’t have asked if Kane would be there. Echo or Pixie always handle escorts. It changes nothing. Still, the question lingers.
Kane keeps surprising him—too steady, too easy to speak to.
The gang leader shouldn’t feel like the only solid thing in this room. Not when Kane is the one holding the invisible key to his cuffs.
“En route.” Kane’s voice pulls him back to the present. “I have to go.” His green eyes behind the visor meet Rafael’s.
A knot twists in Rafael’s chest. Is someone in danger? Will Kane be walking straight into it? Probably not. Pixie would have the medtruck ready. So why is he so concerned?
“Okay,” he says, then adds softly, “Be safe.”
Kane’s brows knit together, but before Rafael can make sense of the emotion, Echo materializes at his side with Wren. “Gotta go, boss man?”
“Need backup?” Wren stumbles forward. “I can be there with—”
He shakes his head. “Not necessary.” The lieutenants nod, and Rafael’s gaze flicks to him. “I’ll be fine.”
Whether Kane’s words are for him or the others, a strangeweight lifts as he watches the leader disappear into the crowd.
“Have a good chat?” Echo prompts, her arm wrapping around his shoulder again.
Rafael shrugs. “Yeah, I guess.” The honest answer surprises even him.
12
Chapter 12 - Rafael