Nothing that could shatter his world or everything he’s built.
But Kane’s never backed down from a challenge. Never hesitated to take what he wants. And right now, what he wants is Rafael.
He opens his mouth. No words come out.
This isn’t like him. Under the table, his fingers curl into a fist.
The Chrome Baron, who’s stared down enemies without blinking, woken to gunfire before he could read, faced death more times than he can count.
But there’s no strategy for this.
What if it’s too much? What if Rafael doesn’t feel the same way? They’ve barely known each other for two months. Maybe Rafael means he’s happy in the moment.
A hand squeezes his. “Everything okay?” Rafael’s brows knit together.
Kane’s gut twists. Rafael deserves to know someone loves him.
“Rafael.” Kane’s pulse hammers as he clears his throat. “I—”
Rafael’s expression freezes.
“Rafael?”
His form shimmers, and in a burst of light, he disappears.
Kane’s stomach drops. He launches from his seat, already reaching for the option to ping Coda in his overlay—
An alert flashes.
>PM FROM: DULCECHEF2186.
“Open message.”
Text materializes in his vision.
[SORRY! MY ROOMMATE CAME HOME AND NEEDS TO CHAT. TALK TO YOU AFTER WORK!]
A cascade of hearts follows—ridiculous, but it draws a smile from him.
These words aren’t meant for V-link, anyway. Kane will say them when he can pull Rafael close and look into his eyes.
28
Chapter 28 - Rafael
“Just being with you is enough? You make me so happy?” Lian’s voice rings out, her hair flaring red like an alarm. “Are you seeing someone, Rafael? And why am I just now hearing about this?”
Rafael jolts in his chair, the V-link headset nearly slipping from his hands. Lian wasn’t supposed to be home. He carefully timed his virtual date to end before her shift finished. Yet here she stands in his doorway.
“How much did you hear?” His words tumble out.
Lian’s brows shoot up. “I should be the one interrogating you, not the other way around!” She huffs. “But I’ll have you know—I wasn’t even trying to eavesdrop. I was just dropping by on my lunch break to grab an outfit change—for my date after work.” His gaze drops to the shiny dress in her hand.
“Then I heard you say that while I was on my way out, and I couldn’t believe my ears.” Her shoulders slump, voice lowering. “’Cause Ithoughtwe were friends—bestfriends, but—”
“We are!” Rafael blurts, stomach dropping.
She scoffs. “Really? Well, I guess your definition of best friends doesn’t includehonesty. Because it seems you’ve been keeping this—this man from me. Or are you going to say that was somegameon V-link?”