Page 64 of Claimed Bratva Virgin

The house felt quieter without Rafayel, and it wasn’t the kind of silence I welcomed. A few days had passed since everything shifted between us, since we had that mind-blowing sex that sealed my submission to his commands. And when I wanted to get upset about how I turned into a pile of jelly in his arms, the anger just never came.

But I couldn’t stand it any longer. The last time I saw my father, he was planning my wedding to Luca. Knowing Papa, he was going to have his way however he seemed fit.

But it felt like the more I strongly expected Papa’s men to raid Rafayel’s estate and scatter the place with bullets to seize me, the more nothing happened.

The uncertainty that simmered inside of me needed to be confronted. I grabbed my phone, my fingers hovering over Marco’s contact name. He had always been straightforward with me, and if there was anyone who could offer clarity in the midst of all this confusion, it was him. He would tell me what I needed to know. And what I needed to know also concerned my family.

I wanted to make sure they were alright. ThatPapawas fine.

The call connected, and Marco picked up on the second ring.

“Hola.”

There were muffled sounds in the background before his stiff voice came through the speakers. “Leo? Stai bene?”

It felt refreshing to hear someone from home. But all was not good. I had questions that needed answers.

“No.” I turned away from the door and my food, snuggling deeper into the pillows, as if someone could hear me talking over the phone from outside. “I need to know what’s happening, Marco. How is Papa?”

Silence. And then, “Good. Your father is good,senorita.”

Before I was able to question his unconvincing tone, he fired on, clipped and curt as always.

His voice crackled through the phone. “The alliance with Rossi is over.”

That was unexpected. “Ended how? What happened to being brothers? What happened to Papa’s dream ofUno Italia?”

“Incinerated. Turned to dust. The dissolution ended badly. Your father found out Luca was playing both sides. He sought a marriage to you but had a wife back in Italy.”

What?

“Your father couldn’t stand the thought of such shame and disrespect it would have brought you, so your papa called for a meeting with the guise of discussing more details—"

I knew before he said it.

“Two bullets to Lucas’ head. I helped him put a third when discarding the body.”

My jaw dropped, but there was no need to ask for more details. I knew Papa.

He didn’t tolerate betrayal, especially not when it affected the things he held close to his heart. Still, a rush of disbelief hit me.

Marco and I talked more about operations, and after a brief ten minutes, I disconnected the call. The door opened, and my heart skipped a beat when Rafayel walked in—not out of fear.

The man’s charm certainly went up a notch between the last hour I laid eyes on him and now. Today, he wore a dark tailored suit that hugged his frame perfectly, the deep shade of navy blue complementing his piercing dark eyes. His shirt was crisp white, the collar slightly open, offering just enough glimpse of the strong neck that I couldn’t help but notice.

I’d always known Rafayel was the kind of man who didn’t need to speak to command attention. His presence alone, his confident stride, and the way his hands moved had a magnetic pull. I was charmed and undeniably drawn to this enigma, yet I couldn’t tell if it was his looks, aura, or something else that had me utterly intrigued.

I couldn’t help but let my eyes flicker back to the scar on his eyebrow—a subtle reminder of our encounter that had planted his seed inside me. A tiny mark that somehow felt moreintimate than anything else between us. The last time I kissed it, my lips brushing against the roughness of the scar, I had felt something more than just the heat of the moment. The memory lingered in my mind, and….

I had to force myself to stop looking.

God, how worse could thissituationget?

By the look on his face and those intense eyes of his watching me, he knew I wasn’t playing video games after he saw the phone in my hands.

“Who were you talking to?”

I got it. He still didn’t trust me. How sad. Now, moving on….

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