XI

RAINA

The murmurings of Rex speaking to someone on his doorstep have my nerves firing on all cylinders. I can hear bits and pieces of the discussion until the sound of heavy footsteps comes close to the car. My heart races, wondering if the stranger is about to find me.

It’s only after Rex opens the passenger door that I can get out of the car. His hand wraps around mine, easing the anxiety racing through my body. He helps steady me as I stand up with his gaze scouring up and down the street. The stranger standing on his doorstep is nowhere in sight. I stare at Rex, hoping he doesn’t see the fear and worry in my eyes.

“You’re safe with me, Raina,” he says. Apparently, I’m easier to read than I realize. It doesn’t make sense to keep on a brave face as the severity of what Owen’s gotten us into weighs on me. Rex grips me by the chin, forcing me to look into his eyes as he tells me, “What did I say?”

A ripple of lust courses through me as his gaze burrows into the depths of my eyes so I