He looked at me with a light in his eyes and showed me evidence of his heart.
“You’re acting like a child,” Carlos says harshly. “This is the same man that ordered the killing and drowning of a 15 year old boy a couple of days ago. When his body was found, his fingers had been cut off. Sound familiar?”
I reel backwards, “How do you know that?”
A muscle ticks in his jaw, “I have contacts in the mafia. I used to work in the underworld. But then I got out and turned my life around. It never really leaves you, though,” he says bitterly.
I’m surprised by the revelation, but my mind is still whirring as I come to terms with what he said about Rafaelle. Killing a 15-year-old is inhumane, and I know without a doubt that the kid didn’t deserve it.
I reassess everything I know about Rafaelle, wondering if he’s the sort of man who would harm a child like that.
Have I fallen for a version of him that only exists around me? I thought I knew his darkness. But maybe I haven’t even scratched the surface.
“Liliana,” Carlos calls, drawing me from my thoughts.
“I-I don’t know what to do.”
“You’re in a good position, Lily. If you’re truly Ignacio Navarro’s daughter, then not even Rafaelle Vitale will be able to hurt you. He would protect you.”
I frown, “What are you talking about? From what I’ve heard, this man might be worse than Rafaelle.”
“He has a reputation sure, but he values his family above all else. Why do you think he agreed to trade you? He wants his daughter back, especially after so many years of being estranged. And his granddaughter would be a protected jewel in his own. No one would be able to harm you.”
“I don’t know. It feels like I’m stuck between two impossible options.”
“Just ask yourself this. How would Rafaelle Vitale react to the knowledge of a child that’s been kept a secret from him all this while?”
A breath escapes me, “Badly.”
“Exactly. And with a man like that, bad equates death. I think you should take your chances with a father that I’m sure is yearning for your return.”
I think it all over, trying to find a flaw in his argument. But I know he’s right. The longer I stay with Rafaelle, the longer I have to go without seeing my daughter. I can’t deal with itanymore, I need to hold my baby girl in my arms and the only way I can do that is if I stick to Navarro.
If Carlos is right, he at least won’t hesitate to protect his own flesh and blood. And that protection would extend to my daughter as well. My only worry is my mother and what he would do to her. Keeping me away for so many years isn’t something that can be easily forgiven. But I have to try. This is probably the only way all my loved ones stay safe.
Something twists in my gut at the thought of what I’m going to have to do.
“When’s the trade?” Carlos questions curiously.
“Tomorrow,” I reply, my voice barely a whisper.
Tomorrow, I’m going to have to betray Rafaelle. I’m going to stab him in the back with a knife he practically placed in my hands. He showed me parts of his heart and now I have to turn my back on him and his beauty and vulnerability.
I feel sick. And I have no clue if I’ll be able to do it.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
RAFAELLE
Istand at the edge of the warehouse floor, watching men move around us. Tension permeates the air, the scent of violence clinging. It feels like we’re all holding our breaths. Waiting for an eventuality that ends with death.
This exchange has been planned down to the second. There are snipers positioned with a clear view into the room where the meeting will happen. Vehicles have been checked and all the exit routes are secured.
Every possible scenario is accounted for. And yet something feels very wrong. I just can’t put my finger on it.
There’s a table in the middle of the room so the conversations between the organizations can happen in a civilized manner. Not that anyone of us actually holds that sentiment. Civilization feels like a joke to me most of the time. But right now with tensions running high, all I really want to do is lash out.
But I can’t do that. Now with Liliana standing twenty feet away. She’s close enough to see but too far away to touch. I shouldn’t be looking at her. I was specially told not to jeopardize the mission by showing my personal emotions towards her. And that meant staying away until this shit show is over.
