Maverick and Corbin study me, more than likely seeing the frown I can't hide. Dale's smile falls at last, and he breathes out heavily.
"Thanks, by the way. With you just having surgery, I haven't had the chance to really talk to you about beating the hell out of my cheating fiancée."
That brings my smile back as the fond memory resurfaces. Dane chuckles lightly while pulling me closer and pressing a kiss to the top of my head. I don't know if he meant to do it or if it was just some old reaction, but everything on me experiences those tormenting chills.
Maverick's brow arches, and he hides his smile behind his wine glass.
"Fiona had that ass whooping coming for a while," Corbin says, his eyes on a blonde walking by us. He looks back to me as she finishes passing. "Even though Fiona wasn't the only one to suffer Rain's wrath that day. My balls are still aching."
Everyone bursts out laughing, but I'm forced to clutch my stomach when the pain sears through me. Damn, that still hurts.
"Sorry," Corbin says through a grimace, looking truly regretful.
I force a smile while shaking my head.
"I'm fine."
"Dane hasn't been letting us come over," Maverick pouts, and I have to work really hard not to laugh again.
Over the past three days, I've heard Dane arguing with all of them over the phone. A few times he's argued with them at my front door. Only Dale has been allowed to come over, but I was asleep while he was there. Pain meds knock me on my ass, which is why I haven't taken any today.
"Yeah, Dane, what the hell? You haven't seen or spoken to her in six years. Why do you get to stay?" Corbin whines. "We should be taking care of her."
I love my boys.
"Because I'm making up for lost time. Seriously though, you roughnecks wouldn't ever let her heal."
Maverick shrugs in agreement, while Corbin tilts his head from side to side, weighing that answer for merit. Dale just smiles, not looking at either of us as he pretends to study his wine.
"Is Kode coming?" I ask, killing the lightness with that question.
Dane gets stiff beside me, and his arm slides off my shoulders. The others just look away.
"Haven't really been able to get him to talk in a few days. He's been in New York for a while," Corbin says at last.
I frown as I glance toward the oversized cabin-like vineyard office. Raya is standing outside with her arms crossed over her chest as Kade instructs several waiters. He walks off after giving her a stilted smile, and heads away like he can't move fast enough.
"I really need to go speak to Raya," I murmur as I walk away, ignoring the weird veil of uncomfortable silence.
I have to talk to Kode. I just wish he'd answer my calls.
"I'm fine, Rain. Really," Raya lies.
Of course I only know she's lying because I saw her when no one was looking. To your face, Raya has the masterful ability to disguise her every emotion.
"Kade may be under a lot of stress or something."
Her beautiful smile could fool multitudes. How does she do that?
"Enough about me," she sighs. "What's going on with you and Dane? He seems pretty intent on staying close to you. I've known him for a while now, and until today, I've never seen him so determined to touch someone."
That makes me grin foolishly. I feel guilty about it, because it's obvious she's having problems with Kade, but I also know she wants to stop discussing them. So I go along with it. I hate it when people probe me. I'm sure Raya is the same way.
"It's fine. It's just... I wish I knew what to do next."
"You mean romantically?" she asks with a smile I'm almost certain is real.
From this room, you can see the entire vineyard. It's quiet up here, which is why we came here to talk, but my eyes can't peel themselves away from the dark-haired masterpiece on the front lawn.