Page 27 of Wicked Devotion

“Where were you?” She caught a flash of something in his eyes before he blanked them.

“Nothing you need to be concerned about.”

She stood and stared at him. Her eyes flew to the stain of red on his collar. Her stomach twisted. “I promise I won’t come out here again.” She started to walk by him and stopped beside him. “You might want to change your shirt. You’ve got lipstick on it.” She continued into the house and found a room she hadn’t seen before. It reminded her of a sunroom with all the plants and windows.

She was sitting on the sofa looking outside when Rafael found her.

“I’ve been looking for you.”

She glanced at him. “Why?”

“About the lipstick…”

She held up a hand. “It’s none of my business. This was a marriage of convenience. You get my dowry and virginity, and I get your protection. When it is safe, I’ll move on.”

“Like hell you will,” he growled, pulling her up by her arms and holding her in front of him. “I already told you this marriage is forever.”

“I thought that also, but I won’t stand aside while you fuck me raw and then go to another woman.”

“You’re pushing it, Baby. I’d be careful.”

“Careful of what? It’s not like I’m going to lose you. I didn’t have you to begin with. But I get it. You were thrown into this difficult situation, probably against your wishes. I am sorry my father put you up to this. I’m sorry I’m not good enough, but I refuse to compete with another woman.”

“Are you done?”

“Mistress Faith, you have a phone call.”

Faith pulled away from Rafael and walked to Maddie. “Where can I take it?”

“Take it in my office,” Rafael said.

She turned and left without looking at him again. It was too painful. She was dealing with enough at the moment. She thought she had someone who cared besides her sisters, and now she knew differently.

Faith picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Is this Faith?”

“Yes. Who is this?”

“We don’t have a lot of time. They’ve got one of your sisters.”

“Who’sthey?”

“I can’t tell you. Meet me outside the gate in ten minutes.”

“Wait…”

“Do it, or they’ll hurt your sister.”

“Wait…” She hung up the phone and tried to calm down.

“Who was that?”

She spun around to face Rafael. “An old friend.”

“Who? What’s her name?”

“It’s a he.”

---