Page 35 of Dangerous Deception

Picking up my fork, I stab one of the little tomatoes and pop it into my mouth. The instant the sweetness bursts over my tongue, I gag, but I manage to swallow quickly. Raffaele watches me closely, but he doesn’t say anything.

He hasn’t left my side since he rescued me, and I’m not sure why. Is it responsibility he feels? Pity? Obligation?

In a strange turn of events, his kindness upon my rescue is the most kindness I’ve ever received from someone. He was patient and sweet with me, moved at my pace, and hasn’t questioned my need to shower every few hours. He’s just here, patient and quiet.

“I’m sorry,” I say eventually, picking at the eggs with my fork.

Raffaele frowns, his coffee cup halfway toward his mouth. “What on earth are you apologizing for?”

His confusion appears genuine, which makes what I need to say even harder. Warmth stings behind my eyes and I keep my gaze down on my plate. “I’m sorry for running away. I know you must be furious with me.”

Raffaele remains silent, which gives me an unfortunate window to just keep talking.

“I just don’t understand why you aren’t angry or yelling at me and giving me trouble. I broke your trust. I basically said fuck you and stormed out of here.”

Raffaele gives an unexpected soft snort. “I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you properly swear.”

I lift my gaze. “You know what I mean, though.”

“Is that what you want?” He sips his coffee. “Do you want me to do that?”

I shrug. “I don’t understand why you’re not.”

“Adelina.” He sets his cup down and leans forward, his eyes softer than I have ever seen them. “You’re hurt. Traumatized. The terror of what happened to you is surely punishment enough for running away. And everything after that?” His eyes briefly dart down to the red bruises ringing my wrists. “You think I’m a monster, but sweetheart, I’m not nearly as bad as you think I am.”

The instinct rises to tell him I’m fine.

I tried that earlier this morning when the doctor came to see me. Neither of them believed me. She checked me over pretty thoroughly with Raffaele watching like a hawk. He seemed poised to leap in and protect me the moment the doctor did something I didn’t like, but the exam went smoothly and she gave me a physical all-clear with some painkillers.

He’s being so gentle, and the way he calls me sweetheart sends all sorts of complicated emotions through my tight chest. Emotions I don’t have the capacity to unpack right now, but it’s difficult to imagine that the man making me lunch and helping me bathe is the same man who barked at me that I was never doing anything without his permission.

“You’re my wife. I am your husband,” Raffaele says as my silence drags on a little. “Regardless of how you feel about me, I will do everything and anything to care for you. I will protect you in every way I know how. I failed in that department, for which I am deeply sorry. But I promise you that it will never happen again. And no matter what you need to feel better, I’ll make sure you get it.”

His words bring tears to my eyes. They’re unexpected and from his tone, he clearly means every word. It’s just… surprising. Like some kind of switch has flipped and I get to see this side of him. Or this side has already existed and I simply never noticed.

“Thank you,” I say quietly. “For coming to get me.”

“Always,” Raffaele replies immediately. “Now eat. Please.”

I manage a few mouthfuls, focusing on the cheesiness of the omelet to try and stop my thoughts from wandering, but eventually, it all circles back to that night, and a chill steals across my shoulders. Swallowing hard, I chase my food with a gulp of orange juice and look at Raffaele.

“Did you find Marie?”

He pauses in taking a drink, his face expressionless. “Adelina.”

A giant pit immediately opens up in my gut. “Where is she?”

“I don’t think?—”

“Raffaele, where is she? Is she at the hospital? Can I go and see her? You managed to save her too, right?” The questions pour out of me, and I’m unable to stop myself as Raffaele’s face tells me everything I need to know. He looks pained.

There’s only one reason he would look that way.

The world around me blurs, and Raffaele’s eyes remain two sparkling anchor points. “Tell me she’s okay,” I whisper.

“I didn’t want to tell you right now,” Raffaele replies, his voice strained. “But… Vito found her not long after I found you. I’m sorry, Adelina. It looks like they drugged her to keep her quiet and the amount they gave her… it was too much.”

“No…”

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