Surrender 01 - Surrender

Before he made the mistake of entering the same room as you, he killed several people.”
    “Their poor families,” Ari gasped.
    “Yes, although money can’t make a difference to a child losing a mother, Rafe is making sure the victims’ families are well taken care of,” Rosabella said with pride as she turned back toward Ari.
    Ari turned quickly and met Rafe’s eyes. He wasn’t responsible for the shooting. Why did he feel accountable to take care of the victims and their loved ones? Her curiosity was piqued as Rafe showed yet another side of himself. He wasn’t as one-dimensional as she’d first thought.
    “Mom,” Rafe said in a warning tone.
    “Oh, Rafe. You’re always so modest about how much good you do in the community. Don’t get me wrong, you can be quite arrogant at times, but underneath it all you really are quite the softy. I don’t know why you’re so worried that the world might find that out.”
    “That’s enough, Mom,” he said, his tone very quiet. It sent a shiver down Ari’s spine.
    “Rosabella, you’re embarrassing him,” Martin warned.
    “Oh, hush,” Rosabella said, but she stopped.
    “We should leave and let Ari rest,” Rafe said, looking at his parents.
    “I’m so sorry, dear. We’re just talking away when you need to get sleep. I’ll come back tomorrow and visit with you. I’ll leave the rest of the family at home so they don’t causing all kinds of ruckus,” Rosabella said as she let go of Rafe and walked back over to Ari.
    Ari was shocked when the woman bent down and very gently hugged her. She felt a lump in her throat at the motherly gesture. The woman barely knew her, and yet she was so concerned. Ari couldn’t help but compare Rosabella to her own mother, both of them compassionate with a natural ability to draw others to them.
    What had happened in Rafe’s life to turn him into the control freak that he was? In his defense, it seemed he was only that way when it came to relationships — or business. Apparently, he was a saint when it came to everything else. Ari found herself wanting to know more about him.
    But she was smart enough to realize that was a road best not taken.
    “I’ll be back later,” Rafe said. The look in his eyes left no doubt that arguing would do her no good. Fear seized her as she realized, once again, she could actually fall for this man. Under no circumstance could she allow that to happen. It was completely unacceptable.

Chapter Twenty-Five

    Rafe was silent as he walked from Ari’s room alongside his family. For once in their lives even his sisters were quiet as they made their way down the hallway. This situation had gone from out of control to radioactive levels.
    Rafe didn’t know whether it was stubborn pride, or obsession, but he knew he wasn’t letting Ari go just yet, no matter what difficulties she presented to him and his settled way of life. So it looked as if the only option was to smooth out the waters, convince his family to return to their home, and put things back on the right path.
    “Let’s have dinner,” Rafe said as they entered the parking lot.
    “That’s a good idea, son,” his father said in a serious voice. “Then you can explain to us why you wouldn’t call us immediately after being shot . I'd also like to know what’s really going on with this Ari you seem so fond of.”
    Rafe had to hold in the retort that was fighting to burst forth from his mouth. He’d never been disrespectful to his parents and he wasn’t about to start.
    “Isn’t it obvious, Dad? Rafe’s in love,” Rachel said in a singsong voice.
    “Rachel, for once in your life you need to keep your mouth shut. Ari is…she’s just a potential employee.”
    “Ha!” Lia muttered.
    Rafe glared at both of his siblings.
    “Well, well, if it isn’t the man of the hour — the hero of San Francisco, who swoops in and takes down an armed man while saving the princess from certain death.”
    Rafe turned to find his best friend approaching them. He wasn’t thrilled to see the amused smile on Shane’s face, and braced himself for an even longer evening — he loved the guy, but there was nothing Shane liked more than to find a weakness and then dig in.
    “I thought you were out of the country, Shane.”
    “I flew all night to make sure your sorry butt was OK. Thanks for calling, by the way.”
    “Everyone is simply overreacting to the whole situation. I’m fine, thank you. Go back to South America, or wherever it is