Healing Rain (24 page)

His affliction from the disturbing doubts of Pierce’s possible treatment of Raina ease when he sees how her eyes light up when he tells her that they have the traffickers in custody, and she can go home. Despite his abated concern, his heart is searing with the thoughts of her leaving. He offers to take her back to D.C., making excuses of wanting to personally debrief with Dexter just so he can be with her a little longer.

He second guesses his sanity, thinking he was just seeing things in her behavior the closer they get to Washington and the happier she seems. “Easy, girl. You look like you’re going to bust over there,” he teases, outwardly laughing at her huge grin when he pulls into the parking deck, but his heart dying a little more.

“I might, if you don’t hurry and get this car stopped,” she rebuttals, playfully punching him on the arm.

He rubs his shoulder, “Alright, no need for violence, I’m getting you back to your man as quickly as I can.” A pain stabs him, wishing circumstances were different, and he was the one she was so happy to return to.

Kas is waiting on them as they walk to the elevator, and he grabs Raina in his arms when she rushes to him. “I’ve missed you, darlin’,” he whispers in her ear, pulling her tightly against him.

“I’ve missed you, too.” She kisses him, making herself keep it tame, not wanting to be an exhibition. Being good is so hard, especially when she feels his increasing bulge pressing against her stomach.

Kas has a hard time tearing his eyes away from his beautiful wife who is back to her lovely, natural beauty. “You guys did an outstanding job. Michael told me you dismantled the largest trafficking ring found in Jersey so far.”

“We couldn’t have done it without Raina,” he states truthfully, making sure not to look at her, knowing Kas’ skills at reading people. He doesn’t think there will be too much of a concern with him picking up on his wayward feelings with Kas’ attention being focused solely on his wife.

“I’m going to go debrief with your boss,” he mumbles quickly, not able to watch their reunion.

Brent is walking to the elevator when Kas calls after him, telling him Dexter won’t be back until the morning. He hangs his head, needing to get as far away from Raina as possible to try to get her out of his head, especially after seeing her with Kas. “What time does he usually arrive?”

“He should be here by 8:00 in the morning,” Kas answers, throwing his arm around Raina, pulling her closer to him as they join Brent at the elevator.

“I will find a room and come by in the morning then.”

“You can stay with us,” Raina offers.

“No!” Brent answers too quickly, and Kas glances his way. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m beat. I’m going to go to the nearest hotel and crash, thanks though,” he recovers, careful to walk away before he gives away his obvious hesitation to share a house with the two love birds who he’s positive will be up all night getting reacquainted.

“We’ll see you in the morning, then,” Raina tells him, giving him a quick hug.

Brent tenses at her touch, and he catches Kas’ brief questioning gaze before Raina lets go, wrapping her arms around Kas’ waist. He throws his hand up and heads towards his car, his emotions errantly running rampant.

Kas slips his hand over Raina’s as he pulls her into the elevator, his eyes promising a night to remember. He covers her mouth with his as soon as the elevator doors are shut, leaving them both breathless as he pulls away, and the doors open on the fourth floor.

“Great job, super star,” Austin praises, giving her a high five and a hug as they walk into Kas’ office.

Raina blushes shyly, “Thanks.”

Kas grabs his keys. “I’m heading home a little early today. Call if you need anything,” he tells his team over his shoulder before stopping and turning around, “on second thought, no, don’t.”

Frank, Austin, Jake, and Russo laugh, knowing exactly what their boss will be doing, and Raina’s face flames a deep scarlet.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Kas kisses Raina’s naked shoulder, “Wake up, sweetheart.”

“Mmmm, do I have to?”

“Yes. I’ve missed making breakfast with you,” he whispers in her ear, “it just doesn’t taste the same.”

Her smile spreads across her face, and Kas brushes his lips against hers before sliding her out of bed. “Hop in the shower, baby.”

He finishes drying off and dresses while she showers, heading into the kitchen. The timing of the raid they’ve been working on the past week couldn’t be worse. His having to be away from her this evening eats at him. He wants to be with her every minute he can, now that she’s finally back. Raina had understood the reasons why he can’t when he had told her about the raid last night. Her phone rings as he takes the eggs and bacon out of the fridge. He cracks open an egg, then quickly throws the shell in the trash, heading into the bedroom when he doesn’t hear her talking.

Raina’s face is ghastly white when he steps into the room, and he takes the phone from her hand, his eyes full of fire. “Leave Raina alone, Sutton, or I swear, I will end you!” he growls into the phone, the intent behind his threat perfectly clear.

There is deathly silence on the other end, and Kas throws the phone, smashing it against the wall. Raina jumps as the phone falls to pieces on the floor. He grabs his cell and dials Pete, demanding the phone be found within the hour, or he’s tearing the prison apart himself. He slams his phone closed, turning back towards Raina, quickly wrapping his arms around her.

She sinks into his warmth, Chris’ one word chilling her to the bone. She closes her eyes, his threat, ‘S
oon
’, rings in her head. She knows she should tell Kas what Chris said, but she decides to wait for a while after seeing him full of fury mere seconds ago.

Chris laughs cruelly as he hangs up, thinking how lucky he was to be able to rattle both of them on his last call to his Raina. He knows Pierce will do whatever is necessary to locate the phone he has had so much fun with. He hates to give it up, desperately needing to continue hearing Raina’s sweet voice, but he can’t risk it being found and him having to stay one minute longer in this forsaken place. He tosses the plastic wrap into the trash, knowing he can’t hide the phone in the sink pipe any longer. They will eventually find it, tracking the time of the call to him being in anger management classes. Sliding the evidence inside his sleeve, he looks at his reflection in the shatterproof mirror, making sure his face has just the right amount of repentance and grief as he steps back into the small prison meeting room, pulling off his act deviously well, even managing a teary sheen in his eyes as the psychologist tells him what a wonderful breakthrough he has had in the last few sessions.

Chris promises to practice the techniques they worked on today, and to reflect on how his childhood has played a part in what he did to Raina. He almost laughs when the doctor puts his hand reassuringly on his shoulder, telling him that he can overcome his traumatic experiences. A grin spreads across his lips as he steps into the hall, actually feeling sorry for the poor imbecile and how he easily fell for his sob story. He swallows his desire to laugh as he thinks of how there is a hint of truth in what he told Dr. Ross, but isn’t there always a sliver of truth to every lie?

He sees James walking down the hall right on time, and he forces himself to smile politely as he discreetly hands the phone to him as they pass, the guards at the end of the hall never seeing a thing as the evidence is being carried away by the schmuck who actually thinks has befriended him. Chris’ jaw tightens, and he tries to comfort himself with the fact that he will be out in less than three months, and he will never have to see these pathetic people ever again. He finds a small solace in how, if there is anything good in this hell-hole, it’s their efficiency. The phone will be history once James hides it in the left over slop due to be thrown out in the trash that gets driven away in exactly eight minutes. A cruel smile curves the edges of his lips as he sees the warden walking towards him, four guards purposely following behind, and he is halted before being placed back into his cage.

Pete stops at the door, taking a deep breath before knocking, the realization of how his news is going to go over pricks his nerves. He can only imagine the frustration Kas and Raina are feeling with actually experiencing the harassment first hand. His own frustration is boiling at not being able to find the proof to make the stalking stop. Kas opens his office door, closing it firmly behind Pete when he enters.

Pete gives a slight shake of his head, and Kas rakes his hands angrily through his hair, turning towards the window, forcing himself to calm down. Raina wraps her arms around her knees as she sits in the chair in the far corner, her gaze averting away from the fury blazing in her enraged husband’s eyes.

“How is that possible?” Kas asks, doing his best to keep the anger out of his voice, failing miserably at his attempt.

“I don’t know. They have torn his cell apart as well as the room where he has his anger management classes. The only odd thing found was a crumpled piece of plastic.”

“Where did you find the plastic?”

“The bathroom in the meeting room.”

Kas turns back towards the window, his mind working overtime. “Is there an air conditioner, or a vent in the bathroom?”

“No.”

He remains quiet as he thinks of all the possible hiding places. “Was the plastic wet?”

“A little, but there was a wet paper towel on top of it.”

“Have them check the plumbing.”

Pete calls the warden, requesting the pipes be checked. The minutes drag by while they wait. Kas carefully studies Pete while he speaks with the warden again.

“There was no phone, but the sink pipe was loose.”

Kas runs his hand roughly across his face, “That has to be where he has been hiding it.”

“They are going to have a guard with him at all times when he’s not in his cell, even right outside the door during his meetings with Dr. Ross. He will be accompanied when he uses the bathroom in the meeting room.”

“Good.”

“You said you threatened him this morning on the phone. Did he respond at all?”

“No, he’s never said anything.”

Raina shifts in her seat, and Kas sees the flash of guilt in her eyes before she drops her gaze. “What is it, Raina?”

She shakes her head, not wanting to have this argument in front of Pete, but his gaze doesn’t leave room for her to opt out right now. “This morning was the first time he said anything. All of the other times he just listened, never saying a word.”

The look in Kas’ eyes lets her know they will be discussing this as soon as Pete leaves, and she is tempted to invite Pete to move in with them.

“What did he say?” Pete asks.

“Soon.” Raina chews on her bottom lip, “That’s all he said.”

Pete promises to continue to stay on top of Chris as Kas shakes his hand, walking him to the door. Raina subconsciously pulls her knees tighter into her when Kas turns around, anger and hurt apparent in his eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me, Raina?” his voice is quiet, making her guilt a much stronger dose than if he yelled at her.

She shrugs, looking away.

“That’s not an acceptable answer,” Kas informs her, pulling a chair next to hers. “Talk to me.”

Hesitant jade eyes meet his molten chocolate stare, demanding an answer. “You were so angry,” she whispers.

“Of course I was angry, Rain. Chris is screwing with you, and I don’t take that lightly.” He softens his tone, “Were you going to tell me?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

The answer is another small shrug of her shoulders, and Kas stands up, not wanting to fuss at her, not with everything she is going through, but needing her to understand that she can’t keep things from him. He’s getting ready to take her hand and pull her into his arms to hold her before talking with her any further about this, but a knock on his door interrupts him.

“Hey, do you know if Dexter has time to talk with me now?” Brent asks, peeking his head in the door. His gaze shifts to Raina in the corner when he sees Kas’ agitation. He takes in her defensive position and her expression before she quickly stands up, her face becoming neutral in a split second.

“He never makes any appointments this early, so he should be in his office,” Raina offers, happy to have a reason to leave the discussion behind for a while, “I’ll walk you there on my way to the archives.”

Kas shakes his head, not able to repress a small smile at his wife’s bottomless resourcefulness at avoiding confrontation. Worry emanates from him as he watches her leave, wishing he knew what to do to make all of this go away.

Raina
is
looking
in the large archives room for a transcript from when she first started with the FBI, wanting to review it again, looking for anything new that could lead to Prizrak when Brent steps behind her. She turns around, her smile fading when she sees his expression.

“How long has Pierce been hurting you?”

“What are you talking about?”

Brent takes a quick step towards her, and she instinctively takes a step away. He looks at her pointedly, “That is a learned behavior.”

Raina’s cheeks flush from embarrassment and anger. “Well, I didn’t learn it from Kas.”

Brent lowers his tone as he takes another step towards her, slower this time, “You don’t have to lie to me, I can help you. I won’t let him hurt you anymore.”

Raina’s cheeks flush brighter, but only with anger this time, “Kas doesn’t hurt me, Brent!”

He stops talking, but continues to advance towards her, his hands out in front of him, open, showing he means no harm, and she knows that Brent is trying to show he is benign, but the gesture makes her start to laugh, not knowing why she thinks this is so funny. He stops moving and looks at her, the confusion evident in his eyes. Raina continues to laugh, the laughter becoming uncontrollable, almost hysterical. She tries to stop, but that only makes her laugh more. The look in Brent’s eyes pushes her absurd giddiness over the edge, and she doubles over from the building laughter as tears stream down her face.

He stares at her, dumbfounded by what to do, or say, next. After what seems like an eternity, she is finally able to curb her emotions, and her laughter sputters to a stop. She wipes the tears away with the back of her hand as she looks at him, half-amused, half-apologetic. “I’m sorry, I have no idea what came over me.”

Brent gives her an unsteady once over before he decides to slowly advance towards her again, “Are you alright?”

Raina feels the urge to laugh bubbling inside of her again, but she manages to squelch it this time, “I’m fine.”

When he is close enough to touch her, he runs his hands down her arms as he fixes his concerned gaze on her confused one, “I’m not talking about what just happened, Raina. I want to know if you are okay . . . safe?”

Something about the look in Brent’s eyes unnerves her, and she steps away from him, breaking his physical connection. She ponders his question for a few seconds, wondering how to respond. There is no way she is willing to allow Brent, or anyone, to harbor doubts about Kas’ treatment of her, remembering the pain in his eyes when his father momentarily thought he had left her bruised, so she decides to tell him the truth. “Yes, I am safe, but I didn’t used to be,” she begins, turning back around to face him, “Kas hasn’t hurt me, Brent, he saved me.”