“You’ve brought life into me,” he says. “Without you I’d still be in that damaged state. Yes, things are not always peaceful between us, and yet I wouldn’t have it any other way because when I’m with you I’m living and breathing, not just surviving. But I don’t want to do this new life without you, so I’m asking you to do me the honor of becoming my wife, the fire I need, and the only woman strong enough to stand by my side. Carina Maritza Nardone, will you marry me?”
Rafael opens the decorative box and the diamond ring inside greedily grabs the lights, sparkling intensely. The entire silver-colored band has smaller diamonds, and it weaves a pattern around the large round cut diamond in the middle. It looks like a glittery flower or…a tied knot? I highly suspect the latter considering his rope work from earlier.
“Viziata… The question only requires a one-word answer, and to make things even more simple, it’s only one syllable.” He cocks his head at me. “Perhaps the blood hasn’t returned to your head, hence the delayed response,” he mutters, and then continues with, “Will you marry me?”
I nod, still completely stunned and overwhelmed.
He smiles at me and takes the ring to slide it onto my finger. “I’d prefer a verbal declaration, but I’ll take what I can get.”
I stare dumbly at the engagement ring while he unties my ankles, straightens my gown, tucks a few strands of my hair back into place, and settles into the seat beside me, his body angled in my direction.
“Do you like it?” he asks.
The hint of uncertainty snags my attention, pulling me out of my stupor. Rafael is always confident, with a penchant toward cocky, but not right now. From the slight creases around his eyes, I can gather he’s truly concerned whether or not I approve of the ring.
“I do. Thank you.”
He smiles and it’s missing the caustic feel, giving it authenticity. I’m not sure if it’s because of his smile, which has my heart fluttering, the contentment from being pleasured thoroughly, or the beautiful words he spoke to me, but I turn in his direction.
And then I cradle his face and kiss him.
Unlike me, Rafael doesn’t hold back. He pours everything into kissing me until I’m only aware of him and the way he makes me feel. I return his passion, giving him something that transcends words and that I’ve never given to any man: my genuine affection.
That scares me more than the thought of losing my sister.
Which is why I have to leave.
Rafael
2Years Ago…
All these beautiful women milling about and I can’t put my cock in any of them. If there was ever a travesty of this magnitude, I’ve yet to hear it.
This gala is a huge waste of my time.
“That gleam in your eyes will amount to nothing but trouble.”
I turn to the Russian next to me and grin. “Me? I think you have me confused with one of my brothers. There are three Silvestri men, you know.”
Gavriil gives me a deadened stare before knocking back his drink.
“You don’t need to worry,” I say. “I’ve already been warned by Tristano. As if the threat of marriage isn’t enough to keep me on the straight and narrow. I have no interest in a single meal when life is a giant buffet.”
“A buffet will have many hands on it before yours, some of which are dirty.”
I click my tongue at him. “Say what you will, Gabe, but I don’t like to be limited when it comes to my appetite.”
He narrows his eyes at my use of the English version of his name. I’m not sure why he dislikes it so much, but the reason doesn’t matter. I’ll continue using it to provoke him, until he starts speaking in Russian. Then I’ll stop because I don’t want to die.
Or because I’ve already been silenced. Permanently.
“‘You can eat from any tree in the garden, except this one…’” Gavriil tosses his head, removing the golden locks of hair from his eyes. “Some truths hold true, even after millennia. Use discernment, my friend.”
I cock my head. “The Bible, huh?” My lips twitch with suppressed amusement. “I know you were there as the Archangel Gabriel when it was written, but us mere mortals are still trying to crawl out the dirt from which we came.”
Gavriil shrugs his massive shoulders. There’s no doubt in my mind he had his suit custom made to fit his large frame. Is there even a company that would have his size on hand? Giants Galore, maybe?
“I’ve said more than I should.” He gives me a hard look, and for a brief moment I catch a flicker of regret in his icy blue gaze. Then it disappears. “I’m looking forward to the time when you find yourself in trouble because of your actions.”
