The man raises both eyebrows before proceeding to look away from me. Which tells me a lot. A hot rush of something green flows through me. I only saw the name flash across his screen when he placed it down on the table for a second. Since then I haven’t been able to get it out of my head.
The curiosity is driving me crazy.
“I really think the boss should tell you that.”
My eyes narrow, “Is she his girlfriend?”
“The boss doesn’t do girlfriends,” Raul smirks. “And since I’d really like to keep my head, I think I should stop talking now.”
I frown, “But he’s slept with her?”
The idea of him being with other women kicks me in the gut. I haven’t slept with anyone since him. Mostly because I was pregnant and then a mother who had to make responsible choices. I know it’s irrational. He’s not a monk, and he’s more than allowed to have sex with anyone he chooses.
It’s also ridiculous. Rafaelle and I aren’t dating. We’re not in a relationship. The idea of that is almost laughable. I’m a captive in his home. He’s about to barter me in a trade for power and control over the criminal underworld in the city.
He might look at me like he sees the deepest parts of me and accepts it. But he and I can never be anything more, and the truth is, it’s mostly my fault.
Raul lifts his head to the ceiling like he’s praying for salvation or at least an escape route from this conversation.
“It’s okay, Raul. You don’t have to answer,” I murmur. “You can go now.”
He doesn’t need to be told twice before he’s rushing out of the room.
With a huff, I pull my plate of cereal even closer, stuffing my face in the next breath.
The rest of the day passes by quietly. I send a text to my mother so she knows I’m still alive. We haven’t spoken much over the phone. I could tell she was relieved when she heard from me yesterday, but I wouldn’t put it past Rafaelle to have cloned or hacked my phone. It’s better to keep the conversation between us minimal. As much as I want to see my baby girl or hear her voice, it’s better this way.
I miss her like crazy though. There’s an ache in my heart that feels like a hole where she’s meant to be. Right now, I still have no clue what the plan is. Mila is my number one priority. I need to protect her and I need to figure out a way to keep her hidden from Rafaelle and his world.
My personal feelings about him aside, there’s no world in which him finding out about a secret daughter wouldn’t have disastrous consequences. And although the guilt is eating me up from the inside, I know I have to remain strong.
It’s hard though. Wanting so much.
I want Rafaelle. But I also want my daughter to be safe. And I want to live a happy, fulfilled life.
Apart from Mila, I feel the most fulfilled when I’m with Rafaelle. Talking about my hopes and dreams.
But I can’t have both. And there’s really no choice.
Most of the house has settled for the evening when I finally emerge from my room. There aren’t as many guards traipsing about like they were when I first arrived in the house a couple of days ago. Security is looser, although I can still feel security cameras watching me in the hallways and there’s no doubt in my mind that I couldn’t make it to the front gate without beingsurrounded. But I feel less and less like a captive with each day that passes.
I round a corner and fall to a stop, taking in a pair of tall double doors just begging for me to walk in. Every day I find something new in this house. It’s amazing.
Curiosity has me pushing one of the doors open and taking a step inside and then I stop, a gasp erupting from my throat.
“Oh my God.”
Moonlight pours through towering windows, silvering polished floors and illuminating shelves lined with sheet music. A fireplace occupies one wall. Comfortable chairs sit scattered around the space.
But none of that holds my attention.
My gaze lands on the piano positioned near the windows.
A grand piano. It’s huge, elegant and perfect taking up a huge section of the room.
I can’t believe no one told me about it. I can’t believe Rafaelle didn’t show it off to me the first chance he got. If he had, I probably would have given him an easier time at the start of my abduction.
I cross the room immediately, sitting my ass on the plush seat in front of the piano.
