Page 44 (1/2)

Violet half-expected Rafe toall Nancy Drew on him, but when she looked back at hiaze appraising everyone

"We have to tell Sara," Violet whispered

Rafe gave a sharp, determined nod, and then he downed the rest of his coffee and slaht She needs to know this It could be soet back to the Center" He stood quickly

Violet ju with you," she insisted, reaching out to stop hiured it out; she didn’t want to be left out

She’d gotten used to the quick burst of static that erupted between theers clasped around his wrist, the sensation jolted her, both physically and eround shift, not literally, but the effect was just as unsteadying She jerked her hand back, squeezing her fist into a tight ball

Rafehers and holding the

Neither of the rin spread over his face "Well, that ard"

Violet flexed her fingers, still awed by the strange sensation rippling through her "Do youwhat the hell that is?" she asked "You feel it toodon’t you?" Her thoughtful green eyes lifted to his

"Yeah," he grudgingly admitted "I felt it And you should really keep your hands to yourself, V That shit freaks a guy out" But his voice had dropped and his tone had grown serious His gaze clouded over

"What? You think it was me? You think I did that?" Violet scrutinized hi like that before?"

And then she watched as his defenses dropped back into place, the wall that insulated hi From everyone His expression smoothed and his voice turned cool, eirl I’ve ever touched" He turned away from her and marched toward the door "Come on, we have a job to do Why don’t we concentrate on that?"

Violet glared at his back, and the word jerk rose to the surface, but she ht; they’d co to do with either of the beneath the red awning, Violet watched Rafe for longer than she should have She doubted she’d ever understand him; he confused her like no one she’d ever ued her She wanted to knohy he kept everyone at such a distance And why Saht now, she was pretty sure that wasn’t the case She sort of thought what everyone else did, that Rafe was an ass