I shuffle backwards and blindly fumble with the purse flap, searching for my phone. The narrowing of his gaze stops me.
Rafael squeezes the leather until it squeaks and the tips of his knuckles turn pale. “If you think to shoot me, you better not fucking miss.”
“Oh, no no no.” I hold up my free hand in supplication, while cradling the purse in my other arm, the jacket draped over it brushing my leg. “I’m not here to kill you and I don’t have another weapon. I was looking for my cell phone to get your phone number, and to give you the other two phones I retrieved earlier. I also took pictures of those men too, just in case that’d be helpful. When I get home I’ll send them to you.”
He slowly glides his fingers over the back of the furniture, reminding me of the way a serpent moves circumspectly, and takes a step in my direction. “Is that what I told you to do?”
“I’m sorry I gave you the wrong impression,” I say, avoiding his question. “This entire evening has been a complete disaster and I think it’s best I leave now, before it gets worse.”
He cocks his head. “Just so you’re aware, after this conversation I’m going to punish you for every step you’ve taken. I said we’re not done, and that’s what I fucking meant.”
Instinct—or insanity—takes over at hearing the dangerous undertone in his voice.
I spin, making my hair fly about my shoulders, and all but run to the exit with the devil on my heels. The jacket and handbag are stripped from my fingers right before I’m slammed into the door. My palms slap against it and the air wheezes from my lungs as the weight of Rafael’s body crushes me. He grips the strands of my pony-tail and yanks my head back, straining the muscles in my neck.
“I’m going to burn this fucking jacket.” The heavy coat lands on the floor with a light thump, as does my purse. “All of this could’ve been avoided,” he murmurs. The soft texture of his lips brush over the shell of my ear, and his voice is mild, almost gentle. It contrasts greatly with the harsh grip he has on my hair. “But you are so stubborn.”
“Rafael, I’m not try—”
My tongue goes limp in my mouth at the feel of his hand sliding underneath the shirt I’m wearing. He wraps his fingers around the thinnest piece of material on my panties and tears it from my body. I suck in a breath at the violence of it and press my thighs together.
He holds up the torn undergarment high enough for me to see. “I can’t believe you thought to leave in this state of undress,” he says. He clicks his tongue in admonishment. “No fiancée of mine will ever appear in public like this. It’s unacceptable.”
I release a quiet sigh, my shoulders sagging from the weight of my predicament as it hits me full force, pinning me down just as effectively as Rafael. “You’re right and I wasn’t thinking. I’m just…overwhelmed by everything.
The killings, the adrenaline spikes, but mostly Rafael and everything he makes me feel; Both physically and emotionally. The mental tug-of-war between wanting to run to him and needing to flee from him is exhausting. Combined with the fact my life’s in danger, I’m on the verge of breaking down.
But I refuse to do it with an audience.
“I wasn’t lying about getting my cat,” I say.
“I wasn’t lying about getting my pussy either.”
“Please.” I close my eyes and pray for the inner fortitude required to deal with Rafael and the nervousness he creates within me. “I swear I didn’t come here for any other purpose than to ask for your help. If you don’t believe me, check the gun. It’s empty.”
Rafael lets go of my hair to grip my shoulders. Then he spins me to face him, still keeping me pressed against the door. “Never let it be said I’m without mercy, but I will not tolerate you disobeying me. Are we clear?”
I gulp and nod.
“Good.” He peels himself away from me and I stifle the exhale of relief that rises. He jerks his head in the opposite direction of the door. “Come with me.”
His strides are confident when he crosses the room and I watch him as I follow behind, staring at the muscles of his back as they shift under his navy dress shirt. When he stops at the couch to retrieve my weapon, I hold my breath. I’m not 100% sure the gun is empty. What if I imagined the clicking sound after shooting the enforcer? What if there’s a single bullet still in the chamber.
Rafael would use it on me.
He removes the magazine, extracts the chamber, and finds it empty. “For once you weren’t lying.”
I release the breath that’s now burning in my lungs. “Just to confirm, you’re going to help me, right?” My inquiry flows from me as a wheeze. It’s humiliating but I’m past caring.
“For now.”
My smile is barely that, and wobbly from the relief coursing through me. Talking about our plan of action is a much safer topic, so I try to steer the conversation there. “One of the phones in my purse is mine, but the other is Federico’s. I was able to track his whereabouts with it, and I’m nowhere near as knowledgeable as you, nor did I have your resources. I’m sure there’s some pertinent information on it that would be helpful.”
“Plus, you’ll give me the details concerning your father’s business dealings and operations.”
I nod. “Yes, that too.”
“And I’ll be your fiancé.”
