Risk It All - Raph X OC

Lost Trust

Author's note: I am really trying to keep updating this story. What's going to happen to Brooke?

Brooke swallowed hard as Raph ran over to Danny's security system in the back of the lab. Dozens of computers were set up to stream visual input from the numerous hidden cameras Donny set up in the sewer and outside to protect their home. Usually rats or wandering homeless people trip the alarm, but not today. How did Sergei find them?

Raph narrowed his eyes in fury as he caught a visual of the hired muscle lurking outside where their cars were parked. No one could get in without the authentication code Donny had trouble-shooted in all the Tphones, but seeing danger sneak around his home, wanting to gain entrance to harm his woman pissed him off. His woman? Slow down bub, she already pushed him away because he got too handsy.

"Don't worry guys, the security system I created outside the lair prevents anyone from getting in. No explosives or physically pulling the bins apart will work. He looks like he roamed this way - not exactly knowing where to look," Donny said, trying to reassure Brooke. Raph wasn't convinced. He balled his hands into fists. He needed to punch something. Hard.

Brooke's arm circled herself again, holding in the emotions fighting to escape. Raph's deep Brooklyn accent barely registered past the roaring in her head. Sergei is here. Run.

She jumped when Raph's hands gripped her shoulders. "I know ya worried, but I need ya to listen to me."

"Let's not waste time talking, okay? We need to get the hell out of here."

"We are gonna figure out a plan, Blondie," he said, stroking his hands down her arms. "But this is our home. I ain't lettin' nobody chase me away."

The gesture was one of reassurance, but even in the urgency of the moment, she felt a frisson of something else. Sexual awareness. Wildly inappropriate under the circumstances, yet undeniably present. Even with Raph's brother nearby, she wasn't aware of anyone else but Raph in the room.

"What's the plan?" She croaked.

"Take Donny's van through the other entrance and park a block away behind the dumpsters over there."

"What about you?"

He smiled grimly. "I'm gonna fix the sonovabitch's car so he can't follow us."

The idea of a stranded Sergei appealed to her, but not the possibility that he might catch Raph sabotaging his vehicle.

She shook her head. "I don't like the plan. It's too dangerous."

"So is a high-speed chase if he comes after us."

"True, but -"

"Wait ten minutes," he continued, as if she hadn't spoken. "If I don't show, leave."

Abandoning him felt wrong. "No."

"If I'm late, there's been trouble. Trouble I can deal with better if I know ya far away from it. I can handle myself, Blondie. Trust me."

The fact that he viewed her as a liability hurt because it was justified. She had panicked yesterday when faced with danger. Why would he think he could trust her to help him, if needed?

"Ten minutes," he insisted roughly. "Then ya head to safety, no matter what. Please, do this for me."

Despite her misgivings, it was senseless to argue wit him. "Okay."

He released her. "Grab my bag, will ya."

Donny and Raph discussed his plan while she rushed to go do that. A moment later, he had Donny's laptop case hanging over his shoulder by the strap and his Sais in his hand, twirling.