Taming Rafe Animals MC book 7

chapter eighteen

After Tess had been gone for some time Raphael again hiked to the top of the mountain.

Through the years after Chloe died, he hadn't had many friends or anyone he really cared about except for one woman, Jenny. They had formed a friendship that he once thought would be more but didn't.

He wanted to call her and say goodbye properly.

He dialed her number and waited for her to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jen. How's it going?"

"Raph! It's been weeks since you've called or texted!" She scolded.

"I'm sorry, I've been working."

"I know I saw the missing girl on the news, I know your work."

"Yeah, that's why I'm calling. I have some people after me and I just wanted to say...if anything happens I really enjoyed your friendship."

"Is it that bad?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Where's the girl?" She asked.

"She's gone."

"You killed her?!" Her voice was horrified at the thought.

"No, I didn't kill her...I.I let her go."

"Really?"

"Yes, I had to. I...I love her."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line and at first, he wondered if the call had been dropped. Finally, she spoke.

"You're in love with her?"

It was his turn to be speechless, as he realized he was very much in love with Tess and hadn't gotten the chance to tell her.

"Yeah, I am."

"That's fantastic."

It was fantastic being in love was fantastic, but there was still the truth looming out ahead that he was going to die.

"So, how are things with you?" He asked sitting down on a nearby log.

"Raph, you're in love and you're going to be in the fight of your life do you really want to listen to me ramble on?" She teased.

"That's all I want right now." He said honestly.

"Okay, well Becky and Zeke's baby is almost due and they decided not to find out what the gender is until it's born. I think it's driving Zeke crazy not knowing."

"I bet it is, how is Sky?"

"He's great, we're great. I was a little nervous about going from being step-siblings to lovers but...it's so great."

"I'm glad."

"Wolf and Morgan are doing great, we're all taking bets on when there's going to be a ring. Demon and Lacy moved in together officially. Nobody has heard much from Laurel and Ivan since they moved to Paris with Eve but...last we heard she's pregnant."

"That sounds wonderful."

He had briefly been a part of the Animals MC family and they were the closest things he had to real friends. He was glad to hear they were all doing so well.

"So, tell me about this girl."

"Her name is Tess...she saw me murder her boss. I was prepared for everything...except her."

"She sounds great, Raph."

"She is, I wish we had more time together."

"There's nothing you can do?" She asked, sounding worried.

"No, not this time."

"I'll ask Sky and the guys to come down," She offered.

"No, they can't risk it. It's too dangerous."

"Raphael..."

"I think time's up Jenny, Thank you for talking to me."

"You're welcome, I'll miss you, my friend."

"I'll miss you too. Goodbye Jenny."

"Goodbye."

He hung up the phone and sat on the log watching the sunset behind the mountains, in all the years he had lived there he had never taken the time to enjoy the scenery until now.

When it grew dark he slowly made his way back to the cabin and as he approached the door he heard the cars coming up the driveway.