Page 10 of Naked Truth

Chapter Six

Raoul

“Tell me,Raoul, do you believe she’s my granddaughter?”

My employer asks me this same question every time a woman comes here claiming to be the long-lost heiress to the Hernandez empire. And, as is my duty to him, not only as the head of the family but also as my most respected friend, I answer with the same three words. “Time will tell.”

“This time is different.”

Everytime feels different to a man blinded by hope. “Let us pray it is, Señor.”

“You misunderstand me. I know I must seem a fool for never giving up on my search for my granddaughter. There are a few things I’ve never told you about her. I’ve never told anyone. Only those who knew my Rosa know what I’m about to share with you.”

“I’m honored,” I say humbly, my chest swelling with pride. I’m his top enforcer, but I’m not family. By him sharing something so sacred with me, that makes me family. I won’t take this lightly.

“Do you know my daughter’s full name?”

“Rosa Camila Hernandez.” I frown when he shakes his head. That’s the name beneath her portrait hanging in the great hall.

“Rosa Camila Valentina Hernandez. It was the name of Rosa’s abuela, my mother.”

The news of Rosa’s full name shocks me. Surely, if one of her middle names is the same as the woman who’s already captured my heart, that must mean…

No. I refuse to be swept into this fantasy. Valentina is not family until the DNA test reveals her as such.

“It’s tradition in my family to have both the mother and abuela from the father’s side in the name of the child. Since we did not know the father of this beautiful child, Valentina’s true name is Louisa Rosa Valentina Hernandez. We privately called her Valentina, but no one outside our immediate family knew that name, and it was never published anywhere. It is fate.”

“It does take more than a name to prove her your granddaughter, sir.” Although I didn’t know Rosa’s full name, a quick search of birth records would yield the full name of anyone in the Hernandez family. A little more digging would give a con artist everything she needed to pose as the long-lost heiress, including the right name. The records she claims to have with her could be forged.

“I didn’t share this with you for you to find doubt in my words, Raoul.” His stern tone reminds me of my place. He’s fired operatives for less.

“Yes, sir. Of course. I mean no disrespect.”

He sighs heavily and pats me on the shoulder. “I know, my friend. I know. I’m sorry for snapping. It is not you that has my heart so heavy with concern.” He sighs again. “Raoul, word of Valentina’s arrival has already spread to the Cortez family.”

I immediately tense. Just hearing the name of that godforsaken family has me ready to put my fist through something—preferably a Cortez. The Hernandez and Cortez have been feuding for centuries. Though it’s never been proven, they’re the reason Dom Hernandez visits his daughter’s grave every Sunday.

I also know what this means. My employer may be many things—powerful, sentimental to a fault, even overly-generous—but he is not an alarmist. If he’s worried the Cortez will try to kidnap Valentina and kill her as they’d done with Rosa, then it’s my sworn duty to the Hernandez family to protect her with my life.

“I won’t leave her side, sir.”

He smiles and nods his approval. “Speak nothing of this to her. I do not want to worry her. I’m putting my faith in you to protect my granddaughter, no matter the cost. You understand?”

“She will be safe with me. I swear it on my life.”

“Let us hope it won’t come to that. Now, I must return to my party. Please find Valentina and keep her safe and happy, Raoul. Do this for me and I will owe you a favor.” He nods again before walking away. I stand there, stunned as his words sink in. A favor from one of the most powerful man in all the families? Something like that comes once in a lifetime. I won’t waste it.

I walk deeper into the family garden, where I pick up on the sound of splashing, and smile. My little bird has clearly found the pool. Since this part of the estate is private, reserved for family only, we have the entire area to ourselves and the rest of the night to explore each other’s bodies. I sneak toward the center where the in-ground pool is surrounded by a wall of topiary, opening the buttons of my shirt with each step. By the time I turn the last corner and the pool comes into view, the lights along the sides illuminating the water, I’ve left a trail of my clothes behind me and take my cock in my hand, stroking it as I approach.

She doesn’t see me, so I take advantage of her back to me and slip into the water. Once my feet are firmly planted, I return my hand to my hard flesh and work it up and down the long shaft. When Valentina turns and spots me, her mouth falls open.

“Raoul.”

“Little bird,” I reply and hold my ground no matter how badly I want to swim to her, take her into my arms, and kiss her with the hunger and passion I’ve had for her since we first touched. Just as I knew she would, she arches an eyebrow and gracefully walks toward me, leaving a wake of ripples in her haste to reach me.

“I was hoping you’d come.”

I take her hands and pull her to me, pressing our bodies together. “For you, I will always come.” She colors beautifully at my words, drawing a grin from me. The way the light from the water reflects in her eyes and glows on her skin has me harder than I’ve ever been in my life. I continue to stroke my cock to ease the throbbing, but I know it won’t help. Only one thing will and that is the home Valentina has for me between her legs.

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