Surrender (22 page)

“I’ve never been
very fond of that picture. I always photograph so much better on my left side. My assistant insists that it’s her favorite image, though, and I’ve learned over the years that it’s a losing battle to argue with her.”

Ari jumped at the sound of Rafe’s voice. By the teasing quality of his tone she knew he was once again trying to rile her – she refused to bite.

“Hello, Mr. Palazzo. It seems to be an unfortunate occurrence that I continue running into you here. Hopefully this time I don’t end up needing an x-ray,” Ari said as she turned to see his eyes narrow.

“Ari, Ari, Ari. Did you not listen the last time we spoke? I warned you that you’d be punished the next time you called me by my last name.”

“As we’re in a public building, I don’t see that there’s anything you can do to me,” she smarted off, secure in the knowledge that not only were they surrounded by patients and visitors, but there were also armed staff throughout the building.

“I see that you think you’re safe, but never underestimate me, Ari. Once I decide on a course of action, nothing… and no one… can stop me,” he threatened as his hands came up on either side of her head and he boxed her against the wall.

“Normally, I’d love to prove to you how wrong you are, but today’s not the best day. I need to get back soon.”

His eyes assessed her face, and though she tried to keep a neutral expression plastered on, she knew he could see right through her. She had dark circles, edged by red from the tears
earlier shed, along with another five pounds of weight loss. She looked terrible, and she knew it.

“What’s wrong?”

“None of your business.”

“I thought you said you didn’t want to play games. If you don’t, then just answer my question,” he said firmly.

“Fine. It’s not like you can’t figure it out. With most people, you barely open your mouth and they’re spilling everything to you. My mom’s in surgery. It’s just been a little stressful. She had complications from her last surgery and they had to go back in. She should’ve been out of her weeks ago, but her body is fighting her every step of the way. I know she’ll be fine but I can’t stop worrying.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d tell me or not. Thank you for sharing. I’m going to help you take your mind off the surgery while we wait for information from her doctor.”

Rafe moved his hands from the wall and gripped her arm, sliding it through his. He started tugging on her, causing her to nearly trip as she tried to make a stand. Since she could either plummet to the floor or go along with him, she finally started to move. It was the lesser of two evils since she didn’t want to cause a scene and have people staring.

“I don’t need your pity or your attention. I’ve been doing just fine all morning on my own.”

“Obviously you aren’t doing fine. You’ve lost even more weight that you can’t afford to lose, your cheeks are sunken in, and you look like you haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in ages. You, more than anyone I know, should be working for me. You obviously need a keeper.”

Ari was almost grateful for his words. For a brief moment, her worry over her mother was pushed down as irritation with Rafe jumped to the forefront. She couldn’t stand how bossy he was.

“I’m taking care of myself just fine. I
absolutely
don’t need a keeper. As a matter of fact, I had a large breakfast this morning.”

“Liar.
I bet you’ve only barely pecked your food over the last few days, and had absolutely nothing today. You’re worried about your mother and I can understand that. But, you’re being selfish, Ari. How do you think it makes her feel to see her daughter taking such poor care of herself. Your mom will need to worry about getting herself better when she comes out of surgery, not spend her time fretting about you.”

Ari took in a sharp breath at his words. He was so arrogant and rude. It
really
infuriated her that he was also right. The thought of food was turning her stomach. How could she eat when her mother could possibly be dying? It just seemed wrong.

“Where are we going?” she finally asked as he turned a corner.

“To get lunch.”

“I’m not hungry. I already told you that I ate.”

“And I already called you a liar. How many arguments have you won with me, Ari? None. You may not be mine to control yet, but that’s just a formality. I plan on having you, therefore, your health is of importance to me. You can either sit here in this cafeteria and eat a decent meal, or I won’t hesitate to throw you over my shoulder, take you to my place, and force food down your throat. Your choice.”

Ari stopped outside the cafeteria’s doors as she stared at him incredulously. The outrageous things he said to her in a normal, everyday tone of voice never ceased to amaze her. She really,
really
wanted to call his bluff, but by the look in his eyes, she had no doubt he’d follow through on his threat.

Even though the building was filled with security, he was a major donor to the hospital. She was beginning to doubt that they’d stop him from kidnapping her even if she were screaming her head off. She couldn’t take the chance of him taking her away and her mother coming from surgery without her there.

With a growl of frustration she turned from him and walked into the quiet cafeteria. Thankfully, there weren’t too many people present. She didn’t want to listen to their conversations, or squeeze past a line. She was going to have to concentrate fully on trying not to choke on horrible food while her stomach was already heaving at just the thought of cramming anything down her throat.

“Ah, Ari.
I’m a bit disappointed you didn’t choose option two. I like the thought of you thrown over my shoulder with your ass next to my face. I’d have to turn and take a bite out of your luscious curves.”

A shiver ran down Ari’s spine at the image he was placing in her mind. She wouldn’t mind having him nibble on her derrière, either. Guilt seized her at having such a thought when her mom was still in surgery.
One more reason to hate Rafe.

She ignored his comment as she moved through the various displays of food. Nothing looked remotely appealing, so she finally just grabbed an item. This didn’t seem to please Rafe because he threw several more items on her tray, then shuffled her along to the cashier.

She didn’t even attempt to pull money from her purse. She hadn’t asked for the meal so she wasn’t offering to buy it. Rafe paid the cashier, then led her to a table in the back corner of the cafeteria.

She was less than thrilled to have another private moment with him. There were about ten other people sitting around the room, but they were far enough away that they wouldn’t be able to hear their conversation.

Suddenly, he sighed as he gazed from her to her untouched plate. She didn’t get his sudden fascination with her eating. What was the big deal? It didn’t impact him in the least.

“Please eat.” His softer tone startled her.

“Why do you care?” she asked, completely baffled.

“I normally could care less what you eat or how much sleep you’re getting. You’re a grown woman and should be perfectly capable of making basic health decisions, but when I see that you are literally starving yourself and about to pass out from exhaustion, I feel it’s time to step in. You may not have signed on with me, but believe it or not, Ari, I would be this hard on one of my sisters, as well. My father taught me from a young age that when a woman needs taken care of, men are always supposed to step up to the plate. I’m calling a truce for the next couple of hours while your mother finishes her surgery. When it’s all over and she’s back on her feet, I’ll throw down the gauntlet again,” he answered with a warm smile and a flirtatious wink.

Ari could see the truth in his eyes. Her stomach clenched as he let down his ever-present guard and she saw the man behind the mask. She automatically sat back – the power of her attraction to him was so intense in that moment. Talk about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He was the new age version of the old time classic.

Her defenses went up when she realized how easy it would be for her to fall for this kind and caring Rafe. She could somewhat fight against Rafe the bully, but Rafe the White Knight was too much to handle. She’d run straight into his arms.

“Take a bite, Ari,” Rafe commanded when she was motionless for too long.

“I’m getting to it,” she said as she picked up the turkey sandwich. She took a bite, chewing the soft bread a few extra times in hopes that she could get the lump of food down her throat.

“Good girl.” She was almost grateful for his mocking tone to be back. She could handle him like this.

“I am nobody’s
good girl
,” she snapped, feeling relief as the surge of irritation began filling her.

After several minutes, she was surprised to find the sandwich gone. In her annoyance with Rafe, she hadn’t even realized she’d been taking bites and swallowing.

“If angering you gets you to eat, then your wrath is worth it,” he said in response to her surprise.

“Then I shall grow nice and fat with you around because I’m always angry.”

“Mmm, I can picture you growing a bit more ripe. You have stunning curves, but a few pounds would make them even more luscious. I have already enjoyed the view of your supple breasts spilling from my hands.”

Ari gasped as she looked around, praying no one had overheard his vulgar comment.

Rafe leaned forward, inches from her face, “Are you embarrassed, Ari? Everyone has sex. It doesn’t have to be a shameful experience.”

“I thought you’d called a truce,” she reminded him. “Besides, sex with you is beyond shameful and leaves me feeling dirty,” she finished as she speared a piece of cantaloupe and bit down on it too hard, causing its juice to squirt out and land on Rafe’s face.

The sight of him with cantaloupe juice running down his cheeks gave her the giggles. She didn’t know if it was stress, depression, or what, but she started to laugh, and then couldn’t seem to stop.

Several people turned her way as Rafe’s expression darkened and he reached in his pocket to grab his monogrammed handkerchief, which only made the hilarity intensify. Her stomach cramped as the laughter kept flowing. She was afraid she was having a breakdown, because no matter how hard she tried to stop, she couldn’t. The giggles just kept on coming. Soon, tears began to crawl down her cheeks.

“It seems our truce was short lived. However, I’m so glad I entertain you,” Rafe growled as he rubbed the juice off his face, sending her into a whole new fit of laughter.

She wasn’t sure if she would’ve continued laughing until the hospital staff took mercy on her and knocked her out, but a splintering sound echoing through the halls quieted her up pretty fast.

Several loud explosions filled the air, followed by voices screaming. Rafe was on his feet in seconds, then pulling Ari along with him.

“What was that?”

“Someone has a gun!” a woman shouted as she ran into the room, then went flying forward as red began spreading across her shoulder.

Just as Rafe was lifting
Ari into his arms, a large man carrying a semi-automatic weapon stepped through the cafeteria doors. Ari’s frightened eyes met his, before he turned the gun in her direction. He pulled the trigger as Rafe swore and tried to shield her body, but it was too late.

Ari felt like she was punched in the chest, thinking maybe Rafe had dropped her. She looked down at herself and was fascinated as she saw red begin to spread out across her t-shirt.

“That’s too bad. This was my favorite shirt,” she gargled before the world went black.

Fury engulfed Rafe as Ari’s blood spread, soaking her soft cotton tee. Gently setting Ari down, he flew through the cafeteria. He felt a punch in his arm, but nothing was going to stop him from killing the man who’d dared to shoot Ari.

The guy pulled the trigger as Rafe rushed toward him, but he was either out of bullets or his weapon was jammed. Either way, he had about two seconds before Rafe took him down.

The man’s eyes widened as Rafe flew into the air and came barreling down. He tried pulling out another weapon from his belt, but he didn’t have time as Rafe’s body connected with his.

The man gasped as Rafe’s fist found his jaw and dislocated it with one punch. The next hit sent blood spurting from the guy’s nose as a satisfying crunch echoed through the room of screaming people.

Rafe swung again, intent on killing the man. The worthless scum wasn’t worthy of living any longer, not after what he’d done – shooting people down in cold blood.

“Mr. Palazzo, we have him. Mr. Palazzo, you can stop. Stop now or you’ll kill him!”

“I intend to,” Rafe shouted as his fist flew downward again.

He was lifted from the guy as a couple of men grabbed him and hauled him backward. He turned, intent on beating the men who dared to interfere, then he felt a pinch in his arm and everything became instantly fuzzy.

“No…” he called out before he faded.

When Rafe came to, it took a moment for him to remember what had happened. He heard monitors start sounding off as his heart picked up speed.

“Ari,” he called.