Page 100 of Hidden Raphael
Chapter 29
"Are you ready?" Raphael fixed his tie one more time. "My parents can be super religious."
Kimberly checked the designer dress she wore. She couldn't believe they were at this hotel in New York about to meet his parents. She fixed her lipstick. "Won't they have questions?"
"If we don't want to answer, we don't."
Her skin jumped as he brushed his hand down her arm. "How is that possible?"
"I do it all the time. Avoidance. They can't know I use my house to run internet interference."
She packed her pocketbook. She fumbled with the lipstick but then the clutch closed with everything inside. "Don't they technically own the hotel?"
"No, this one is mine."
She smiled. Once again, Raphael was overconfident and adorable. "And what ever happened to Roger and Harry?"
"Why bring that up now?"
She walked over to him and fixed his tie. Raphael didn't say a word until she finished. Then she said, "You had a meeting with your boss an hour ago and then came in to take a shower."
He checked that she’d straightened the tie out in the mirror and avoided her gaze. "They died."
"Is your nephew still in danger?"
Goose bumps formed on her arms. This conversation kept her grounded and not worried about his parents for the moment.
He turned around and glared at her. "Not if I have any say in the matter."
Of course he'd say that. She checked her earrings. "And your parents, will they like me?"
"Of course they will." Raphael hugged her and kissed her forehead. "I love you, so they'll have to accept you."
No more stalling. She took his arm and walked in step with him. "After this, we go see my mom and Erica. I feel like we've been going nonstop since we left the castle."
He placed his hand over hers the second he opened the door for them. "We'll be back there soon."
The door to their hotel room closed as they made their way down a bright hallway, so different from his castle. "After the honeymoon."
As they waited near the elevator, he massaged her back. The door then opened. Her legs had pins and needles as she took her first step, but she said, "Let's go."
She took his hand and held him close the entire time they were in the elevator. Her heart slowed down, but her skin stayed jumpy. The elevator dinged, and she squeezed his arm. He continued and massaged her back. On the first floor he whispered in her ear, "Relax, Kimberly."
Easy for him to say. She stepped out of the elevator and he led her to a fancy hotel restaurant. She swallowed as she entered, but then her heart skipped a beat and a smile grew on her face. Erica and her mom stood at the bar. Kimberly let go of Raphael and rushed to her mom and sister. She hugged them both, and her face grew wet from her tears.
Erica stepped back first, but she had a wide smile on her face. "Calm down. I'm pregnant."
"I'm an aunt." Kimberly's tears watered. "I saw your wedding announcement and set on my journey home. I wanted to wish you the best, sis."
Erica clutched her stomach. "How did you see it?"
She blinked. She assumed her sister sent her the email. "It was in my email box."
Erica turned her head and gazed at the man that spoke to Raphael. "Gabriel."
The infamous Gabriel. Kimberly gazed at both of the men. They had similar builds. Erica's children would be beautiful. Kimberly stilled as her heartbeat echoed for Raphael. "I need to meet this guy."
Erica pointed in the obvious direction. "He's over there, with the guy you walked in with."
