Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 26

Rafe's POV

The office was dark, the shadows of the night casting long, eerie shapes across the room. Ward stood behind his desk, his face hard and unforgiving, the dim light only accentuating the cold anger etched into his features. I could feel the tension radiating off him, the simmering rage that he was barely keeping in check.

He'd just finished a phone call—one that had clearly set him off—and I knew, even before he opened his mouth, that this wasn't going to end well.

"You've let this situation get out of control, Rafe," he said icily, his voice low and menacing.

My heart pounded in my chest, my fists clenching at my sides. I'd been summoned here like a goddamn dog, and I was already on edge. But I kept my mouth shut, waiting for the storm to hit.

"You've been reckless," he continued, his gaze boring into me. "And now it's coming back to bite us. That girl—Teresa—is becoming a problem."

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I forced myself to stay calm, to keep the fear from showing on my face. I'd known this was coming, had felt it building ever since things started getting serious between Teresa and me. But hearing him say it—hearing him call her a problem—made my blood run cold.

"She's not a problem," I said tightly, struggling to keep my voice steady. "I'm handling it."

Ward slammed his hand down on the desk, the sudden movement making me flinch. The sound echoed through the room, sharp and jarring, and I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my temple.

"You're too close to losing everything, Rafe," he said coldly, his voice dropping to a dangerously low tone. "You've lost perspective. If you can't control her, then I will."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, a surge of protectiveness and fear flooding through me. I took a step forward, my fists clenching so tightly my knuckles turned white.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.

Ward's lips curled into a cruel smile, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent.

"It means that if she becomes too much of a liability," he murmured softly, each word dripping with venom, "I'll take care of her. Permanently."

The room spun. I felt my vision blur, my heart pounding in my ears. And then, without thinking, I lunged forward, my fist connecting with Ward's jaw with a sickening thud.

"Don't you fucking touch her!" I roared, the rage exploding out of me like a tidal wave.

Ward stumbled back, momentarily stunned by the force of the punch. I could see the shock in his eyes, the way he blinked, his hand flying up to his face as if he couldn't believe what had just happened.

But then the shock faded, replaced by pure, unfiltered rage. He wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes blazing as he straightened, squaring his shoulders.

"You little bastard!" he spat, his voice shaking with fury. "You dare hit me for a girl you just met? After everything I've done for you?"

"I don't care what you think you've done for me!" I shouted back, my voice trembling with the intensity of my emotions. "If you lay a hand on Teresa, I swear to God, I'll kill you."

Ward's eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto mine, the air between us crackling with tension.

"You're weak, Rafe," he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Letting a girl like that get under your skin. She's going to ruin you, just like she's already ruined everything else."