“No one is close. You’re safe,” he murmurs, his voice low, teasing… almost intimate.
A tingle shoots from my hand straight to my heart. I jerk it back, heat blooming in my chest. “We should … we should be going.”
He leans just a fraction closer, and I can smell the faint trace of him—something warm, sharp and dangerous. “The night is young … I was hoping we could pick up where we left off last year, Sophia.”
I take another careful step back, trying to create distance, but my legs feel too short, my body betraying me.
“You’re on my father’s territory. He’s brokering some kind of deal tonight, and trust me… youdo notwant to be on his bad side by flirting with his only daughter.”
His grin flickers, eyes glinting with mischief. “Flirting, huh? That’s a shame … because I think you did more than flirt with me last year.”
My breath catches. I want to look away, to hide the heat crawling up my neck—but Ican’t.
“Raphael, you’re wanted inside,” Gabriel calls, striding toward us.
“Can it wait?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
He grins, sharp and knowing. “Nope. Dad’s in the office of our host … and it looks heated.”
“Fuck,” he mutters, then glances at me. “I’ll be back.”
“Raphael… the Reaper… Costa?” My voice comes out sharper than I intend and a little startled.
“Just Raphael,” he says, tilting his head, eyes flicking over me like he’s memorizing every detail.
“But you’re not. You’re the enforcer for the Costa family.” I grab Maria’s hand, tugging her back. “You’re not someone I want to know.”
He chuckles, low and amused, with a dangerous glint in his eyes. “But, Princess… you already do.”
A shiver runs down my spine. That wink—like he knows exactly what he’s doing—makes me want to glance away, but I can’t. My pulse kicks up, hot and frantic, and I know I’m far more aware of him than I should be.
With a final smirk, he turns, his brother trailing behind, and disappears into my home, leaving a trail of heat and questions I didn’t ask.
“Holy shit, he’s cute.”
“No, he’s not. He’s dangerous, Maria. If my father finds out I know him …” I trail off, trying to sound calm.
“Not him—the brother. I think my ovaries are on fire.”
Maria’s eyes are glued to the back of the brother, and I can’t help but laugh.
“You’re impossible.”
She nudges me, tilting her head toward the men. “Maybe, but tall, dark, and deadly is looking straight at you … and he’s removed his mask.”
Quickly, my gaze finds him, heart skipping. Sure enough, Raphael is staring right at me. He smiles—just a flash, enough to send a thrill through me—then says something to his brother before they slip inside.
“This. Is. Bad,” I say, dragging out each word for dramatic effect.
“Oh, calm down. The only people who know about you two are me, you, and him.”
“Your brother, V, was there.”
Maria waves a hand dismissively. “Vincent won’t say a word. Besides, he was outside. He’s around here somewhere. We could go find him?”
I nod, exhaling. “Let’s. I don’t want him saying the wrong thing to a member of my family. I’ll be locked up forever.”
Her hands land on my shoulders, steadying me. “Calm down. If your father locks you up, I promise to break you out.” She crosses her heart, then holds out her pinky finger.
