Always you

Chapter 34

Sasha sat in the living room with Wheezie, attempting to focus on their conversation, but her mind wandered back to Alaia's sudden appearance earlier. The nagging worry didn't leave her, and when she heard the sharp sound of the front door slamming open, her heart skipped a beat.

Rafe's voice echoed through the house, sharp and angry.

"Where the hell is she?" he barked, the sound of his heavy footsteps following his words.

Sasha tensed immediately. Wheezie sat up straighter, wide-eyed and curious. Sasha quickly turned to her. "Wheezie, go to your room, okay? I'll come get you when everything's fine."

"But—"

"Now, Wheezie."

With a pout, Wheezie reluctantly got up and shuffled out of the room. As soon as she disappeared, Sasha stood, smoothing down her shirt as she tried to steady her breathing.

When she approached the foyer, she was met with the sight of Rafe standing in the middle of the room, his chest rising and falling as though he'd been running. His expression was livid, a storm of emotions brewing in his eyes. Across from him stood Alaia, her posture composed, her head held high as if Rafe's fury didn't affect her in the slightest.

"You shouldn't have come here, Alaia," Rafe spat, his voice low but menacing. "I told you before—I want nothing to do with you."

"I wouldn't be here if I had any other choice," Alaia replied calmly, almost mockingly. "But you're the only one who knows how to deal with these people, Rafe. You know that as well as I do."

"I don't care!" Rafe's voice rose, raw and angry. He took a step closer to her, his body tense, his hands curled into fists. "I've moved on, Alaia. I'm not in that world anymore, and I sure as hell don't want you dragging me back into it."

"I wouldn't have come to you if it wasn't serious," Alaia said, unfazed by his anger. "This isn't about us, Rafe. This is about survival, and I don't have time for your tantrums."

Rafe let out a bitter laugh, his eyes narrowing. "Survival? That's rich, coming from you. You've been nothing but trouble since the day I met you."

From her spot in the doorway, Sasha froze, unsure of what to do. She could feel Sarah standing a few feet behind her, just as silent, both of them caught between wanting to intervene and not wanting to make things worse.

Alaia tilted her head, her smirk fading. "You think you're better now? That you're above all of this? Newsflash, Rafe, you're not. And no matter how hard you try to pretend, you can't run from your past."

Rafe's face darkened, his jaw tightening. "Get out of my house, Alaia. Now."

"I'm not leaving until you agree to help me," she shot back, her voice sharp.

"You're not getting my help. Not now, not ever."

Alaia sighed dramatically, her patience visibly thinning. "Fine. But when everything falls apart, don't come crying to me."

With that, she turned on her heel and began walking toward the door, brushing past Sasha and Sarah as if they didn't exist.

When the door closed behind her, silence fell over the house.

Rafe stood in place for a moment, his hands running through his hair as he let out a shaky breath. He looked up and saw Sasha standing there, concern etched on her face.

"Rafe..." Sasha began softly, stepping closer.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, shaking his head. "I didn't want you to see any of that."