He would be there for her. In fact, she had no doubt that he would endanger everything he held dear on her behalf, and she couldn’t allow him to do that. She loved him too much to watch him implode his life for a girl who wasn’t even who he thought she was. He wanted her to tell him everything, and she knew if she did, he’d keep her secrets. But doing so would put him in an impossible position, forcing him to lie to everyone and to the authorities. After years of being under the government’s thumb, she wouldn’t be the reason he lost his chance to break free.
She loved him too much for that too.
“You can’t keep me here against my will.” Her declaration probably would have been more effective if her voice hadn’t wobbled halfway through. But damn if the thought of walking away from Rafe didn’t make her want to bawl like a baby.
“Can’t I? You must have forgotten who you’re talking to.” Rafe chuckled and threw the sheet off, revealing that he was completely nude.
Diana gulped. “You don’t fight fair.”
“No, I don’t. That’s what I’m trying to tell you, sweetheart. No matter what I have to do, no matter how hard it is, I’m willing to do whatever it takes because I believe in us.”
She backed up slowly, Rafe stalking her until they ended up pressed against the bedroom door. Her eyes roamed over the ultra-ripped chest that always made her drool a little. Her breathing sped up as he lifted her and held her against the door. Diana cried out. In this position, she could feel everything, the hard bulge pressing against her core and the sheer strength it took for him to hold her up like that.
Can you say, sexy as hell?
“Don’t go, Diana. Let me fight for you.”
“There’s nothing you can do,” she whispered, wishing with all her heart that it wasn’t true. But nothing short of a time machine that could go back and undue all the damage her father and brothers had done would change anything.
“If you’re in trouble, my contacts in the FBI can keep you safe. Whatever is going on, you’re not alone with it anymore. We can figure it out together. I’ve trusted you, more than I probably should have”—he looked down at his crotch with a raised eyebrow—“and now I’m asking you to trust me.”
For a long moment Diana stared into his eyes. She wasn’t even sure exactly what she was looking for, but suddenly she knew this was the moment to stop running. To trust that someone else would actually stick when times were tough.
She ran her hands through his thick hair. “Okay. I’ll trust you.”
Rafe nuzzled her nose gently with his, the uncharacteristically tender gesture taking her off guard.
“Good. Until then, I guess I’d better deliver on my promise to keep you happy.”
Diana’s mouth fell open when he nipped her ear. His finger trailed gently over her neck. Then he snatched his hand back like he was afraid he’d hurt her.
“It’s okay. You didn’t hurt me.” She didn’t mention that her throat was sore as hell on the inside. It was like having strep throat on maximum power.
“Let’s get you some more meds, and then we can return to the regularly scheduled program.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“Operation make Diana come as many times as possible.”
Chapter Eight
A few weeks later, Rafe brushed his hands over Diana’s hair to comfort her. Or maybe to comfort himself. This was so far outside his usual wheelhouse. He’d never brought someone in to the FBI who actually wanted to be there. Although looking at how she was reacting, he wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to do this. But she seemed determined to do the right thing.
He could relate. It was a bitch when the right thing seemed like it would tear you apart. But at least this way he could get her protection on all sides. If you still have any pull.
“Agent DeMarco. We’re ready for you.” An agent he’d never seen before hovered at his elbow uncertainly.
Except he wasn’t an agent anymore was he? “Okay, we’ll be just a minute.”
Rafe turned back to Diana. Her dark eyes were red and shiny. She’d been crying off and on since she’d made the decision to do this. He’d called ahead so there was an agent ready to take Diana’s statement and open a case for her. She’d be an official informant after this. It was a huge step, but it was likely the only way to get her out of this situation.
He kissed Diana gently on the forehead. “It’s all going to be okay. All you have to do is be honest and tell them what you know.”
Diana blew out a breath. “I know. It’s okay. I can do this.”
They stood together, but before they could move, Rafe’s phone went off with a text alert. Cursing, he grabbed it from his waistband. When he saw who it was from, he was prepared to blow it off. Then it started ringing.
“Damn it. Hello,” he bellowed, not even caring about rudeness at this point.