CHAPTER 5

 

Rafe didn’t sleep, he couldn't, his mind wouldn't let him, coupled with the aches from the hot night.

He lay on the heavy matress in the empty room, staring blankly into rough wall. His pulse had reduced now and at least, some sense of normalcy from the hard and rough spike it had in Dante's chamber, but the tension was still there.

 It was a low heat, burning him slowly and he felt it eat him from the inside out. He sat up, running a hand over his short hair and letting out a loud sigh.

He reached under the mattress and pulled out the burner phone. His hands shook softly as he cross checked of the door was really locked. His heart skipped a beat softly and he finally pressed the button and waited for the feint radio sound.

“Rafe,” Camila’s voice echoed from the other end. But it wasn't the usual voice that was heavy with care. It was sharp and cold and sounded like fear.

"You missed the check-in. What is going on?" She queried immediately.

"I'm in," Rafe murmured, keeping his voice low, desperate and controlled.

"I was busy. The Boss had me working directly with him. I have direct access to the ledgers now."

There was a soft pause and silence ruled the air until she broke it and continued.

"The Bureau is impatient Rafe." Camila's voice cut through the heavy silence. "I'm under pressure here, they are demanding for reports. Time is not on our side. They want you to finish the job or be pulled out. No more waiting."

Rafe swallowed hard as he listened calmly, the realization of each word hit him hard.

"I need more time. It's not as easy as you think, Camilla. The Moretti family moves a lot of cash through here and I am gathering the raw data for the cycle. I can’t just rush." He explained, his voice low while his eyes still scanned for possible movements.

"You are doing something else, I know, don't lie to me." Camila warned him gently.

And then her voice picked up the pace and was sharp and urgent this time.

"I hear the pauses between your words, Rafe. The hesitation in your voice. I notice the change before anyone else. Rafe? What's really going on there?”

"I am fine," Rafe lied immediately. "I am just tired. I haven’t slept in a week. I've been working so hard here…"

But she still pressed harder, noticing every crack, as if the mask he had been hiding under since had began to fall of slowly.

"You sound different," Camila warned, her voice finally cracking.

 "When you say Dante's name... there is warmth that creeps in, some sort of respect or hesitation. The deeper you go, the more I fear I’m losing you. Not to the danger. But to him." She scolded.

"No," Rafe said sharply and stood calmly, taking a step forward in the small room.

“He is just the target. They are monsters hiding behind leather and engines. I am trained to dismantle monsters. I know myself, don't worry about me.."

Camila sighed.

 "Be smart, buddy. I trust you. But they are giving deadlines that leave no room for hesitation. Bring the evidence. Finish it."

"I am still in control," Rafe insisted, his voice firm.

"I know it's a lie," Camila whispered softly and chuckled calmly before continuing.

"Just be careful." And with that, she cut the connection before he got caught.

Rafe threw the phone back under the mattress. He was already soaked in sweat again. He knew he hadn't fully recovered his professional self and he was supposed to be the mole, the instrument of the law. But the rules started to change the closer Dante came.

The next morning, Rafe swung his legs off the bed and dressed quickly. He checked his watch, making sure he was on time and kept his expression calm and his shoulders a little bit loose as he stepped into the main floor.

The clubhouse was already bustling and booming. Men gathered around the bar, cleaning weapons.

Rafe reached the back office where the air was a bit colder and heavy with the smell of smoke from pipes and cigarettes. Marcus was already waiting beside the conference table and his eyes scanned Rafe like a paper.

"You look like you are waiting for something to go wrong," Marcus grunted, his voice cold as ice. He pushed a heavy stack of binders toward Rafe.

 "The Boss wants these verified. And you’ll do it here and now."

Rafe didn't answer. He just went to work, adding and subtracting numbers on the ledger. Marcus didn't leave his side for even a second. He watched and calculated every moment Rafe’s straightened up, scrutinizing and studying him.

However, Dante in the other room knew they were there, but seemed to not be interested in their affair, more like he had lost interest in Rafe.

"You make mistakes," Marcus challenged. "Why are you nervous?” He raised an eyebrow and held his hair.

"I'm sorry, I was just tired," Rafe replied, letting a soft cry and winced.

Suddenly, the heavy door banged open. Silence fell immediately across the room as Dante Moretti stepped in. He stood at the center of the room, solid and unmovable. Power clung to him without effort. His eyes, were always scanning and he found Rafe instantly.

Their gaze met and it lingered for long and just then, he turned to Marcus.

"Marcus," Dante's voice called. "Leave us."

"Yes Boss." He nodded immediately and headed out.

The door shut behind him with a soft click and Rafe forced a sigh now. Dante didn't approach the table. He just stood there, his gaze scanning and searching.

"You look tense, Santos," Dante murmured. The switch from Boss to the man who commanded Rafe's body was so fast.

"Are you hiding something?" He intimidated as he always did.

"Men who are quiet usually hide something," Rafe repeated Dante's words from before. "Or they just listen."

Dante smiled softly and walked over.

"Listening keeps you alive. But secrets get men killed in my world."

Dante took further slow steps toward him. "I told you, I don't tolerate lies."

Rafe met his gaze, suddenly forcing seriousness into his expression as the tension increased.

"I am not lying to you, Boss. I am working the numbers."

"We will see," Dante said quietly. He rested his hand briefly on Rafe's shoulder.

 "Follow me. We are going out. Another test to show me what you’re capable of."

Rafe nodded once without hesitation.

"Understood." But inside, his heart was a pounding heavily. He knew the mission was shifting and the time left wasn't in his favour again and Dante was pulling him deeper into the inner circle, exactly where Camila feared he would go.

At least, today wasn't about dick sucking and fucking, but deep down, he would have preferred that.