My leap onto the bed is so forceful I bounce from the impact. Rafael’s chuckles hit the air and tickle my ears. I toss back my hair to remove it from my eyes and make a face at him.
In the time it takes me to blink, his hand shoots out to take my wrist prisoner. Then he yanks me so that I fall, landing across the expanse of his chest. I use the plane of muscle to push myself up and he stills me with one hand on the base of my spine and the other wrapped around the back of my neck.
“You promised…” My voice is wobbly, weak. But I don’t have the time to berate myself for it. I’m too busy trying not to be devoured by this fallen angel.
This prince of darkness.
“Shh. I meant it,” he says softly.
I scrutinize him, peering into his gaze and searching for a tiny bit of truth. That’s when I notice the copper flecks in his dark eyes. They’re bright but not blazing at this moment. The lust is there, simmering as usual, yet not overpowering.
He dips his hand underneath my shirt and massages the small of my back, his movements unhurried and languid. Only then, does my heart stop trying to escape my chest.
“You will sleep here, with me, every night of this engagement,” he says. “It’s necessary for the ruse because no one would believe I’d wait to have sex with my bride-to-be. Hell, I wouldn’t believe me, even if I’m the one who said it.”
My lips tilt up, despite my reluctance. “That doesn’t mean I have to sleep in this bed though.”
“My men, along with my housekeeper, will find it odd if they see you asleep on the couch. Trust me on this.”
“I don’t. Goodnight, signore.”
“Goodnight, fiancée,” he says, mimicking my formal tone.
His laughter is the last sound I hear, other than the lights clicking off and the sheets rustling when Rafael tucks me close to him. After that there’s nothing except for his deep breathing and my own. I concentrate on that for what feels like hours before I drift off into a restless sleep.
Because how does someone fall into a deep sleep with a dangerous threat, in the form of a man, wrapped around your body and holding you tight?
Rafael
Along-seated instinct jolts me awake and I immediately search for Carina.
But she’s nowhere to be found.
I run my hand over the spot where she should be lying and the sheets are cool to touch, indicating she hasn’t been in my bed for awhile.
“I fucking knew it!”
After throwing back the covers and getting to my feet, I retrieve my Glock from its secure location and confirm it’s locked and loaded. I’m not going to shoot Carina, but I never discount the notion that danger could be nearby.
A constant in the life of a made man.
The very idea of her being hurt while under my roof pisses me off more than the thought of her running from me.
I slink through my home as though a stranger and silently make my way to the front door. A quick glance at the security feed off to the side shows Renzo at his post, his gaze sweeping back and forth, indicated by the constant motion of his head. He would’ve prevented Carina from leaving and promptly woken me once she’d been caught.
With that theory discarded, I systematically search the penthouse, keeping my ears attuned to detect any nearly inaudible sounds. There are a lot of rooms and my anger rises with each one that comes up empty. By the time I’m back to where I started, I’m fucking furious.
And then I hear it.
A muffled sob.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention as I creep to the bathroom. If any harm has come to Carina, there will be blood. A fuckton.
No clue where the hell my protective instincts are coming from, but that’s something to dissect at a different time. For now, all I care about is finding her.
The sounds of quiet weeping grow louder the closer I get to the doorway. With my gaze—and my weapon—constantly swinging back and forth, I find nothing amiss. Except for the fact that a beautiful woman is sitting on the floor with her knees tucked to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs, and is crying softly.
Carina’s so lost in her grief she doesn’t lift her head when I fully enter the room, and my bare feet assist with that. Not wanting to frighten her, I keep my steps slow but purposeful, and once I’m towering over her she finally lifts her gaze.
