After the Rain

by Karen-Anne Stewart

  Dexter finishes the service by presenting Melissa with the Memorial Star, and it’s Kas who struggles to maintain composure as her hand trembles when the medal is placed on her outstretched palm. When the final salute is given, images of Scott’s kindness, his smiling face, and the love and pride of his unborn child beaming in his eyes, attack Raina. She drops her head as tears stream down her face. Kas slips his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closely to him as he roughly swipes away a tear rolling down his cheek.

  They walk with Chase and Sara, speaking briefly with Melissa, promising to be there for her and the baby, before Kas takes Raina’s hand, his thumb caressing her fingers as they walk to the jeep. Jake and Maya are standing a few vehicles over, and Raina waves to Maya as she leaves for work. Kas studies Jake, his usually tan face still alarmingly pale. He is looking down at his shoes, his obvious internal struggle too much at the moment to meet Kas’ gaze.

  “Rain and I are heading to the agency. We thought about stopping for a bite first if you want to join us?”

  Jake nods, still not meeting his leader’s gaze, “Sure. I’ll follow you.”

  After a quick meal, the three pull into the agency’s parking deck. The air is drastically colder as it whips around the boulders and through the half-wall openings. Raina wishes she stayed in the car while Kas talks with Jake a few cars down. Heavy footsteps echo with a purpose, shaking her from her thoughts. Raina shifts her gaze to Lawson, who appears devastatingly lost. When his eyes meet hers, a flame sparks.

  Lawson charges towards Raina, fury apparent in his entire body, “Have you found anything else new on Prizrak yet?”

  Raina’s lips tighten as she shakes her head.

  “One of my men just died because of this Ghost you have been trying to crack. I want him, now! I’m tired of playing his damn games, I will not lose another agent because you can’t get your shit together.”

  Raina holds her tears and her tongue, not wanting to make the already explosive situation any worse. Lawson is grieving and furious, and he has every right to be; she knows his tirade stems from that, and she lets him vent his anger on her without any retaliation.

  Kas isn’t so generous. He storms towards Lawson, his own fury blazing. “I know you’re pissed off right now because of Scott, we all are, but if you need to take it out on someone, then you take it out on me, not Raina!” he warns.

  “Or what, Pierce?” he challenges, his hands balling into tight fists.

  “Whatever you want, or need, to take it as right now,” Kas replies, ready to have it out with Lawson if that’s what he needs to relieve the pain.

  Jake grabs Raina’s arm, pulling her out of the way, seeing exactly how ugly this is getting ready to get.

  Lawson swings, and Kas lets the blow make contact. He throws one of his own, heavily pulling the punch, knowing this is the best remedy for Lawson’s state of mind right now but not wanting to cause physical damage. The next blow hurts like hell as Lawson busts his lip and, possibly, his jaw. Kas grits his teeth and returns the favor, knocking Lawson a couple of feet backwards.

  Raina screams for the men to stop, but she is mute to them.

  Lawson’s glare is murderous, and Kas doesn’t move as the next punch sends a good buzz through his ears. His fist lands hard against Lawson’s chin, and he watches as the pain hasn’t relieved enough fury yet, so he throws another blow; his fist smashing into Lawson’s cheek this time. Lawson grunts, then lunges, and Kas drops his hands, tasting the blood that spills through his mouth from the strike.

  “He’s not even trying to block him,” Raina cries out.

  “That’s the plan,” Jake explains, watching the myriad of emotions dueling in her fixated eyes.

  “That’s not a good plan, Jake!”

  Jake pulls her even further back as Lawson lunges again.

  Kas allows Lawson to get in one more blow. He ignores the slicing pain as he shakes off the punch, hoping the grieving agent has worked through enough of his anger. The blood running down his nose from another quick strike is a good indication that he hasn’t. Deciding he’s had enough, Kas steps to the side and grabs Lawson’s elbow and neck, pushing him to the ground. “We’re done,” he warns.

  Lawson doesn’t share the same opinion. He’s barely down before he is back on his feet, his fist coming hard and fast. Ducking and pivoting, Kas throws a jab against Lawson’s chin, the pulled blow only slightly dimming the fire in his eyes. Kas’ knuckles crash against the same spot, and Lawson stumbles backwards with the harsher punch. “Enough!” Kas commands him.

  Kas watches as Lawson wipes the blood away and slowly rolls his shoulders. Damn.

  Lawson tackles Kas, sending them crashing against the pavement. Kas immediately regains control, not holding anything back any longer. He jerks Lawson to his feet, then sends him back to the ground with one fierce blow.

  “Are we done now?” Kas asks, void of anger.

  Lawson spits blood to the side and nods his head. He unsteadily starts to push to his feet, and Kas offers his hand. Lawson readily takes it, tapping Kas on the back of his shoulder once he’s up. No words are spoken, just a mutual shared expression, before Lawson nods once more and heads towards his vehicle.

  Raina looks at the three men in total bewilderment, “Do you even realize how crazy and unbelievably irrational that was?” She glances over Kas’ busted lip, bleeding nose, and his bruising jaw and eye, “I will never understand men!”

  Kas lets her go when Raina storms back towards the jeep, away from the elevator to the agency. Happy that the fight seems to have assisted in two issues, he grabs his keys off the ground and smirks at Jake’s expression, “You mad at me, too?”

  An overdue laugh bursts free as Jake quips, “Nah . . . I understand men.”

  “Judge!” Raina exclaims, throwing her arms around his neck when she answers the door.

  “Hey, honey,” Judge hugs her back tightly. Pulling away, he looks at Raina lovingly, and his hazel eyes narrow at the sight of the dark circles under her eyes. His gaze shifts to Kas, who appears both exhausted and worried.

  “I didn’t know you were coming. I would’ve had dinner made.”

  Judge isn’t about to tell her that her husband called him last night after the funeral, asking him to stay with her while he works on the case. Kas didn’t have to tell him that he’s worried about Raina, he couldn’t disguise the concern in his voice. Judge knows the bombing rattled him, especially with him not knowing if it was meant for Raina, which obviously terrifies Kas. Pulling Raina back in for another hug, Judge tries to shake his own fear at that thought.

  “I came here to see you, honey. I’m taking you out to dinner,” he offers, then changes his mind at how she looks like she’s about to fall over, “on second thought, it would be fun to order in tonight.”

  “I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Kas tells them, kissing the top of Raina’s head as he gives a grateful nod to Judge.

  “You’re leaving?”

  “I have a meeting back at the agency,” Kas tells her, noting her disquietude. “Don’t wait up, darlin’. Love you,” he quickly kisses her again before telling Judge bye and jumping into his jeep.

  “I’m sorry you drove all this way to have to baby-sit me,” Raina states, trying very hard to tame her rising indignation at her husband’s actions.

  Judge loops Raina’s arm through his, smiling kindly at her as she watches Kas leave, already putting the pieces together. “He’s just worried about you, honey, and I’m thrilled to see you.”

  Letting it go, Raina returns his smile, stating truthfully, “I’m happy to see you, too, Judge.”

  While Judge is on the phone ordering dinner, Raina leans against the counter, her mind a million miles away.

  “I’d say a penny for your thoughts, but I’m pretty sure that’s grossly underselling them.”

  Judge’s voice pulls Raina back to the present, “Sorry, I seem to be out of touch lately.”

  “Want to talk about it?”<
br />
  “No. I want to hear how you’re doing,” she replies, forcing a smile.

  “Nothing new for me, but I heard you created another breakthrough with your new algorithm. I’m proud of you, as always.”

  “I wish I had finished it earlier,” Raina’s states, her voice trailing off as her mind is bombarded with images of her injured friends, of Scott’s lifeless body.

  Quickly changing the subject, Judge engages her in mindless chitchat until the food arrives.

  “Sit down and eat,” he encourages, placing his hand on her shoulder.

  Raina barely touches her food and remembers nothing from the movie she watches with Judge before she can’t keep her eyes open any longer, despite trying to stay awake until Kas arrives.

  Judge brushes a lock of hair behind Raina’s ear and presses his hand against her cheek as she sleeps with her head on his shoulder. Carefully laying her down on the sofa, he covers her with a blanket and turns off the television before retiring to the guestroom.

  A soft light shines across the living room when Judge makes his way into the kitchen for some water a couple of hours later. Glancing at the clock, he stares towards Raina’s back disapprovingly, “It’s after 2:00 a.m., shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

  Raina jumps, turning away from her laptop, “You startled me.”

  Turning on the lights, Judge nods at the computer, “Shut that down and get some sleep.”

  “I will in a few, I’m waiting on Kas to get home,” she states, stifling a yawn. “Do you need something?”

  “I was just going to get some water and head back to bed, which is where you should be.”

  “I’m fine.” Walking towards the kitchen, she takes a glass out, filling it with water before handing it to Judge.

  Sighing, he places the water down untouched, “I clearly remember Kas asking you not to wait up, honey.”

  “I can’t sleep,” she mumbles.

  “Talk to me, Raina.”

  “I’m fine, Judge, I’m just not tired.”

  “Since when did you start lying to me?”

  Turning away from Judge, she grabs a glass of water for herself, sipping slowly.

  “Tell me what’s bothering you.”

  Turning back around, her eyes are dark with guilt, “I had the recovered equipment the entire time. Maybe Scott would still be alive if it weren’t for me. I should’ve been able to decode it earlier, but I wasn’t smart enough to crack it.”

  “Raina, sit down, now!” Judge yells.

  Jerking her head towards him, her eyes widen from his harsh tone.

  “Did you hear what I said?” he asks, stepping towards her, anger evident in his usually benevolent hazel eyes.

  “Yes,” she whispers, slowly sitting down in the chair he jerks out for her.

  “I better not ever hear you talking that way again, do you understand me?”

  Fidgeting with her fingers, she nods softly.

  “Look at me, Raina,” he asks, easing his tone slightly; he’s never raised his voice to her before, much less yell at her. The uncertainty in her eyes from his unexpected reaction knocks all the remaining anger out of him. He’s immensely relieved to see that there’s no fear in them, it would kill him if he scared her or makes her worry that more than just a raised voice will be directed at her. Placing his warm hand over hers, Judge gives it a small squeeze, “I don’t want to hear you undermining yourself. I know Kas well enough to know that he wouldn’t take too well to that, and you’re mistaken if you think that I will, young lady.”

  “Please, don’t be angry with me,” Raina whispers, the uncertainty burning brighter, “I don’t think I can take that right now.”

  Placing his hand gently against her cheek, he lowers her head to his shoulder, “And I can’t take you blaming yourself for things that are out of your control.”

  Keeping her head on Judge’s shoulder, Raina relishes the warmth of his fatherly love, wishing he were her father instead of the man who despises her.

  The next few moments are silent as Judge wraps his arm tightly around Raina’s shoulder while she leans against him.

  “We both know that you know why I’m here. Kas is going to be able to do his job better if he knows you’re safe and taking care of yourself. Go to bed, I’ll wait up until he gets home.”

  She starts to open her mouth in protest, but he gently pushes her from the chair, “Bed, now.”

  It’s just past 3:30 a.m. when Kas finally returns home. Looking around the living room for Raina, he chuckles when he doesn’t see her, “I need to ask you over more often, Henry.”

  “Wasn’t easy. We’ve got a headstrong girl,” Judge states, smiling.

  “Yes we do.”

  “Any progress?”

  Rubbing his eyes, Kas plops onto the sofa and leans his head exhaustedly against the cushion. “Between agents in Virginia, Georgia, and us, we brought in twelve handlers. Unfortunately, most of the girls mentioned in the data Raina recovered have already been moved. We were only able to rescue thirty-two girls.”

  “Don’t tell Raina about the others,” Judge warns, frowning at how hard she will take the news.

  “I haven’t told her about any of it. I had Erik check the information recovered from the algorithm she ran on the systems the other night and send it to me, that’s why you’re here. I need Raina away from the agency why we process the information from the equipment recovered tonight. Erik’s using her work to recover it. What he found from the last computers Raina hacked, what he will find—I don’t want her exposed to something like that, Henry.” Kas’ eyes and voice lower, “She’s already been exposed to too much.”

  “You will be a busy man the next couple of weeks won’t you?”

  “Yes, and I need you to keep her just as busy while you’re here.”

  “I have taken some time off after that last trial, and I’m not residing over another trial anytime soon. I can stay for as long as you need, but she already figured out that you’re keeping her at arm’s length.”

  Shaking his head, a proud smile spreads across Kas’ lips, “She’s always been too smart for her own good. That would be great, she loves to see you and won’t make a scene if you’re around when I go in without her.”

  “I wouldn’t be too sure about that, I’ve already yelled at her once.”

  Kas’ weary gaze searches Henry, knowing the judge feels the same as he does about raising his voice to her, “What happened?”

  “She’s blaming herself for not being able to retrieve the information earlier than she did.”

  Raking his hand through his short, dark curls, a strong dose of sorrow and anger jabs Kas, “She punishes herself for things that aren’t her fault. I’ve worked so damn hard at helping her get over her past, and she’s worked through the fear, but I don’t know how to help stop her from being so hard on herself, how to make her understand that we wouldn’t have gotten this far without her. Raina had some help with her self-blame on this, though, one of the lead agents went off on her pretty hard.”

  “Son, do I have to fuss at you, too? Don’t you realize that before she met you, she merely existed? I tried to get her to go out, to make more friends, when we would have our quarterly visits, but all she ever did was study, locking herself away in her cabin. The only time she spent with other people was in classes or study groups, until that Sutton boy anyway. Even then, there was no spark in her eyes, just sadness. When you stepped into the picture, Raina became alive, I’ve never seen her happier. The way she lights up just talking about you, that’s all I’ve ever wanted for her. You didn’t only save her life, you saved her heart and her spirit.”

  Relief from Henry’s words eases Kas. Not knowing how to respond, he gives the judge an indebted nod, “I feel the same about her, Henry.”

  “That’s obvious, son,” Judge laughs.

  The two sit in silence a few minutes before Judge leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, “This Ghost, he sounds like he’s a new breed, one I hope
is wiped out very soon.”

  Dark, stormy eyes meet worried hazel ones, “Me, too.”

  Raina is asleep when Kas quietly slips into their room. The covers are wrapped vicariously around one leg. Her ivory skin glistens in the bright moonlight seeping through the small slits of the blinds. Auburn waves cascade over her shoulder, and her cheek is pressed against the soft pillow that her right arm is tucked underneath. Her left arm and leg are resting on top of another pillow, his pillow. It’s obvious, by the condition of the bed, that the little sleep she has gotten has been distressed.

  Grabbing another pillow from the closet, Kas gently untangles Raina’s leg from the sheets and slips underneath the covers next to her. The soft warmth of her body welcomes him, and he slides closer. Giving her exposed cheek a kiss, he wraps his arm around her waist before falling into a much-needed slumber.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next several days are stressful for everyone. Kas’ body is pushed beyond limitations with him going on only a few hours of sleep at night, at most, and spending endless hours tracking handlers and planning raids, especially with being a man down on his team. Austin is working against doctor’s orders, which Kas has overlooked, knowing that’s the best way for him to deal with what’s happened, but Kas won’t allow him to participate in any physical aspects of the job until he is officially released in two days.

  A few nights ago, a raid ended violently, leaving a few handlers dead and many agents bruised and sore, including Kas. His tussle with three of the traffickers left him busted up pretty badly, but he got them. He was extremely grateful for Judge’s presence when Raina saw his swollen lip and cut cheek.