BETWEEN PROTECTION AND TRUTH

“…I don’t know him,” Rafe replied, his voice steady as Derek’s gaze lingered on him.

“I’ve never heard that name before,” he added, forcing himself not to meet Derek’s eyes.

“I feel… unsettled. I need to understand what life deal Lucas was talking about, and why I’m somehow part of it,” Derek said, trying to steady his heartbeat.

“We’ll find out,” Rafe assured, starting the car and driving toward Derek’s penthouse.

When they arrived, Derek’s bodyguards greeted him.

“Welcome, boss,” they said, nodding as Derek acknowledged them.

As they stepped out, the bodyguards’ eyes flickered toward Rafe, who followed Derek without a word.

“Yes, this is Rafe, my personal bodyguard and the leader of this team. Do exactly as he says, treat him as you would me,” Derek instructed before leaving with Rafe.

They moved silently until they reached Derek’s room. Exhaustion dragged him onto the bed.

“I’ve missed you,” he murmured to the pillows, while Rafe stood nearby, lost in thought.

How could the supposed Lucas know about Lord Lorenzo D’Amato? Rafe muttered to himself.

“Do you mind staying here with me?” Derek asked, pulling him from his thoughts.

“Of course,” Rafe said, forcing a neutral expression.

Derek smiled and gestured toward the bed.

“You may sit. Feel at home, just as I feel safe around you.”

“I’d rather stay standing,” Rafe replied.

“You don’t have to. We’re safer here,” Derek urged, and Rafe reluctantly moved to sit on the edge of the bed, a shiver running down his spine.

“Don’t be afraid. We’re safe,” Derek said, finally meeting his eyes.

This time, Rafe looked up. For a moment, they stared into each other’s eyes, hearts suddenly racing.

Rafe had always seen Derek as an assignment, a responsibility, a man to protect ever since he accepted to be his bodyguard but sitting this close, in the quiet privacy of Derek’s penthouse, realization struck him.

Why is my heart racing? Was it because of the mention of Lord Lorenzo… or something else? he muttered.

Derek studied him for a long moment before exhaling and sitting up closer.

“You said you didn’t know that name,” Derek began cautiously. “Lucas mentioned a life deal… and that name, Lord Lorenzo D’Amato. When I asked earlier, you reacted.”

Rafe’s muscles tensed. “I didn’t.”

“You did.”

Rafe met his gaze, studying him carefully. Derek wasn’t accusing but observing. He had noticed something earlier but stayed silent.

“Some names,” Rafe said slowly, “carry weight. That doesn’t mean I know the man.”

Derek tilted his head. “You speak like someone who’s met him.”

A brief silence stretched, then Rafe abruptly stood and moved toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“You should rest. It’s been a long day,” he said.

“You change the subject when you don’t want to answer.”

“That’s… irrelevant,” Rafe replied.

Derek huffed softly.

“You’re not just a bodyguard.”

Rafe stood.

“Everyone keeps telling me things,” Derek continued. “Lucas talks about life deals. You react to hidden names. Somehow, I’m in the middle of something I don’t understand.”

Rafe turned slowly.

“You’re in the middle of something because you’re Derek Hale. Powerful, visible, and connected.”

“That’s not what it feels like.”

He walked closer, keeping a careful distance.

“And what does it feel like?”

Derek hesitated.

“Like I’m being protected from… something. Not just physically,” he said quietly.

Rafe’s expression hardened, but something flickered beneath it.

“That’s my job.”

“No,” Derek said, sitting straighter. “Your job is to protect me from bullets, threats… attacks.”

His gaze sharpened. “But you’re protecting me from information.”

Rafe remained silent, and Derek studied him, mind racing.

“Why?” he asked softly.

Rafe held his gaze. If he looked away now, he’d lose control of something he had contained since stepping into Derek’s life. How could I explain that Lord Lorenzo D’Amato destroyed mine?

“Because some truths,” Rafe said quietly, “once known, cannot be undone.”

Derek’s breathing slowed.

“Is it about me?”

“No,” Rafe answered.

Derek swallowed. “And this Lord Lorenzo…?”

Rafe’s jaw tightened. “He is not a man you want to know.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting tonight.”

Derek furrowed his brow. “Rafe… are you in danger? Am I in danger?”

The question caught Rafe off guard. “I’m trained for danger and I’ll protect you.”

“That’s not what I asked. Are you in danger?” Derek’s voice trembled with worry.

Rafe stared.

“You shouldn’t concern yourself with me,” he said carefully.

“Too late,” Derek whispered.

He leaned back, exhaling slowly. “Please… tell me.”

Rafe blinked. “Yes…”

“I mean now.”

Rafe frowned as he began. 

“Lord Lorenzo is a ruthless Mafia lord. He controls a lot of the underworld’s deals…” He paused, letting Derek absorb the words.

“I think Lucas didn’t know what he was saying when he mentioned your father had a life deal with him,” Rafe continued. “Yes, Lord Lorenzo is known for taking lives like they mean nothing… at least, that’s what I’ve heard.”

“Thanks for the info, but I still need to find out. Lucas never says things if they’re not true,” Derek said, gazing at the chandelier.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Rafe promised.

“I know,” Derek replied firmly. “Tomorrow, I’ll have my men run a background check on Lord Lorenzo D’Amato and learn more about him.”

Rafe swallowed hard. If Derek discovered his connection to Lord Lorenzo, trust might shatter completely.