Chapter 9 - The Night Fay Saved the Man Who Once Saved Her
Two years into their marriage, Rafferty's past came back one last time.
An old enemy escaped prison.
He blamed Rafferty for his downfall.
One evening, the family was at the foundation.
The lights suddenly went out.
Silvano's security team reacted instantly.
Rafferty moved toward Fay.
“Stay with Josie.”
A gunshot shattered a window.
Rafferty pushed Fay behind a pillar.
Security personnel surrounded them.
The attacker demanded Rafferty come outside.
Rafferty refused.
The man shouted that if he didn't surrender, people inside would die.
Fay looked at Rafferty.
Then at the emergency exit.
She understood.
The attacker had studied Rafferty.
He would expect him to respond with force.
But he had forgotten something.
Fay knew how Rafferty thought.
She whispered a plan.
Rafferty hesitated.
“No.”
“Trust me.”
“You're not doing this.”
“I know the exits better than he does.”
She kissed him.
“Trust me.”
Then she moved.
Fay activated the old emergency alarm.
The building flooded with bright backup lighting.
The attacker panicked.
Silvano's team moved in.
Within seconds, the man was disarmed.
But Rafferty had already run toward Fay.
She had fallen.
He caught her.
She was shaking.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Then why are you shaking?”
“Because you looked terrified.”
He laughed despite himself.
“You scared ten years off my life.”
“Good.”
She smiled.
The attacker was taken into custody.
Later, Rafferty sat beside Fay in the hospital waiting room.
She had a minor cut on her forehead.
Nothing serious.
But Rafferty wouldn't let go of her hand.
“You saved me.”
She looked at him.
“No.”
“Yes.”
She touched his cheek.
“Once, you saved me from a room full of people who thought kneeling made them powerful.”
She smiled.
“Tonight I reminded you that you don't have to fight everything alone.”
Rafferty kissed her.
Their family returned home before sunrise.
Josie was asleep.
The house was quiet.
Fay looked at Rafferty.
“Do you ever miss the old life?”
He thought.
“No.”
“Not even the power?”
He shook his head.
“I have something better.”
“What?”
He looked toward the bedroom where Josie slept.
“You.”
She smiled.
“And her.”
“And her.”
May you like
He pulled Fay close.
For the first time, peace felt real.
