Page 100 of Desperate Justice

“I saw that on a YouTube vid. Or maybe it was a commercial for beer.”

Rafe smiled. “You’re something else, Lexington.”

“So are you, Rodriguez.”

His cell phone pinged. Glancing at it, he groaned. “Sorry, have to take this.”

A volley of Spanish ensued, too rapid for her to understand. Amused, she realized his family was checking up on him.

When he hung up and returned to her, she smirked. “Telling your family you’re having a wonderful time isn’t exactly the truth.”

Rafe’s gaze remained steady. “I’m with you. You make life wonderful, Ally.”

Allison didn’t know how to respond. She studied his face, his intent expression, and suddenly everything fell into place.

Rafe truly cared. Her heart thudded hard with unexpected joy.

“You’re a smooth talker,” she said lightly.

“I’m serious. I’ve never wanted to admit it all the time we’ve known each other. I’ve tried to separate my professional needs from my personal wants, but around you, they run together. It was more than having you as a confidential informant. You make me feel alive in a way I’ve never felt before. Sure as hell have never worried about a CI the way I worried about you or got jealous when you flirted with members of the Devil’s Patrol.”

“You...were jealous?” Her heart did a happy little flip-flop.

He nodded. “To the point where when Jase told me you kissed him, I wanted to yank you out of that assignment. If anyone was going to kiss you, I wanted it to be me.”

“It meant nothing to me. I was playing a role. Jase and I both were.” A tiny doubt filled her. “What about you? Was what we had in bed just...for fun and kicks?”

Please don’t be like the other guys. Please.

“With me it’s the real deal.” Reaching for her hand, he held her gaze.

All her innermost longings broke to the surface. For years she’d run away from feelings, resolved to remain apart and never risk having her heart shattered again. Never daring to fully be herself and show men any vulnerability because they saw her as strong, and couldn’t take advantage of her.

Rafe was different. He broke down her barriers, peeled back her prickly layers and wasn’t afraid to tell her how he felt. With him, she could express her fears as well as her dreams.

They connected on a level more than sexual. It went deeper, despite the doubts she had about him regarding her sister.

“I feel the same, Rafe. What I feel for you is genuine,” she said softly.

For a moment, they said nothing, simply held hands. This was sweet. Nice. She could be herself around Rafe.

“I always thought your family and the job were everything to you.”

“I need more than the job and my family. I’m getting older, and my brush with death last year was a wake-up call I wanted to ignore, until now.”

What would he say if he knew she had firsthand knowledge of that encounter with death? Allison sipped some tea. “At least your family cares what happens to you. My parents only care about Di. They hover over her. Never bother with me.”

He looked thoughtful. “Have you ever considered maybe they worry more about her because she’s not as independent?”

It had occurred to her, but the insight made her uneasy. Because it meant that all this time, she’d unjustly thought of her parents as cold and indifferent.

She pulled her hand away. “Have you ever considered your family worries about you because you have a job that exposes you to constant danger?”

He gave her a level look. “I don’t want to discuss my family.”

“And I don’t want to discuss my parents. Okay? Leave my family out of it. I can handle my life.”

The sweet intensity vanished. The moment was gone as if it never existed. “Let’s finish and get out of here.”