In a Broken Dream (The Broken Series Book 4)

by Ruff, K. S.

  I dug my heels in. “Rafael, we have to go the other direction. We’ve been on the trail for over an hour. I’m sure Kimme and Dan have already moved the jeep to the end of the trail.”

  His eyes widened. “But that’s the same direction the mountain lion ran.”

  I blew out a breath, trying to ease the adrenaline that was still pounding through my veins. “That mountain lion is long gone, and you saw how she reacted to the sound of that Velcro. She’s not going to mess with us.”

  Rafael’s shoulders slumped. “You could have warned me about the lions,” he grumbled. He kept a firm hold on my hand as he began walking in the right direction.

  “You’re just mad that she interrupted our make-out session,” I surmised with a giggle.

  Rafael smiled, and a tiny bit of tension eased from his face. “Damn right I am. That’s the furthest we’ve gotten in months!”

  I laughed at the pained expression on his face.

  Rafael set a fast pace, which made it impossible to manage any sort of in depth conversation. He looked visibly relieved when he caught sight of the jeep. We drove to Kimme’s house so we could shower and change clothes. We’d been planning to eat with Kimme and Dan, but they were delayed at the fort, so I took Rafael out to dinner instead.

  * * * * *

  I reached for Rafael’s hand. We crossed the parking lot and jogged down the old wooden stairs. My legs were fatigued, but I was still feeling invigorated from the hike. “I used to come here for happy hour at least once a week with some of my friends from work. The Windbag makes the biggest, thickest, juiciest, mushroom cheeseburgers in the world.” I swiped at my chin, half expecting to find grease there. I turned left when we entered the cobblestone walking mall. “This area is known as Last Chance Gulch.”

  Rafael’s feet slowed when he caught sight of the old, historic buildings. “Why did they name it Last Chance Gulch?”

  I followed his gaze. He was eying two gargoyles perched atop one of the stone buildings. “Some gold miners decided this gulch was their last chance to strike it rich.” I chuckled softly. “They weren’t wrong. Within a few years of their discovery, Helena had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world.” I stopped in front of the Windbag. “This is where they spent their money.”

  Rafael looked at the unpretentious storefront. “Has this restaurant been around that long?”

  I laughed. “No. Back in the day, this restaurant was a brothel... a very famous brothel.”

  Rafael froze, his hand mere inches from the door. “You’re taking me to a bordello?”

  I pulled the door open. “Emphasis on ‘was.’” I tugged Rafael inside, laughing.

  Chris wiped his hands on a bar rag. He danced around the other bartender as he ducked out from behind the bar. “Kri? I was beginning to think we’d never see you again!” He pulled me in for a giant bear hug.

  My feet gradually found the floor. “Hey, Chris. It’s good to see you again. Still bartending, I see.”

  He smiled and puffed his chest out proudly. “Part-owner now.”

  My eyes widened. “Wow. Those tips must have really paid off.” I patted him on the back before turning toward Rafael. “This is my boyfriend, Rafael.”

  Rafael reached for Chris’s hand. “Hi, Chris. Nice place you have here.”

  I smiled. I loved the feel of this place. The dark green carpet, dim lighting, weathered wood, and partially exposed brick walls felt intimate and warm. I still recognized most of the staff, although one of the waitresses looked new.

  Chris shook Rafael’s hand. “Thanks. I was wondering why Kri was still living in Virginia. Now I know.”

  Rafael and I followed Chris over to the bar. He popped the cork out of a bottle of wine and poured a glass. “How did you two meet?” he asked, handing me the Chianti.

  I smiled at Rafael as he helped me onto a stool. “Rafael used to be my bodyguard.”

  Chris laughed. “He looks like he’d make a great bodyguard!” He glanced at Rafael. “What can I get you to drink?”

  Rafael smiled. “I’d like to try the wine you just poured for Kristine.”

  Chris nodded. He poured another glass of Chianti and set it in front of Rafael. His expression turned serious when his eyes met mine. “I’m glad to hear you have someone watching over you, Kri. I still can’t believe the crap Justin pulled. I heard he finally pled guilty, and they’ve got him locked up in some penitentiary in Washington.”

  I glanced over at the table where I used to sit with Justin and the rest of my friends from work. I hadn’t thought much about the abduction or the attempted rape over the past few months. Sadly, those nightmares had been replaced by far more sinister ones. I shivered violently.

  Rafael wrapped his arm around me. “You okay?”

  I nodded, comforted by the weight of his arm. I took a deep breath before responding to Chris. “Dan told me Justin was sentenced to eight years in prison. If he earns a reduction with good behavior and gets credit for time served, he’ll only serve three or four years.”

  Chris shook his head. “If only I’d known what had been going on inside that thick skull of his.”

  I smiled. Still, I couldn’t shake the dark cloud that had crept over me.

  “Are you guys here for happy hour or are you staying for dinner?” Chris asked. He filled a glass with beer from the tap and handed it to another patron.

  “Kristine has informed me that you serve the best mushroom cheeseburgers on the planet. I’m not leaving here without one,” Rafael replied.

  Chris held two fingers in the air as he flagged the waitress. “Table for two,” he shouted over the din of the crowded bar.

  She reached for a couple of menus and waved us over. She was standing at the top of the short flight of stairs that led into the restaurant.

  I jumped off the stool. “Thanks, Chris. Can you roll the bar tab onto our bill for the restaurant?”

  “Nope,” he replied smugly. “Those drinks are on me. Will you be ordering your usual desert?”

  “Oh, God! How could I forget mud pie drizzled with Bailey’s Irish Cream?” I exclaimed excitedly. “I’ll be ordering dessert first.”

  Chris grinned. “I’ll send it over shortly.” He doled out another beer. “Stop by and see me before you leave.”

  “Will do,” I promised. I reached for Rafael’s hand as we joined the waitress. She led us down the stairs and steered us toward a small table tucked along the far wall. I was thrilled we scored one of the few tables that had a view of the bar. On a Friday night, in a town as small as Helena, there was a good chance I’d see one of my friends.

  Rafael set his wine glass on the table before pulling out my chair. “I’m going to duck inside the restroom. You already know what I want.”

  I giggled softly when he nuzzled my neck. Goose bumps scurried down my arms. “Mushroom cheeseburger?”

  “You got it.” He kissed me on the cheek before sauntering toward the restrooms, which were tucked near the back of the bar.

  I glanced at the waitress, who was still holding the menus. “Two glasses of water and two mushroom cheeseburgers. I’d like some ranch dressing on the side for the fries. We’re going to share the mud pie with Bailey’s, and we’d like to eat dessert first.”

  She laughed. “Can’t say that I blame you. If you ate the cheeseburger first, there’s no way you’d have room for desert.”

  I smiled. Finally, a waitress who understood. “Do you mind if I look over the menu? It’s been a while since I’ve been here, and I’m curious to see if anything’s changed.”

  “Sure,” she replied, handing me a menu. “I’ll be right back with the water.”

  I took a sip of wine while studying the menu. The burgers and salads were all the same, but there were a few new items on the dinner menu. I couldn’t risk ordering off the dinner menu. Choosing between the Cobb salad and the mushroom cheeseburger was difficult enough.

  “Well, well, well. I wondered when you’d come crawling
back here. What’s the matter? Couldn’t find any more senators to sleep with?” an all too familiar voice taunted venomously.

  I bolted upright. Every hair on my body rose as Tom stepped toward me. “Get away from me,” I hissed. “Leave me alone.” My lungs collapsed, my heart was beating so hard.

  Tom boxed me in against the wall.

  I tried to peer around him, to get Chris’s attention, but Tom grabbed me by the face and slammed my head against the wall. “Was it worth it, screwing all those men?”

  “Hey, buddy. That’s enough,” a man behind me growled. I could feel his hulking frame rise from the chair.

  I stared at Tom in horror, unable to see anything else. “Are you drunk?” I gasped in disbelief. The pungent smell was unmistakable.

  Tom went reeling into the table across from us. Rafael smashed his head against the table, before lifting him back up and slamming him into the wall on the other side of our table. “Do you have a death wish?” he asked in a low, guttural tone.

  The silence was deafening. Every conversation in the room ground to a complete stop.

  I tried to stand, but my legs were shaking too hard. I gripped the edge of the table, trying to steady myself. “Rafael, please don’t.”

  Rafael pinned me with his gaze. His muscles were tightly coiled, his eyes eerily calm. “Tom, I presume?”

  I slowly nodded.

  Rafael’s eyes glinted as he looked at Tom. “I was hoping I’d run into you.” Tom’s feet rose from the floor as Rafael effortlessly kneed him in the gut. Rafael pinned him back against the wall. “Like beating women, do you?”

  Chris knelt in front of me. “Are you okay?” he asked, softly touching my face.

  I tried not to cry. “Yes, I’m okay. I... I just...” I gaped at the food that had scattered across the floor when Tom landed on the table. “Oh, God, I’m so sorry!” My hands trembled violently as I sank to the floor, intending to clean it up.

  Chris grabbed me. “Kri, what are you doing? Don’t. Trish will clean that up.” He looked over at the couple whose meal had been obliterated. “Order whatever you want. It’s on the house.”

  “No, I’ll pay for it,” I insisted as he tucked me back onto the chair. “I’m so sorry,” I repeated as I met their stunned gazes.

  Chris rose to his feet. “Rafael...”

  Rafael glanced at Chris. He still had Tom pressed against the wall. His forearm was shoved against Tom’s neck. Tom looked livid. His face was a brilliant shade of red. Every time he tried to speak, Rafael jammed his arm further into his neck.

  I tried to stand again. “Chris...”

  He held up a hand. “I know. Dan told me. This ass wipe beat you for nine years.”

  I heard more than just a few gasps echo through the otherwise silent restaurant.

  Chris cracked his knuckles as he approached Rafael. “I’ve been dying to do this for years. Mind if I help you take out the trash?”

  Rafael tried not to smile. His face hardened when he locked eyes with Tom. “You lay another finger on her and you’re dead. Do you understand?”

  Tom’s eyes flitted toward me. He looked even more pissed, but he nodded when his eyes met Rafael’s.

  Rafael’s forearm dug deeper, forcing Tom to lift his chin. “I’ve killed far stronger and far smarter men for less egregious crimes. If you so much as look at her... speak one word to her... or even speak about her... I’ll make sure the coroner finds you with at least one broken bone for every bruise that’s ever marred her body.” He growled menacingly. “I cannot believe I’m letting you walk out of here alive, knowing you beat the woman I love for nine miserable years.” Rafael studied Tom long and hard. He appeared to be reconsidering his decision not to kill him. He eventually pat him down and shoved him toward Chris. “He’s all yours.” He paused briefly, then snatched him back. He slammed his fist into Tom’s face before handing him back to Chris. “Now he’s yours.”

  I slowly released the breath I had been holding. I shivered violently as Chris grabbed Tom by the nape of the neck and forced him toward the door. I held it together until Rafael pulled me into his arms. Suddenly, my tears began to fall.

  Chris joined us a few minutes later. He looked completely exhilarated. “You guys okay?”

  Rafael nodded. “Thanks for being so understanding. I’m sorry about the mess. I’d like to pay for their meal,” he nodded toward the couple across from us, “and I’d like to buy the next round of drinks… for everyone.”

  I stared dumbfounded at Rafael.

  He grinned sheepishly. “I’ve always wanted to walk into a western bar and say that.”

  Chris laughed. “You heard the man! He’s buying the next round,” he announced.

  Cheers erupted all around us.

  Chris just shook his head. “They should be buying your drinks, Rafael. That was the cleanest, classiest bar fight I’ve ever seen.”

  * * * * *

  We hit the road at five o’clock the next morning. I was hoping to arrive in Hamilton in time to join my parents for breakfast, even though they weren’t expecting us until noon. We pulled into their driveway shortly after eight o-clock.

  Rafael quirked an eyebrow when he saw the door was unlocked.

  “It’s a Montana thing,” I explained. “My dad leaves the front door unlocked, once he’s retrieved the newspaper.” I eased the storm door open quietly, in an effort to surprise them.

  We were bum rushed by four rambunctious Shi Tzus. They scattered when our Siamese cat, Clea, sauntered up. “Don’t try to pet her,” I warned Rafael. “I’m pretty sure she’s possessed.” Clea was short for Cleopatra. Her favorite pastime was sitting at the end of the driveway and hissing at people as they walked by. She’d mysteriously appeared on my parents’ doorstep one day and had been ruling their house ever since.

  “She’s not possessed,” my mom protested, hurrying from the kitchen. “She just thinks she’s a dog.”

  I laughed. “Clea may suffer from delusions of grandeur, but she’s still possessed.” I dropped my suitcase and gave my mom a hug. The she-devil was now weaving in between Rafael’s legs, trying to coax him into petting her. I just shook my head. I knew she’d sink her claws into his hand the second he did. A diversion was clearly in order. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Rafael.”

  Rafael reached for my mom’s hand. She shook her head and pulled him in for a hug instead. She looked teary eyed when she finally released him. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Rafael. Thank you for keeping Krissy safe… and for everything you did to get those ridiculous charges dropped against her in Ukraine.”

  Rafael nodded politely. He knew I hadn’t told my parents the whole story. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Stone.”

  My father burst into the room like a tsunami. “Why were the dogs barking?” he demanded gruffly. He stopped abruptly. “Oh. I didn’t realize you two would be arriving so early!”

  I flung my arms around his neck. “Daddy! I’m so happy to see you. You look great.”

  He lifted me off my feet and squeezed me tight. “And you, my dear, are a sight for sore eyes,” he replied brusquely, as if trying not to cry.

  I motioned for Rafael to join us as soon as my feet found the floor. “I want you to meet my boyfriend, Rafael.”

  My father clasped Rafael’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Rafael.”

  “I just started a fresh pot of coffee,” my mom announced. “Have you eaten breakfast?”

  “I’m starving,” I confessed, twining my fingers with Rafael’s.

  “I’d love some coffee,” Rafael replied. We followed my parents into the kitchen.

  Mom poured four cups of coffee and set them on the white and blue tiled countertop my father had crafted. The man could build and fix just about anything. I reached for one of the cups and settled into a chair at the breakfast bar.

  My dad pulled two packages of bacon out of the refrigerator. “Do you eat bacon?” he asked Rafael.

  Rafael didn’t answer. His eyes had s
nagged on the mountain lion my dad had mounted on a tree branch that extended out from the far wall in the family room. The mountain lion looked like it was ready to pounce.

  I chuckled softly. “Rafael loves bacon,” I answered. “He’s not terribly fond of mountain lions, though. We ran into one yesterday when we were hiking through Grizzly Gulch.”

  My father glanced up from the square skillet that he used to cook bacon. “Really? Did she cause you any trouble?”

  Rafael slid into the seat next to me. “No. I think she was more interested in the deer she’d been stalking. Did you shoot that?” He nodded toward the mountain lion.

  I swiveled in my chair so I could study the family room. I was trying to see the room through Rafael’s eyes. There was a dead animal mounted on every available wall… a full curl ram, the mountain lion, and a seven point bull elk. I wondered where the bearskin rug had disappeared to.

  “I shot her with my bow and arrow,” my father boasted proudly.

  Rafael reached for his coffee. “I’ve always wanted to learn how to shoot a bow.”

  My father smiled, obviously thrilled. “We can shoot the bow after breakfast.”

  My mom was done mixing the pancake batter, so I washed my hands in the sink, cracked a few eggs into a bowl, and joined my father at the stove. “It’s always been my job to make the scrambled eggs,” I told Rafael.

  “If you guide me toward the plates, I’ll set the table,” he offered.

  My dad kept one eye on the eggs while I showed Rafael where the plates and juice glasses were stored. Rafael planted a kiss on my forehead before gathering the plates.

  “Let’s eat on the back deck,” mom interjected. She flipped a couple of pancakes before warming the syrup.

  We hauled the bacon, eggs, and pancakes outside and settled in at the patio table, where we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. My mom questioned Rafael about his favorite foods while my dad inquired about his work. Afterwards, Mom and I washed the dishes so Dad could teach Rafael how to shoot the bow. My parents’ house sat on a half-acre of land, so there was plenty of room for target practice.