Free Prodigal Son by Debra Mullins

vision of death he had seen?
    “I thought you wanted to find Danny,” he said, watching for some flicker of emotion. “Have you changed your mind?”
    “Yes. Danny can handle his own problems.”
    Lie . But truth as well. What was going on here?
    “What made you change your mind?”
    Her smile wavered just for a second. “I just did.” She tugged her arm free. “I have to pack and leave.”
    He followed her back into the bathroom. “Why?”
    “Because I do.” Picking up her toothbrush and toothpaste, she frowned at him where he stood in the doorway. “You have to move.”
    That white haze in her mind seemed to flicker. He leaned against the doorjamb and bared his teeth in a smile. “No.”
    “But I have to leave.” She scowled at him. “Please move.”
    Slowly he shook his head. “No, I won’t.”
    Her fingers began to tremble. “I have to go home.”
    He gently removed the toothpaste and toothbrush from her hands and tossed them on the vanity. “No, you have to stay and help me find Danny. I think I know where he is.”
    “You find him. That’s your job, isn’t it?” She pushed at his chest. “Let me finish packing!”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “But you have to!” She shoved at him again, and he took hold of her shoulders.
    “Cara, calm down. You don’t have to leave.”
    “I do!”
    “Why?” He bent his head so he could look at her eye-to-eye. “Why don’t you stay here and find Danny with me? He needs you.”
    That flicker again. “I have to go home.” She jerked out of his hold and stumbled backward. Her elbow struck the towel rack. She hissed and cupped the injured joint with her other hand. For an instant, as he looked into her eyes, her thoughts were clear and frantic, like a trapped animal.
    Help me .
    Then the haze took control again.
    Physical shock. That’s what it might take to snap her out of it.
    “Come on, Cara.” He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her over to the bathtub. She shrieked and struggled, but still he managed to lift her legs over the porcelain edge and get her into the tub. She whirled back toward him, but he blocked her before she could climb out again.
    “What are you doing? I have to pack!” The last word came out with a gurgle as he turned on the cold shower full force.
    “You need to snap out of it,” he said, holding her under the spray.
    She shrieked and fought and spat beneath the icy water, but he held her there, preventing her exit with his body. His shirt sleeves got soaked, but it was worth it when she twisted her head back from the spray and glared at him with furious brown eyes.
    “What the hell are you doing?” she demanded.
    He turned off the water, then stared deep into her eyes, just to be certain. The black shroud of death still lingered there, but whatever had been controlling her thoughts was gone.
    Now he just had Cara to deal with, and she was furious.
    *   *   *
    “Are you out of your freaking mind?” Her thoughts swimming in confusion, Cara wrapped her arms around her midriff, her body shivering even as her cheeks heated. Her hair dripped, her clothes clung to everything, and Rafe Montana stood there gawking like a teenager at a peep show.
    “Here, you’re cold.” He reached for a towel and wrapped it around her, his touch gentle despite the very male interest in his eyes. Her heart stumbled, but she grabbed hold of herself. Now wasn’t the time for romantic fantasies, no matter how comforting his touch. Where had he come from? And how the heck had she ended up in the shower?
    She jerked the ends of the towel from Rafe’s fingers and wrapped it tightly around her body. Play it cool, McGaffigan, at least until you know what’s going on. “Of course I’m cold; I’m in a freezing shower.”
    “I had to snap you out of it.”
    “Snap me out of what?” She swiped damp hair out of her face. “Is this how you get your jollies?”
    “Of course not. Look, I’m sorry, but—”
    “Sorry my ass.” She stepped