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Rafe watches us closely as we make our way toward them. I can see the wheels in his head turning from here.
“Are you okay?” he asks his sister.
She nods but doesn’t attempt to speak as we take our seats.
“She drank too much last night,” I interject before he can question her further. “She’s just hungover. Some sleep will help her feel better.”
Rafe stares at us, first one then the other. He is looking for any sign of deception and I know I will regret lying to him in this moment. Rafe hates liars and even though I am doing it for the right reasons, there will be hell to pay when he finally gets to the truth.
“I wish you would stop acting like a spoiled brat,” he directs at his sister. “It’s time to grow the fuck up and start acting your age.”
Chastised, Regina lowers her head in shame. I want to stand up for her but I hold my tongue. I am not having this conversation on a plane. Rafe is bound to be irate the moment he hears what Regina has done, and I want to be able to put space between all of us when the inevitable explosion happens.
The rest of the flight is tense and silent. Dom watches each of us in turn, trying to figure out what the hell is going on, but we are all playing our cards close to the chest. I have enough of my own problems without having to add an angry husband and a reckless sister-in-law to the damn mix.
Once we land, Rafe grabs my hand and drags me toward the exit.
“Bring my sister to the estate,” he directs at Dom. “I need to have a conversation with my wife.”
I struggle to keep up with his long strides as he leads me down the stairs and across the tarmac toward a town car with blacked-out windows. Opening the back door he harshly shoves me inside.
“What the fuck, Rafe?” I ask in outrage, pulling my dress down to cover my exposed ass.
He grabs my face harshly, staring at me.
“Listen to me, Willow. I won’t abide you lying to me.”
His eyes are dark and stormy, rage visible in every line of his face. His body is stiff and I know he is holding back.
“Tell me what is going on, wife.” His words are demanding as his grip on my chin tightens.
“I can’t,” I reply softly.
“I will get the truth from you, one way or another. But rest assured you won’t like my methods.” The threat is clear but I stand my ground, not showing an ounce of the fear I feel right now.
“Don’t threaten me.” I glare at him.
My world flips upside down and I find myself draped across Rafe’s legs. My dress is quickly flipped up before his palm connects with my left ass cheek. Crying out loudly, I struggle against his firm grip, but to no avail.
“This was your choice. The moment you stop keeping things from me, this will come to an end.” His warm hand strokes over the area that is currently stinging like a bitch.
When I don’t reply, he spanks me again.
“Fuck!” I yell. “Stop that.”
“Tell me what I want to know!” he seethes in my ear.
“No. Regina trusted me and you need to stop being an overbearing prick. Give her time and she will come to you.”
I hope he hears my words and takes them to heart. But when his hand connects with my heated flesh once more, I know he doesn’t give a shit what I say.
“I won’t have a wife that lies to me, Willow. Not about anything, and not to protect anyone.”
“And I won’t break her trust.”
A tear tracks down my cheek. I never thought Rafe would resort to physical violence. I knew he would be pissed but I never expected this. He continues to rain blows down on my battered ass cheeks. I’ve stopped speaking, not allowing a single sound to leave me as he punishes me for my perceived slight. My mind drifts back to other times when the men in my life have used their superior strength to bring me to heel when I step out of line.
It takes long moments for me to realize that I am no longer draped over Rafe’s lap but cradled against his chest. His hand is cupping my cheek, trying to force me to face him. After a moment I allow my gaze to collide with his.
