Page 22 of The Devil's Pawn

I flip through hundreds of channels, my eyelids growing heavy and the remote jittering in my hand as sleep calls. I let it take me away, feeling relaxed for the first time in a while.

* * *

I find myself awake an hour later, according to the large round clock on the wall. My body feels run-down and my head is still groggy with sleep, but I force myself to get up, knowing I’ll never get any shut-eye tonight if I continue to nap.

Flipping my feet out of the warm comfort of Dante’s bed, I make it back downstairs. I start walking aimlessly around the house, not knowing where I’m going and feeling a bit uneasy as I pass guard after guard at every entry point. There are two at the door leading to the pool, then more at the other back entrances. It feels as though I’m being watched every second.

Who needs this many people defending their house? I’m not buying that this is for protection. He has to be involved in something shady. Something I probably don’t want to know about. The less I’m involved in this kind of stuff, the better.

I wanted no part in my father’s dealings, and I sure as hell don’t want anything to do with whatever Dante has his hands in.

All I want is to live my life in peace without being controlled. I know how dirty my father’s hands are, and I’ve always wanted to be far away from that. And Dante, even with all his obvious secrets, can get me there.

I don’t know where I’ll go once our marriage is over. Maybe a small village in a country that can use my medical skills. I might never finish my residency now, but I still have a lot to offer the world. It’d be a waste not to put my knowledge to use.

My dream has always been to become a doctor and help those who need it. I never imagined my dream would fall short of reality. But as much as my heart breaks at knowing my hard work will never be realized, it’s a small price to pay for escaping the clutches of a man who’ll drain all the happiness left in my life.

I don’t even have my medical supply bag, the one I never leave the house without. How the hell did I forget to bring it? Then again, at the time, I really did think I was coming back home.

The bag contains all my essentials, from sutures to stethoscope. I don’t feel the same without it. It’s like a piece of me is missing. I guess that’s another thing I’ll have to get used to.

After walking through what feels like the entire first floor and discovering a home theater and a game room with a full bowling alley on one side, I make it back to my room—well, our room. Removing all the clothes from the bags, I begin to hang them, leaving aside a hot-pink two-piece bikini. There are two walk-in closets in his bedroom, one completely empty, like it was meant for me. Like he knew I’d need it, which is obviously a crazy thought.

The closet itself is more like its own room. You could place a king-sized bed in here, plus a dresser, and still have plenty of room to run around.

After everything is put away, an hour has passed, and I’m ready to take a dip in the pool. With my hips draped in a black cover-up, I make it back down, heading toward the garden. The two guards there open the doors as soon as they see me coming.

“Ma’am,” they say in unison with a curt nod, their expressions stern.

“Raquel is fine,” I throw in.

When I see their demeanor hasn’t softened, I smile awkwardly before heading out.

“Wow,” I whisper as the scent of freshly cut grass on the acres of bright green land before me permeates my senses.

The long, rectangular pool to my right is beautiful, but there’s something else that catches my attention. A circular fountain on my left is surrounded by white benches, perfectly placed flowers in bright colors all around it.

It’s so tranquil. I take a seat, my legs raised up and slanted to the side as I breathe in the fresh air. My eyelids grow heavy, and I realize that the hour-long nap from earlier didn’t help at all.

* * *

DANTE

While I’m at work, I try hard not to constantly watch her on the cameras I have throughout my property. The app on my cell makes it easy to access them wherever I am. My brothers and I all have them in our homes. We need to be aware of every move the Bianchis try to make against us.

When I return back home so we can have lunch together, I already know she’s outside napping on one of the benches. I had this place made in memory of my mother. She always loved flowers and the water.

We had a lake not far from our home, and it was one of her favorite places. And every week, Dad would bring fresh flowers for her. She’d have the biggest smile on her face. I still see it, even though her face is distant now, washed away with the memories.

I miss her. I always will. I miss all of them.

I pull in a long inhale as I make it to where Raquel lies.

I’ve been standing over her for minutes now, watching the peacefulness drip from her body, listening to the steady breaths falling from her lungs. She looks too breathtaking to wake up, and that bikini molded to her tanned curves makes it harder for me to look away.

I saw her with Colleen earlier and loved knowing how uncomfortable she was with that lingerie in her hand. She’ll be using every single damn piece. And when I rip it off of her, I’ll buy her even more.

I stifle a groan from the images in my head of her straddling me with those eyes on mine. My hand is on her arm, my fingers sliding up and down as I savor the softness of her skin, wanting to know how soft she is between those thighs.

---