Chapter 47

RAFAEL

The moonlight spills through my bedroom window, casting a soft glow across Frankie's sleeping form. Her chest rises and falls steadily, dark lashes fluttering against her cheeks, but I can still see traces of dried tears on her face. Getting her to sleep after today's nightmare took everything I had. My silk sheets are tangled around her small frame, and seeing her here, in my bed, both soothes and torments me.

My fingers itch to brush back the strand of hair falling across her face, but I force myself to stay still. Every protective instinct in me screams to hold her close, yet I know I can't. Today just proved what I've been trying to deny since she went from being my pet to being…more. We're like oil and water – the closer we get, the more damage we cause. The fear I've been pushing down is staring me in the face now, raw and real. Losing her like I lost them... fuck. Everyone says I'm made of stone and that nothing gets throu