Author's note: The moment you've all been waiting for lol... ok... I was waiting for XD Enjoy!

Rating MA: Sexual content

"Are ya sure?" Raphael rasped, gripping his Sais on his waist tightly.

"I spoke directly to the cop attending the autopsy," Angel said. "No positive ID yet, but the ME reported the deceased is a white male with brown hair, six foot three, weight two-hundred-thirty, between thirty-five and fifty years old."

Not a 6 foot turtle. Not Leo. Not even close.

He grabbed for the wall, light-headed with relief. He hadn't been able to breathe normally since the ravine. With each breath, he'd imagined he could still smell the putrid odor of decaying flesh. The possibility that its source was his own flesh and blood had constricted his throat and tied his stomach in knots. Now his body felt so relaxed, so loose, it was a wonder he could stand.

"There were bruises on the victim's torso and arms," Angel continued, "and preliminary findings suggest the cause of death was suffocation."

Raphael had seen his share of murder victims. The weapons of choice were mostly guns and knives. He thought of the size of the guy who had been killed. It wouldn't have been easy to hold him down and cut off his air supply.

A sharp intake of breath had him turning around in time to see Brooke reach out for him. Slipping an arm around her, he quickly ended his conversation with Angel. Then he pocketed his cell phone and drew her fully against him.

"What's the matter, Blondie?" he asked, stroking her back. Through the thin cotton of her tank top he could feel her heart racing, her body trembling like the windblown trees outside.

"I saw you slump against the wall," she said, her words muffled against his plastron.

She thought he'd been given the worse news possible, and her reaction made it clear that she cared more than a little about him. His spirits, already buoyed by Angel's call, lifted even higher. He set her back gently from him because, as much as he liked the feel of her embrace, she'd hugged him for the wrong reason.

"It ain't Leo."

She stared at him as if she couldn't believe she'd heard him right.

"The police don't know who it is," he added, "but it ain't my brother."

A smile spread across her face, making her skin glow and her eyes shine. She had never looked more beautiful to him. "I can't imagine how relieved you must be feeling."

He resisted the urge to kiss her - barely - by thinking about the other person who had spent the day waiting and wondering. "I have to call Casey and my brothers."

Unfortunately, the none of them didn't answer their, so Raph sent them a text with pertinent details before turning his attention back to Brooke.

"If ya wanna say 'I told ya so', go right ahead. I got ahead of myself and thought the worst. I.. was afraid to hope."

"Believe me, I know all about that."

Her admission was at odds with her usual prickly manner. He wondered if she could be coaxed into lowering her guard further. "I'm thinking about trying another approach."

"And what might that be?"

Her lips curved in a smile that made his pulse beat faster. "Assume the best - and go for it."

Before he realized her intention, she stepped forward, got on her tip toes, and looped her arms around his thick neck. His body surged in hungry response, a fact she couldn't help but be aware of as her embrace left absolutely no space between them. He groaned her name, his mouth seeking out hers in a kiss that quickly became fierce and wild. She urged him on, kissing him harder, pressing her breasts against his plastron. The scent of her made his senses reel and so did the throaty sounds she made. From the moment they'd met, he'd been attracted to her, but it had taken the events of last night and today for him to see past the beautiful face and figure to appreciate the full extent of her determination and compassion. And even though he wanted to lose himself in the sensation coursing through his body, he couldn't quiet the questions in his head.

Reluctantly, he dragged his mouth away from hers. "What's happenin' here?"

"I thought that was obvious," she said, her voice low, her breathing unsteady.

"Explain it to me." Raphael's chest went in and out slowly, as he took his time bringing down his heart rate... and calming the hungry beast.

When she hesitated, a cold chill passed through him as he remembered how the dark had made her lose her inhibitions. Maybe relief had the same effect on her. "Today was stressful as fuck. Is this ya way of blowin' off steam?"

Her eyes widened. "What? No." Her cheeks flushed pink. "I want to be with you."

"Blondie, I want ya too... bad." He rested his forehead against hers. "But not in the dark. If ya have a problem with that, tell me now."

She swallowed. "There's no problem. I... I want you to see me."

What she really meant was she wanted him to accept her, imperfect body and all. It's what he wanted, too. He started to speak, then realized words wouldn't be enough to convince her. He needed to show her.

Brooke's heart raced as Raphael took her hand and led her upstairs to the room where they'd talked late last night. When he turned on the bedside lamp, she had to lock her legs to resist the urge to bolt. Was this finally happening? Were they going to get naked and go all the way? Her body reacted to the thoughts. She'd been imagining how they were going to... come together as one. While he was a turtle, he was part human, too. Was she prepared to have him inside her? Was he going to be bigger than the average human male? Despite her bold words, she couldn't help but be nervous. What if he was turned off by her scars? Or worse, what if she disappointed him sexually?

It had been a long time for her. And sex with her ex-fiance had never been spectacular. She grew chilled, remembering. He'd called her a prude because she wasn't keen to try bondage and other kinkier acts, and his constant desire to push the boundaries left her cold. Maybe Ronnie was right. Maybe her body issues had always existed, and her scars had simply magnified them.

Then Raphael stretched her out on the bed and kissed her again. It was hard to hold on to a single thought, much less inhibitions or worries, when his large mouth was teasing hers so deliciously. Where did he learned to do this? She curled her arms around him as much as she could, his body heat seeping into her like the steam of a sauna. Oh, this was heavenly. Her legs grew heavy and her toes curled. She stroked his shoulders where there was still some residual tension. The past few hours had been hard on him. Maybe he'd enjoy a massage. And the foreplay would give her more time to psych up to losing her clothes.

"Take off your belt," she murmured.

As he sat up, Raphael undid his belt and sat it aside along with his Sais. His eyes never leaving hers. He undid his elbow and knee pads, lastly his bandanna. Her mouth went dry. Even though he wasn't wearing any clothes, having his bandanna off made him fully nude in her eyes. All of his muscles to bare witness.

"Now what?" he asked, his eyes darkening.

"Sit down on this chair." As soon as he complied, she straddled his hips and set her palms on his shoulders, digging into his tight muscles with her thumbs. Rubbing. Kneading. His forest green skin was rough and supple, his body hard and muscular.

His head tossed back and a low groan escaped him, showing his approval. "Don't stop. Ya hands are pure magic."

Pleased by the compliment, she continued to work on him, alternating between firm pressure and feather-light strokes on his shoulders and biceps. Finally, she gave in to the temptation and pressed her lips against his throat.

Without warning, he picked her up and put her on the bed, pinning her underneath him. "Your turn, Blondie."

The bed's duvet was soft and thick under her back. Obviously, her position ruled out a back massage, so he must have something else in mind. Something that involved her front. Her pulse beat in her throat.

He spread his fingers wide and stroked slowly over her breasts. Her body responded as if she weren't still wearing a tank top and bra. Her skin grew hot. Her nipples puckered into hard buds. He circled her pliant flesh, rubbing and caressing as she had touched him. As his gaze tracked the motion of his hands, she imagined what would happen when he finally tired of feeling cotton and wanted contact with her skin.

She closed her eyes, remembering the shock she'd felt upon viewing her scarred stomach for the first time. It had been awful. She'd felt as if she were looking at a stranger. Was that how Raphael would feel? He was so damn good at masking his feelings. Would she be able to discern his true reaction? His face might not give him away,but there was one thing a male couldn't hide: his desire for sex.

Raphael's voice startled her. "We ain't so different, me and you."

She opened her eyes. Forced herself to respond in a light tone. "I'm surprised to hear you say that, considering what part of my anatomy you're touching."

"I'm talkin' 'bout what's on the inside." He searched her eyes, his expression serious. "We both chose paths that put us in the line of fire. We got hurt and struggled to be whole again."

He laid a gentle hand on her cheek. "Ya scars are proof of ya courage and ya will to survive. So no matter how bad they are, they make no difference to me. Ya strong and sexy as fuck, Brooke. And I'm the luckiest turtle alive right now 'cause ya want to be with me."

Her throat tightened with unshed tears. "I'm the lucky one," she whispered. She truly felt that way.

After kissing his fingertips, she reached down and stripped off her top. His gaze lowered to the red puckered ugliness that was her stomach. She held her breath, battling the instinctive urge to cover herself.

"Ya beautiful, Brooke."

She wasn't sure she'd ever believe that, but the absolute sincerity in Raphael's voice assured her that he meant what he said. Her heart soared into the stratosphere.

"I've been holdin' out on ya," he said.

She stared at him, suddenly uncertain.

"I got tons of scars all ova' my body from fightin' thugs on the streets. My fuckin' life is a scar. I mean it, Brooke, I'm one lucky bastard to have this moment with ya. My father tried to protect us from all the dangers by teachin' us Ninjitsu and makin' the turtle in front of ya. The feelins' I have terrify the fuck outta me 'cause I was always taught they would neva' be returned 'cause Imma freak. This is all me and my brothers have eva' known. Fightin' and hidin' beneath the city. But if ya really want to compare scars, I have a nasty one on my right leg. If ya think it'll gross ya out, don't look."

His teasing smile made her own lips curved. Brooke soaked in all his words and her heart softened even more. She was so concerned with how he would see her, that she completely forgot how his insecurities might be feeling. People were revolted by his existence. They ran from him, even if he saved their lives. He was taking a much more risk being this vulnerable with her and that realization broke down Brooke's defenses even more. "What else are you hiding from me, Raphael Hamato?"

"Nothin' a strip search wouldn't uncova'."

She laughed. Her body feeling light, her mind giddy. When was the last time she felt this at ease getting intimate with someone else?

"Join me," Raph's voice was suddenly thicker with his accent, his demeanor serious. His hand reached out to her, an invitation for her to follow suit. Behind those intense eyes, Brooke saw a fleet of fear. He was worried she would reject him, like the same fear she had for him.

In short order, her remaining clothes followed suit - thrown across the room. At last, she was able to revel in the delicious feel of naked skin pressed against his body.

As he laved her nipples with his tongue, exquisite sensations flowed from the peaks of her breasts to the rest of her body, gradually pooling in a throbbing ache at her womanhood. His every touch excited her more than the last, and she writhed in wanton abandon.

"I want to taste ya everywhere," Raphael murmured, kneeling between her legs. Then he proceeded to do just that, his tongue delving intimately. She arched her back in response, gasping as his tongue skillfully flicked her rosebud in slow circles, bringing it out of its hood. She gripped his head to keep it in place and she pressed her center more into the delectable torture.

A delicious ache began building in her core and she panted as a result. "Don't... stop..."

She vaguely heard a quiet chuckle from Raphael as he continued his mission, his mouth devouring his meal. Where did he learn to do this?

As the sensation got to be too much and her gasps were coming out higher and higher, she knew she was getting close. Raphael tightened his hold on her legs and kept the same pace. "Raph.. I'm about to..."

A heavenly explosion of pleasure erupted from her center and she moaned and shuddered. Shaking from the bliss, she tried catching her breath. Brooke lifted her head slightly and looked down at Raphael who was licking his lips. A pool of her squirting soaked the sheets and his face. His eyes were darkened with passion and something else Brooke couldn't think of... she couldn't focus on anything but the aftershocks that rocked her body from the assault her pussy took.

While she recovered, he rained soft kisses on her eyelids and cheeks. Finally her body was ready to inflict pleasurable torture on him. She discovered what he liked by paying close attention to his breathing. A hitch in his breath indicated a pleasure point. Her fingers roamed and dallied over his entire body, discovering many pleasure points. The knowledge thrilled her, emboldened her.

He writhed and groaned in response. She felt the heat coming from his manhood but didn't see it, her eyes went to his, questioning. Raphael's breathing slowed and his closed his eyes, as if to calm himself. Soon after, she heard him sigh and his manhood dropped out below his bottom plastron.

He. Was. Huge.

And it was anatomically almost similar to a human males, she noted with desire. She rubbed her pelvis against his engorged flesh. Her skin may not have been smooth, but Raphael didn't care and neither did she anymore. She wanted to join her body with his. She wanted him to bury his hardness deep within her. Stretching her. Filling her up.

Sweat droplets formed on his face, and an expression of fierce concentration hardened the planes of his face. He stared deeply into her eyes as if he had a direct link to her soul. What was happening between them felt so right. So right she was starting to want more than just this one afternoon with him. But she couldn't think about the future when her body was clamoring again for release right about now.

He pulled away slightly to adjust himself above her, kneeling between her knees and used himself to rub her. He whispered erotic words against her flushed skin. He praised her passion and urged her to confess her secret desires. Every word, every stroke against her nub drove her higher. Wet and ravenous, she spread her legs wider and arched her hips, trying to entice him to enter her heat.

He resisted, his restraint evident in his heavy-lidded eyes and clenched teeth. "Are ya sure, Brooke?"

She hooked her heels around his calves and lunged upward, trying to obliterate his control. "Please Raphael."

With an impassioned groan, he finally placed the head of his manhood to her drenched center, and pushed through. It took some adjusting to his large size, but not long enough until Brooke felt the fulfillment of his member being inside her. It was a toe-curling experience. When he fully penetrated her in a smooth single stroke, Brooke began to move instinctively. A natural feeling helped guide her to finding the most satisfying rhythm - a rhythm echoed in their pounding heartbeats. The musky scent of their aroused bodies filled her nostrils, and she rejoiced in their earthy closeness. So much heat. So much pleasure, Responding to his urging, she rotated to her hips faster. The friction drove her mad. She teetered on the brink, straining for release again.

Kissing her hair, Raphael whispered her name and caressed her aching center with his massive dick. His hips continued to pummel her resolve, she had no control in the build up of pleasure that was occurring inside her pussy again. She couldn't hold back, he was pulling her orgasm out of her achingly slow.

Raphael grabbed her hands and held them above her head, making eye contact with her as he continued to rock against her heat. "Give it to me, I know ya need to. It's. Right. There."

With every word he thrusted into a sweet, hot spot, creating a tidal wave of desire that was going to consume her. The wet sounds from her pussy being pounded added to the rapture she was feeling and she struggled to stay coherent with his words. He's talking you through an orgasm, holy fuck.

"Fuck, it's so wet. Ionno how long I can hold back. Let go, babe. Let go," Raphael's voice was in the background of her mind as she began to see stars.

Then it happened.

A wave of heat slammed into her, turning the apex of her thighs into liquid fire. Her inner muscles clamped down on him like a vise, and she cried out in exultation as powerful, multiple orgasms racked her body.

Within seconds, Raphael's back went rigid under her hands. "Fu-fuck."

Then his own orgasm overtook him, unloading deep inside her. His manhood throbbing from the release and he shuddered again and again until he lay spent in her arms.

Through a sensuous haze, she realized this explosive lovemaking was the way it was supposed to be. And Raphael was everything a woman could ask for.

Of course, lovemaking's afterglow could be influencing her. It was hard to think logically when her body still hummed from that mind-blowing climax. But sexual fulfillment couldn't fully account for the happiness she was feeling.

She inhaled sharply. She wasn't falling in love with Raphael. She hadn't known him long enough for that. Only long enough for her to trust him - and have fabulous sex with him. The realization made her uneasy. She wanted to deny the significance of her actions, but the only convincing explanation was her heart was involved. Now what was she going to do?

As Raphael's mouth found hers, her anxiety receded. She didn't have to do anything right now. She could just enjoy the moment.

Brooke awoke to a tickling sensation on her arm. Rough fingers were stroking her skin.

"We should get up," a deep Brooklyn accent rumbled.

She rolled over to find Raphael lounging on the other side of the bed. The sheet rode low on his hips, blocking any x-rated view if he was still untucked. "Casey will probably be back soon," he added.

She checked on the sheet's position in relation to her body. Her shoulders were exposed, as well as one breast Raphael was eyeing appreciatively. Her pulse beat madly as every intimate thing they'd done came rushing back to her.

"Or we can stay put and risk givin' him an eyeful." The mattress dipped as Raphael shifted closer. "I'm leavin' that up to ya, babe."

"Because you're not shy," she said, her lips curving as she remembered his comment at the lair.

His expression turned mischievous. "Which I believed I proved to ya in the last hour or so."

He sure had. And within minutes, she had shed her self-consciousness like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. What a flight she had taken. Soaring. Transcending. She'd never forget the experience - or the turtle who had shared himself with her.

She studied him. His body gleamed against the white sheets, beckoning her to touch him. But if she did, he would reciprocate, and then touches would lead to kisses, and they wouldn't leave the bed for quite some time. And although making love again with Raphael was incredibly tempting, their sexual relationship was too new, too precious, for her to be comfortable with Casey, or anyone else, knowing about it yet.

"We should get dressed," she said, sitting up reluctantly.

"How about a shower?" He traced her spine with his fingertip.

"You mean take one together?" She turned to face him. "Have you seen the size of that shower?"

"So it'll be a little cramped. I don't mind a tight fit... as you already know."

His words robbed her of speech - and the ability to think of a legitimate objection.

"It'll save on hot water," he coaxed.

His expression was charmingly innocent, but she was pretty sure his intentions weren't. Or was he just goading her with no expectation that she'd agree? Yeah, that was it. He thought he knew how she'd react. But she'd surprised him several times today and not just in bed. Why stop now?

She smiled sweetly. "By all means, let's share the shower and be eco-friendly."

His eyes widened. Gotcha, she thought. But the upper hand didn't stay with her for long.

"Oh, I've no doubt we'll be very friendly." With that, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the bathroom.

The shower head spit out blissfully hot water down Brooke's back, giving her goosebumps and hardening her nipples. Raphael stood back to give her space under the shower, watching her intensely. His manhood was already out, hard and laying in his hand. She bit her lip as she watched him slowly stroke himself watching her, she decided to give him a show.

Turning her back to him, Brooke reached for the off-brand shampoo that sat on the tub lip, squirting a small amount into her hand. Rubbing the shampoo in her hair, she provocatively swayed her hips to a silent tune in her head knowing it would turn Raphael on.

She could hear his breath kick up a notch. Good. Before she could dip her head under the water to rinse, she felt a hard body align behind hers. His hands replaced hers and he began rubbing the shampoo into her hair, placing pressure on her scalp giving her a massage. Brooke groaned in appreciation. His dick twitched in response against her butt, and she slyly wiggled her ass against his throbbing member.

"I know what ya doing, Blondie," he whispered roughly into her ear from behind. "Imma do more than just rub ya head."

Immediately, Raphael spun her around and grabbed her hips to pull against his body roughly. Their mouths met once again, their tongues dancing together in an intricate routine that they only knew because of the intense arousal they both felt. Brooke's breathing began coming out quicker and quicker as she felt the molten heat build up between her legs again. Jesus.

While they made out, Raphael's single digit slid down her belly and to her precious bud, giving it gentle pressure that created a frenzy in Brooke's mind. A few minutes later, he slowly dipped his finger inside her wet heat, her legs opened up as much as she could without losing her balance - desperately needing him for her release. "Oh, baby girl."

"Ra-Raph, please," she stammered against his mouth. Raphael's eyes were a dark honey brown, filled with need watching her respond to his assault.

"We are goin' to go slow, I want you to ask me if you can cum," Raphael murmured against her mouth, then peeled his mouth away to her neck where he bit her softly. Brooke groaned again at the pleasure.

"Okay, fuck. Okay," she couldn't think straight. Suddenly, Raphael grabbed her ass and lifted her up quickly, his strength no longer surprising Brooke. He acted as if she weighed nothing.

"Imma fuck you, Brooke. And ya can't cum unless I tell ya to. Do ya understand?" His voice deep with horniness. Brooke nodded quickly, her hands gripping his shoulders for balance preparing for him to fill her up once more.

Regardless of how aroused Raphael was, he slowly lowered her onto his member. Her arms went around his neck and her mouth dropped open to an "oh" as the sensations of him filled every awareness she had in the moment. Am I going to pass out? Her legs were on both sides of his hips, incapable of wrapping around due to his shell, but his strong arms held steady under her bottom - controlling every move and feeling.

He held still, allowing her to adjust to the size of him. Raphael's face held restraint, but his eyes gave away the passion he was experiencing. He began lifting her halfway up his dick and then back down fully, until he hit her core. Brooke was going to lose her mind.

Every stroke he kept the same speed, slow... agonizingly, pleasurably slow. Up and down, the water from the shower cascaded down their bodies - the only thing that could be heard was their increased breathing and wetness from her pussy as he pumped her. She began to moan a tiny voice, and it drove Raphael mad. The desire to fuck her harder was getting difficult, but he didn't want to push himself over the edge until she came. Until she begged.

Brooke wasn't sure if it was the water coming down on her face or actual tears, but the fulfillment she was feeling was building. Liquid fire was being stoked with every long stroke Raphael gave her, her pussy was throbbing from need and welcomed his dick with each thrust. She wished she could open her legs more, she needed more of him pumping her to the hilt.

Brooke whimpered against his mouth, knowing her orgasm was getting close... so close. Raphael slowed when he felt her tightening around him.

"Brooke..."

He pushed her against the shower wall, not stopping his slow, deep thrusts. "Beg, Brooke."

She opened her eyes and stared into his, biting down on her lips forcing herself to say what needed to be said.

"Please... Raphael. Please... can I..." her mouth dropped open again, a tidal wave of pleasure was going to overcome her. "Cum!"

Raphael didn't wait a second longer, he picked up his speed and pumped her faster and angled his thrusts upward so he could hit the soft spot he felt in the back of her pussy. His voice was tightened, holding back his own release as he said, "Yes, baby."

A beautiful eruption of rapture washed over her like oncoming waves that made her yell out. Hot wetness went down her cheeks and she realized - she was crying. Her pussy was contracting around his dick and Raphael had no choice but to meet her over the edge - his orgasm, just as strong as hers, overcame him. He moaned loudly against her neck and emptied his seed inside her again. This is better than porn. Way way way better.

Still holding her against the shower wall, Raphael stood back and looked at Brooke - breathing heavily and still inside her. She met his eyes, chest going up and down fast. Without saying a word, Brooke softly kissed him on the mouth. If she experienced any soreness later, she thought as he withdrew himself from her and let her down on the floor, she had only herself to blame. But she couldn't remember ever feeling so supremely satisfied or blissfully content. Or crying... that's a new one, she contemplated.

In silence, he toweled her dry as she stood holding the sink for stability. Another mind blowing sex... fuck.

After a few moments, they made their way into the kitchen supposedly making BLT sandwiches, but mostly getting in each other's way and grinning like teenagers, when Casey walked in. His eyes were bloodshot and his gait unsteady. He lowered himself into a chair with a wince.

Raphael stopped buttering toast. "Did ya get my text?"

"Yeah, thanks. Huge relief. I was at a bar, tryin' to forget what I saw at the ravine, when the message came through."

"And ya stayed to celebrate," Raphael guessed.

"Bought rounds for the whole damn place." He stifled a yawn. "Then I downed about a gallon of coffee so I could drive back here."

Brooke cringed at the thought of Casey behind the wheel of his truck. Then she cringed for a different reason as his gaze moved from her to Raphael, lingering on her still-damp hair and their close proximity at the counter. The knowing look in his eyes showed he was a lot more sober than she'd given him credit for.

"I take it ya two preferred a private celebration."

She felt heat in her face and knew she was blushing.

Thankfully, Raphael didn't respond to the other man's comment except to ask, "How did it go with the cops?"

"They were impressed by my security consulting experience and accepted my version of events at face value. While I was there, I overhead them discussing a vehicle neighbors noticed on the street Sunday. A tow truck hauled it away on Monday."

"Did ya get a description of it? It might belong to the victim."

"It's a white Ford F-150." He held up his left palm, which bore pen marks. "I jotted down the license number."

A cell phone rang in the other room. Excusing himself, Raphael went to answer it.

Brooke finished slicing tomatoes and assembled sandwiches, conscious of Casey staring at her. After a long, awkward moment during which she felt the color in her cheeks continue to deepen, she finally lifted her head and asked, "Is there something you want to say to me?"

He smiled, hopefully. "If there any chance ya could make me a sandwich, too? I'm starvin'."

"Sure. I can do that."

By the time she'd put together another sandwich and carried it to the table, Raphael was back. "According to Angel, the guy in the ravine has been identified as Anton Chernov. The police think he's the one making hits for the Russian mafia, but they've never found enough evidence to convict him. A year ago, he left Brighton Beach suddenly. Rumor has it he was told to get lost until the heat was off him."

"What's he been doin' since then?" Casey bit into his BLT, then closed his eyes and sighed as if it were the best meal he'd ever tasted.

"Take a guess."

Casey's mouth was full, so Brooke answered for him. "Working for Sidorov. Sergei mentioned his named on the tape."

Raphael's smile of approval sent a surge of warmth through her body. "So how'd he end up dead in the ravine? Where's his car? The police say the white Ford truck ain't his."

She was silent for a moment, mulling over various scenarios. "Maybe an old enemy tracked him down, murdered him out of revenge and disposed of his car. The location of Chernov's body - behind his employers' property - is a warning to Sidorov that his business interest could suffer if he goes after Chernov's killer."

Casey wiped his lips with a napkin. "I have a simpler explanation. Sidorov sent Chernov to kill Leo, but Leo killed him instead. Then he panicked, dumped the body in the ravine and took off in Chernov's wheels."

Raphael shoved his half-eaten sandwich away abruptly. "That's crazy talk, Case."

"Not so crazy than ya think, bro."

"Ya think Leo's capable of murder and stealin'?"

Casey took a moment to consider his answer. "Under the right circumstances, with a lot of luck, I think it's possible."

Raphael shook his head in exasperation. "Ya giving Leo too much credit. Leo may incapacitate goons, but never gone so far as to kill."

"And you'z not givin' him enough." Pushing back from the table, Casey crossed his massive arms over his chest. "But that's hardly a surprise, ain't it? Ya always expect him to be high and mighty."

"Hey, I'm the one doubtin' my brother killed a man."

"If Leo killed Chernov, he was only doing what he had to do to stay alive. And afterward, he would have been guilty as shit and ashamed to ask his hot-headed brother for advice. So why didn't he?"

"How should I know?" Raph said, his anger spiking.

"You know," Casey shot back. "And so do I."

Brooke looked from one to the other, not understanding Casey's belligerence or Raphael's tension.

"Leo didn't call ya," Casey continued, "'cause he knew ya wouldn't speak to him. He told me ya cut him out of ya life like a cancer, even though he'd apologized a thousand times for what he did."

"He crossed the line," Raphael said tightly. "He knew there'd be consequences, but he did it anyway."

The other man slammed his fist on the table. "Has it occurred to youz, without that bad blood between ya'll, Leo would've asked for ya help and been safe now instead of on the run? That is, if he is on the run and not lyin' dead somewhere."

With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Brooke waited for Raphael to answer, but he just stared at Casey, stubbornly silent. Her earlier contentment slipped away like water down a drain. Raphael had allowed her to believe he was as close to Leo as she was to Savannah. That obviously wasn't true. The two brothers hadn't spoken for some time, all because of something Leo regretted and Raphael couldn't get past.

Most relationships relied on some degree of forgiveness. It was the mortar that sealed the fissures caused by differing opinions and habits. But given enough pressure, even a close relationship could become brittle, fragile.

What had broken the bond between Raphael and Leo?

The fact that she couldn't even hazard a guess proved she didn't really know the turtle she'd slept with. And judging by his closed expression, he was in no mood to confide in her. Not now, probably never. After the intimacy they'd shared and the feelings he'd awakened in her, his silence on family matters hurt like a stab to the heart. She wanted him to trust her. Was that naive, wishful thinking on her part?

Finally, Casey spoke. "If Sidorov doesn't already know his hit man is dead, he will soon, and he'll go after Leo with everything he's got."

"We have to find Leo first," Raphael said.