Page 111 of Monsters Carve Thrones

He nodded, stepping closer to press a kiss to my cheek, his hand warm and familiar on my waist. “I’ve got calls with Milan and Brussels in an hour. Picking up a few of the stragglers who haven’t decided whether to join or die.”

I smirked into my coffee. “Oh, I love the illusion of choice.”

“So do I,” he said with a smirk. We stood there for a moment, comfortable in the quiet.

And then I finally said something that had been on my mind since we got back. “I want to hunt them down.”

Rafe didn’t look surprised. He just turned to face me fully, expression unreadable.

“The men who worked with Waylon,” I clarified. “Especially the ones who watched. The ones who laughed and let it happen.”

He was quiet for a moment, his jaw flexing once. “I agree.”

“I want to kill them.”

He stepped closer, his eyes darker now. “And you will. Every single one of them. But you’re still healing. Give yourself a little more time, baby.”

I hated that he was right, and I hated even more that I wasn’t ready. But I didn’t argue. Because Rafe wasn’t telling meno.He was just telling menot yet.And when the time came, I knew he’d hand me the gun himself.

***

By late afternoon, the sun was high and warm, releasing golden rays over the backyard like it was blessing the day. The air smelled like cut grass and distant lilacs. Laura arrived just after two, dressed in leggings and a black crop top, her blonde hair swept up in a messy ponytail.

She grinned when I slid open the glass door. “Well, well. The Queen rises,” she teased.

“Bite me,” I smirked, stepping aside to let her in. “I’ve missed you.”

“You saw me yesterday.”

“Still counts.”

We stretched on the back patio, working slowly through warm-ups while Rafe was in his office, deep in back-to-back calls. My body protested at first, tight from healing and stiff from too many sleepless nights, but eventually, it loosened. Laura was careful with me, never pushing too hard. Just enough to remind my muscles that I was still alive.

“Sinclair Solutions held up damn well while we were gone,” Laura said as she lunged forward, reaching toward her toes. “The firewall tweaks you added last quarter? Solid as hell. The feds didn’t even get close.”

A swell of pride lifted in my chest. “That’s good. I was worried.”

“You always worry,” she said with a wink. “But yeah, we’ve kept your empire nice and warm for your return.”

“I’m excited to get back.”

Laura gave me a side-eye. “Don’t push it.”

“I’m not. I promise,” I said honestly. “But I need the rhythm. I need to feel like myself again.”

Laura’s expression softened as she nodded. “I get that.” We paused, letting the breeze roll over us. I took a deep breath, letting it settle into my bones. “How’s Olesya?” she asked gently.

A smile tugged at my lips. “She’s doing amazing. With the money Rafe gave her, she was able to get her own place not far from where she found a new job in Moscow. Some kind of office admin role. But the best part is that she reconnected with her daughter after being missing for two whole years.”

Laura’s smile bloomed, pride softening the sharp angles of her face. “That’s incredible.”

“She deserves it,” I said. “She helped save me.”

Before either of us could say more, the sliding glass door opened, and Rafe stepped outside, carrying a tray with two glasses of water and a tall, chilled Sprite with fresh raspberries floating inside. He was still barefoot, loose black joggers slung low on his hips, the sun catching on the scar along his shoulder.

“My girls thirsty?” he asked, setting the tray down on the outdoor table.

“God, yes,” Laura groaned, reaching for the Sprite. “You really are the house-husband of dreams.”