Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 84

It's been a week, and Rafe has barely let me out of bed. I'm fine now, my strength slowly returning, but every time I try to stand or move, he's there, gently guiding me back under the covers like I'm made of glass.

And I get it. I do. I almost died. I know what that did to him, how it tore him apart, but I'm not made of glass. I feel stronger every day, and I just need a little space to breathe.

"Rafe," I groan, exasperated as I try to sit up again. "I'm fine. Really. I don't need to stay in bed all day."

He's standing by the bedside table, pouring me another glass of water like I haven't already had three today. His brows furrow as he looks at me, his concern practically radiating off him.

"You need to rest," he says firmly, handing me the glass. "The doctors said to take it easy."

I take the glass, trying to stifle my sigh. "That was a week ago. I'm okay now. I'm not going to break, Rafe."

He sits down beside me, brushing a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle and careful, like he's afraid I might disappear if he's not watching closely enough. "I just want to make sure you're fully recovered," he murmurs, his eyes searching mine. "I can't... I can't risk anything happening to you again."

His voice is soft, almost pleading, and I can see the weight of everything he's been carrying—the fear, the guilt, the worry. It's been hanging over him like a shadow ever since that day, ever since Limbrey.

I soften, my frustration melting away as I look at him. I know he's doing this because he cares. Because he almost lost me, and that shook him more than he'll ever admit.

"I know," I say softly, reaching out to take his hand. "But you don't have to watch over me every second, Rafe. I'm okay now. You saved me. I'm not going anywhere."

His jaw clenches slightly, and he looks away for a moment, like he's still not convinced. I squeeze his hand, pulling him back to me.

"Come on," I coax, my voice light. "Why don't you sit here with me for a bit? You've been pacing around like a worried parent all week. Take a break."

He hesitates, glancing at me before finally giving in with a small sigh. "Fine," he mutters, climbing into the bed beside me. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close like he's afraid I might slip away if he doesn't.

I lean into him, resting my head on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my cheek. "See?" I say quietly. "Nothing's going to happen."

He doesn't say anything, just tightens his hold on me, his fingers brushing lightly through my hair. I know he's still scared, still trying to process everything that's happened. But for now, I'm here. We're okay.

Rafe's POV

I hold her close, feeling her soft breath against my chest, but my mind's racing. She's right here in my arms, safe.

Her words echo in my head—"You saved me." Yeah, I saved her from the poison. But if she knew what I'd done to make sure that she's still here... I wonder how long this peace between us would last. I can feel the weight of it pressing down on me—the secret of Limbrey's death, the way I stood there smiling as I ended her life.

And the worst part? I don't feel guilty. Not for a second. She deserved it. But the thought of Teresa finding out... that's what keeps me up at night. I've done a lot of bad things, crossed so many lines I don't even know where they start anymore. But this... this was different.

I glance down at her, her head resting against my chest, her body relaxed in my arms. She trusts me. She believes I'm the guy who saved her, who kept her safe. And I did... but not in a way she'd ever understand.