“He’ll fucking blow.”
“Yes, so I will leave him a message. I will tell him how, by oath, I made you promise to let me do this and that I did not allow you to tell anyone.”
“I ain’t lying or any of that shit, especially when he won’t fucking forgive me. Besides, we all know I don’t follow rules or keep secrets. I already have one nephew wanting to fucking kill-”
“You won’t be lying because I am holding you to one. If you loved Rafael, then you will uphold this promise.”
A memory from long ago flashed through my mind... when I had told her to answer me if she loved Raf, she was using that shit on me now.
“I ain’t promised shit,” I growled.
“You will promise me, for our family and for me. This is where my happiness lies. I wish to be released from these shackles…” she persisted, running her fingers lightly over her mate mark. Her eyes looked haunted, and she did look tired.
Fuck it.
Even if I understood she needed this… it still hurt. To agree to her demand wasn’t going to be fucking easy. I ran my hand down my face as she stared at me, waiting for me to agree. Her grey eyes filled with sadness and hope, and it fucking messed with me. Why the fuck did Rossi women have a hold on me? I swore there was some shady shit going on there, or I was just getting fucking soft.Maybe Ri did some voodoo shit or something. Can’t put anything past her and Del…
“Fine. Talk to Ri… and I’m talking to her, too, like I want to make sure she’s fucking okay with it.” A small smile crossed her lips.
“Thank you. I will,” she promised softly.
Our eyes met, and the severity of what I agreed to…No, this was wrong. She couldn’t do this shit. I could tell Rayhan or stop her.But her next words made my thoughts come to a painful stop.
“Thank you for understanding. I cannot wait to be by his side once more…” she whispered, a single tear escaping her eye.
She looked as if a burden had been lifted from her, The spark of hope in those grey eyes told me just how hard living was for her, and I realised it might be fucking painful for us, but it was something Maria needed. For herself.
I stood up, walked over to the window, and stared at the moon in the night sky.Raf… we fucking needed you… you left far too fucking fast.
Was this the right choice?
Her heels sounded on the wooden floors as she made her way over to me, stepping up beside me as she looked at the sky.
“He would be proud of you. So proud,” she whispered as if knowing what I was thinking.
I looked down at her, her eyes held so much emotion and I knew even the decision she had made wouldn’t be easy for her. Talking to Ri… having to say goodbye to everyone…
“And of you. You carried on after him, standing in as Luna so Del could live her life and get her degree. You remained fucking strong even when I could see how much fucking pain you were in. You’ve always been good at hiding your emotions.” I looked down at her, and she smiled slightly.
“Of course. I was born to be Rafael’s Luna, raised to be a queen, and I will handle things just like he would expect of me,” she said proudly, and I smirked.
“Yeah…” A fucking king and queen who deserved every ounce of the praise they were given. There would never be another Rafael or Maria. “I heard you’re quite good at being a flirt, too.” I smirked, making her smile vanish. Was that a faint blush?
“Whoever said that is-”
“Liam doesn’t lie,” I mocked. “So I can actually start to believe that you and Raf actually consummated your bond and didn’t just adopt Ray and Ri. I swear you come off so fucking stiff at times.” She frowned at me, and I snickered. “Even Marcel didn’t deny that shit.”
“I am going to have a word with Liam. I told him not to say anything.”
“This is Liam. The guy’s smart, but he’s also fucking clueless. I think Kiara got all the tact and brains from that duo.” She laughed lightly and shook her head.
“Well, you are a tattle-tale too.”
“I fucking am not,” I growled. She gave me a look as if saying did I really believe that?
Well… I do kinda like stirring shit up…
“It’s rather sad, but men often don’t realise women can be more dangerous than a man. It’s a shame for them,” she said haughtily, and I knew she was still trying to hide her embarrassment.
