Husband With Benefits-Chapter 863: Lucky or Unlucky

"What is it?" Rafe asked directly into the phone.

"You’re lucky, Rafe. Damn lucky," Kael’s voice was tense on the other end, though Rafe sensed the relief there. He stiffened. "The bottle was not just drugged. If you’d had an entire glass, you’d be paralyzed by now and your organs on the way to shutting down. It’s some kind of roofie. As it is, you must have only had a sip, which explains why it didn’t completely take you down. You were lucky whoever was with you recognized the drug for what it was."

Rafe’s stomach twisted, but his voice remained even. "I thought as much. Any leads on who’s behind it? Who would want to kill me this time?"

Kael exhaled sharply. "They’d already be dead if I knew, okay? Just thank the person who saved you. And, I checked the people who were following you. It was your security. So, whoever drugged the bottle probably did not stick around to watch the end. They were confident that you would go down and not bothered that the bottle might affect anyone else as well. Or they had any informants within your team. If they did, then they already know that you’re not dead."

"But they would also know you’re not suspicious because you’ve left with another woman."

"Thanks, Kael. You did a lot at such short notice."

"Hey! What are brothers for? But if you’re so keen to thank me, you can give me a few of your vintage cars as a thank you gift." Rafe rolled his eyes at that. He’d give a few to Kael but like hell he was letting him have them easily.

"And as per your request, my team intercepted the security detail. They’re already combing through everything, looking for moles or any suspicious activity. Officially, as far as the guards know, you’ve been kidnapped. We’re trying to keep this as contained as possible. Now about those cars... I’d like them shipped to Estonia..."

Rafe pinched the bridge of his nose, frustration bubbling beneath the surface even as he almost laughed at Kael’s insistence. "Kidnapped, huh? That’s going to be fun to clean up later."

"We can find ways to clean uplater. It’s not as if anyone is going to go and announce that you’ve been kidnapped." Kael paused and then asked quietly, "Rafe. There is something more important for now...Are you okay? Where are you, and more importantly, can the person you’re with be trusted? What if saving you was a way to getting something from you?"

Rafe’s gaze drifted to the closed bathroom door. Beyond it, he could hear the faint hum of Arabelle’s voice as she sang softly to herself. A small smile tugged at his lips despite the weight of the conversation.

"She’s safe," he said firmly. "No connection to this mess."

He knew what Kael was going to say. It was somethign he would have said as well, but before Kael could protest, Rafe explained hurriedly," She’s Cai and Dora’s friend- Arabelle."

Kael stilled and even over the phone he could hear the cautiousness in his tone as he asked him." Arabelle? Gabe Frost’s sister-in-law?" freewēbnoveℓ.com

"Yes." Rafe answered cautiously.

"Fuc*! Do you have a death wish, Rafe? What were you doing with her? Do you have any idea how protective Gabe is of her? From what I hear, the last guy she went out with almost had his head shot off because he brought her back late."

Rafe chuckled at that as he then realized. "Holy shi*!" Gabe Frost must be the crazy man she was talking about who was over protective of her.

"What about it? Please don’t tell me you didn’t buy the condome for her..." Kael groaned and Rafe stilled. Shit! They had not used condoms at all. Those things were still somewhere in his wallet...and in the car.

When he remained silent, Kael was about to let loose a string of curses when Rafe cut it," She is a girl you know. Doesn’t wear condoms."

His comment was met with silence at first and then he could almsot imagine Kael sighing in relief as his brother continued," Send me your location. I’ll come personally to pick you up."

Rafe’s jaw tightened. "Kael, that’s not necessary. I can handle—"

"Rafe," Kael cut him off sharply, "we don’t know who’s behind this, and until we do, staying there puts both of you in danger. Do you really want to risk her life for a few more hours of... whatever the two of you are doing?"

The words hit harder than Rafe expected. He glanced again at the bathroom door, conflicted. He didn’t want to leave. Not yet. They only had one night together and he needed to convince her to see him more than that. Because he’d finally found someone who made him feel... something real. But Kael was right. Staying would only put Arabelle in harm’s way, and he couldn’t allow that.

"Fine," he muttered reluctantly. "I’ll send you my location."

"Fine," he muttered reluctantly. "I’ll send you my location."

"Good." Kael’s tone softened again. "We’ll get to the bottom of this, Rafe. Just sit tight. I’ll be there soon."

Rafe ended the call and stared at the phone in his hand for a long moment. The thought of leaving her, even temporarily, left a bitter taste in his mouth. But he knew Kael was right. Whoever had gone to the trouble of drugging him wouldn’t hesitate to use Arabelle as leverage if they discovered she was with him.

The bathroom door creaked open, and Arabelle stepped out, wrapped in a plush white robe that was a size too big for her.

Her damp hair clung to her cheeks, and her smile faltered as she caught the look on his face.

"What’s wrong?" she asked worriedly.

Rafe hesitated for a heartbeat, then crossed the room to her. He cupped her cheek with one hand, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. "You’re so beautiful."