Did they touch him? Hurt him? Why the hell didn’t he say anything? What did they find out?
But Rafael continues before he can get a word out.
“I’m not giving you an excuse. You just deserve to know the full truth. I mean—I told myself I was protecting you, protecting Shreveport…” He bows his head. “But I was really protecting myself. I was scared…Now I know I should’ve told you. We could’ve faced it—like you said. Together.”
A soft smile tugs at his lips as he lifts his gaze. “And now…I think I’m finally ready to do that. If you’ll have me.”
Kane stiffens.
Rafael extends a hand, close enough to brush his wrist. “I want to be with you, Kane. Whatever that means for us,” he whispers. “I love you.”
Three words, eight letters, and Kane’s vitals light up in his overlay.
For a moment, he almost reaches out—until reality crashes into him.
Does Rafael really understand what he’s choosing? What he’s giving up? The danger he’s stepping into?
“So what does that mean, exactly?” Kane raises a brow. “Are you really ready to leave all that behind? Midtown, yourjob, your friends? Do you even get what that’ll cost you?” He gestures at the mess they’re standing in. “Last time, you were here for a week. You think you’ve got a grip on this place after that, but you don’t.”
His tone softens, if only a little bit. “Our life here—it’s not easy. I can only keep you safe up to a point. Even with the crew. And now…” Kane takes a breath and adds, “Shreveport is more volatile than ever. Athena’s taking more territory every day, recruiting from our own people, and turning some of the districts against us.”
He clears his throat and sets his shoulders. “Of course, it’s nothing I can’t manage. But it’s not the stable life you’re used to.”
Kane steps in until their chests touch. Rafael sucks in a breath. “Once you’re in my world, there’s no going back. Is that what you want?”
Turning and leaving would be the smart choice. It’s what Kane almost expects, and he wouldn’t blame him, no matter how much the thought digs in.
Instead, gentle fingers slip over his. Rafael draws Kane’s hand forward, clasping it between both of his.
“Yes, I understand.” Rafael’s breath wavers. His grip is certain. “I’m ready, Kane. To be part of your world. Here, with you. In Shreveport.”
That warmth Kane keeps trying to bury rises.
This man is willing to risk everything for him. But what if he only has a vague picture?
“I’m serious, Rafael,” he warns. “VitaCorp’s already onto you. And now you’re here at night. They’re not stupid.” Kane glances at their joined hands between them.
“Your wristlink’s probably lighting up their terminals. Codascrubbed it once, yeah—but that only bought you time. You quit now, they’ll put two and two together. You try to go back, you’re blacklisted.”
His free arm sweeps through the air. “A third of the people in Shreveport were blacklisted. This is where you land when no corp will take you.” Kane’s gaze hardens. “This is what choosing me costs.”
Rafael’s eyes sweep over the busted HOV stop, the cracked pavement, then settle on Kane.
“I knew that coming here,” he whispers. “I know what I’m giving up. I don’t care.” The fingers clutched around Kane’s tighten. “I just want to be with you, Kane.”
Silence settles between them. In Kane’s ears, his heart hammers.
Rafael wants him. Loves him, wants all of him.
Except loving Kane means loving the Chrome Baron too. And that part of him gets people killed.
His uncle proved that.
Kane’s chest locks up. He should end this now and send Rafael back home to Midtown, where he’s not a weakness for enemies to exploit.
Only he doesn’t want to. Kane loves him. He wants Rafael close to keep him safe.
Maybe there’s a way he can. It doesn’t have to be permanent—just long enough to make this work. Kane can handle the fallout.