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‘Very angry.’
Zeus laughed. ‘I see. She wasn’t happy with being thrown over your shoulder, I take it?’
‘She wasn’t.’
‘She’d rather be with your brother then?’
‘I wanted you... I couldn’t stop thinking about you...’
‘No.’ Rafael was unable to keep the satisfaction from his voice. ‘She doesn’t. She’s angry because she doesn’t like being told what to do.’
‘I can relate.’
‘But that child is my responsibility and so I’m taking it.’
‘Indeed. Vincenzo and Jag will be relieved to hear it wasn’t just you losing your mind.’
‘Their concern is noted.’
‘What about Matias and the rest of your country?’
Trust Zeus to ask the most uncomfortable question.
‘What about them?’ He didn’t bother with any politeness, not that his old friend would expect it anyway.
Zeus paused, then said delicately, ‘Considering she was supposed to be Matias’s bride and Santa Castelia’s Queen...’
Rafael’s jaw clenched. ‘I told you. She felt nothing for Matias and he felt nothing for her. And as for Santa Castelia, another queen can be found.’
‘But wasn’t she brought up specifically for the role?’
Another uncomfortable question. Rafael was tired of them. ‘Did you have anything else you wanted to say?’ he demanded.
‘You didn’t answer my—’
‘Good.’ Rafael hit the end button and got rid of the call.
Then after a second’s thought, he turned his phone off.
He didn’t want any distractions and he most especially didn’t want anyone questioning what he’d done in that cathedral. It made him think about all the lines he’d crossed, all the vows he’d broken.
Vows he’d made to Santa Castelia and to his brother.
Vows he’d made to himself.
He’d sworn the day he’d learned the truth about his father that he’d never let his anger rule him again. He’d never letanyemotion rule him. And he would never allow another woman to go through what his mother had.
His birth had been a mistake and he had had to make up for that, channelling all the heat of his violent emotions into a cold, driving will that had taken him out of that one-roomed apartment in Barcelona and turned him into the man he was today.
The owner of a global company, ruler of an entire nation. Mentor to a king...
Matias had their father’s height and his dark colouring, though his eyes weren’t as dark as Carlos’s had been. They looked at Rafael warily now as the last of the advisors filed out of the meeting room. Rafael had ordered them out for some privacy.
Matias, sixteen, yet looking even younger, didn’t say a word. He stared at Rafael as if he was a rabid dog that might bite at any moment.
He was scared, Rafael got that loud and clear, and it made the low, sullen anger that burned constantly inside him leap. Carlos had not been kind to him, that was clear. If their father had hurt him...
Rafael gritted his teeth and forced his fury down, meeting his brother’s gaze directly. ‘First of all,’ he said, ‘I am not here to take your place. My duty is to get Santa Castelia into shape so that you actually have a country to rule and not a dictator’s republic. Second, although I will make the ultimate decisions on how this country is run, I aim to involve you in all the decision-making processes. You need to be taught how to rule and, since our father neglected his duty and failed to teach you, I will do so.’
