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When they sat on the outdoor sofa with Rafe’s uninjured arm around her shoulders, Kristi said, “Curiosity is driving me crazy. You said you had a secret to tell me. What is it?”
He smiled. “I thought you would ask me before now.”
“If I hadn’t enjoyed the cinnamon rolls so much, I would have. Tell me before I have to hurt you.”
A soft chuckle. “No need for that.” He sobered and cupped her cheek. “I love you, Kristi.” He trailed his finger over her bottom lip. “You don’t have to say anything now. I know this is fast.” He kissed her, his touch light. “What’s your secret?”
Kristi smiled, joy overflowing inside her at his admission. “I love you, Rafe.”
He stilled. “You do?”
“Oh, yeah. I definitely do, and I’m keeping you.”
The operative hugged her. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear that.”
They sat for several minutes, holding each other and enjoying the peaceful morning. Once Jill arrived, the craziness of the day would begin in earnest.
Finally, Rafe stood and held out his hand. “We should go inside.”
After he escorted her to the workroom, Kristi heard Jill’s knock on the front door.
Four hours later, she was able to leave with Rafe to visit her father. When they walked into his hospital room and she saw that her father’s eyes were open, Kristi smiled. “You’re awake.”
“Hard to sleep more than an hour around this place. Nurses are in and out all the time to take my vitals and ask me the same questions.” Alan motioned to the man standing on the other side of the bed. “Have you met Jake Davenport?”
“I haven’t had the pleasure.” She held out her hand. “I’m Kristi. You’re a friend of Rafe’s?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m the medic for Phantom unit.”
“Your team helped us last night.”
“Wolf Pack did most of the work. Torres took down five men in the forest. Didn’t leave much for the rest of us to do.”
Kristi stared. “Five men besides Hugh and Fleming?”
Rafe shrugged.
“How’s the arm, Rafe?” Jake asked.
“Hurts like a bad toothache.”
“Take anything for the pain today?”
Silence.
The medic rolled his eyes, then dug into his pocket for a packet of familiar capsules. “Swallow two of these, and don’t whine about it.”
“Yes, Dad,” Rafe groused, but he popped two into his mouth and swallowed them.
Jake chuckled.
Kristi looked at her father. “How do you feel?”
“Not great, but I’m alive.” He frowned. “Your face is bruised, and your lip is swollen.”
“Have you looked in the mirror lately? You have more bruises than I do.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m all right, Dad.”
“What happened last night? I don’t remember anything after Hugh forced me to sign the contract giving him the CEO job if something happened to me.”
