Page 29 of Monsters Carve Thrones

“Laura!” I shrieked, slapping her arm. “You’re a menace.”

Rafe called over from the kitchen, totally unbothered. “Don’t be embarrassed. It was a compliment to my performance.”

“You were asleep,” I hissed.

“And still nailed it. That’s talent.”

Laura snorted into her coffee, nearly spilling it. “Okay, see, that’s what I need. A freaky man who’s nice, lets me crash when I’m hungover, and also kills people for a living. Even if he is a walking cliché.”

Rafe slid a pan of scrambled eggs onto the stovetop and turned to her with a smirk. “Thanks, I think.”

Laura lifted her mug like a toast. “You’re welcome. I mean it.”

He shook his head with a soft laugh. “You can stay and recover as long as you want. Seriously. All day if you need.”

She groaned with gratitude and slumped deeper into the cushions. “Bless you both. And don’t worry about the office, I’ve got it under control. Already emailed dispatch and checked in with security. You two go play house or whatever.”

I smiled, feeling a weird little warmth in my chest as I leaned into the couch, coffee in hand, the scent of eggs and toast filling the air.

Chapter 6

The townhouse truly felt like ours just two weeks after moving in. It smelled like wood polish, Rafe’s cologne, and the candle Laura insisted on calling “sex in wax form.” It had a vanilla and citrus scent, but it could have honestly fallen from heaven.

I padded barefoot through the kitchen, still wearing one of Rafe’s shirts–oversized, soft, and hanging off one shoulder. Morning light spilled through the back windows, pouring gold across the hardwood floors.

Rafe had gone to meet with two of his men, something about “clearing routes” and “confirming loyalty,” but he’d kissed me three times before leaving, like he hated the idea of being away at all. And it seemed he even brewed coffee for me before he left. He was fucking amazing.

Things were perfect. Genuinely, terrifyingly perfect.

We cooked together most nights. Had quiet mornings. Fucked on nearly every surface of the house. I periodically caught myself smiling for no reason, just standing in the shower or watching how the light hit his jaw while he was reading. Rafe still came home with blood under his nails and coating his shirts sometimes, but did an excellent job at hiding me from most of his dirty work. He promised I would be involved only when Ineededto.

I poured my coffee and settled onto the loveseat by the window, legs tucked beneath me, scrolling lazily through emails. A soft and warm breeze rolled in through the cracked window, smelling like spring.

My guard was all the way down.

And that was the thing about peace, I realized. It lulled you. Even when our lives were shrouded in illegal activities and death, I could still smile at the sun.

Daylight was just starting to fade, the remnants of golden sunlight retreating from the rooftops. Our private backyard was surrounded by high stone walls and dense greenery. It was fortified and secure, but still not enough to stop the pounding of my heart as Rafe came at me again.

His shirt was already discarded, chest slick with sweat, muscles flexing with every step he took. I blocked his jab and ducked the next, but his foot caught mine and sent me stumbling back. He didn’t give me time to breathe.

“You’re holding back,” he growled.

“No, I’m–”

He lunged, sweeping my legs. I hit the mat hard, grunting, but I rolled with it, catching his wrist as he reached for me and twisting. He stilled, just for a beat. Then he smiled. “Good girl.”

I yanked harder, and this time, I had him off-balance. He landed with a heavy thud, and I straddled his waist, pinning him down with everything I had. He looked up at me, flushed and panting, his icy eyes glowing with something dark and hungry.

“Still holding back?” I teased, breathless.

He moved before I saw it coming. One hand clamped around my wrist, the other fisting in my sweat-damp hair. I gasped as he yanked my head back, forcing me to meet his gaze.Fuck, he was so fast and... lethal.

“Ow, Rafe, please–”

“Adela?” he asked, tugging my body against his with a smirk.

I narrowed my eyes. “What? Do you have some genius advice–”