Rafe had only looked at her with madness a couple of times—those times when she had escaped his control, even for a few hours. He had hurt her in unbelievable ways. Killing others. Hurting others in front of her. Showing her his leopard. Raking and biting her back and shoulder. But he’d never beat her or struck her. He’d been careful with her. Sometimes when he’d looked at her, she could actually see affection stirring behind the mask he wore.

She sighed and set down the coffee to circle the porch column with one arm, resting her forehead there. She couldn’t deny that Rafe had some feelings for her. They were nowhere normal, they were twisted just as he was, but he had them. Perhaps if she’d been older she might have been able to help him, but she was far too young and terrified of his reprisals.

“Kitten.” Eli’s arms stole around her. “What are you doing out here? It’s three in the morning.”

She never ever heard him walk. He was a big man and she should be able to hear at least a footfall. He pulled her back into his arms so her back was to his front, his hands clasped at her waist. His chest was bare, but he had pulled on some soft cotton drawstring bottoms.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Catarina apologized. “You don’t sleep as it is.”

He rubbed his face in her hair. “I sleep when you’re in my arms, baby,” he said softly. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

She turned her head to look over her shoulder. “You tell me.” Her eyes met his. “Do you think I don’t know you well enough to know that you’ve been hiding something from me for the last three days? Actually, it started before that. When we went to see Jake and Emma—you’ve been pensive ever since.”

She felt his response more than saw it. His expression remained the same. His focused gaze didn’t so much as flicker, but somewhere inside her, she felt him flinch.

“I should have known I couldn’t hide anything from you, Cat.” He sighed and dropped his hands from her waist to slide his palm down her arm to catch her wrist.

She always felt shackled when his fingers settled there. Shackled and then fluttery when he stroked caresses on her inner wrist so gently. He went for the chairs. She followed because she had no real choice in the matter. When Eli moved, she moved with him.

“Sit down, Kitten. You’re right, of course. I’ve heard some news and I’ve considered the best way to tell you.”