After the Rain

by Karen-Anne Stewart

  Raina laughs, softly at first, then heartily, “You drive me crazy, completely insane, Pierce, you know that?”

  “Yeah, I know,” he replies proudly, ignoring how she intended her words to have a double meaning. “Turnabout is fair play, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  Now it’s his turn to laugh. He stands, starting to slip out of her, and she groans, “Don’t go, not yet.”

  “I have to be crushing you, darlin’.”

  “It’s worth it.”

  He gives her one more hard thrust, swelling at her shocked cry, “Do you have any idea how much I love you, woman!”

  “Yes. I do.”

  They dress quietly, staring at each other. Raina bites her tongue, praying he changes his mind, terrified that her disobedience will do irreparable damage if he doesn’t. Her tortured state is starkly evident, and Kas can’t take the pain he is causing her.

  “Alright, Raina, I won’t take you off the case,” he relents, his head excruciatingly pounding from the unwanted decision.

  Raina jumps into his arms, but he grabs her, firmly holding her out in front of him, “But, you have to do what I say. You are not to be alone, ever, do you understand?”

  She nods her head.

  “I mean it, Raina!”

  Her smile, and the light in her eyes, slays the last of his resolve, and he laughs, “You’re not very good at obeying orders. How is it that I love that about you, especially when it drives me insane?”

  “I’m just glad that you love me,” she breathes, snuggling against his chest.

  “Always, darlin’, always.” Kas wraps his arms tightly around her, inhaling her, memorizing the feel of her in his protection, praying he can continue to protect her.

  “C’mon, we better find Chase before he thinks we’ve killed each other.”

  They walk into the waiting room hand in and hand. The relieved look on Chase’s face is only momentary before a knowing look fills his dark blue eyes.

  “You did not just have sex in my office did you?” Chase asks incredulously, his answer evident in the scarlet flush that spreads across Raina’s cheeks as her gaze drops embarrassedly to the floor. His eyes dart to Kas, who gives him a sly smile, complete satisfaction and zero regret all over his sated face. “Kas, c’mon, man, I haven’t even had sex in my office yet,” Chase states, his voice just above a whine. He holds his arm towards the door, his other hand ushering them out. “Go, just go. Find some other place to fornicate,” he continues to chastise as a small smile curves his lips, happy that they are in each other’s pants instead of each other’s face for the time being. “Where should I avoid sitting?” he yells after them, laughing when Kas turns around, shrugging cockily.

  “Everywhere.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  The night air is chilling, creeping up Kas’ spine as he grabs Raina’s bag out of the back of the jeep. He knows that the frigid air is not the only cause for the uncomfortable chills. He wants Raina far away from the agency, far away from Parker, but with Chase needing to see the newest information to update Parker’s profile, his desire for her hiatus is delayed.

  Knowing his evening has just begun, his thoughts are dominated by the Ghost as he carries Raina’s bag to his office where she is waiting with Chase. “Thank you for not fighting me on this, darlin’,” Kas whispers, brushing his lips against her forehead as he pulls her into his arms. “I need to meet with Frank for a few minutes, then I’ll walk with you to the car.”

  Raina nods, not happy about the arrangement but not willing to cause anymore strain. The least she can do is give Kas peace of mind that she is safe tonight with Chase until he tracks down Parker to bring him in for questioning.

  Frank gives Raina a warm smile, squeezing her arm reassuringly when he passes her on his way into Kas’ office. Closing the door behind Chase and Raina as the leave, Frank turns toward his boss determinedly, and all his warmth is gone, replaced by a steely resolve to end Parker.

  “Have all of the girls Raina’s worked with been placed under police protection?” Kas asks Frank, looking out his office window at Raina.

  “Yes. When are we bringing Parker in, boss?”

  “Derrick’s looking for him now.”

  “Raina doesn’t look very happy about being sent home with Chase.”

  “I’m more concerned with her life than her feelings at the moment,” Kas replies, a conglomerate dose of his own feelings irritating the hell out him as he tries to push them aside and concentrate on finding Parker.

  Dexter enters the room, his large, firm frame shadows the desk, “Two agents will be outside Dr. Stone’s tonight. She will be safe, Kas.”

  “Thank you,” he tells him, and the gratitude momentarily overrides all the other disturbing emotions.

  Jake bursts through the door, his face flushed from anger as he informs them, “There’s been another explosion.”

  “Where?” Dexter growls.

  Glancing at Raina, Jake closes the office door, “The cabin.”

  Kas hits his desk, letting out a vile string of expletives. Angrily raking his hands through his hair, he turns his back to them, fiercely trying to regain control of his rioting emotions, “Raina loved that cabin! Find out how bad it is.”

  Chase knocks on the door, not waiting on an invitation before entering, “What’s going on? We can hear you yelling all the way to the elevator.”

  The expression on Kas’ face is lethal, “There was an explosion at the cabin.”

  Chase glances at Raina, who is anxiously looking back at him through the window.

  “It’s a complete loss,” Jake informs them in a low voice as he closes his phone, “I’m sorry, Kas.”

  “You need to have agents on you, too, Kas,” Chase’s voice trails as his worried gaze lands on his best friend.

  “I fully agree,” Dexter’s gruff voice concedes.

  “I don’t need agents pulled from finding Parker to cover me.”

  “You have no choice in this, Pierce,” Dexter commands. “You will have round the clock back-up. You are to have two of your team members with you at all times, that’s an order.”

  “Yes, sir,” Kas reluctantly agrees.

  A soft knock on the door causes all eyes to turn towards Kas.

  “Do you want me to tell her about the cabin?” Chase offers in a lowered voice.

  “No, I’ll do it,” Kas mumbles. Opening the door, he motions Raina inside.

  Everyone else leaves as Kas gives her the news about the cabin she loved dearly. Slowly sitting down in the chair, Raina just nods.

  “You okay, darlin’?”

  “No one got hurt. Homes can be rebuilt,” she whispers valiantly.

  Pulling her from the chair, Kas buries her head in his chest, fiercely proud of how his wife is handling all of the chaos. He breathes in the sweet, clean scent of her soft hair as he kisses her forehead, “Go with Chase, I’ll call you when we find Parker. I love you, darlin’.”

  Raina wraps her hands around the back of Kas’ head, lowering his lips to her mouth. Giving him a long, emotional kiss, she turns and leaves without saying anything else.

  The call doesn’t come until after 8:00 a.m. the next morning, and Chase studies Raina on the way to the agency, “I know you feel you need to do this, but if you don’t want to, it won’t be held against you, Rain. You’re not even an agent, no one expects this of you.”

  “I have to do this, Chase. You know that just as much as I do,” Raina replies, her smile dry, but her eyes determined.

  “Just because I’m on your side with this doesn’t mean that I don’t share the same fears as Kas. Parker’s dangerous, Raina. He’s a true sociopath which means he can commit heinous acts without remorse. He has this sick fascination with you that makes me want to kill him myself, but his fascination will not supersede his own means of survival. The message he sent you still holds true. When he’s done playing, he will be done with you.”

  “I know.”

&nbs
p; Chase pulls his Lexus into a spot in the parking deck. Watching the agents following them pulling into a spot a few spaces down, he leans his head against his seat. After a couple of long breaths, he turns towards Raina, his apprehension overtly written all over his face, “Just don’t underestimate yourself, okay?”

  “Shouldn’t you be telling me not to underestimate him?” she laughs, a little perplexed.

  “No, you have a healthy dose of fear of him,” Chase explains, noting the way her gaze slips to her hands at his words, “that’s not a bad thing, Rain. It’s a very good thing. Hell, I’m terrified of him, everyone is. What I’m trying to say is that he may be the genius, but your intelligence challenges his, and you have the upper hand, don’t forget that.”

  “Thanks, Chase,” Raina whispers, her fingers suddenly slightly shaky.

  Placing his hand over hers, he gives it a reassuring squeeze, “Ready?”

  “No, but let’s do this anyway.”

  Kas meets them at the elevator, “Hey, darlin’.”

  “I won’t even ask if you slept,” she states as she gives him a knowing smile.

  “I won’t ask you either,” he winks. Pulling her into his arms, he closes his eyes, relishing the feel of her, badly needing to do nothing but just hold her for hours.

  “Is he here?”

  Tightening his grip protectively, she knows that he is before Kas tells her. He brushes his lips against her hair as he looks at Chase, softly shaking his head, not wanting to allow her anywhere near Parker. A whole conversation passes silently between the two men before Kas closes his eyes again, wrapping his hand around the back of Raina’s head and holding her a few seconds longer before releasing her unwillingly. He runs his hand slowly down his face, “Please, Raina, reconsider this.”

  The plea in her husband’s voice rips her heart out; she would do anything he asks of her if lives weren’t at stake.

  The dark abyss in her eyes haunts him. Taking that step away from her is the second hardest thing he has ever done in his life.

  Raina straightens herself to her fullest height and takes a deep breath. Steeling her nerves and pulling on the old reserves she learned to tap at a young age, she heads straight into interrogation, her gaze briefly meeting Jake’s before landing straight into Evan Parker’s amused green eyes.

  “Raina, it’s so good to see you again,” Evan smirks, his eyes slowly drinking in the length of her tempting body.

  Jake immediately steps closer, ready to intervene if given the slightest inclination. Kas watches Parker’s every move from the next room, his anguish palpable at his wife being in the same room as the unrestrained monster.

  “Hello, Evan, I assume that you will understand when I can’t say the same to you.”

  “No offense taken, I’ve heard you’ve had your hands full lately, trying to catch who you think I am.”

  “I’m sure you have,” she returns the ominous banter.

  “Why am I here?” Evan laughs, his eyes roaming wantonly, “not that I don’t enjoy seeing you again. I’ve thought of you very much since our last—let me see, how should I phrase it? Encounter.”

  Watching the arrogance radiate off him, Raina calmly places the plain folder on the table. Her fingertips gently tap against the manila cover. Not wanting to flip the folder open to witness the gruesome contents, she takes a few seconds to control her composure.

  Evan licks his lips and leans forward, sliding his hands towards the abomination. His fingers stop just short of touching the file, and he tilts his head as he looks at her with despicable pleasure, “What do you have here?”

  Her eyes search his when she opens the file, turning it to show him the photos they both know he sent to her.

  “That’s awful,” Evan mocks, glancing at the horrific pictures. Leaning back, he gives her that infuriating arrogant smirk, “What kind of person would do such a terrible thing?”

  Chase’s fists curl into knots. His firm belief that people can change, overcome, seems to be mocking him. His temper flares at how there’s an exception to every rule. He loathes true sociopaths, detesting how, for them, without divine intervention, there is no chance of redemption.

  “I heard about that girl you’re close to, the girl that was saved from one of the raids you keep talking about. I really hope that’s not her.” Evan leans close to her again, the warning clear in his eyes, “I hope she is still okay.”

  Kas sees Raina’s fists clench and knows she’s ready to pounce at the barely veiled threat against Claudia, and he swears loudly, about knocking Austin over as he races out the door to the next room.

  “It would be a shame if something happened to her.”

  Raina lunges forward, “Stay away from her!”

  Jake jumps in front of Raina, and her body slams into his as he holds her back from Evan.

  “If you touch her, I swear I’ll—”

  Kas throws the door open and grabs her arm, pulling her towards him and cutting her off. “Out, Raina!” he orders, as she struggles to free herself. He grabs both of her arms firmly, gently pushing her towards the door, “Out! Now!” He jerks his head for Jake to keep her out of the room as he closes the door behind him, quickly reining in his own urge to throttle Parker as he turns towards him.

  Evan shakes his head, then laughs, “You need to train your wife better, she’s quite the loose cannon.”

  Kas keeps his face calm, neutral, not giving the arrogant bastard any further satisfaction by reacting to his comment, “Can I get you some water, Mr. Parker?”

  “Ahh, so, you’re the levelheaded one in the relationship. I don’t know how you do it, must be tough keeping that one in line.”

  Kas ignores Parker’s continued attempts to rattle him and casually grabs a chair before taking a seat across the table from him. He rests his arms against the table and smiles at the smug trafficker, “You know the old saying . . . . give, take, and all that.”

  “Interesting point of view, but I’m more of a fan of Lyly’s adage ‘all’s fair in love and war,” he replies, mirroring Kas’ casual position on the table.

  Kas nods, pursing his lips as if in thought. He slides the photos and file closer to Parker, “So, what would you say all of this is? Love or war?”

  Evan laughs again as he studies the photos closely, admiring them, “I guess I would have to say that love comes in many shades and forms.”

  Kas uses every last bit of the restraint he has not to end Parker and make the world a better place.

  Jake holds his hand up to Raina, “I’m calling the agents with Claudia right now.” He dials while he watches Raina pacing nervously. “Hey, Dockery, is Claudia okay?”

  Raina chews her lip as she listens intently to the only side of the conversation she can currently be privy to.

  “Alright, keep your eyes open, they know about her.” Jake closes the phone, slipping it in his pocket as he grabs her hand, “Claudia’s fine, Rain.”

  Raina leans against the wall, her relief being short-lived as the realization of what she just did slams into her. Slapping her hand against the cold concrete blocks, she fumes, “I screwed up. Kas warned me and warned me, and I still screwed up!”

  Jake leans against the wall beside her, gently bumping her shoulder with his, “Nah, you didn’t screw up.”

  “I about took Parker’s head off. I really wanted to take his head off, and he knew that.”

  “He’s pushing you because he knows you’re closer to busting his arrogant ass. Besides, there’s a room full of people who want to take his head off right now.”

  Raina bites her lip, “Yeah, but I’m the only one who tried to act on it.”

  Jake grabs her hand again. “C’mon, let’s go get a cup of coffee, but I’m thinking maybe you should have decaf,” he teases, eliciting a small smile from Raina.

  Raina is slowly sipping on her coffee as Kas joins them, and she immediately stands up; the remorse in her eyes is immense, “I know I messed up, Kas. I’m so sorry, but, please, don’t
pull me from the case, I swear it won’t happen again.”

  Kas pulls her towards him and rubs his hands gently down her arms, hoping he wasn’t too rough when he hauled her out of there, “I’m not pulling you from the case, Raina.” He watches the relief flood her eyes, “Are you okay?”

  Raina nods, biting her lip.

  Kas runs his thumb across her lip, freeing it, “He’s pushing you because he needs to rattle you, distract you. You can’t let anyone shake you like that again, Raina, do you understand?”

  She nods her head, “I won’t, I promise. I’m sorry.”

  “It happens to all of us at times,” Kas tells her truthfully.

  “I want to go back in,” she states, her eyes boring into his, silently assuring him that she is under control.

  “I said that I’m not pulling you from the case, but I didn’t say I was letting you go back in there with him.”

  Her determined plea doesn’t falter, it intensifies, “I can do this.”

  Kas glances at Chase who gives a quick nod. When he turns back to her, his eyes are both pleading and authoritative, “Do not give him anything to use against you, Raina. Stay calm and focused at all times, that’s imperative.”

  Her lips are tight, but she nods confidently.

  Against his better judgment, Kas steps aside, making himself keep his mouth shut and not demand her to stay away from Parker. His jaw aches from the pressure of his forced silence as she walks away, back towards interrogation, back to the Ghost.

  Evan only looks surprised for a second when Raina reenters the room. His cool façade returns, and he leans against the table, his elbows resting casually on the hard metal. “This is the second time you’ve interrupted my day, dragging me down here trying to pin something on me, but you still don’t have any damning evidence. Since you seem so hell-bent on my being guilty, I’ve been thinking about contacting another lawyer. The one I’ve been considering is notorious for putting up a helluva fight, always mercilessly beating the opponent,” he leers, a cruel smile curving his lips. His green eyes gleam with amusement as he slides his fingertips just millimeters from Raina’s, “What do you say? Do you think I should call William Waterford?”