Page 177

Sera

Rafe reaches for the back door before I can stop him. When I catch his jacket and yank him backward, a hiss moves through his teeth.

"Don't even think about it," I warn.

"You're worse than Ma.” He narrows his eyes at me, his mouth all pouty because he thinks that’ll work on me. “I'm going outside."

"No, you're not."

"Sera."

"Try to leave again, and I'll tell everyone you cried in the hospital."

He glares at me. “I’m going for a walk, that’s all.”

“Then walk back to the sitting room.”

“Ya know me… I can’t sit in this fucking house all day and not do something.”

“It’s only been a few days.” I roll my eyes. “You’ll be cooped up indoors even longer if ya don’t rest.”

Rafe sighs as I plant myself between him and the door. He took a knife deep into his right shoulder, missing an artery by an inch. After the surgeon stitched him up, he was told he was lucky to come away without any major mobility issues.

“The feed delivery is due,” he says.

“I know.”

“We’ve got debts to collect.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “I’ll get them.”

“I’m supposed to be in the Cork bookies later.”

“I’ll tell them you’ll be there next week.”

Rafe stares at me. “Next fucking week?”

I lift my eyebrows. “Good to know there’s nothing wrong with your hearing. Anything else ya need me to take care of?”

He pats his jeans pocket, finding it empty. “I need more smokes, and the yearlings need checked.”

“Dane’s with them.”

He shakes his head and drags his hand over the coarse hairs on his jaw. “Dane couldn’t find his own fucking arse.”

I shrug. “Well, he found the yearlings.”

The corner of Rafe’s mouth twitches before his shoulder pulls and kills it. After a beat, he reaches for the handle again, and I catch his wrist.

“C’mon on, Rafe. You were stabbed.”

“I remember.”

“You passed out before we reached the hospital.”

“Like fuck I did.”

My brows drift up. “You went limp across the back seat.”