Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 77

Rafe's POV

I make my way to the study at Tannyhill and knock on the doorframe as I step in, finding Ward sitting at his desk, flipping through some documents. He looks up, his sharp blue eyes narrowing slightly as I enter.

"Rafe," he says, his voice calm but always edged with that hint of expectation. "I assume everything went smoothly with Limbrey?"

I hesitate for a second, but then I nod. "Yeah. The deal's going through." I walk further into the room, running a hand through my hair, trying to figure out how to bring up the real reason I'm here. "She, uh... she mentioned something. Something about the Cross of Santo Domingo."

Ward's face doesn't change much, but I see it—the slightest flicker of recognition in his eyes. It's subtle, but it's there. He leans back in his chair, his hands clasping together as he studies me carefully.

"And what exactly did she say?" he asks, his tone measured, controlled.

"She said it's valuable. That it's something I should keep an eye on. She made it sound like it could be... useful to me." I pause, waiting for a reaction, but he doesn't give much away. "What is it, Dad? What's the deal with this Cross?"

Ward lets out a slow breath, his gaze flickering toward the window for a moment before returning to me. "The Cross of Santo Domingo is more than just some artifact, Rafe. It's priceless. A relic from centuries ago, and there are a lot of people who would do just about anything to get their hands on it."

I frown, stepping closer to the desk. "So, it's worth a lot of money?"

He shakes his head slightly. "It's worth more than money. It's tied to something bigger... something that's been hidden for generations. A legend. If what they say about it is true, it could change everything."

"Everything?" I repeat, my pulse quickening. "Like... how?"

Ward's expression hardens, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sends a chill down my spine. "There's a reason people like Carla Limbrey are after it. If the Cross is found, it's not just wealth we're talking about, Rafe. It's power. Real power. The kind that could make you untouchable."

My mind reels at the thought, a mix of excitement and unease swirling in my chest. I know what power means in our world—what it can do. But I also know the dangers that come with chasing something like this.

"What's the catch?" I ask, my voice low.

Ward leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "The catch is that everyone who's ever gone after it... well, they don't usually come out on the other side in one piece. The Cross has a way of destroying people, Rafe. It's not something you want to get tangled up in unless you're prepared for what it'll cost you."

I clench my fists at my sides, the weight of his words settling over me like a heavy cloak. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life—done things I can't take back—but this feels different. It feels bigger.

"Why didn't you tell me about this before?" I ask, my voice harder than I intended.

Ward's gaze sharpens, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Because you weren't ready," he says simply. "You were too distracted, too reckless. But now... now you've got a reason to take things seriously. You've got Teresa. You've got responsibilities. And if you play your cards right, the Cross could give you everything you've ever wanted."

I swallow hard, my mind racing. The idea of power, of security for me and Teresa, it's tempting—more than tempting. But there's something about it that feels dangerous, like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff, about to jump off without knowing if there's anything to catch me on the other side.