I pull my hand away from his mouth, blowing out a breath as I scrunch the article in my hand and drop it back into the box before moving to the next one. My eyes blow wide open as they register the headline.
BUSINESSMAN & SON BRUTALLY MURDERED IN ORGANIZED CRIME HIT
I read the entire article in disbelief, and then re-read it before I look up at Rafe. His mouth is hard set, and his eyes are unfathomable as I lean closer to palm his cheek.
“This onewasyou.”
It’s a statement, not a question, and his eyes flash with vicious delight when he nods. “Si. And I’m only disappointed that I can’t do it all over again.”
“But why? Why did you do this?” My brow creases and pulse quickens as a twisted joy overtakes me, already knowing the answer to my question.
“He hurt you. Theybothhurt you. And anyone who has ever hurt you will answer tome.”
I’m no stranger to violence, and given thechoice, I’d never willingly choose it, but at this moment, my heart swells, knowing the lengths this man has gone to in order to ensure justice was served on my behalf. Knowing that such awful men—men who hurt me immeasurably—got what they deserved.
And, clearly, Imustbe a bad person now because my only wish is that they left this world in the most agonizing way possible.
Rafe brushes the gift box aside, allowing him to edge closer, pulling me onto the floor to hold me close. His lips brush my ear, sending butterflies swarming in my stomach.
“When it comes to your safety,Stellina,know that Iamjudge, jury, and executioner. You need to understand that no one will hurt youeveragain. Not while there’s breath in my body.”
My breathing quickens as he pulls back enough for his dark eyes to pierce mine. His intense gaze makes my mouth go dry, and I push down on the desperate hope that stirs to life in my belly.
“But the exchange?—”
He cuts me off with a growl. “You’renevergoing back to that crazy son of a bitch,Stellina.” His eyes flick between mine as he wills me to feel the impact of that declaration before his tone softens. “I can’t do it. Iwon’tdo it. You’ll stay here. With me.”
My heart stutters as he enfolds me in a tight embrace and whispers in my ear. “I’ve taken lives in your honor. Burned the oppressive walls of your childhood home to the ground. I’ve given your daughter my name, both of you are under my protection, and once it’s safe, she will come to live here with us.” His voice deepens. "Make no mistake about where it is that you belong.”
I inhale sharply, tears prickling the backs of my eyelids when I slam them shut. A tidal wave of emotion tears through me, swirling with fear, anxiety, trepidation, and that sprinkling of longing for what my life could look like.
It feels crazy to even be having this conversation. The thought that I could finally be free of Nico is surreal, but not as surreal as the feelings this man stirs to life so easily within my jaded soul.
My stomach twists with the knowledge that by doing this, by keeping me here, he’s risking so much more than just Nico’s displeasure.
“What about Aurelia?”
“Enzo stayed behind to follow some new leads.” He rubs soothing circles on my back as he murmurs almost more to himself than to me. “Wewillget her back from that bastard.”
Then his hand on my back stills as he growls, “And if he’s ever laid his hands on you in anger, I will savor every single moment that I spend tearing him apart with my bare fucking hands.”
CHAPTER 16
RAFE
Elodie stiffens in my embrace,and my pulse quickens, instantly on high alert as I pull back to find her gaze.
“He hurt you.”
It’s a statement, not a question, and her eyes tell me all I need to know.
Following how he’d spoken to her, I’d had a hunch, but now that Iknow, my desire to murder him in cold blood has grown exponentially.
“How many times? How often? Where, when, how,Stellina.” She shakes her head as her eyes fill with unshed tears, and I grit my teeth, cursing the cunt for the millionth time. “Ineedto know so that I can make him pay in kind.”
The tears crest her lashes, tracking down her face, and her gaze closes off as she pulls away from me to stand, walking to the farthest edge of theterrazza. She hugs her arms around her middle, and the sight makes my chest ache with the need to comfort her.
Silence surrounds us while I keep my eyes trained on her back until she speaks, barely above a whisper.
