Page 98 of Protected from Torment

As I click over to the cameras on the exterior of the house, I shake my head at the irony of it. Our relationship started on the road just outside Long Lake, and the events on the road leaving Lost Lake could be the catalyst for our relationship ending.

“Shit.” I thunk my fist on the desk. I’m not sure why I thought I could get any work done today, feeling as conflicted and twisted up as I am right now.

With another heavy sigh, I turn my chair so I can look out the window. From the main building, where my official office is, I have a view of the backyard, with my cabin, Rafe and Eden’s house, and Bea and Indy’s small shapes at the edge of it.

I tilt my head so I can look at my cabin, wondering what Mel’s doing inside. She must be back from her walk with Oscar by now, given that it’s been nearly 2 hours since she left. She knows I’m here—I left a note on the kitchen counter letting her know I was coming over here to do some work—but I haven’t heard anything from her.

Maybe she’s looking for a job, I consider. Or searching for apartments in South Carolina.

As I’m staring out the window, Indy comes into view on the riding mower. When he reaches the front of his cabin, he begins to drive erratically, making me wonder if he’s being chased by a bee or having some sort of episode.

Almost glad for the distraction, I turn back to my computer and pull up one of the cameras with a view of the backyard. From this angle, I realize Indy isn’t making a nonsensical pattern in the grass. He’s mowing the words I love you, Bea, into it.

Despite my shitty mood, I can’t help smiling. Indy deserves all the happiness he’s found with Bea. And just because I might not find the same thing with Mel, I can’t begrudge Indy or the rest of my friends for it.

But that doesn’t make the ache in my chest go away.

It doesn’t make me feel any less jealous.

Go to her, the hopeful voice pleads. Ask her to stay. Who cares if it’s selfish? Just do it.

Shit, I want to.

Maybe I should talk to Erik. My old GB teammate ended up as a target due to his association with Blade and Arrow, and his now-wife, Tatum, got dragged into it because of him. I know he felt really guilty, but somehow they worked it out. Now they’re both incredibly happy, and last time I heard, they’re even trying for a baby.

Yes, I decide. I’ll call Erik. Today. See if he has any advice.

Some of the weight bearing down on my chest lifts. Maybe there is a solution for this. Maybe I can figure out a way to keep Mel in my life.

I’m just reaching for my phone to call Erik when a series of quick knocks sound at my office door. Turning towards it, I find Rafe standing in the doorway, an inscrutable expression on his face.

“Hey,” I say. “What’s going on? Need something? Or just procrastinating?”

After a brief hesitation, Rafe replies, “Not procrastinating. And I don’t need anything.”

I frown in confusion. “Okay?”

He walks through the doorway and casts a sweeping gaze around the room, taking in the wall of monitors, the rows of servers, and my massive desk with four computers. Then he looks at me. “I don’t like to get involved in other people’s relationships,” he says. “I figure it’s not my place.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “But you’re here. Bringing up relationships.”

Rafe sighs. “I am.” He crosses the room to lean against the end of my L-shaped desk. “You’re not just a teammate, Ty. Or a friend. You’re family. And sometimes—” He frowns. “Sometimes, when family is fucking up, you have to call them on it.”

My hackles go up. “What do you mean, fucking up?”

But I know what he’s talking about. Putting Mel in danger. Keeping her here when she should⁠—

“Melissa stopped by our house earlier,” he replies. “While she was out walking Oscar. Eden was on the porch and saw her. So she invited her in.”

It’s so far from what I expected to hear, it takes me a second to gather my thoughts. “So Mel came over to visit with Eden? I’m not sure I understand where you’re going with this.”

Rafe’s lips thin. His brow furrows.

His grim expression makes my stomach sink. “What?” I press. “Is something wrong with Mel?”

“Not wrong, exactly. But… Eden called once Melissa left. She was worried.”

“Worried about what?” My voice has an edge to it. “Why was she worried?”