The night air was thick with heat and bass, the Cameron party in full swing behind you. You’d stepped away from the crowd, your phone buzzing with missed texts from Rafe. You hadn’t told him Carter was here—again.

At first, Carter was just background noise. A look here. A compliment there. But recently, it felt like he was everywhere. Pushing limits. Ignoring boundaries. Like he didn’t care that you were Rafe’s.

You were by the dock, answering a text, when his voice cut through the quiet. “Been waiting for you to come out here.”

You didn’t even look up. “Not tonight, Carter.”

He stepped closer. “Why not? We never really talk. I just think you’re wasting time with someone like Rafe. You don’t even look happy with him.”

You took a step back. “You don’t know anything about me. Or him.”

He reached for your arm—not rough, but enough to freeze your blood. “You don’t have to pretend.”

You pulled back. “Let. Go.”

Then came the voice that stopped everything. “I swear to God, if you don’t back away right now—”

Rafe.

His footsteps were slow but deliberate, the tension in his jaw unmistakable. Carter dropped your arm, but Rafe had already seen enough.

“You deaf or just f***ing stupid?” he asked, stepping between you and Carter. Carter laughed nervously. “We were just talking, man.”

Rafe’s eyes burned. “You don’t touch her. You don’t look at her. She told you no. That should’ve been the end of it.”

Carter raised his hands. “Relax—”

Rafe shoved him—hard. Carter stumbled back, nearly losing his balance. The music from the party kept blaring, but a few people near the dock turned toward the commotion.

And then Rafe’s hand slipped under his jacket.

“Rafe,” you said quickly, stepping forward.

He didn’t pull the gun. But he could have. And Carter knew it. Rafe’s breathing was harsh. “Touch her again and I swear, no one’ll find your body.”

Carter paled. Didn’t say another word. Just turned and walked away fast.

You placed a hand on Rafe’s chest, grounding him. His heart was racing. His jaw still locked. “Hey. I’m okay. I’m here.”

He didn’t speak right away. Just looked at you like he wasn’t sure what he would’ve done if you hadn’t stopped him. Then he let out a slow breath and pulled you into him.

“I should’ve been out here sooner,” he murmured into your hair. “No one gets near you again. Not while I’m breathing.”

And for the first time that night, you felt safe.