After the Rain (15 page)

Austin dumps the forbidden chocolate bars and bag of chips on the tiny hospital tray, “Better, now that I have decent sustenance.”

“Ah, is that what that is?” Mandy laughs, kissing the corner of his mouth as he takes a large bite. “Oohh, dark chocolate, my favorite.”

“I love ya, but there’s no way I’m sharing my stash,” Austin blurts out.

The room becomes very silent. Mandy appears frozen, like she’s afraid if she moves it will rewind time and take back the words she has been anxiously waiting to hear.

Kas clears his throat, the silence becoming too awkward. Austin gives him the ‘man, I need to talk with you right now, I’m not even playing,’ look.

“Rain, why don’t you take Mandy to get some coffee,” Kas suggests.

Mandy immediately looks to Austin, who assures her he’ll be fine. Hesitantly, she follows Raina out of the room.

Austin shifts uncomfortably, obviously in pain but was holding it in so he didn’t worry Mandy.

“How are you really doing?”

Austin chuckles, “I hurt like hell.”

“Need me to get the nurse?”

“Nah, the pain’s a reminder that I’m still alive.” His blue eyes darken, “How’s Scott’s wife?”

Kas lets out a sound something between a sigh and a grunt, “Trying to keep it together. The doctors are monitoring her closely with the baby. She went into preterm labor a couple of hours after she was told about Scott, but they got it stopped.”

Austin shakes his head, his anger evident, “Give my condolences tomorrow night, okay?”

“Yeah, sure I will. Now, what is it you wanted to talk about?”

Austin shifts again, letting out a long breath, “I’ve gotta stop chasing the devil, Kas.”

“I think they need to do another MRI, you’re talking all crazy,” Kas cracks.

“I’m serious. This staying out partying, drinking, going from woman to woman, it’s not for me anymore.”

Kas smirks, his pointed look dubious.

“Okay, then, going from woman to woman’s gotta stop anyway.”

“Looks to me you’ve already broken that habit or, at least, taken a long break from it.”

A knowing smile crosses his bruised face, “Mandy hasn’t left my side, she slept in the chair. Even when I told her to go home, she wouldn’t.”

“What do you expect? She’s in love with you.”

“I know! Why did she have to go and fall for
my
sorry ass?”

“Even your sorry ass deserves to be loved,” Kas jokes before turning serious, “don’t jump into anything too quickly, not until you’ve had time to process what you’ve been through. You’ll only hurt her if you say or do something you’re not completely sure of.”

Austin takes a few seconds to digest Kas’ advice, “You know, those words have never left my mouth, except to family. They just popped out on their own a few minutes ago, but I’m pretty sure that I meant them.” He looks towards the door, “But, I’ll give it a little time.” His patent ‘devil may care’ smile returns, “Besides, I’m not looking forward to having my shoulder all soggy from all the other girl’s weeping when they find out that I’m off the meat market.”

Chapter Eleven

Gray clouds are spread thin across the morning sky, like the heavens are going to weep at any moment.
Fitting,
Raina muses as she stares down at her fingers, not wanting to look at the coffin in front of her, not wanting to think about Scott lying lifeless inside. She has never been to a funeral, not even her mother’s. She doesn’t even know where her mother is buried or if she is buried. Her father had left her with a colleague without telling her where he was going or the name of the woman watching her. He had returned as wordlessly as he left. The next morning, all proof of her mother’s prior existence was gone.

She knows she has the means to find her mother’s resting place but, somehow, not knowing where her body lays below the hard, cold ground gives her a sense of comfort. She can think of her as she remembers her, not like the image Melissa will have of Scott, encompassed in his dark wood bed. The image is heartbreakingly lonely, even though she knows it’s only his body in the coffin.

Raina manages to glance down the long row of chairs to Melissa. The pain in her chest is almost unbearable as she takes in Melissa’s pose, her eyes unwavering from the oak casket, her shoulders straight, her hands wrapped protectively around her,
their
, unborn child, and her fingers mindlessly twisting the ring on her left finger. The tears trickle down Melissa’s face, but she makes no sound. Just as silently, Raina’s tears join hers at the memory of how happy Scott was about the baby he will never get to meet.

Kas places his hand on Raina’s knee, giving it a little squeeze. The realization that it could just as easily have been Kas who died, how he could be the one in the coffin mere feet in front of her, hits her savagely. Her breath leaves in such a staggering velocity it’s all she can do to not gasp for air.

The service is short but full of the respect that Scott deserves, complete with the military honors from Scott’s time in the Marines. The volleys pierce the air, and Kas swallows hard. The playing of taps wrenches the last of Raina’s reserves, and she bites her lip to keep from weeping. Two servicemen pass the American flag to the lead Marine who respectfully asks Melissa to accept the flag on behalf of the President of the United States and the Marine Corp for her husband’s dedication and service. There’s not one woman or man with dry eyes when the marine places the pristinely folded flag in Melissa’s hands and the last shred of her strength unravels, causing the sobs she was bravely holding back to erupt, leaving her body shaking from the force of her tears.

Dexter finishes the service by presenting Melissa with the Memorial Star, and it’s Kas who struggles to maintain composure as her hand trembles when the medal is placed on her outstretched palm. When the final salute is given, images of Scott’s kindness, his smiling face, and the love and pride of his unborn child beaming in his eyes, attack Raina. She drops her head as tears stream down her face. Kas slips his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closely to him as he roughly swipes away a tear rolling down his cheek.

They walk with Chase and Sara, speaking briefly with Melissa, promising to be there for her and the baby, before Kas takes Raina’s hand, his thumb caressing her fingers as they walk to the jeep. Jake and Maya are standing a few vehicles over, and Raina waves to Maya as she leaves for work. Kas studies Jake, his usually tan face still alarmingly pale. He is looking down at his shoes, his obvious internal struggle too much at the moment to meet Kas’ gaze.

“Rain and I are heading to the agency. We thought about stopping for a bite first if you want to join us?”

Jake nods, still not meeting his leader’s gaze, “Sure. I’ll follow you.”

After a quick meal, the three pull into the agency’s parking deck. The air is drastically colder as it whips around the boulders and through the half-wall openings. Raina wishes she stayed in the car while Kas talks with Jake a few cars down. Heavy footsteps echo with a purpose, shaking her from her thoughts. Raina shifts her gaze to Lawson, who appears devastatingly lost. When his eyes meet hers, a flame sparks.

Lawson charges towards Raina, fury apparent in his entire body, “Have you found anything else new on Prizrak yet?”

Raina’s lips tighten as she shakes her head.

“One of my men just died because of this Ghost you have been trying to crack. I want him, now! I’m tired of playing his damn games, I will not lose another agent because you can’t get your shit together.”

Raina holds her tears and her tongue, not wanting to make the already explosive situation any worse. Lawson is grieving and furious, and he has every right to be; she knows his tirade stems from that, and she lets him vent his anger on her without any retaliation.

Kas isn’t so generous. He storms towards Lawson, his own fury blazing. “I know you’re pissed off right now because of Scott, we all are, but if you need to take it out on someone, then you take it out on me, not Raina!” he warns.

“Or what, Pierce?” he challenges, his hands balling into tight fists.

“Whatever you want, or need, to take it as right now,” Kas replies, ready to have it out with Lawson if that’s what he needs to relieve the pain.

Jake grabs Raina’s arm, pulling her out of the way, seeing exactly how ugly this is getting ready to get.

Lawson swings, and Kas lets the blow make contact. He throws one of his own, heavily pulling the punch, knowing this is the best remedy for Lawson’s state of mind right now but not wanting to cause physical damage. The next blow hurts like hell as Lawson busts his lip and, possibly, his jaw. Kas grits his teeth and returns the favor, knocking Lawson a couple of feet backwards.

Raina screams for the men to stop, but she is mute to them.

Lawson’s glare is murderous, and Kas doesn’t move as the next punch sends a good buzz through his ears. His fist lands hard against Lawson’s chin, and he watches as the pain hasn’t relieved enough fury yet, so he throws another blow; his fist smashing into Lawson’s cheek this time. Lawson grunts, then lunges, and Kas drops his hands, tasting the blood that spills through his mouth from the strike.

“He’s not even trying to block him,” Raina cries out.

“That’s the plan,” Jake explains, watching the myriad of emotions dueling in her fixated eyes.

“That’s
not
a good plan, Jake!”

Jake pulls her even further back as Lawson lunges again.

Kas allows Lawson to get in one more blow. He ignores the slicing pain as he shakes off the punch, hoping the grieving agent has worked through enough of his anger. The blood running down his nose from another quick strike is a good indication that he hasn’t. Deciding he’s had enough, Kas steps to the side and grabs Lawson’s elbow and neck, pushing him to the ground. “We’re done,” he warns.

Lawson doesn’t share the same opinion. He’s barely down before he is back on his feet, his fist coming hard and fast. Ducking and pivoting, Kas throws a jab against Lawson’s chin, the pulled blow only slightly dimming the fire in his eyes. Kas’ knuckles crash against the same spot, and Lawson stumbles backwards with the harsher punch. “Enough!” Kas commands him.

Kas watches as Lawson wipes the blood away and slowly rolls his shoulders.
Damn.

Lawson tackles Kas, sending them crashing against the pavement. Kas immediately regains control, not holding anything back any longer. He jerks Lawson to his feet, then sends him back to the ground with one fierce blow.

“Are we done now?” Kas asks, void of anger.

Lawson spits blood to the side and nods his head. He unsteadily starts to push to his feet, and Kas offers his hand. Lawson readily takes it, tapping Kas on the back of his shoulder once he’s up. No words are spoken, just a mutual shared expression, before Lawson nods once more and heads towards his vehicle.

Raina looks at the three men in total bewilderment, “Do you even realize how crazy and unbelievably irrational that was?” She glances over Kas’ busted lip, bleeding nose, and his bruising jaw and eye, “I will never understand men!”

Kas lets her go when Raina storms back towards the jeep, away from the elevator to the agency. Happy that the fight seems to have assisted in two issues, he grabs his keys off the ground and smirks at Jake’s expression, “You mad at me, too?”

An overdue laugh bursts free as Jake quips, “Nah . . . I understand men.”

“Judge!” Raina exclaims, throwing her arms around his neck when she answers the door.

“Hey, honey,” Judge hugs her back tightly. Pulling away, he looks at Raina lovingly, and his hazel eyes narrow at the sight of the dark circles under her eyes. His gaze shifts to Kas, who appears both exhausted and worried.

“I didn’t know you were coming. I would’ve had dinner made.”

Judge isn’t about to tell her that her husband called him last night after the funeral, asking him to stay with her while he works on the case. Kas didn’t have to tell him that he’s worried about Raina, he couldn’t disguise the concern in his voice. Judge knows the bombing rattled him, especially with him not knowing if it was meant for Raina, which obviously terrifies Kas. Pulling Raina back in for another hug, Judge tries to shake his own fear at that thought.

“I came here to see you, honey. I’m taking you out to dinner,” he offers, then changes his mind at how she looks like she’s about to fall over, “on second thought, it would be fun to order in tonight.”

“I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Kas tells them, kissing the top of Raina’s head as he gives a grateful nod to Judge.

“You’re leaving?”

“I have a meeting back at the agency,” Kas tells her, noting her disquietude. “Don’t wait up, darlin’. Love you,” he quickly kisses her again before telling Judge bye and jumping into his jeep.

“I’m sorry you drove all this way to have to baby-sit me,” Raina states, trying very hard to tame her rising indignation at her husband’s actions.

Judge loops Raina’s arm through his, smiling kindly at her as she watches Kas leave, already putting the pieces together. “He’s just worried about you, honey, and I’m thrilled to see you.”

Letting it go, Raina returns his smile, stating truthfully, “I’m happy to see you, too, Judge.”

While Judge is on the phone ordering dinner, Raina leans against the counter, her mind a million miles away.

“I’d say a penny for your thoughts, but I’m pretty sure that’s grossly underselling them.”

Judge’s voice pulls Raina back to the present, “Sorry, I seem to be out of touch lately.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“No. I want to hear how you’re doing,” she replies, forcing a smile.

“Nothing new for me, but I heard you created another breakthrough with your new algorithm. I’m proud of you, as always.”

“I wish I had finished it earlier,” Raina’s states, her voice trailing off as her mind is bombarded with images of her injured friends, of Scott’s lifeless body.

Quickly changing the subject, Judge engages her in mindless chitchat until the food arrives.

“Sit down and eat,” he encourages, placing his hand on her shoulder.

Raina barely touches her food and remembers nothing from the movie she watches with Judge before she can’t keep her eyes open any longer, despite trying to stay awake until Kas arrives.

Judge brushes a lock of hair behind Raina’s ear and presses his hand against her cheek as she sleeps with her head on his shoulder. Carefully laying her down on the sofa, he covers her with a blanket and turns off the television before retiring to the guestroom.

A soft light shines across the living room when Judge makes his way into the kitchen for some water a couple of hours later. Glancing at the clock, he stares towards Raina’s back disapprovingly, “It’s after 2:00 a.m., shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

Raina jumps, turning away from her laptop, “You startled me.”

Turning on the lights, Judge nods at the computer, “Shut that down and get some sleep.”

“I will in a few, I’m waiting on Kas to get home,” she states, stifling a yawn. “Do you need something?”

“I was just going to get some water and head back to bed, which is where you should be.”

“I’m fine.” Walking towards the kitchen, she takes a glass out, filling it with water before handing it to Judge.

Sighing, he places the water down untouched, “I clearly remember Kas asking you not to wait up, honey.”